Teachers & Staff
In addition to lead Artist-Educators & Co-Founders Amy & Phoenix, TDA & SPARK have regular assistant Artist-Educators, substitutes, and guest artists, including the following shiny little rockstars!:
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David T Anthony
David is an assistant teacher in his second year with Three Dragons, and also currently serves as a Stage manager and Artist-Educator with Youth Theatre Northwest.
David was part of the 2016-17 Improv Troupe at Florida Studio Theatre, and was lead teaching artist and resident actor at Trike Theatre in Bentonville, AR, for four years. He graduated from ORU with a B.S. in Drama, Television, Film Performance. As an actor, some of his favorite stage roles include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web (Trike Theatre), Chester in Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse (Trike Theatre), and Tom Robinson in To Kill A Mockingbird (Playhouse Theatre). David has taught Improv, Storytelling classes, and Emotional Intelligence classes, with his work across the nation with kids ranging from K to 12th grade. Outside of theatre, David is a Professional Mentor with Friends of the Children Seattle.
Ophelia de Serres
Ophelia, formerly known as the award-winning & cherished playcare educator, “Penny Pumpernickel Pants”, helps part-time to administrate TDA and occasionally can be found called into service to substitute in our classroom. A retired professional rock musician and performance artist, Ophelia’s innovative and empathy-based approach has been described by parents/clients as “magical”. In addition to her skills as an artist-educator (which earned her several Golden Teddy awards from ParentMap magazine), Ophelia is also a Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator, a Forest Therapy Guide, a Reiki Master, has a wicked sense of humor, is a sometimes-Canadian, has helped set up compassion-centered nonprofits, and loves juice boxes!
MJ Jurgensen
MJ is a former full-time TDA artist-educator who now moonlights as a Guest Artist, and they are TDA’s resident string-instrument specialist. MJ additionally plays piano, banjo, mountain dulcimer, drums, bass, uke, and autoharp; and they serve as a guest Music Director at local schools - their musicianship only finds competition with their love of learning and exuberance. MJ’s professional theatre acting credits span the country and many genres of musical and other theatre: a few of these include Matilda (Village Theatre), Bruce (Seattle Rep), Guys and Dolls (Village), Big River (Maples Repertory Theatre) and A Christmas Carol (national tour/NTC Productions). MJ earned their BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University & also trained with the Ann Lacy School of American Dance. MJ also serves elder citizens as a Life Enrichment Director here in Seattle!
