Before joining The Waldo to help develop their education program, Mia was the Director of Education for Open Door Arts in Boston, MA where she designed and managed collaborations between teaching artists, schools, and cultural institutions with the goal of providing inclusive and accessible arts experiences. In addition to her work as an administrator, she has worked as a Teaching Artist for over 13 years specializing in developing drama programming for students with autism and emotional trauma in independent settings as well as within schools. She has also developed and led training about inclusion best practices within arts programming for cultural institutions across the country including Roundabout Theatre (NYC) and Wheelock Family Theatre (Boston). Mia holds a masters in education from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree in Musical Theatre Performance from American University.

As a Lincoln Academy Alumni and after minoring in Theater at UMO, Laura was part of a professional children’s traveling theater ensemble and youth drama teacher for the Dallas Theater Center as well as acted
professionally for the Dallas Reparatory Theater, the Indianapolis Rep, Capital City Players, Scene One Theater and other venues. In 2000, Laura started the Second Chance Foundation with the mission of helping youth make healthy decisions through theatrical school assemblies on bullying, substance-use, suicide prevention and other topics. She was honored as a Zonta Women of the Year and at national conferences due to the thousands of youth that were affected by her programs. She consulted as a Theatrical Director with the Council for Drug Free Youth as well as founded the Master Acting Studio for Kids.
After re-locating to back to Maine, she served as an Education Director/Theater Instructor/Director and actress for Acorn Productions, directed and taught youth theater camps for Royal River Theater Company, and acted in the Maine Playwright’s Festival,
Crowbait Club, Heartwood Theater, River and Company and other venues. As the past Executive Director for the Be the Influence Coalition, she was recognized regionally and nationally for creating and
implementing an “Arts in Prevention” curriculum for building coping skills and resiliency in youth of all ages. Her favorite role is as mother to her amazing sons Ben (30) and Josh (26). She is thrilled to be back in her hometown and representing the wonderful Waldo Theater!

Teralyn earned her MFA-Acting from the University of Montana. She has had the privilege to work as a Teaching Artist, Performer, and Director throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. She is the Founder/Executive Director of Storytree Theatre (www.storytreetheatre.org), which focuses on cultivating community through performance by working with local artists to create original plays within schools and communities. During the pandemic, Teralyn developed Theatreteacher.org, which offers fully realized arts-infused lesson plans; it is also home to Playwright's Pal, an online writing tool for anyone who wants to write a play. As a performer Teralyn has worked with a variety of theatres including Missoula Children's Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, and Daegu Theatre Troupe. As a Teaching Artist, Teralyn has worked with the Educational Theatre Association, developed online lessons for The Kennedy Center, and received a National Artist Fellowship from the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts. Teralyn and her tiny family of three are very happy to finally call Maine home.

We are thrilled to welcome Improv Artist, Ryan Jackson, to The Waldo to expand your minds and fill your bellies with laughter! In this series of workshops, participants will engage in various Improvisation games and prompts to improve skills in storytelling, conversation, and interacting with others. You'll become experts on subjects you didn't know about before, and embrace your inner fool. Each session, participants will learn the tips and tricks that allow for uninhibited creation and the trusting of your acting instincts. Whether this is your first time, or you're already an old pro, come have some fun! Come for one or come for all!

Ryan Jackson is a born and raised Mid-Coast Maine teaching artist who has performed all over Maine for over 25 years. A 2012 graduate from the University of Maine with his BFA in Theatre, Ryan has worked professionally regionally as well as with many community organizations. Ryan performed Off-Broadway in NYC as apart of the first ever New York City Children’s Theatre Festival in the Production of the Velveteen Rabbit. In addition to being a company member of Everyman Repertory Theatre, Ryan is the site coordinator for After School Programming at RSU 13 for Oceanside Middle School. With his passion for improvisation, puppets, character work and theatre in general, Ryan is thrilled to have this opportunity to join the Waldo team.