About The Conservatory

Sabra Michelle is known to Madison audiences as a Choreographer, Performer, and Teacher with CTM, Monona Academy of Dance, Disney Musicals in Schools, and Capital City Theatre, with whom she played Tessie Tura (GYPSY), Flossie/Lucy Schmeeler (ON THE TOWN), and choreographed their Award-nominated regional premiere of NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812.   

Before moving to Madison, Sabra had a full career in New York City and touring internationally. 

Regionally in the U.S., she is best known for her performing career playing leading ladies in musicals including Lola (DAMN YANKEES), Cassie (A CHORUS LINE), Roxie (CHICAGO), and many others. Sabra has done philanthropic work for Broadway Cares, performed in Jerry Mitchell’s BROADWAY BARES (3 times), and founded THE COUGAR BALL, celebrating Fabulous, Funny, Flirty Friends at Forty, Fifty, and Forever!  

Sabra is currently the Vice President on the Board of Directors for DANCE WISCONSIN, a proud union member of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) local 251, an Onboarding specialist for non-profit companies using Arts People, and a licensed real estate agent for your referral needs anywhere in the world! www.SabraMichelle.info 

Kristen Hammer began her training in Bloomfield Hills, MI under Mary C. Geiger at Geiger Classical Ballet Academy and its affiliate company, Michigan Classic Ballet Company. Her training continued at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Boston Ballet. She went on to earn a B.S. degree in Dance Arts Administration from Butler University. Ms. Hammer has been a company dancer with Madison Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Deos Contemporary Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, and more.  
 
Ms. Hammer has performed across the nation as a guest artist with many notable organizations including Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, Capital City Theatre (On the Town, It’s A Wonderful Life), Isthmus Dance Collective, Dance at Delafield, and for Marlene Skog of the UW Dance Department. She has choreographed over 50 pieces for both professionals and students. Ms. Hammer has taught ballet at academies across the nation including Joffrey Ballet Academy, Planko Classical Ballet Academy, Madison Ballet, Synergy Dance Academy, and Naperville School of the Arts.  

Dennis Mullikin is a Chicago and New York City based actor and teaching artist whose work is rooted in imagination, human connection, and truthful storytelling. A graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting's Three Year Conservatory and the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater's BFA Theatre Performance program, Dennis has built a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary theatre. 

His stage credits include Prince Henry in Henry IV Part 1, Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Peter in Stop Kiss, Orestes in The Furies, and King Cymbeline in Cymbeline. Drawing from the teachings of Stella Adler, Viola Spolin, and Stanislavski, Dennis is passionate about helping actors develop a deeper relationship with their imagination and creative instincts.  

Adolpho Blaire has worked as an Actor, Director, Choreographer, Producer, Writer, Casting Agent, Dramaturg, and Teacher.  His Bootcamp Classes (both in NYC and around the country) use a 3-pronged approach to empowering artists to reach their highest potential: Defining Branding, Strengthening Text and Interpretation Skills, and Life Coaching. 

With over 15 years of Teaching, Adolpho’s students have found success on Broadway, National Tours, major Regional Theatres, Film/TV, Commercials and Cabaret Room as well as acceptance into every major Theatre College program in the country.  

D. Corey Helser has spent a lifetime in theater and education. After receiving an MFA in Theater Production (emphasis in Lighting Design and Stage Management) from UW-Madison, he worked for American Players Theatre, Dance Wisconsin, Madison Rep, Madison Opera, and touring with The Melrose Motion Company. After too many days on the road, he began working for Madison College where he managed the Mitby Theater, taught Stagecraft, supported the student performance series, and eventually led the office of Conference and Event Services.

While still working for the college, he began Theater Support Services, LLC. Under that company he developed stage management software and consulted for several organizations, including the Stoughton Opera House and the Wisconsin Arts Board.

After leaving Madison College, he continues to design scenery and lighting for over a dozen shows each year.  Beyond the stage, he is a musician and enjoys sailing when time and weather allow.

Ben Rush is a Madison-based improviser, teacher, coach, and founder of Amalgam Improv. He has helped build Madison’s improv scene by producing shows, creating performance opportunities, leading community jams, and developing welcoming courses for new improvisers. Ben teaches with a balance of structure, play, and practical scene experience. He enjoys helping students become more comfortable making bold choices, supporting the scene, and developing their own comedic voices. Ben is also a PhD medical imaging researcher and data scientist. His scientific work includes mentoring researchers in study design, coding, analysis, and communication, which informs his thoughtful and organized approach to teaching improv. 

Tatyana Lubov Nahirniak is a Musical Theatre performer, educator, and singer-songwriter originally from the Madison area. Tatyana graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with degrees in both Musical Theatre (BFA) and Anthropology, and she holds a Master of Science in Movement from the University of Florida. Tatyana's top performing credits include Ella in the National Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella the musical, Elsa/Anna/Queen Iduna (u/s) in Disney's 1st National tour of Frozen the musical, and most recently, Maureen in Capital City Theatre's production of Rent. Additionally, Tatyana is a judge and clinician for midwestern region Show Choir competitions, and she instructs musical theatre programs, including Capital City Theatre’s very own summer program, Find Your Light. In Tatyana’s spare time, she writes and performs original music (under the artist name “taluna” on all major music streaming platforms), teaches yoga, reads, and enjoys spending time with friends and family. @tatyanalubov | @talunaXIII | tatyanalubov.com

Besides being Capital City Theatre's Executive Artistic Producer and Director, complementing her theatrical work is a prolific, 30-year career in the cabaret world. A native Chicagoan, Gail was a foundational figure in the city's cabaret scene, helping to open the legendary Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret. Her sophisticated vocal styling has been featured at premier venues across the country, including New York's 54 Below and West End Cafe, San Francisco's The Plush Room, and Chicago's Park West, Drury Lane Michigan Ave, and The Royal George Theatre Cabaret Room. Regionally, she has maintained a strong presence at Overture Center, SideNotes Cabaret Series at Sunset Playhouse, The Brink, and Portage Center for the Arts. 

Ashton Florence (he/him) is a Madison-based theatre artist whose work spans performance, stage management, choreography, design, and dance instruction. 

Ashton was a Company Dancer with Madison Contemporary Dance Company for several years. His teaching experience includes serving as Head Coach of the Monona Grove High School Varsity Dance Team for multiple seasons, assisting with instruction at A Step Above Dance, and choreographing studio competition pieces along with dozens of musical theatre productions. 
Selected Capital City Theatre Credits: Where We Are (Production Stage Manager, World Premiere); Between the Acts (Assistant Stage Manager); Assassins (Assistant Stage Manager, Choreographer, Weapons Handler, Props Designer). 

Selected Regional Performance Credits: Tick, Tick… Boom! (Michael); On the Town (Ensemble); Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble); Andrew Keenan-Bolger in Concert; It’s a Wonderful Life (Sheriff, Dancer, Ensemble). 

Ashton holds degrees in Dance and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Follow his work on Instagram: @ashton_florence.