Meet Our Faculty

Kristin Winchester

Theatre Ensemble, Theatre Studio, Theatre Studio Honors

Kristin Winchester has been at Durham School of the Arts since 2015. During this time, she has rejuvenated the International Thespian Society-taking students to compete at the State and National level for theatre with much success. She has always been a storyteller, directing her first production at her church at the age of 12. While studying to be an actor, she decided that she wanted to spend her time teaching and inspiring young theatre artists to pursue this as a hobby/possible profession. Ms. Winchester fully believes in the power of the arts, and what they can instill in the human soul. She holds two degrees, English and Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She is trained in the International Phonetic Alphabet, Musical Theatre, Meisner, and Bogart technique, and has sent many students off to college to pursue the theatrical arts. Kristin is the recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Teacher award from the Broadway League.

Todd Lawrence

8th Grade Stagecraft, Intro to Technical Theatre, Technical Theatre II, and Design and Production, Theatre Fundamentals

Todd Lawrence has been teaching at DSA since 2018 in Technical Theater, and is super excited to be here! Todd has been working in professional theater, educational theater, and the entertainment industry for over 30 years. He has taught at UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia Commonwealth University. His secondary teaching credits include The Collegiate School in Richmond, VA, The Bullis School in the DC metro area, West Rowan High School, as the Theater Manager at Carrboro High School and Northwood High School in Pittsboro. He has worked at Stages St. Louis, The Wayside Theatre in Virginia, and The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York. He received his BA from Catawba College and his MFA from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Douglas Graves

Introduction to Theatre, Middle School Studio, Theatre Lab

Douglas Graves brings over 30 years of teaching experience to our vibrant DSA community, including 24 years at DSA. His professional portfolio boasts numerous acting credits, along with film and tech. He began his teaching career in New York at 24, as a music and theatre teacher at Immaculate Conception School (ICS) for grades K-8. Mr. Graves continued to perform, acquiring his EMC (Equity Membership Candidate) and AFTRA membership, working with such legendary talents like William David Brohn, Jane Iredale, William Perry, Dennis Rosa, Abe Jacobs, David Carroll, Sorrell Booke, John McDonough, and Ray Dooley. After relocating to North Carolina, Mr. Graves continued nurturing young talents at Raleigh Little Theatre and Arts Together. Mr. Graves was an NC Teaching Artist, traveling to arts councils throughout NC, teaching students in grades 5-8. Locally, he has performed with Raleigh Ensemble Players, Theatre in the Park, North Carolina Theatre, Triangle Dinner Theatre, and Abracadabra Dinner Theatre. Mr. Graves attended Niagara University, NC State, NCCU, and UNC-G. He and his wife, Kathleen, share a passion for theatre and met while performing in Bells Are Ringing (TDT). They are proud parents to Adine and Carey and plan to walk the Camino de Santiago from Lisbon to Santiago in retirement.

Jordan Clifton

Middle School Specialist

Mr. Clifton is so excited to join the incredible faculty and students at DSA! Whenever he isn't in the classroom he enjoys watching Christine Baranski in “The Gilded Age,” long distance running, live music, and performing whenever possible. He grew up in Garner, North Carolina and attended Catawba College and the Open Jar Institute in NYC where he studied musical theatre and got his BFA in acting. After graduating he worked all over NC as an actor and teacher before going to teach at Broughton High School in Raleigh- his most recent job before coming to teach at DSA.

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