Meet the Teachers

ANGELYN RHODE

Youth Academy Manager / Voice / Acting / Creative Drama / Improv, Pantomime, & Acting / Music & Drama

Angelyn Rhode began her teaching career in 2001 at First Stage Theatre Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She moved to Orlando in 2003 and spent ten years creating magic for Walt Disney World Entertainment; as well as a facilitator and trainer for Disney’s Youth Education Series. It was here she rediscovered her love of teaching.

After hanging up her crown, Ms. Rhode worked at Lochwood Academy for the Performing Arts, where she taught voice, musical theatre, drama, and choir for elementary, middle, and high school students. Angelyn has been Music Director/Choreographer/Teaching Artist for many local theaters including Orlando Shakes, Hagerty High School, Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park, and Wekiva River Players. In addition, she was a Licensed Kindermusik Instructor with Grow and Sing Studios, teaching music and movement classes to babies and toddlers, from 2013 – 2021.

Ms. Rhode is no stranger to the Athens Theatre. She has been a Teaching Artist for summer camp since 2017; and in 2019 launched the After School Program for the Athens Theatre Youth Academy. Music Director credits on the mainstage include Annie, The Lion King Jr., and Aladdin Jr. As a performer, you may have seen her onstage in Ragtime, Elf, Shrek TYA ,Singing in the Rain, and Into the Woods.

Through all of these experiences, Angelyn loves that she has the opportunity to pass along her love of music and the arts to all ages.

LAUREN STROMAK

Musical Theatre / Kids Dance / Tap / Dance Workshops / Acting / Voice

Lauren is a performer, choreographer, and educator originally from South Florida with a degree in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida. She has performed all over Florida from Stuart to Tampa, and all parts of Central Florida. In addition to musicals, Lauren has also performed in Operas, Dance Concerts, and Vocal Cabarets.

She began her involvement with Athens Theatre as a part of the cast of ELF in 2021, and has been involved in the Youth Academy since the fall of 2021. She has since taught adult and youth classes, as well as worked with the summer camps.

Before teaching with the Athens, Lauren: Initiated the children’s dance program with PALS of Fort Pierce, assisted studio dance classes for youth in various South Florida studios, and interned with Broadway Theatre Project. Her goal as an educator is to encourage passion for the arts in all ages.

SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ

Voice/Acting/Music & Drama

Samantha Rodriguez is a mezzo-soprano vocalist and a devoted vocal coach with a passion for music. She holds a bachelor’s degree in vocal music from Oakland University in MI. With years of experience as an elementary music educator and private vocal coach, she is devoted to empowering students of all ages to learn music! Music is a universal language that Samantha believes can be fun and enjoyable to learn for anyone regardless of their background or experience level. Whether it be to further pursue a musical endeavor, or for personal enjoyment, she will help any student reach their fullest vocal potential.

As a vocal coach, Samantha will teach her students healthy vocal technique and performance skills for the stage or studio. Samantha crafts each lesson according to her student’s individual needs, passing her love of music to her students in an engaging and inspiring manner.

Samantha herself has experience in theatre and chorus performances, where she has starred in numerous roles including Cinderella in “Into the Woods”, Katrina in “Sleepy Hollow”, “Rogers and Hammerstein” musical revue, as well as performing in the Disney Candlelight processional and other various chorus and vocal performances.