MARIA HANSEN-KIVIJARVI (Set Design) Maria is the Set Designer and Build Lead at TKA. She joined the VPA staff this year as a full-time member after being a parent volunteer for nine years. After her youngest daughter stepped into the world of theater in 6th grade, Maria knew she had found her calling. She learned this trade working side-by-side with the previous designer, Matt Cabot, and now has a special love for The King’s Academy Theatre program. Curtains will be her 23rd production at The King’s Academy, and she is eager to see the students soon on stage! Maria holds an Artisan degree in Pottery, and a master’s degree in education with an art emphasis from her native country, Finland.
MELANIE GELEYNSE (Costume Design) Since first getting involved with costumes for TKA’s production of Music Man 13 years ago, Melanie Geleynse has sewn or coordinated costumes for 47 shows. With four daughters who love to sing, dance, and act, TKA’s Theatre program has become a second home to her and her family. Melanie has enjoyed sewing and making costumes since she was in elementary school and loves working with directors to get the look of a show just right for its era and genre. She is also blessed to have gotten to know and work with so many funny and talented cast members over the years, and to see them grow and develop their on-stage confidence and abilities.
NOAH PRICE (Lighting Design) Noah found his place backstage during Junior High after missing the auditions for Cheaper by the Dozen. The shadows suited him, and he went on to design lighting for over a hundred musical, drama and dance productions by the end of college. Noah has designed lighting for over twenty of TKA's productions, enjoying being involved with King's talented students, parents and faculty. By day, Noah works behind the scenes of the Internet providing business cloud services, and also support the arts with theatrical.net including a popular backstage discussion group.
BRIAN TUCKER (Sound Design) This is Brian’s 9th year and 41st show at The King’s Academy as a part of the design team. Working with the TKA staff and students has been a personal highlight for Brian’s sound design career. Other projects include Titanic (Scottsdale Players), Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, A Christmas Carol, Brigadoon (Hale), Hello, Dolly, Music Man (Red Mountain) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat where he received a Zoni award for sound design. Brian is also an audio engineer and sound designer for Westgate Church.
ANASTASIA WIRTH (Production Caller) Anastasia feels blessed to join this team of hardworking and talented individuals. She developed a love for theatre and film as a child performing since the age of 4 and developed a passion for technical theatre and stage management in high school. She went on to attain her bachelor’s degree in theatre and has worked at several theatre companies throughout the Bay Area. Anastasia is currently the Lead Technician and trains high school students at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, the Resident Stage Manager at Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre, and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
