Our Team
Staff
LaCretia Gelley
Executive Artistic Director
LaCretia Gelley has served with Audience of One Youth Theater since 2009 and currently serves as Executive Artistic Director. With more than 20 years of experience in theatre education, performance, and arts leadership, she is passionate about creating Christ-centered experiences where young artists grow in confidence, character, and their artistic abilities.
LaCretia holds a MFA in Theatre and a Master of Arts in Education, combining advanced training in theatre, education, and leadership. She is an Intimacy Director committed to fostering respectful, healthy rehearsal environments and continues to pursue professional development through organizations including the North American Drama Therapy Association, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and New York Vocal Coaching. She also holds multiple certifications in theatre, movement, and arts education.
Throughout her career, LaCretia has directed, produced, choreographed, music directed, taught, and performed in dozens of productions. Since joining Ao1, she has helped shape the organization's artistic vision while mentoring young performers and cultivating a community committed to excellence, faith, and belonging.
LaCretia believes theatre is a powerful tool for education, discipleship, and personal growth. She is passionate about helping students discover and develop their God-given gifts, inspiring them to pursue excellence on stage and in every area of life.
Diane Dodd
Finance Director
Diane Dodd is one of the founding board members of Ao1. A licensed CPA, she has been the finance director and box office coordinator at Ao1 since its inception. She has three boys that have grown up with the Ao1 family.
Kelly Evans
Company Manager
Kelly has been with Audience of One since 2011 as a parent and since 2017 as a staff member. She is currently our Administrative Assistant, where she takes care of all the details and helps to keep everyone on track. Her skills from wrangling and homeschooling two children over the past 16 years are a natural transition to her role with Ao1. She has her bachelor’s in management from the University of Wyoming and her MBA from the University of Denver. Upon graduating, she spent nine years in human resources and recruiting before making the decision to stay home with her children. She has been married for 22 years to her high school sweetheart (Phil), has a 16-year old daughter (Grace), and a 12-year old son (Owen). If you can't find her, she's reading or listening to a book, walking her dog, or both.
Operations Manager
Michelle is excited to be a part of the Ao1 team as our program manager! She has previously been involved through programming lights and helping run tech for Ao1 since 2018. Her son, Luke, was a part of Ao1 for 10 years and did 36 shows with this amazing organization. He is now a freshman at Colorado School of Mines and is super thrilled to be giving back to Ao1 by assistant directing Anything Goes this session. Michelle is also a first grade teacher in Denver and has been married to her high school sweetheart (Mike) for 25 years. When Michelle is not at the theater, you can find her having fun with her amazing family and friends.
Joshua Kirk
Scenic Manager,
Director
Joshua Kirk has been using theater to touch lives since 1995. He has worked as a Teaching Artist throughout the US, leading classes and corporate workshops through his company, Improv LEAP. He has transformed corporate cultures, church communities, and the lives of students in every grade (K- Grad) and age (5-85). "Director Josh" moved to Denver in 2002 to build a children’s theater program. He began working for Ao1 shortly after its inception. Joshua received a Masters Degree in Theater Education from the University of Northern Colorado. He is an award winning director and has led over 30 fully staged children’s musicals. Joshua also has a passion for giving back beyond the stage as an unpaid professional with Alpine Rescue Team, a mountain search and rescue team.
Kim thornber
Rehearsal Assistant
Parent Coordinator
Kim is very excited to be part of the Ao1 staff as Rehearsal Assistant! She has been part of Ao1 as a parent since 2017, and has loved watching four of her six children (so far) thrive at Ao1. She lives in Littleton with her amazing husband, Spencer, and they have 6 children ranging in age from 3 to 20 years. Kim graduated from Regis University in 2001 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and worked for 16 years as a pediatric nurse before making the choice to be home full time with her family.
John pacheco
Stage Manager,
Assistant Capenter
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John Pacheco is a man of many trades. Having grown under the eyes of his great grandfather, an ex Mariachi, John learned the ways of stealing the show while making the back feel like the front row. He has been in multiple shows, movies, bands, and music projects, but has always found himself in awe at the amount of planning it takes to execute a brilliant performance. It's no wonder, then, that John began finding himself behind the scenes as early as his junior year of high school, where he helped manage set teams alongside his teachers. John went to the University of Northern Colorado for his degree in Theatre Studies, emphasizing his studies towards theatre leadership and directing. Managing, directing, (and sometimes producing) each show and film, he strives for near-perfection, planning and executing as his wisest professors have before him. Most recently before Audience of One, John produced a full score for the feature film "Centerpiece". He couldn't be more thrilled at having found Audience of One, as he has never felt so welcomed before in his life.
Crystal Williams
Lead Costume Designer
Crystal has been costuming for Audience of One since 2019, and an A01 parent since 2018. Shethen came on board the staff as rehearsal assistant in 2021. Crystal holds a Bachelors Degree inFashion Design from Texas Christian University and a Masters in Fashion Merchandisingfrom Texas Woman’s University. In her former life she has touched all areas of the fashionindustry: buying program at Neiman Marcus, Store Manager and Merchandise Manager at Gap,and product development for Fossil Watches. She has never been happier and more in herelement than creating costumes for Audience of One. She considers herself incredibly blessedand lucky to spend time with our amazing A01 casts and to help them all feel special on stageand off. Her motto is that of Academy Award winning costumer extraordinaire, Edith Head, “Adesigner is only as good as the star who wears her clothes.” Crystal is often heard telling thekids, “I provide the clothes, you make them shine on stage. Without you, they are just pieces offabric.” Crystal has been married to her husband, Brad, for 19 years and has 2 daughters,Cameran and Gemma.
Rory Summitt
Social Media Coordinator
Choreographer
artistic Team
Mandy Newkirk
Music Director
Mandy Newkirk is honored to be a part of the Ao1 team! She is currently a voice actor, stage performer, pianist, and writer, but her artistic journey began with community theater in the Colorado mountains. It is her privilege to support the journeys of other young performers the way her former directors did for her.
Mandy is a graduate of Valor Christian High School and Colorado Christian University (BA in Music and English). Some theater highlights for Mandy include competing at the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta with Colorado Children’s Theatre’s Annie, Jr. and sharing a Bobby G award with her Pippin castmates at Valor. She has studied dance under the instructors at the Shadowlight Theatre, known for America’s Got Talent’s The Silhouettes®. Favorite past roles include Fiona in Shrek, the Musical, Beth in Little Women, the Musical, Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, and the Witch in Into the Woods. Keep your ears out for her voice, which will be featured in various projects releasing in 2026 and 2027!
Mandy also loves astronomy, birdwatching, snowshoeing, raising cattle, and anything else to do with the outdoors. She has some fun stories to share about her year working at Walt Disney World!
Mandy is a pianist of two decades and has spent extensive time working with children, including time as a classroom teacher. She is delighted to blend these worlds together as a music director for Ao1. Soli Deo Gloria!
Cassidy Elmer
Choreographer
Cassidy Elmer has been involved with Ao1 since 2012. She started at Ao1 as an actor and has been a Lifeguard, assistant director, intern, assistant choreographer, Lifeguard director, stage manager, and now choreographer. She is currently a middle school math teacher at Parker Performing Arts K-8. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education and a theater minor. Some of Cassidy's favorite activities include snowboarding, hiking, dancing, and anything sports related. Cassidy is very excited to jump into a new position at Ao1!
"For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Jeff Summitt
Director
Jeff, prior to Ao1, was involved in the theater group Way Out West in Sidney, Nebraska where he directed The Nifty Fifties and acted in Forgiven a Fairytale, Boise-Idaho, and as part of their improv group. Growing up he was part of a theater group like Ao1 and acted throughout High School where some of his favorite productions were Oklahoma, Bye Bye Birdie and Where's Charley?
Amy Summitt
Director,
Music Director
Amy Summitt has spent most of her life believing that theater is cheaper than therapy… although anyone who has ever produced a musical knows that may not actually be true. A longtime performer, music director, vocal coach, and director, Amy began her vocal training in college and has spent decades performing, directing, teaching, and helping young performers discover what they’re capable of onstage. As a Music Director with Audience of One, she has had the joy of working with incredible young artists on productions including Oklahoma, Hadestown and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Amy especially loves the moment when a performer stops worrying about getting everything “right” and starts telling the story. Whether she’s teaching harmonies, coaching a solo, directing a scene, or reminding an entire cast for the 47th time to USE THEIR FACES, her favorite part of theater is watching young people grow in confidence, courage, and connection. For Amy, theater has always been about more than putting on a great show. It’s about creating a place where people belong, take risks, find their voices, and maybe even feel something they didn’t expect to feel. She is incredibly grateful to be part of the Audience of One family and considers it a privilege to serve the Lord, make music, tell stories, laugh a lot, and create a little theatrical magic with these amazing kids.
Luke DuMoulin
Assistant Director,
Tech Coordinator
​Luke has been a part of Ao1 since he was eight years old. He has done over 40 shows with Ao1. He is currently a second year physics major at Colorado School of Mines and participates in the Mines Little Theatre Club there as well. He loves theater and loves getting to direct with many individuals he did shows with for so many years.
Jeremi Richardson
Director
Jeremi Richardson is a seasoned performer, vocal coach, conductor, and composer with a career spanning over two decades. Most recently, Jeremi led the artistic endeavors for American Academy Charter Schools, where he developed dynamic K-8 arts programming across three campuses. His leadership resulted in record-breaking enrollment, numerous accolades, including two consecutive years of MainStage recognition at JR Thescon, and sold-out performances of shows including The Addams Family, Matilda, Mean Girls, A Christmas Carol, Finding Nemo, and Anastasia.
As a former member of Walt Disney Entertainment (The Voices of Liberty, Four for a Dollar) and the Grammy-nominated, Dove and American Music Award-winning CCM group Avalon, Jeremi has toured internationally, performing in countries such as India, Brazil, and Israel. As a conductor, he has led choral ensembles to statewide recognition, inspiring a love of music in students and audiences alike.
Jeremi holds a master’s degree in Worship Arts from California Baptist University, where he explored the transformative power of silence in worship. Beyond his professional life, Jeremi cherishes time with his wife, Amy, also a former member of Avalon and Walt Disney Entertainment, and their three daughters, Ariah, Shalom, and Noa. Their home in Castle Rock, CO, is a vibrant space filled with laughter, faith, and love.
Joel Frank
Music Director
Joel is thrilled to be part of the Ao1 family as an Assistant Music Director. Joel has been a part of theatre productions for over 13 years and playing music for even longer! He came to Colorado to study Accounting and Music at Colorado Christian University, where he was, and still is, heavily involved with the Theatre and Instrumental Music Departments. Since graduating, Joel has also been involved in local arts scene as a music teacher, worship leader, and orchestral and freelance musician. His big passion is using his classical musicianship and love of musical theatre to inspire and support young talent and sees no better place to do that than Ao1! He is so thankful for a supportive team and amazing cast of talent to work with!
jamee tinnirello
Director
Jamee Tinnirello first came to Audience of One when her two daughters joined in 2021. Her own love for musical theatre began in high school and she is thrilled to join the Audience of One team. Jamee holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education and a master's in Educational Counseling. With a decade of experience as an elementary music teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools, Jamee has been instrumental in organizing numerous school productions. She is passionate about giving young children the opportunity to perform, making music and theater enjoyable as these experiences often mark their first introduction to the arts. In her free time, Jamee enjoys reading, walking, spending time with family and friends, and watching her kids do the things they love.
Ao1 Board of Directors
Sean McInturff, President
Katherine Price, Treasurer
Jennifer Rockwell, Secretary
Sara Bechtold, Director
Diane Dodd, Director
LaCretia Gelley, Diretor
Ellis King, Director​
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We are always seeking new additions to our Board of Directors. Please contact LaCretia Gelley for more information on how to get involved.