Administrative Staff
Maridee Slater, Program Director
Email: maridee@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206-333-1060
Raised in the desert with a name that means “of the sea,” Maridee Slater (she/they) has always moved easily between worlds. She’s a theatre director, educator, producer, and maker who sometimes creates with her hands, sometimes with their head, and always with their whole heart. Maridee holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from Columbia University and has spent nearly two decades making theatre with students, artists, and communities across the country. They have directed new plays, designed and built scenery, developed immersive performances, led arts organizations, and taught students of all ages. Her teaching experience includes Columbia University’s Summer Immersion Program, Cornish College of the Arts, the University of Washington, Drew University, and youth theatre programs nationwide. After several years working throughout the Midwest and Northeast, Maridee is delighted to return to the Pacific Northwest. Their first acting job in Seattle was with YTN, making this homecoming a particularly joyful full-circle adventure. At the heart of Maridee’s work is a fascination with what happens when people gather in a room and make something together. She loves helping students transform ideas into action, embrace uncertainty, and discover that there is often more than one right answer. Maridee happiest scheming up new work with rabble-rousing young people and carry a possibly unreasonable amount of enthusiasm wherever they go. Favorite question: What if? Favorite answer: Let’s find out.
Theresa Heeren, Managing Director
Email: theresa@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206-333-1055
Theresa Heeren (she/her) was born and raised in Washington State. Theresa has had a passion for theatre and the arts since she was a child. She attended Shorecrest High School and graduated in 1993 where she started a 29-year finance career in retails banking from Teller to Business Banker to Branch Manager while earning her associate's in business from Seattle Central College with a focus on teaching math. She has 2 children who have been involved in theatre since 2012 and they are both going to college to get their BFA. Theresa has been their biggest cheerleader and has been living vicariously through their experience and joy. She has been making costumes for her children and family since 2000 and continues to participate in creating while supporting her children's future. She joined YTN in 2024 to bring her skills and abilities to her new role as the Finance and Operations Manager and to be part of an artistic community. In July 2025, with her 20+ years of management excellence, Theresa was promoted to YTN's Managing Director to co-lead the organization into their next chapter.
Don Rupp, Development Director
Email: devdir@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206-333-1061
Don Rupp (he/him) brings a deep passion for the transformative power of the arts and a proven record of building meaningful community partnerships. Don is a graduate of Minnesota State University at Mankato, where he studied acting and directing. He travelled as an actor/ singer/ dancer/musician, bouncing around the country. In 1994 he landed in Seattle and settled in the Columbia City area. Using his years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, Don champions creative opportunities that empower young people to find their voices through theatre. His collaborative approach bridges artistic vision with strategic growth, helping Youth Theatre Northwest continue its legacy of inspiring creativity, confidence, and connection among youth. When he’s not advancing the theatre’s mission, Don spends many weekends on Orcas Island with his husband, exploring paradise and getting to know the locals. Don’s been offstage for years but give him a good cause, and he’ll belt out a tune—and throw in a twirl—for your support!
Mike Lion, Director of Production
Email: mike@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206-333-1056
Mike Lion (he/him) is the Director of Production and the coach for the Chaos Theory Improv team. He graduated from Hampshire College where he studied Directing and Immersive Theatre. Mike is a Seattle-based director, actor, translator, and clown. He co-founded Dacha Theatre and regularly directs their devised and immersive productions. Some production highlights include an outdoor immersive adaptation of Peter Pan, a drive-in clown show called Dears in Headlights, and an original translation of the Russian children's show The Snow Queen. You can follow Mike's work here. Outside of theatrical enterprises Mike enjoys playing board games and practicing accordion.
Christy Fox, Director of Education
Email: christy@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206-333-1062
Christy Fox (she/her) joined the YTN family in 2014 and the YTN staff in 2025. She has loved theatre since she was a young child. So much so, she got her BFA in it! She graduated from the University of Nevada Reno, then traded in the dust and sun for the green and rain. Growing up with parents in education, she has always been involved with teaching and nurturing. Most recently, she taught preschool for four years and then became a nanny for eight. Christy is crafty and creative and loves to use these skills as a Prop Designer, a Costume Designer, and/or while wearing many different hats (metaphorically, and sometimes literally) inside and outside of theatre. You can also find her thriving in the chaos backstage as an Assistant Stage Manager. Outside of theatre, you can find her snuggling her cat while reading a book or binge watching a tv show.
Brian Jackson, Technical Director and Office Manager
Email: brian@youththeatre.org
Brian Jackson (he/him) has been with Youth Theatre Northwest since 2002. As Technical Director, he has designed numerous sets at YTN and oversees technical aspects of all productions. Brian received a BFA in theatre and design at Syracuse University. After graduating college in 1995, he headed on a road trip across the U.S. and fell in love with Seattle. He started freelancing in theatre and has worked with Seattle theaters through the years. His first theaters he worked in were BLT, Northwest Actors Studio, and Theatre Schmeater, where he became Technical Director. He also worked with NWAAT, The Group Theatre, On the Boards, The Bathhouse Theatre, Consolidated Work's "1448", and Seattle Scenic Studios. He was also the Drama Assistant at Seattle Preparatory High School, and designed sets there for ten years.
Anamaria Guerzon, Outreach Programs Manager
Email: outreach@youththeatre.org, Direct Line: 206.333.1058
Anamaria Guerzon (she/they) was a YTN alumni class of 2018 and is excited to return in the role of Outreach Manager! Anamaria graduated with a BA in Theatre from Pacific Lutheran University in 2021, and has been working as an award-winning actor, playwright, and dramaturg in Seattle ever since! As a playwright, their work has been developed through the Playwright’s Realm (SKIN dir. May Adrales), Seattle Public Theatre, Pork Filled Productions, and more! Their work has been honored by Theatre Mu (New Eyes Finalist ‘24), Theatre Live & In Color (June Bingham Commission Finalist ‘24), ACT (New Works NW Semi Finalist ‘25), among others. They won the 2025 Gregory Award for Best Performance in a Musical (Anyone Can Whistle), and have acted with companies like The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare, Reboot Theatre Company, Book It Rep. When they are not working, you can find them listening to audio books or loitering at local coffee shops.
Support Staff
Kim (she/her) spent many happy years as a student at YTN before going off and getting her BFA in Theatre Arts and her post-grad in classical acting. Working again at YTN now as an educator, director and on the publicity side has been amazing. In 2018 she was able to take her love of horror and put it to good use by starting Summer of Horror, YTN’s annual horror shorts.
Mimi Katano, Artistic Director Emeritus
After 26 years at Youth Theatre Northwest, Mimi Katano retired at the end of the 2024-2025 season. However, she continues to be a part of the YTN family. Mimi has now launched her own production company Za Trans-Pacific Productions and continues to work around the Seattle area. For more of her upcoming projects, visit MimiKatano.com.
Website photography by: Joe Iano, Mimi Katano, Erika Sheehan, Cory Southwell, and Trina B. Wright
Board of Directors
Martina Dalton, President
Ellen Blanchard, Vice President
Carrie Rolph, Treasurer
Paula Schachtel, Secretary
Celina Pizarro
Halie Looper
Janet Summerfelt
Katisha Eng
Kelsey Joyce
Lucy Anderson
Malcolm Lawrence
Megan Hamp
Tom Lofton
Educators, Directors, and Production Artists
Youth Theatre Northwest hires artists and educators of the highest caliber. We also select individuals with the right spirit to inspire and mentor your child's personal development.
Our extended staff of educators, directors, and production design and technical staff bring professional theatrical experience to your children’s lives, with affiliations to theatres, arts organizations, and educational institutions such as Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Jet City Improv, Village Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Public Theatre, Seattle Public Schools, Cornish College of the Arts, Live Girls Theatre, Wing Luke Asian Museum, Museum of Pop Culture, Studio East, Copious Love, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Three Dragons Academy, GreenStage, Island Shakespeare Festival, University of Washington, Mägi Ensemble, SecondStory Repertory Theatre, Pork Filled Productions, and many others.