Séamus Clerkin
Séamus Clerkin recently graduated from Mary Immaculate College, in Limerick, Ireland, with a Masters of Education degree, focusing on literature-to-stage adaptations for Theatre for Young Audiences. He is an international, award-winning theatre director and playwright for the hit Irish musical, UPSTAGED, produced and performed by Mary Immaculate Dramatic Arts Society (MIDAS). Séamus loves acting, directing, devising, and all things theatre. He looks forward to creating an original show with many young artists at the Erie Playhouse!
Currently Teaching: Create-A-Play 6th-8th Grade
Daniel Collette
Daniel is a theatre educator, improviser, and dramaturg who has been creating theatre for over 10 years. He has a BA in English and a BA in Theatre and has performed on tour across the country, worked in film and TV, produced his own stagings of new and old works, written award winning plays, and still finds time to relax with his wife and two cats. He specializes in adapting old works for new audiences, long form improvised storytelling, and harnessing the creativity of students young and old.
Currently Teaching: Playhouse Improv Jam, Create-A-Play 3rd-5th Grade
Ryah Lambert
Ryah Lambert, a student at Mercyhurst University studying Voice Performance, is beyond excited to be teaching with the Erie Playhouse. Trained in classical and musical theater since the age of 9, Ryah has been a part of a tremendous number of choirs, musicals, and performances. Recent musicals include GUYS AND DOLLS at the Playhouse, NEWSIES (Hannah) at the Playhouse, and LES MISERABLES (Eponine). Ryah is recognized as a NAfME All-National Singer (the first from her school district), and has placed in the top 4 at All-State Choir in Pennsylvania. She now takes part in the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and performs in two of her own bands in her free time. She can’t wait to bring her knowledge of group and solo music to classes!
Nico Lombardo
Nico graduated Gannon University with a degree in Theatre Technologies and Design, where he designed and built a slew of shows as the assistant technical director. He has been volunteering at the Erie Playhouse since 2017 and has been on staff since the outdoor production of Into the Woods in June of 2021. His favorite shows he has worked on at the Playhouse include A Little Night Music, Something Rotten, and tick, tick… BOOM! and he has performed in Something Rotten! and White Christmas.
Currently Teaching: Theatre Tech Workshop
Alaina Manchester
Alaina Manchester, MFA Acting, University of Florida, BA Theatre and Communication Arts, Gannon University, Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Acting Technique through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, and 200-hr Certified Satya Yoga Instructor.
Alaina has directed, choreographed, coached, and consulted for many local theatres including The Erie Playhouse, Gannon University, Dramashop, Penn State Behrend, PACA, Shakespeare Summer Nights, and Cathedral Preparatory School. Her professional acting credits include Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM as well as Ms. Fezziwig in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville, Florida.
Alaina is currently on the Board of Directors at the Erie Playhouse and teaches a Yoga for Actors class at Gannon University where she is an adjunct professor.
Currently Teaching: Acting
Alyssa Rosalie
Alyssa Rosalie has been teaching Saturday Storytellers and Intro to Acting with the Erie Playhouse for the past year. She has been active in local theatre since 2013, with additional training at the Nancy Mosser Acting Conservatory. She is excited to continue to work with Erie students and help them grow as performers!
Currently Teaching: Create-A-Play Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Devon Yates
Devon spent 10 years living in NYC as a singer/actor/musician. After two years traveling the world on cruise ships as a production singer, she was in the cast of MAMMA MIA on Royal Caribbean in the ensemble understudying Donna/Tonya/Rosie. Following sea life, she performed in cabaret venues all over NYC while simultaneously transitioning into music direction/audition/vocal coaching. Her NYC clients can be seen in the Broadway/Touring shows such as MJ: THE MUSICAL, HAMILTON, MOULIN ROUGE, and FUNNY GIRL as well as shows in many Regional Theaters all over the country. Since returning to Erie, she was hired as the Music Coordinator here at the Playhouse.
Teaching: Voice (Spring) – 6th – 8th Grade
