Musical Theater Directors

Lauren Fanslau

Theater Programs Coordinator

Lauren Fanslau holds a B.A. in Theater as well as a degree in secondary education from DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.

Lauren has taught high school Theater, English, and Communications at Emmaus High School and Parkland High School in the Lehigh Valley. At Parkland High School, Lauren worked as an advisor for the Theater department and directed productions for the West Chester University high school theater competition and the Parkland Festival of the Arts. She also worked as a theater director and dance teacher at the Civic Theater (19th Street Theater) in Allentown, PA.

Also a performer, Lauren was seen in several Act 1 productions at DeSales University as well as the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's production of "Amadeus". She currently performs in the greater Philadelphia area with "Undertoe Arts", a dance company based in the Lehigh Valley. Lauren also continues to act in TV/film and commercial productions such as "Mercy" on NBC and "Just Wright", a Fox Searchlight Film which opens May 14th, 2010.

In addition to her experience in teaching and performing, Lauren is also trained in voice, piano, and flute.

Matthew Hultgren, Theater Director
Music Training Center - Ardmore

Matt is a graduate of University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Theatre Arts and Musical Theater.  Since 2004, Matt has been working in the greater Philadelphia area as an actor and teaching artist.

Matt has performed with People's Light & Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, the Prince Music Theatre, and Media Theatre. Additionally, Matt has worked with many mid-size companies such as Flashpoint Theatre Co, 11th Hour, EgoPo, Amaryllis, Shakespeare in Clark Park, PGLTF, and Secret Room Theatre.

Matt has also taught classes in Acting, Audition Technique, Voice&Speech, Movement, and Dance for private and non-profit organizations including Walnut Street Theatre School, Camp Walnut, Project Rainbow, and Dancing With the Students.

Melissa Bird, Theater Director
Music Training Center - Montgomeryville

Melissa Bird is a graduate of The University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theater.

Melissa has studied voice since the age of 15, and has performed in various professional theaters in the Philadelphia including the Wilma Theater, Philadelphia Theatre Company, The Arden Theatre Company, The Media Theatre, and the 11th Hour Theater Company.  She has had the privilege of working with Tony Award Winning Music Director (Jersey Boys), Ron Melrose.

In addition to her professional theatre credits, Melissa has performed with various Philadelphia Cover Bands, EBE Entertainment and Events (specializing in weddings, bar/bat mitzvah and corporate events) and shared the stage with various music artists including Billboard Music Award Winner, DMX.