Dig Deeper Series

Director of Education, CAPA  | Director and Producer, CAPA Marquee Awards

In addition to her role as Director of Education for CAPA and Director and Producer of the CAPA Marquee Awards, Amy Handra is also an Equity-eligible performer who starred as “Kate” in the Off-Broadway premiere of Olympics Über Alles.  International credits include Beyond Therapy at the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba.  Regionally, Amy has worked at Magnolia Theatre Company, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Riant Theatre Company, Dairy Center for the Performing Arts, Kincaid Regional Theatre and Zoot Theatre Company.  Her commercial work includes Verizon Wireless, Healthgrades, Hyundai Motor Corporation, and Morris Furniture Company.  As a teaching artist, she has taught workshops, classes, and courses for people of all ages.  Amy holds a BFA in acting from Wright State University, an MS in teaching from the University of Dayton, and an MFA in acting from The University of Alabama.

Associate Vice President of Operations, CAPA

Jason Gay is a Columbus native and a graduate of Otterbein University with over 25 years of experience in live entertainment working with local talent and world-renowned touring artists. Recent projects have included Columbus Symphony’s Holiday Pops and Twisted 2. Jason shares his home in Granville with his teenaged daughter and son. Other interests include running 5k races, restoring his Victorian era home, and freelance photography and video projects.

Dee Saunders holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Music Therapy from Michigan State University in piano and woodwinds, where she marched in the MSU Spartan Marching Band in both the Color Guard and the Drumline. She has taught vocal music in Columbus City, Pickerington, and Granville Schools and is now retired. She spent 7 years directing summer stock musicals at Weathervane Playhouse where she served as Resident Music Director, and continues to play in orchestra pits all around Columbus. She works as an arranger for many show choirs throughout Ohio, creating both vocal and instrumental arrangements for competition. And, she is the music director and arranger for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Dee also plays in contemporary worship bands at both Pickerington Epiphany Lutheran Church and St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Grandview, OH.

Stephen Brunson hails from Canyon, TX where he worked as a stage manager, carpenter, performer, and stagehand at West Texas A&M University earning his BA in theatre. He then ventured to the south where he attended The University of Alabama and received his MFA in theatre. Since then, he has worked as a production manager, technician, and teacher for theatres across the country including: NYU, The Lighting Syndicate, TINC productions, David Blaine’s Electrified, and numerous Off-Broadway venues. Most recently, he was the Director of Theatre for Urbana University. Stephen is also production manager for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Cindy Straub comes from the world of professional theatre and dance.  At age 16, she joined Actors’ Equity Association working with Tommy Tune in Mack and Mabel.  For nine seasons she went on to dance with luminaries including Betty White in Hello Dolly and Billy Crystal in Cabaret. Cindy has trained many professional dancers including Rockettes during her career as a dance instructor. For the past 20 years, she has owned a well-respected dance and performing arts center as well as a dance-theatre store. Cindy loves musical theatre and has choreographed more than 75 musicals and shows, including for Broadway producer Ric Wanetik.  Cindy holds a degree in communications from The Ohio State University working in all facets of news production including on-air talent, reporting and producing.  Cindy is currently adjunct faculty at Otterbein University teaching dance.  She is also the choreographer for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Brendan Michna attended college at Ohio Wesleyan University and has been working as a full-time lighting designer in Columbus since 2013. Brendan often designs for Thiossane West African Dance, MadLab Theatre, CATCO, Available Light Theatre, and Highball Halloween. He is also the lighting designer for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Cindy Straub comes from the world of professional theatre and dance.  At age 16, she joined Actors’ Equity Association working with Tommy Tune in Mack and Mabel.  For nine seasons she went on to dance with luminaries including Betty White in Hello Dolly and Billy Crystal in Cabaret. Cindy has trained many professional dancers including Rockettes during her career as a dance instructor. For the past 20 years, she has owned a well-respected dance and performing arts center as well as a dance-theatre store. Cindy loves musical theatre and has choreographed more than 75 musicals and shows, including for Broadway producer Ric Wanetik.  Cindy holds a degree in communications from The Ohio State University working in all facets of news production including on-air talent, reporting and producing.  Cindy is currently adjunct faculty at Otterbein University teaching dance.  She is also the choreographer for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Hannah is freelance stage manager and costumer originally from Delaware, OH. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Design/Technology from Otterbein University. Hannah has worked for many companies including Mason Street Warehouse, Weathervane Playhouse, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Short North Stage, CATCO, Available Light Theatre, BalletMet, Walt Disney World, and most recently, Hollister. Additionally, she was the assistant stage manager for the inaugural CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase in 2019 and has since returned as an adjudicator. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hannah has made and donated over 300 face masks to local hospitals. She also successfully launched an online shop through Etsy where she sells handmade fabric gifts and vintage sewing patterns. Hannah currently lives in Westerville, OH with her fiancé Nick and their two cats – Spooky and Pippin.

In addition to her role as Director of Education for CAPA and Director and Producer of the CAPA Marquee Awards, Amy Handra is also an Equity-eligible performer who starred as “Kate” in the Off-Broadway premiere of Olympics Über Alles. International credits include Beyond Therapy at the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba. Regionally, Amy has worked at Magnolia Theatre Company, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Riant Theatre Company, Dairy Center for the Performing Arts, Kincaid Regional Theatre and Zoot Theatre Company. Her commercial work includes Verizon Wireless, Healthgrades, Hyundai Motor Corporation, and Morris Furniture Company. As a teaching artist, she has taught workshops, classes, and courses for people of all ages. Amy holds a BFA in acting from Wright State University, an MS in teaching from the University of Dayton, and an MFA in acting from The University of Alabama.

Jason Gay is a Columbus native and a graduate of Otterbein University with over 25 years of experience in live entertainment working with local talent and world-renowned touring artists. Recent projects have included Columbus Symphony’s Holiday Pops and Twisted 2. Jason shares his home in Granville with his teenaged daughter and son. Other interests include running 5K races, restoring his Victorian era home, and freelance photography and video projects.

In addition to her role as Director of Education for CAPA and Director and Producer of the CAPA Marquee Awards, Amy Handra is also an Equity-eligible performer who starred as “Kate” in the Off-Broadway premiere of Olympics Über Alles. International credits include Beyond Therapy at the Teatro Nacional in Havana, Cuba. Regionally, Amy has worked at Magnolia Theatre Company, the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Riant Theatre Company, Dairy Center for the Performing Arts, Kincaid Regional Theatre and Zoot Theatre Company. Her commercial work includes Verizon Wireless, Healthgrades, Hyundai Motor Corporation, and Morris Furniture Company. As a teaching artist, she has taught workshops, classes, and courses for people of all ages. Amy holds a BFA in acting from Wright State University, an MS in teaching from the University of Dayton, and an MFA in acting from The University of Alabama.

Brian Kallaher is an Ohio native and a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Music. He has worked in live production his entire career. Since 1998, Brian has primarily been a touring IATSE stagehand on productions including Fame! The Musical, Wicked, and Disney’s The Lion King.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jackie has called Columbus home for over 10 years. She has performed off-Broadway, in national tours, and regionally across the country. Here in Columbus, she has been seen in numerous leading roles at Short North Stage including Ordinary Days (Claire), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), The Full Monty (Pam), and Christmas in Columbus (Jackie Holiday) which she also co-wrote. Most recently, she played the title role in CCT’s production of Peter Pan at the Southern Theatre. Jackie has been on faculty at BalletMet and has directed and choreographed productions at Upper Arlington High School, Bishop Watterson High School, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Northland Performing Arts Center and Original Productions Theatre. She holds a BFA in musical theatre from University of Michigan.

Dee Saunders holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Music Therapy from Michigan State University in piano and woodwinds, where she marched in the MSU Spartan Marching Band in both the Color Guard and the Drumline. She has taught vocal music in Columbus City, Pickerington, and Granville Schools and is now retired. She spent 7 years directing summer stock musicals at Weathervane Playhouse where she served as Resident Music Director, and continues to play in orchestra pits all around Columbus. She works as an arranger for many show choirs throughout Ohio, creating both vocal and instrumental arrangements for competition. And, she is the music director and arranger for the CAPA Marquee Awards Showcase.

Dee also plays in contemporary worship bands at both Pickerington Epiphany Lutheran Church and St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Grandview, OH.