Conservatory Staff and Teaching Artists
Goldner Conservatory Administration
Kim Cozort Kay
(Director of Education) A multi-award-winning actress, (Metrolina Theatre Best Actress, Curtain Up and 3 Carbonell awards,) Kim is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and Screen Actors’ Guild. Kim has bachelor and master degrees in music education with a concentration in vocal performance. She has shared the boards with Broadway veterans Charles Nelson Reilly, Hal Holbrook, Rachel Bay Jones, Alison Fraser and Richard Kind. As Education Director at the award-winning Blowing Rock Stage Company, Kim produced productions of High School Musical, High School Musical 2 and the tours of Sleepwalk and Bang, Bang, You're Dead. Credits also include music direction: Bak Middle School of the Arts, Kravis' Disney in Schools Program as well as directing STAGE AWAKENINGS at the Kravis Center. Kim resides in Jupiter with her husband, actor/director/teacher Kenneth Kay. Together, they formed their own production company (Kay-Squared Productions) in anticipation of the world premiere of Kim’s one-woman show, Silver Shadows; Dark Side of the Mountain, which garnered her the 2022 North Carolina Society of Historians Award of Excellence for a Theatre Performance.
Kim Capozzoli
(Co-Conservatory Business Manager) After a successful career as an advertising executive, Kim pivoted and became involved in all aspects of education and the arts in her community. She served as PTO President and liaison to the District Superintendent, Board Member of the Social Emotional Learning Committee, Board Member of the Music Parents Association, Drama Program Director of Development/Fundraising, Production Photographer, and Costume Designer/Wardrobe Manager for choral productions, plays and musicals. Kim played an integral role in guiding her daughter’s development in the performing arts and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with the Goldner Conservatory students and their families. Kim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Design, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. A graduate of the Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Training and 25 Hour Yin Programs, she enjoys taking the practice of yoga off the mat and into everyday life interactions. Kim became involved with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre as a volunteer working with young actors, the production team, costume shop and front of house. She is beyond thrilled to join the Maltz in a more formal capacity and is delighted to welcome students to the new Goldner Conservatory.
Jessica Gomez
(Co-Conservatory Business Manager) Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Jessie Gomez is a proud bilingual arts professional who serves as the Conservatory Business Manager at the Goldner Conservatory. She supports students, families, and faculty through strong communication, organization, and a passion for arts education. Jessie has produced and directed over 10 musical theatre productions, performed as an actress in various theaters across South Florida, and is an experienced vocalist. A former Miss Palm Beach County with the Miss America Organization, Jessie brings poise, confidence, and a love for mentorship to everything she does. She holds a degree in Theatre and Communications from Palm Beach Atlantic University and lives in Jupiter with her husband, their dog, and three beloved cows.
If you have questions, please contact:
Kim Cozort Kay, Director of Education – kcozort@jupitertheatre.org | (561) 972-6106
or Kim Capozzoli, Co-Conservatory Business Manager – kcapozzoli@jupitertheatre.org | (561) 781-3026
or Jessie Gomez, Co-Conservatory Business Manager – jgomez@jupitertheatre.org | (561) 781-3027
Goldner Conservatory Teaching Artists
Goldner Conservatory faculty members are professionally trained in their area of discipline, They are “professionals teaching the profession,” as actors, directors, dancers and designers. Our artists undergo an interview process, as well as background checks, including criminal, sex offender and work history, conducted in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and other legal requirements.
Aaliyah Amoin
Aaliyah Amoin is a South Florida-based theater professional who has done both performance and backstage tech work over the years. She began her career in performance arts through classical concert piano and choir, and later in life discovered her love for musical theatre. Aaliyah received her B.A. in Musical Theatre Arts at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she received training in classical piano and voice, improv, Meisner and Chekov acting methods, and backstage work. When she is not at the Maltz, Aaliyah is a music director for several theaters in South Florida and has music directed shows such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Entr’acte Theatrix), The Wizard of Oz (Rosarian Academy), Jesus Christ Superstar (Entr’acte Theatrix), and Shrek the Musical Jr. (Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre). She is beyond excited to be working with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre to help cultivate young minds and give them the creative tools needed to excel in the professional world.
Kayla Grammerstorf
Kayla Grammerstorf is a dance performer, choreographer, and educator originally from the Philadelphia region. She is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College where she pursued degrees in Dance Performance and Accounting. Kayla has been trained in Classical and Contemporary Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Tap, and Hip-Hop. She was involved in a tap company based in Philadelphia called Footwerx and had the opportunity to perform at the Wilma Theater, Arts Bank Theater, and Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. At Muhlenberg College, Kayla had the chance to work with artists Heidi Cruz-Austin, Karen Dearborn, Natalie Gotter, Randall Anthony Smith, guest artist Melanie George, and several student choreographers. Kayla has choreographed five musicals for the Phoenixville Area Middle School and multiple dance pieces for studios in the Philadelphia area. As a choreographer and educator, she strives to create an environment for dancers to grow and find their voice in her movement. Kayla is very excited to be joining the Maltz Jupiter Theatre faculty as they prepare for these upcoming projects.
KENNETH KAY
Kenneth Kay made his professional acting debut in 1978. Since that time, he has gone on to produce, direct or act in over nearly 300 professional stage productions throughout the southeast and on national tour. A Vietnam era-veteran of the US Navy “Seabees,” Mr. Kay received an AA in Arts Education from Lake-Sumter State College, a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of West Florida in 1978 and an MFA in Acting & Directing from Florida Atlantic University. He earned his Equity card after completing a one-year professional internship at The Burt Reynolds’ Institute for Theatre Training. During his internship there he regularly studied with acclaimed teachers/actors Charles Nelson Reilly, Julie Harris, Stuart Vaughan, Jose Quintero, Dom DeLuise, and Martin Sheen. More recently, Mr. Kay served as the Producing Artistic Director of the Blowing Stage Company in North Carolina. During his nine-year tenure he produced and/or directed seventy full-length plays including sixteen regional and world premieres. Many of those plays have since been published and are now available for licensing through Dramatic Publishing. Under his leadership BRSC was named the Best Professional Theatre in North Carolina for 2007. His teaching credentials include adjunct or advisory positions at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Florida Atlantic University, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Appalachian State College, and Davidson College. Currently, he is a Resident Teaching Artist with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s Goldner Conservatory.
Avery Sommers
Avery Sommers has appeared on Broadway in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Show Boat, Chicago, and Platinum, in addition to national tours of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with Ann-Margret, and Chicago with Chita Rivera and Joel Grey, and featured roles in 10 independent films, all shot in South Florida. She continues to perform at south Florida leading live music venues while also serving on the boards of directors for the Carbonell Awards and the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, and on the Honorary Board of Advisors for The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook.
RACHAEL LAGASSE
Rachael Lagasse is floored with excitement and appreciation to be a part of teaching young minds the art of creativity. She is a New World School of the Arts Alumni, there she earned her BFA and Conservatory degree in Theatre. Her love for acting has been with her for many, many years, but she has had a new found love of working with children in just the last year. She discovered this during her time of being a teacher assistant at Center For Creative Education where she works alongside children daily in helping them to better understand how to connect the arts to their learning.
Natalie Donahue McMahon
Natalie Donahue McMahon is a professional actor born and raised in Tequesta, Florida. Natalie studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and was a member of their 2015-2016 Company. She has also apprenticed with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. New York credits include Ismene in Antigone (Random Access Theatre) and sad indie love song (The Arctic Group’s Fridge Fest). Natalie has worked in South Florida from Palm Beach County all the way down to Miami. Notable credits include Palm Beach Dramawork’s One Humanity Tour where Natalie originated two roles in original plays written for middle schoolers , Live to Tell and Hungry Ghosts, and River in Gablestage’s highly praised production of Branden Jacob Jenkins’ Appropriatelast season.
MARY STUCCHI
Mary Stucchi graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2007, where she studied theatre and communication. Since then, her dedication to education, performance, and photography has led her down multiple entrepreneurial paths. Stucchi owns a portrait photography business, and has worked extensively in performance and production roles for companies such as The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, MOD27 Improvisation, and StoryMakers. Mary’s most treasured teaching experience involved homeschooling 4 girls in Kilimanjaro, East Africa for one year. She has led many workshops for arts camps and global education programs locally and internationally. Most Saturdays, you can find Mary at the Kravis Center, where she manages De George Academy, a scholarship-based performing arts school for economically disadvantaged students. Mary is thankful for every student she meets, because they inspire her to keep learning with them.
Randall Swinton
Randall Swinton is an Actor and Stage Manager here in South Florida. He is happy to be back with Maltz Jupiter Theatre as an instructor in the Goldner COnservatory. Some of his favorite credits as an Assistant Stage Manager are G7:2070 (WJLH Productions), Disenchanted! (MNM Theatre), Oliver! (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Sweet Charity (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Jersey Boys (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), The Drowsy Chaperone (Wick Theatre), The Amparo Experience (Broadway Factor) and A Christmas Story (Slow Burn Theatre). He is grateful to his friends and family for all of their love and support.
Demetrius Klein Dance Company Artists in Residence
Briley Crisafi
Briley Crisafi is a lifelong performer who is passionate about the arts’ capability to positively impact culture. Crisafi has been trained in classical ballet, contemporary, and various forms of competitive dance; and has a richbackground in voice and musical theatre. In recent years, she has enjoyed writing and directing full-length stage plays for students through local organizations. She is very excited to now be working with the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in order to share her joy and knowledge with the upcoming generation of performing artists.
Ann Kreucher
Ann Kreucher began her training in classical ballet at age 11. She then went on to major in dance at Point Park College in Pittsburgh, PA and was exposed to a variety of dance styles including jazz, tap, modern, character, Dunham and performance. Ann has danced professionally with many small modern companies, such as the Pittsburgh based Physical Theatre Project, and also for many independent choreographers, like Jeff Shade, a Bob Fosse dance captain and instructor at Steps on Broadway, NYC. Ann started her teaching career in 1991, teaching ballet, pointe, jazz and modern at studios, universities, art centers and summer theater intensives, consistently to this present day. Ann has choreographed many musical productions, such as Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street and A Chorus Line. She has been a company member of DKDC since 2016, as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, rehearsal director and executive director.
Kristen Vencel
Kristen is a performer, choreographer, and filmmaker who serves as Artistic Director of Demetrius Klein Dance Company. She earned her BA in dance at Palm Beach Atlantic University and has enjoyed cross-cultural studies in dance internationally in Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Panama. She has appeared in productions across South Florida, USA with the Palm Beach Symphony, the Downtown Development Authority of West Palm Beach, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Natural Movers Foundation, Christ Fellowship Church, Future Commerce, and more. In addition to dancing, with experience in many styles of dance including modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, salsa, and musical theater, Kristen provides support and strategic feedback to students studying dance in local college and studio settings. Dance is part of her expression, her worship, and the depths of who she was made to be. You can connect with her on social media @iamkristenvencel