Our Circle

Creative Cauldron is grateful for all of amazing people who make the work we do possible. We employ a remarkable team of talented theater professionals and rely on the expertise of our supportive and knowledgeable Board of Directors.

Laura Connors Hull (She/Her/Hers)

Founder & PRoducing Director

Laura has spent four decades working professionally in the theater, first as an actress and director, then as an administrator and executive, and finally coming full circle to the role of Creative Cauldron Producing Director. Her strength as both an administrator and an artist has helped her shape Creative Cauldron into a unique and vibrant organization responsive to the needs of its community. Laura is committed to bringing the arts to underserved audiences and creating more roles on and offstage for women/women of color. Laura holds a B.A. in Communication Arts with a minor in vocal performance from Ursuline College. She was Artistic Director for the Ashtabula Arts Center’s G.B. Repertory Theater and directed or performed in over 40 productions, then worked in theater administration as the Director of Communications at Arena Stage. In 2002, she returned to her passion for teaching the arts, gathered a coalition of like-minded artists, and launched Creative Cauldron.

Janis Tartt (She/Her/Hers)

general manager

Janis brings 5 years of theater customer experience expertise at Creative Cauldron after a career at the Department of Justice. Janis has a passion for theater, art, and the wonderful patrons who make it all possible.

Our Artists

Matt Conner (He/Him/His)

Associate producing Director / Composer

Matt is a veteran of DC area stages who has been with Creative Cauldron for 14 years directing and composing original music for both professional and Learning Theater productions. His original works are produced across the country including locally at Signature Theatre.

Matt directs and writes original works for the Bold New Works program. He is also a teaching artist for our Learning Theater program and Arts Adventure Camps.

Margie Jervis (She/Her/Hers)

scenic & costume designer

Margie is a Falls Church native with a nearly 40 year career of professional art making. Her Fine Art is exhibited internationally. She served as the Master Scenic Artist at the Seattle Opera and designed scenery and puppets for the Washington National Opera's Children's Opera Productions.

Margie serves as Creative Cauldron's resident Theatrical Designer and as a teaching artist for our Visual Arts Workshops and Arts Adventure Camps.

Jessi Shull (She/He/Hers)

TEACHING ARTIST- DAnCE

Jessi has been a Teaching Artist with Creative Cauldron for the last six years, t teaching after-school classes and Arts Adventure camps, She choreographs productions for a number of Fairfax County schools and also works as a Teaching Artist with the Wolf Trap Center for Early Learning Through the Arts.

Stephen Gregory Smith (He/Him/His)

writer / director

Stephen is a writer and Helen Hayes Award winning actor who has been seen in productions for Ford's Theatre, Olney Theatre, Arena Stage, Signature Theatre and more and has been with Creative Cauldron acting, directing, teaching, and writing original productions. He has premiered several works with Matt Conner.

Stephen directs, choreographs, and writes original works for the Bold New Works program. He is also a teaching artist for our
Arts Adventure Camps.

Lenny Mendez
(She/Her/Ella)

Associate Artist (bi-lingual)

Lenny Mendez (she/her/ella) she is a Latina actress from the Washington DC area. Lenny earned her BFA in acting and directing from George Mason University and trained at Circle in the Square Theatre School on Broadway in New York City. Some past credits include, Queen Titania in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Castaway Repertory) Angelina in Prom Night (GALA Hispanic Theatre) Natalie in The Proposal (Workhouse Arts Center).