FACULTY BIOS

YOUNG ACTOR PROGRAMS

DAWN LOVELAND is the Director of Education at Playhouse on Park. Aside from teaching their classes for grades K – 8, she has directed several shows for young audiences including GOODNIGHT MOON, GO, DOG. GO!, HOMEROOM, and IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE. She also currently teaches Creative Dramatics through the Bridge Family Center, and is teaching and directing at Kingswood Oxford School. Dawn's additional credits in arts education include teaching, directing, choreographing and stage managing. Locations include Surflight Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, Asylum Hill Learning Center, Middleground Theatre, Camp Acting Manitou, The Hartt School Community Division, and Simsbury Department of Continuing Education. Dawn is a graduate of Middlebury College with a BA in theatre, focused on directing.

AMANDA PAWLIK is an actor, director and teaching artist. She has traveled the country as a touring actor with Hampstead Stage Company, performing everywhere from rural Montana to New York City. During her time with Hampstead, Amanda served as the company's Associate Artistic Director and had the honor of directing several of their summer mainstage and nationally touring productions including A CHRISTMAS CAROL, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, and YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. Currently, she is a guest artist and director at the University of Hartford where she most recently directed SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR. A passionate educator of all ages, Amanda has recently worked with the Arts Literacy Program through Hartford Performs, the Long Wharf Theatre's Educators' Laboratory, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and Arts in Reach and Majestic Theatre in New Hampshire. She is a proud member of DirectorsLabChicago and an alumna of the O'Neill National Theater Institute.


HILLARY EKWALL is a West Hartford native currently based in New York City pursuing a career in musical theatre. She is a graduate of Skidmore college with a degree in music and education. As an actor Hillary has been a part of the national touring productions of RAMONA QUIMBY and CURIOUS GEORGE LIVE! and most recently performed in NYC as Angelina in ANGELINA BALLERINA A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY MUSICAL. She has been seen many times on the Playhouse stage including: YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, COMPANY, SWINGING ON A STAR, I THINK I CAN, and with STOP/TIME DANCE THEATRE. She has taught for West Hartford Public schools as well as various theatre and science programs around CT. When not performing, Hillary is a movement and gymnastics coach in NYC! www.hillaryekwall.com


LINDA WILSON an accomplished educator, director, choreographer, actor, and dancer, has performed regionally, and internationally, including a successful concert tour of Australia.  She holds an A.A. degree in Music, Theatre, and dance, along with a Master of Education degree from UCONN in elementary education.  In addition to teaching 2nd grade at Wolcott School in West Hartford, Linda founded a children’s dance company, and was faculty at the HARTT School of Music and Hartford Ballet instructing tap. Linda is co-producer and founder of Hot Music, now in its 4th year, creating original Broadway reviews to benefit Manchester area ministries.  She leads worship at Trinity Covenant Church in Manchester, is a featured vocalist in TCC’s annual Christmas Musical for the past 15 years, and sings with PLT! – a contemporary Christian Women’s quartet.  Choreography credits include 42nd STREET, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS..., DAMN YANKEES, CAROUSEL, and many more.