THEATRE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ARMES Theatre students explore acting, movement, voice, collaborative practice, design thinking, and the habits of the artist through experiential drama process methods that focus on the needs of the individual artistically gifted student. Students develop stronger communication skills through independent and ensemble-building practices, playmaking/ devising/ writing projects, critical discussion, and reflection. In the context of an annual production, students embrace the process of bringing dramatic literature to the stage, through learning which connects students with their interests and gives them a chance to explore the roles of the many collaborators involved in creating theater.

Instructional Objectives: 

• Improve communication skills and build creativity

• Develop an artistic point of view and connection to the art form

• Build foundational skills and vocabulary as an actor

• Empower collaboration, self-discipline, poise, and self-confidence

• Develop social and self-awareness

• Cultivate creative problem-solving techniques and critical response

• Encourage awareness of senses, body, and emotions

• Introduce students to classic dramatic literature and to techniques for engaging with literature

• Develop appreciation of the conventions of the theatre

WHAT STUDENTS WILL BE LEARNING IN THE ARMES THEATRE PROGRAM

THEATRE INSTRUCTORS

Tinasha LaRayé (Sherer) is a theatre artist, teaching artist, artist coach, professional actor, director, and voice-over artist with more than 20 years of experience working in theatre and film, and over 15 years working in arts education. She is passionate about helping young artists discover their unique voices, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to tell compelling stories.

As a professional performer and director, Tinasha has worked across the country in productions in prominent regional theaters, for non profit organizations, or for social causes in scores of productions, experimental theatre, showcases, and solo shows. She has been seen on stage or directing for theaters across the Upstate including The Warehouse Theatre, SC New Play Festival, Centre Stage, and Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred Productions. She is also an accomplished voice-over artist (NKJV Audio Bible) and filmmaker, including her award-winning and Heartland Regional Emmy-nominated documentary short, FIRST & FEMALE.

Tinasha holds a BA in Theatre Performance and an MLA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Film Production and Direction, both from Oklahoma City University. Her training stretches across multiple techniques: Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and Meisner, including scene study and acting for camera. 

At the heart of Tinasha's teaching philosophy is the belief that every human has a story worth telling. She encourages students to build strong theatrical foundations, take creative risks, collaborate generously, and develop the confidence to make bold, authentic choices in and outside of the classroom. For Tinasha, theatre is ultimately about connection, empathy, and the reminder that our stories can help us better understand ourselves, each other, and the greater body of humanity. 

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Leah Hall is a theatre instructor, performing artist, and costume designer with a passion for helping young artists grow their confidence and discover their creative voice. She graduated from Converse University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Dance, where she focused on performance and costume design.

Throughout her theatrical career, Leah has been involved in more than 30 productions, both onstage and behind the scenes, and has served as costume designer for two productions. Her performance training includes extensive study in both the Michael Chekhov and Stanislavski acting techniques, providing her with a strong foundation of physical storytelling and character development to help create truthful performances.

Since graduating, she has spent the past two years working with students as an after-school instructor, substitute teacher, and teacher's assistant. These experiences have allowed her to develop engaging and supportive learning environments where student’s creativity and confidence can thrive.

Leah believes that there are no wasted choices in the creative process and that every success and mistake are opportunities to grow as an artist. She hopes to cultivate a classroom where students feel safe to experiment, collaborate, and trust their instincts. She wants every student to know that simply showing up and practicing their craft already makes them artists and ultimately wants to inspire them to take more risks. She looks forward to helping each student discover the passion and confidence that theatre can give.

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Rebecca Payne is a professional actor, vocalist, and theatre educator. As a teaching artist with The Warehouse Theatre and a private vocal coach, Rebecca has led creative engagements and educational programs for all ages. With The Warehouse Theatre, Rebecca has taught Shakespeare workshops, applied theatre workshops, and participated in  Shakespeare Educational Tours, performing and teaching workshops with students all over South Carolina. 

In her time post college, Rebecca has performed in over 50 productions with local theatres across the upstate including Centre Stage, GLOW Lyric Theatre, Younts Centre for the Performing Arts, Mauldin Cultural Center, The Warehouse Theatre, South Carolina Children's Theatre, and Greenville Theatre to name a few. Outside of performance, she teaches Voice for students of all ages with a technique and music theory first approach. 

Rebecca holds a Bachelors of Music in Voice Performance in Foreign Language from the University of Memphis. During her time at Memphis, she also studied European Art and French Cinema at the L'Université Catholique de Lille, in Lille, France. Rebecca is a product of the Greenville County School System having attended Greenville Technical Charter High School and the Fine Arts Center. She is delighted for the opportunity to share the love and joy of theatre with her students.

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