Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre
OUR MISSION
We transform high school theatre communities in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region to inspire personal growth and creativity.
We pursue this by being a collaboration hub that:
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Provides shared resources
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Offers expert training
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Provides financial and technical support
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Recognizes achievements for students and schools that thrive in the performing arts
our vision
CAST envisions a thriving, interconnected regional theatre community where every high school student—onstage or backstage—has equitable access to transformational arts experiences, expert mentorship, and creative leadership opportunities. We strive to foster the next generation of confident, collaborative, and compassionate artists by uniting schools, empowering educators, and celebrating student achievement across the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY COMMITMENT
All voices welcome! CAST is built upon a core belief that diversity, inclusion, & acceptance are essential ingredients to the creation of Art. We deeply value and respect the diversity of our staff, our students, and our audiences and strive to create a community where differences are embraced and all individuals are celebrated. CAST is committed to creating an increasingly equitable organization over time by actively exploring new ways to invite in a diversity of voices and by making our services more accessible to new and different audiences.
Our Dedicated Team
JASON BURGESS
Artistic Director
Jason is a transplant from Springfield, OH who moved to Cincinnati to work professionally as an actor. After five great years of working for theatre companies in the area, Jason surprisingly found himself as the director of the theatre program and teacher for Highlands HS. Through his work at Highlands, Jason recognized the need for a regional theatre program dedicated to middle and high school students. Jason now dedicates his time to helping theatre programs throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.
AMY BURGESS
Executive Director/Choreographer
Amy graduated from Miami University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. For the last 16 years, she has choreographed hundreds of productions for high schools, junior highs, community theaters, and semi-pro companies. She is also on staff with promotions for the Cincinnati Reds.
JOSEPH RIVERS
Music Director
Joe is Director of Choral Activities at Mount St. Joseph University conducting multiple groups and teaching music education courses. As a performer, Joe sings with Collegium Cincinnati, Coro Volante, and Vocal Arts Ensemble. This is Joe's sixth year as music director for CAST.
EVAN DITULLIO
Technical Direction
Evan has been technical directing students for ten years. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University and a Master's in Education from Mount St. Joseph, he now serves as Technical Director at Cincinnati Country Day. When not working on productions, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
LAURA MARTIN
Costumer Designer
A graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a BFA in Design Technology Emphasis on Costume Design, Laura has been freelance designing for nearly 15 years. She has worked with CAST for the last 6 years. Her work has also been featured at CCHS, Kings HS, Highlands HS, & Ryle. Past professional credits include Kincaid, Stage Right, and NKU.
board of directors
Jayson Zoller
President
Jayson Zoller is a Strategy, Insight, and Organizational Development consultant with the WatersonGarner firm. Jayson comes to CAST with 25+ years of Market Research experience and expertise having served in senior leadership roles at Procter & Gamble and Kao Brands in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jayson has a long-held passion and interest in the Arts. In college, he performed in three singing groups on the campus of University of Central Florida while working as an entertainer and tour guide at the Walt Disney World resort. While in graduate school at Purdue University, Jayson worked as a marketer and promoter for all convocations, fine arts productions, and concerts on campus.
More recently, Jayson served for three years as the Board President of the non-profit organization, Standing Room Only, a parent booster organization for the Highlands Middle School and Highlands High School theatre programs in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. During his tenure, Jayson was able to expand organizational funding by more than double, simplify and codify organizational operations, and establish a vibrant and supportive team culture.
Jayson lives in Fort Thomas, Kentucky with his wife, Heather. He has a daughter, Zoe, who is pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre at Ohio University, and a son, Jameson, who is a student at Highlands High School. Both of Jayson’s children have participated in the cast of past CAST summer productions including Les Miserables, Shrek, Spring Awakening, Newsies, and Big Fish. Jayson is thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to CAST after receiving years of outstanding programming and performance opportunities for his kids.
Brad Martin
Member at Large
Based out of UC Health, Brad is the Associate Director for the Care Innovation and Community Improvement Program - a statewide innovation partnership between four Ohio academic medical centers and the Ohio Department of Medicaid focused on developing innovative solutions to critical population health issues within Ohio's Medicaid community - where he oversees the strategy, direction, and growth of the program. Prior to taking that role, he worked as a management consultant for Accenture and served seven years in the US Army as an aviation officer and helicopter pilot. Brad comes to CAST with over a decade of experience in areas including strategic planning, organizational leadership and development, governance, project and program management, and team-building. A Cincinnati native, he is a graduate of Covington Latin School and holds bachelors degrees in Political Science and Classics/Philosophy from Xavier University; currently, he is also pursuing his MBA and MA in government from Johns Hopkins University. Brad was drawn to CAST through its mission to provide a quality arts experience to students across the region as well as its focus on developing student leadership. Passionate about giving back to his community, he currently serves as a Board Member for the Cincinnati Music and Wellness Coalition and as Vice President of Operations for Give Back Cincinnati, where he volunteers at over 20 events at community nonprofits a year.With Skyline Chili running through his veins, he lives in St. Bernard and spends his free time re-exploring Cincinnati, attending various events in the Queen City, and voraciously devouring novels before bed.
Dr. Diane Carr
Member at Large
Dr. Diane Carr is an experienced and dynamic leader whose focus is on developing strategies for sustainable growth, managing business operations, advancing volunteer, mentor and outreach service programs, defining community relationship development and leading educational program development. In addition to her doctorate in educational leadership, she also holds a Masters in Education, a Masters in English, and an MBA. She works to demonstrate servant leadership in all that she does and believes in the core value that “People Matter.” #drservantleader.
Brianna Vollman
Member at Large
Brianna Vollman is an associate attorney at Thompson Hine LLP where her practice focuses on commercial litigation, including disputes involving breach of contract and product liability issues. Brianna earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky and her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She was born and raised in Northern Kentucky and has had a passion for theatre and performance from a young age. She cherishes the time she spent in her high school theatre program. Brianna is a graduate of Artswave's Boardway Bound Program and is thrilled to have the opportunity to give back to high school theatre through CAST. Brianna currently lives in Northern Kentucky with her dog, Louise.
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Matthew Starcher
Member at Large
Matthew Starcher is a lead engineer at Ceros, a software company based in New York City. He was raised in Columbia Missouri but spent a year in NYC where he discovered a love of theater. Matthew is excited to be a part of CAST and hopes he can further its impact in Cincinnati. In his free time you can find him playing Ultimate, taking pictures or relaxing with his dog Atlas and cat Margot.
We believe that our productions speak for themselves, but it's always nice when other people have nice things to say, too!
See what people are saying below!
Press & Testimonials
I just wanted to say thank you for taking on this herculean task of putting on a production with high schoolers in the middle of a pandemic and civil unrest. You seemed to have safety at the forefront of your mind with everything you did, and it was greatly appreciated. Your professionalism and caring for the kids was only surpassed by the quality of the show you produced. Thank you so much for giving these kids some hope and something positive to focus on during such an insecure time for them. It was a summer they will never forget, and you are a true credit to the arts and your profession.
- Parent of Student in Newsies -
I had the privilege of attending your Friday production of O’Beautiful. The choice of this work is bold as the subject matters provocative. And, its relevance makes it worthy of production. The cast brought this difficult play to life, and the audience even gasped at one point.
Your group should be commended in the choice and direction and acting in this important play.
- Patron from O Beautiful, 2018 -
These are very young people doing incredible mature and responsible things. On display was the product of the lessons being taught by their CAST participation. It goes beyond performing. It is about leadership and responsibility. That was on display during a crisis. I saw an impromptu meeting in the shelter to discuss lessons learned, and think about what they should have done sooner, what could have been done better, and what needs to done next. These are project management and team leader skills that extend beyond the performing arts are in high demand globally in the business world.
- Parent Volunteer from Newsies -
Empowering Local Artists
CAST is committed to making a lasting impact by providing resources, educational opportunities, and a platform for high school students to showcase their talents.
