Staff
Shaun Knapp- Head Director and Head Speech Coach
Shaun Knapp has been the Head Director at Urbandale High School since 2016 and was the Assistant Director 2 years before taking on the Head Director role on. He directs one of the Mainstage (Fall, Winter or Spring) shows and is the Technical Director for the other show. He also is the Thespian Troupe Director for Troupe 8416 which is part of an international organization and a theatre Honor society . Mr Knapp is also the Head Speech Coach for both Large Group and Individual Events at UHS coaching categories from One Act Play, Group and Solo Mime etc to Individual Improvisation and Public Address. Groups and Individuals under his direction have earned numerous Division I ratings at both Individual and Large Group State Contests as well as several All-State Performers.
He is also the Performing Arts Center Manager and supervises all events that happen in the PAC.
Mr. Knapp completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Speech Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 2014. He graduated with distinction from UNI with the Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievement in Performance Studies.
In his free time he enjoys everything outdoors including backpacking, hiking, camping, cycling, etc and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys consistently upgrading and organizing the Scene Shop to make it as efficient as possible.
Email: knapps@urbandaleschools.com
Lee Gallegos - Assistant Director and Speech Coach
Lee Gallegos has been an Assistant Drama Director at Urbandale High School since 2017 and was a coach/music director for 1 year before taking on the Assistant Director role. They have directed various plays for UHS and has been the Music Director for the company’s musicals. They are also a Speech Coach for both Large Group and Individual Events at UHS, coaching categories from Solo/Group Musical Theatre and Reader's Theatre to Storytelling, Radio News, and Expository Address. Groups and Individuals under their direction have earned numerous Division I ratings at both Individual and Large Group State Contests. In addition to their normal duties, this year Gallegos has taken over as the director of a new division of our Technical Crews called the CMPP Crew (pronounced camp) supervising student leaders in Costumes, Makeup, Props design and Publicity.
Gallegos completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education with an endorsement in K-8 Reading from Simpson College in 2012.
In their free time they enjoy spending time with family and friends, coaching their private vocal students, listening to/researching musicals, and being involved in the region’s community theatre in various aspects.