About Midway Playhouse

Mindy’s love for the arts began at age 10, when she directed her first play in her parents’ backyard. Mindy graduated from the University of Utah and owned a retail business in Ohio for 10 years. While living in Midway, she has been involved in over 25 shows, taking on roles such as choreographer, director, costume designer, and even performer. Mindy continues to keep her creative outlet alive through involvement with several Theater Organizations in the valley. She currently serves as the Arts Pillar Chair on the Wasatch Community Foundation Board.

Mary is an educator, trained vocalist, and has a great respect and love for the arts, especially in her community. She has had the pleasure of performing in local theaters but thrives in the process of creating children’s theater and has been doing so for the last ten years. Mary loves working with the youth in her community to develop their talents, boost their confidence and create positive connections with their peers. It’s a special thrill to see a cast bond together, take pride in their production and share it with their community.

Andrea discovered her love for theater by growing up in a “Von Trapp” style family of 10 singing and dancing siblings! After years of acting, she wrote and directed the play “The Lavender Rose” her senior year of high school in memory of her beloved aunt and realized the joy of behind the scenes. She has volunteered extensively with the theaters in Wasatch County in just about every role, including directing and producing nearly 20 shows. A mother of five and elementary teacher, Andrea loves to help youth reach their full potential. 

Carolyn has a passion for community theater and thrives in the creative process it provides! She brings her study and love of fine arts to her set design and costuming and enjoys working with many local theaters to bring their stories to life on stage. As a set designer for over 25 shows, she finds magic and joy in every show, cherishing the connections made as she collaborates with friends and her community. Carolyn has lived all over the world but has been in Midway for the past 8 years and hopes to never leave this wonderful community!

Jenn has a variety of creative interests, including music, acting, visual arts, graphic design, and teaching. She has worked as a middle school teacher, a mom to five kids, and a perpetual voice student - with over 14 years of vocal training. It wasn’t until Jenn moved to the Heber Valley that she discovered musical theater as the PERFECT creative outlet, and she was instantly hooked. She has been training at The Ruth/Hale Academy, focusing on musical-theater-specific voice and acting. She loves performing, teaching, coaching, directing, and contributing artistically.

Shelbi Kohler is a mother of eight who brings her lifelong passion for theater to the youth program where she has served as director or on the directing team for 10 years. She discovered her love for acting at age 9 and has performed in multiple productions throughout her life. Shelbi finds fulfillment in guiding young performers as they discover their unique talents and experience the joy of being on stage.​

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Kate Davis has been trained in dance, music, and theater from a young age and has developed a deep passion for choreographing and directing youth theater, especially here in Midway where she, her husband, and 5 kids have lived the last 12 years. This joy comes from working with such incredible youth and watching their confidence and abilities flourish into the creation of something exceptionally beautiful, memorable, and FUN! Armed with a Diet Coke, she enters each rehearsal grateful to teach and dance with these talented young artists!!

Ellen Eckersley has dedicated countless hours creating costumes for local theater productions. Her involvement in costuming began with her own children taking part in theater, and since moving to the valley 15 years ago, she has worked with several theaters to design and create costumes for over 20 shows. She also contributes costumes for the Heber Valley Railroad. She loves the collaboration of her team of accomplished seamstresses, and the chance to bring confidence, fun, and color to the young performers on stage!

Juliana Smith has worn just about every hat in youth theater—director, assistant director, music director, and more—always ready to step in wherever she’s needed. Her love of theater began at her community college, where she earned her associate of arts degree in speech and drama. That passion reignited in the Heber Valley, where she’s been active in local theaters, bringing experience from both college and community performances. Juliana is grateful to her family and friends—especially her husband, who joined her and has become an impressive lighting tech.

Laura Wardle is excited to be part of the Midway Playhouse team. She holds a BA in film and theatre and an MFA in Acting from BYU with additional acting training from the American Film Institute and Nina Foch. Laura has been part of several productions in the Heber Valley including Matilda Jr, Addams Family Jr and the Sound of Music. Her professional film credits can be found at IMBD.

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Rachel Allred on our Leadership Team has Bachelors and Masters degrees in Sociology and a minor in World Dance. She has worked for universities, state government, non-profit, and is the choir teacher at Rocky Mountain Middle School in Heber. She has toured with Brigham Young University’s International Folk Dance Ensemble and Salt Lake Vocal Artists. Rachel’s favorite past performances are a solo concert on Temple Square, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Ado Annie from Oklahoma!

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Kristen Hughes is on the Creative Leadership Team and a member of the Midway Playhouse Advisory Board. She holds a degree in Theatre Arts from BYU Provo and has been having a ball creating theatrical adventures all over Wasatch County with TVT, UAC, HVA & CAT. Kristen cofounded Ethos Acting Studio in 2018 and loves teaching and training young people to express themselves and build community through performing.

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