(Founder)

Hello! My name is Sam Turner, and I am so grateful to be running Lights Up since 2024!

I am currently teaching at Genesee Hill Elementary as a Specialist Teacher, and 2027 will be my 11th year. 2023 was my 7th summer teaching summer theater camps with Stage Struck as well. I currently hold a MS in Teaching in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a BA in Elementary Education and BA in Theater (Acting).

I’ve had a passion for theater since I was a kid, and I knew it was important to pass it on and give the opportunity to a new generation of actors. I grew up doing theater one week a year when Missoula Children’s Theater would come to our school district, as well as a few musicals with community theater as a teenager. I also went to Western Washington University and was very active in the Theater department as an actor, before performing in the Seattle area professionally.

My teaching style is performer-focused; I want students to end the camp feeling confident and proud, with a strong sense of community, and fun memories. We work hard because putting together a play is not easy, but its also called a ‘play’ for a reason: it should always feel like we’re playing. We strive to put on a performance that is enjoyable to watch, but not at the expense of the performer’s confidence and joy.

We have other incredible teaching artists, music directors, assistants, musicians, and costumers who help make this all run.

Our Lead Teachers/Directors this summer are Jayne Muirhead, Claudine Mboligikpelani Nako, Ella Friis-Alfers, Jalen Stephens, and myself, Sam Turner. Our music directors are John Engerman and Mark Rabe.