Spence White

Spence is the Director of Cavalier Theatre at Jefferson Forest High School. Prior to teaching, his acting work includes Hamlet on Broadway with Ralph Fiennes, regional work at the Guthrie Theater, Dallas Theater Center,  Milwaukee Reparatory Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Lincoln Center Institute,  and nine Texas Shakespeare productions!

TV work includes: "Law and Order," "All My Children," "One Life to Live," and several national commercials. 

A 1986 graduate of EC Glass, he holds a B.F.A. from Southern Mehodist University and an M.F.A. from the graduate acting program at NYU. 

In 2016 he was named Region 5 Teacher of the Year, and was Viriginia's 2023 nominee for NFHS Theatre Educator of the Year.

He lives in Lynchburg with his wife, Niki, and his cat, Miss Thing.

Paula Chanda

Paula recently retired from teaching at Buford Middle School in Charlottesville where she started the theatre program. She moved to Portugal! But, she's completing her time on the board from afar.

Paula holds a Masters Degree in Education and has completed all of the coursework for a PhD in Fine Arts. She has taught theatre to all age groups for over 23 years. She is a nationally award winning director. Paula knows the world of talented kids as she performed professionally as a child and has a talented daughter herself. She understands theatre from all sides, as an educator, performer and director. She has had the honor of performing some dream roles: Diana in "Next to Normal," Jessie in "Night’ Mother," Joan in "Small Mouth Sounds "and Sylvia in "Sylvia". She has directed over 150 musicals and plays for kids and adults. 

She now lives in Coimbra, Portugal with her husband, Bob.