Kristen Hughes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Brigham Young University and has extensive experience as an actor, director, and designer for theatre and film. Her creative background includes work in costume, hair, and makeup design, as well as actor coaching and directing.

She is the Theatre Program Director at Utah Arts Collective, where she has directed acclaimed youth productions including Annie Jr. and Matilda Jr. over the past three years. She is proud to be part of the UAC “dream team,” working alongside a talented and passionate community of artists.

Her recent directing credits also include It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play, Coraline, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Little Women (TVT), and Our Town (CAT).

She is the founder of Ethos Acting Studio, where she developed acting programs for teens, coached performers, and led workshops to support young artists in developing their craft.

Having lived across the country, she is now settled in Utah with her husband and their three children. She is passionate about storytelling and youth theatre and is honored to continue building a vibrant and inspiring program at UAC.

Mary Eckersley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University and a Master’s in Writing Children’s Literature from Kingston University, London. She has also received private training in classical vocal performance.

A multi-talented educator and artist, she has spent over 25 years teaching in elementary education and was named the 2024–2025 Midway Elementary Teacher of the Year for her outstanding dedication to students and learning.

She serves as the Music Director for Utah Arts Collective and has directed youth productions including Moana Jr. and Mary Poppins. Her theatre experience also includes performing, directing, and supporting productions with Timpanogos Valley Theater and High Valley Arts.

Beyond the stage, she has helped develop youth theatre programs across her community, creating meaningful opportunities for young performers to grow in confidence, creativity, and collaboration.

Lindsay is a lifelong dancer and performer with experience spanning ballet, tap, jazz, musical theatre, and folk dance. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Brigham Young University and a Master’s degree in Information Systems.

With over 20 years of teaching at both studio and collegiate levels in Los Angeles and Utah, Lindsay currently teaches at BYU and Utah Arts Collective.

She is especially passionate about introducing new students to dance and nurturing the tap community. Lindsay’s tap style and teaching have been shaped by mentorship from renowned artists such as Lynn Dally, Sam Weber, Derick Grant, Dormeshia, Mark Mendonca, and Paul and Arlene Kennedy. She continues to refine her craft through master classes, having learned from legends including the late Gregory Hines, Fayard Nicholas, Michelle Dorrance, Sarah Reich, Michela Marino Lerman, and Cartier Williams.

Lindsay made her theatre choreography debut with UAC’s Matilda Jr., further expanding her creative contributions to the performing arts.

Madison Cheal graduated from the University of Utah in 2020 with a BFA in Modern Dance, specializing in modern, ballet, and improvisation. She spent nine months performing as a dancer on the Disney Fantasy with Disney Cruise Lines. Madison has been a dedicated faculty member at Utah Arts Collective for the past seven years and is excited to join the theatre team at UAC.

She trained and competed with WDC in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop. Madison was also a professional company member of Junction Dance Company in Salt Lake City, where she trained for two years in jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, house, and breaking. During her studies at the University of Utah, she focused on kinesiology, dance history, dance education, and teaching methods.

With her diverse and well-rounded background in multiple dance styles, Madison brings excitement, energy, and thoughtful expertise to every class she teaches, inspiring and engaging all her students.

Giuliana Willis began her dance training at Jacqueline’s School of Ballet and danced as a company member with Utah Regional Ballet, now known as Utah Metropolitan Ballet. She discovered her love for choreography early on, earning scholarships and having her work featured at the Pacific Northwest Regional Dance Festival.

She went on to receive her BFA from the University of Utah on the prestigious Willam F. Christensen Scholarship, and also played violin with the University of Utah Symphony. Her commitment to classical technique and education led her to teach ballet and character dance at Utah Valley University.

A long-time contributor to Utah Arts Collective, she has choreographed numerous productions including Mary Poppins Jr., Frozen Jr., Moana Jr., and Matilda Jr. She made her directorial debut with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. and has also choreographed for High Valley Arts, with credits including Annie Get Your Gun, The Addams Family, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. In addition, she has spent many years performing in or directing UAC’s beloved annual Nutcracker Tea Party.

She is a passionate supporter of the performing arts, a dedicated educator, and a fan of all things theatre. She currently lives in Midway with her husband and their four children, and serves as co-director of the Miss Wasatch and Miss Heber Valley Scholarship Pageants.

Jessica Arispe earned her degree in Theatre from Brigham Young University–Idaho, where she trained extensively in both performance and technical theatre. While at BYU–Idaho, she performed in multiple productions, including Blithe Spirit (Ruth Condomine) and Going Postal (Adora Belle Dearheart), and developed a passion for all aspects of theatrical storytelling.

Since relocating to Utah, Jessica has continued to immerse herself in the local theatre scene. She appeared in Alpine Community Theatre’s A Christmas Carol and most recently portrayed Charlotte in Charitable Acts Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice. She also had the opportunity to assistant direct Our Town with Kristen Hughes for Charitable Acts Theatre.

Jessica’s love for theatre began early in life, and she continues to seek out opportunities to grow as both an artist and collaborator. Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in a leadership role, she brings passion, creativity, and dedication to every production she joins.

She is thrilled to join the Utah Arts Collective team and looks forward to contributing to its inspiring and vibrant theatre program.

Ciara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance and Health Education from Brigham Young University, where she traveled and danced for BYU and appeared on several national television broadcasts. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she has directed dance programs at multiple Utah high schools for 17 years.

Her choreography career spans the globe, including credits such as the Down Under Bowl in Australia, MTV, Dell Computers Industrials, the 2002 Winter Olympics, and the FIS Ski World Championships in Germany.

She co-founded Wasatch Dance Center in 1998 with Vibeke Bodensteiner, which evolved into Utah Arts Collective in 2022, where she currently serves as owner and director. She is also co-owner of Epic Productions, founded in 2003. Her theatre choreography credits include Oklahoma!, Crazy for You, Pippin, and Once Upon a Mattress, among others. She has produced UAC Theatre productions for the past nine years.

Passionate about inspiring young people to achieve their dreams, Ciara cherishes the adventures she shares with her husband and two children. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to share her love of the arts through the Utah Arts Collective.