Drama, dance and singing classes in
Park Ridge

Amanda Banden earned a B.S. in Theater from Indiana State University, appearing in numerous acting roles and earning a nomination for the American College Theater Festival's Irene Ryan Award. After college, Amanda traveled the U.S. as a Tour Actor/Director for Missoula Children's Theatre. During her year with MCT, Amanda directed and performed in Sleeping Beauty with over 3,000 children across 16 states. Amanda is honored to have worked with the Tony Award winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, as an Assistant Director.

In June 2005, Amanda completed a Masters Degree in Performing Arts Management at Columbia College. She is a co-founder and Board Member of Chicago's Quest Theatre Ensemble and served as the company's Executive Director from 2002 -2009. Over the years, Amanda has appeared in more than fifteen original Quest productions and received a Joseph Jefferson Nomination for Artistic Specialization for her work with Quest.

Amanda is a member of the Advisory Board of the Park Ridge Cultural Arts Council. Amanda and her husband Richard have been involved with StageCoach since 2006 and are proud to be a part of the world-wide StageCoach family.

Megan Rhyme is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2006 she graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in dance, where she studied with renowned Chicago teachers such as Molly Shanahan, Billy Siegenfeld, and Laura Wade. She has performed in the Chicago area since 2007, with artists including Nicole Gifford Dance, Khecari Dance Theatre, Janet Schmid, 3 card molly, and Wannapa Pimtong-Eubanks.

Megan has also trained in Pilates with the PhysicalMind Institute. This is Megan's second year teaching with Stagecoach in Park Ridge and she is delighted to be back with the wonderful faculty and students!

Brian Cromer was born and raised in Jackson, NJ. Brian graduated with honors from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ where he earned his BM in Music Education with a concentration in Voice and a BA in Subject Matter Education.

Brian has extensive experience performing in recitals, concerts, musical theatre, opera, and barbershop quartets as well as directing and coaching students of all ages. Brian is excited to work with Stage Coach and its students!

Erica Zintek was born and raised in Chicago and received her B.F.A in Acting from Wright State University in Dayton, OH. After graduating from Wright State, Erica spent four years as a Tour Actor/Director with Missoula Children's Theatre having the unique opportunity to work in schools, theatres, military bases, and communities throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Over her four years with Missoula Children's Theatre she has performed and directed children ages five-eighteen years old in such shows as Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Beauty Lou and the Country Beast. Erica is thrilled to be a part of the StageCoach staff and work with its students.

With the University of Wisconsin, Madison as the backdrop to her education, Leah Tirado was able to build her creative repertoire. She fondly recalls performing everything from lost rumba beats to jazz standards to rock originals, beloved musicals like, Guys and Dolls to social topic dramas like Dog Sees God. Through the Wisconsin Singers, The Children's Theatre of Madison, and as the lead singer of The Big Payback she not only nurtured her love of performing, but found a true love for teaching. Having relocated to Chicago, Leah has joined forces with Emerald City Theatre, The American Theatre Company and now, Stagecoach where she is able to continue inspiring young performers.

Jessica Thigpen completed her undergraduate work in musical theatre at North Central College and is a proud graduate of Act One Studios Conservatory where she completed her graduate work in acting for theatre and film. Since completing her studies, she has taught theatre in a variety of venues to ages 4-18 and has worked throughout the Chicagoland area as an actress. Jessica has appeared recently at TimeLine Theatre, Theatre Seven, Redmoon, Drury Lane, and GreatWorks Children's Theatre.