Lydia Benz

Lydia is beyond excited to be stepping into the role of Education Director at VACT. She first became involved at VACT at age five with her breakout role in the operatic piggy chorus of Three Piggy Opera. Since then, Lydia has been involved with over 30 VACT productions, doing everything from choreography to repainting the same set pieces for countless productions. Lydia graduated from The Ohio State University in May, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education as a Child and Youth Studies Major with a focus on Creative Pedagogies in Education and a minor in Dance. Throughout this time, Lydia worked at Children’s Theatre of Madison as an Emerging
Teaching Artist and at Columbus Children’s Theatre as the Education Coordinator for their Theatre360 Summer Camps. Theater is for everyone, and Lydia is endlessly passionate about helping each child find their spark. 

Emma Vogel

Emma Vogel is thrilled to be back at camp this year!  An experienced educator with a background in teaching, theater, and the performing arts, she has worked as a middle school Language Arts teacher, an acting coach, and also was previously an Education Director and Theater Director for VACT where she managed youth programs and performing arts education. She has a passion for fostering creativity and confidence in young learners, and now, as a Kindermusik Educator at The Wonder Studio in Verona, she brings her love of music and movement to young children and their families, helping them bond and grow through joyful, play-based learning. Her side project, The Reading Nest, was created to help families experience joy in reading and storytelling with their young children. She has expertise in child development, a deep belief in the power of stories to shape young minds, and a passion for the arts and is so excited to share all of those things while directing some of the theater productions at camp this summer! 

Justin McDermott

Justin is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he earned his degree in Theatre for Youth. Since graduating, Justin has had the opportunity to perform, direct, and choreograph at many companies throughout the country gaining experience in all aspects of theatre. This will be his 4th year working for VACT and is thrilled to return for another incredible summer season! Justin looks forward to creating memorable experiences with this year’s students and is passionate about helping every student build confidence, discover their creativity, and find their unique place in the arts.

Janelle McGhee

Janelle McGhee has been working with students of all ages for most of her life and has taught a wide variety of classes including ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and theater. She has worked with students from preschool to adults and everything in between. Janelle has her BS in Elementary Education from University in Pennsylvania. Soon after graduating, she moved to Madison and was introduced to VACT and the opportunity to help with the K-2 musicals as a choreographer and camp co-teacher. After a handful of years away from Madison, she is happy to be back and teaching VACT classes again!

Aaliyah Johnson

Aaliyah is so excited to dance with all the amazing kiddos at VACT and share her love for dance, creativity, and fun! She’s been part of the VACT family since she was eight years old, and it has been such a special place for her to grow as a dancer and performer. Aaliyah also has enjoyed choreographing many youth shows at VACT!

Aimika Ketilson

Aimika is so excited to join the staff of VACT!  She briefly subbed for a few dances classes last spring and is excited to be joining full time to teach music! While this will her first time teaching at VACT, she participated in many shows throughout her time in high school. Aimika currently attends the University of Toronto and looks forward to coming home this summer!

Heather Felker

Heather holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis in voice from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and has been involved in music for the past two decades, either teaching or performing. Her experience includes teaching music at local schools, providing private music lessons, singing with the UW Choral Union, serving on multiple VACT youth production teams, including directing Bye Bye Birdie YPE this spring, and performing on stage herself in recent shows such as VACT's Beauty and the Beast, Wizard of Oz, Seussical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, School of Rock, and Anything Goes. She is currently a cast member in VACT's Annie. Her two kids are also very involved at VACT (it’s our home away from home!). Singing and engaging with young people are among Heather's favorite activities, and she anticipates a fun summer at VACT!

Chris Telfer

Chris is excited to be a part of the VACT Staff and have the privilege to work with talented children, adults, and fellow VACT staff! Over a 30-year teaching career, Chris taught band, choir, and general music across the elementary, middle, and high school levels. He currently teaches lessons through the Academy of Sound. Since 2012, Chris has also been involved with Camp Invention — a STEM camp for kids in grades 1-6. Chris has been an active member of the VACT community since 2023 and has been involved in numerous productions in roles ranging from performer to assistant music director to music director.

Sarah Strube

Sarah is so excited to be back for another summer at camp! She is currently in the final semesters at UWSP, getting a degree in elementary education. At a young age she found a love for theater, and she’s excited to share her joy with the campers! 

Kyla P

Kyla is excited to join the team with VACT this summer! She got plugged into the community just a few years ago, and has been involved with a number of shows since. During the school year, she works at Leopold Elementary, where she has been a teacher and coach for 10 years. She also has built Leopold’s musical program since 2018, with which she has been production director and choreographer. On her down time, she loves cuddling with her cat Liza, swimming and knitting.

Kayla Wagner

Kayla is beyond thrilled to be a part of the staff at VACT! She has grown up participating in musicals with VACT and recently assisted in dance classes in the spring. Kayla attended UW La Crosse for a year before deciding to work full time with animals. She's so excited to be the teacher that she once looked up to during her time at VACT! She has so much love for the arts and can’t wait to spread the joy to everyone!

Mira Roffers

Mira is very excited to be teaching at VACT this summer! She recently graduated from Madison West High School and is beginning her freshman year at UW-Madison. Mira has been involved with VACT on and off stage for about 8 years, including teaching dance classes and assistant teaching at summer camps. She has also been involved at Children's Theater of Madison both as an actor and teacher. Mira is thrilled to be teaching music this summer, and to meet new faces and have some fun!

Josie Petroff

Josie is very excited to join VACT as a Music Assistant! Josie began performing at VACT her junior year of high school, and is so excited to return for the first time since her senior year. Josie currently attends New York University and is working towards her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Educational Theatre.

Callie Lederer

Callie is so excited to be working at VACT this summer!  She is a sophomore at Verona Area High School and has been involved in nearly 50 VACT productions over the years, and was a dance teacher for The Verona Rec this past year. She can’t wait to be back and help with camp this summer!