Sam, who holds an MFA in Drama/Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University and a BS in Theatre Arts from Less-McRae College, has been the Education Manager at Flint Youth Theatre since June 2006.  Before coming to FYT he worked at Round House Theatre (MD), Ann Arbor Young Actors Guild, Concordia University – Ann Arbor and Eastern Michigan University.  In addition to overseeing FYT Drama School, he teaches/coordinates the InterACT program, creates educator’s guides for the LEARNING THROUGH THEATRE SERIES, teaches/coordinates classes for The Pierce Cultural Center School and has been known to perform in the OFF THE PRESS SERIES from time to time.  While at FYT Sam has also been in IN THE COMPANY OF PIRATES, lent his voice to the dragon in THE HOBBIT and directed the all student cast of STORY THEATRE.

Andrea is a graduate of the University of Michigan- Flint with a BFA in Theatre Performance and a Minor in Communications.  Andrea has been involved with theatre for the past twelve years, including shows with Flint City Theatre (ROMEO AND JULIET and SHRINK RESISTANT), U of M–Flint (SUBURBIA, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN and THE WINTER'S TALE) and Swartz Creek Center Stage (ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and OKLAHOMA!).  She is thrilled to be a part of the FYT family and first appeared on our stage in CREEPERS (2008).  Her favorite quote is by Peter Brook, "Drama is exposure; it is confrontation; it is contradiction and it leads to analysis, construction, recognition and eventually to an awakening of understanding."

Deirdre has worked with Flint Youth Theatre since 2002. She holds a BS in Communication from Michigan State University and a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of Michigan-Flint. Deirdre began her work with FYT as a Drama School instructor. Her debut performance at FYT was in ALIEN SOIL and her most recent appearances include Mae Tuck in TUCK EVERLASTING and the Hoopoe in THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS. Deirdre has worked with several theatrical outreach and educational performance programs for children offered through Sloan Museum’s living history programs. She is an active public speaker, mostly in youth-related environments. She has also held speaking engagements for outreach seminars and conferences for middle school through college students across the country with Monster’s Diversity Leadership Program. Deirdre is a proud mom whose 16-year-old son has taken drama classes at FYT and performed with her in MIDDLE PASSAGE and VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS. Deirdre’s most valued possessions at FYT are the experiences, the hugs, the family and the lives she affects on and off the stage.

Rodney is pleased to be a part of the FYT team as a Resident Artist. He has an MFA in Acting from West Virginia University and a BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA. For the past two years Rodney worked as musical theatre and theatre instructor at Booker T. Washington Magnet Performing Arts High School in Alabama. He also worked as company manager and actor at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in West Virginia. Rodney has performed in professional theatre companies throughout the East Coast. During his time at WVU, Rodney also performed at Pendragon Theatre Co. His love and commitment to the fine arts motivate his purpose and desire to accomplish success as a performing artist and teacher.