Associate Professor of Scenic Design - University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Tom Burch -- is a freelance scenic designer and faculty member at UNC Charlotte. Professional work includes operas in Italy (La Musica Lirica), children's theatre in Taiwan (Ya Tong Theatre Company), shows in England and Scotland at schools and festivals. In the US, he's designed off-Broadway (Mistakes Were Made at Barrow Street Theatre), and at regional theatres across the country including American Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Co, Berkeley Repertory, Actors Theatre Louisville, Milwaukee Repertory, St. Louis Repertory, Cleveland Play House, and many others. He was based in Chicago for a number of years, where he designed for the Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Court, and a large array of storefront theatre companies. For his design work in Chicago he received 5 Jeff Award nominations (1 win), 3 After Dark Awards and the Maggio Emerging Designer Award. He's previously taught at University of Chicago, and as a guest artist and/or adjunct at a number of places.

Lecturer/Technical Director - Mercer University

Nicholas Ryan serves as the technical director for Mercer Theatre, bringing diverse experience in professional, academic, and corporate theater. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ryan worked with PlayMakers Repertory Company as production technical director for Private Lives. He has also served as project manager for Georgia Stage, a theatrical rigging and drape company, and worked at the historic Rylander Theatre, Cortland Repertory Theatre, and Utah Shakespeare Festival.

In addition to his professional work, Ryan has taught at Tennessee Tech University, Middle Tennessee State University, Spelman College, and Agnes Scott College. His teaching combines hands-on learning with professional experience, providing students a comprehensive understanding of technical theater.

Associate Professor of Theatre & Coordinator of the BFA Stage Management Program - University of Central Florida

Claudia Lynch is an Associate Professor of Theatre and the Coordinator of the BFA Stage Management program. Her work includes the Broadway productions Contact, Dinner At Eight, Little Shop of Horrors, The Rivals, The Light in the Piazza, Company, A Catered Affair, and Rock of Ages. Off Broadway and Regionally, Claudia has worked with Classic Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre, and NY City Center Encores!, New World Stages, Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Old Globe Theatre, Porthouse Theatre Company, and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. She received her BA in Theatre from SUNY Geneseo. Claudia is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, and an AEA Outreach Presenter.  In addition to KCACTF, Claudia is a member of the Stage Managers’ Association, and the Co-Coordinator for Management Education for USITT’s Management Commission, and a Founding Board Member of the Women in Production Collective.    Claudia Lynch and Amanda Spooner created the Connection Convention: College Edition; connecting future Stage Managers with Stage Management Educators and Higher Education/University Programs.  

Professor of Practice - University of Georgia

Chelsea Taylor (they/them) is currently working as an Academic Professional in Stage Management at the University of Georgia. Originally from Houston, Texas, Chelsea received their MFA in Stage Management from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and their BA in Theatre Education from Texas Woman’s University. They have had the opportunity to work as a member of a stage management team with a range of performing art companies including Houston Ballet, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Ballet, and Sarasota Opera. Chelsea is excited to be joining the festival and they are currently stage managing UGA Theatre’s production of Murder on the Orient Express. 

In Chelsea’s free time, they enjoy reading and hanging out with their dog, Queso.