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)

Founding Artistic Director

Laura has spent five 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 Stage Founding Artistic 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. Creative Cauldron Stage was launched in 2002, and under Laura’s leadership, over a 24-year span, it has grown into a multifaceted professional theater and staff, music presenter and educational arts organization with a 1.2 million budget. It has received 26 Helen Hayes Awards nominations and 5 awards. Creative Cauldron’s innovative educational programs have been honored with a Dominion Energy Arts Stars “Rising Star” Award in 2011, and a “Shining Star” in 2019. Laura is committed to bringing the arts to underserved audiences and creating more roles on and offstage for women/women of color through a “Bold New Voices” initiative. Under this initiative, Creative Cauldron has produced six world premieres and/ or regional premieres of works written by women. Through funding from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia’s Ross Roberts Fund for the Arts, she launched “Artes Para Todos,” a program that brings free after school drama and art workshops to children in Fairfax County Title One public schools. In 2025, a successful “New Home, New Horizon” Capacity Fundraising Campaign, that included significant government, corporate and individual support, provided Creative Cauldron with its new state of the art black box theater, located in the heart of a designated “Arts and Entertainment District” in the City of Falls Church. Laura holds a B.A. in Communication Arts with a minor in vocal performance from Ursuline College and studied at the British American Acting Academy in London. She served as Artistic Director for the Ashtabula Arts Center’s G.B. Repertory Theater for nine years and directed or performed in over 40 productions, then worked in theater administration in various capacities finally serving as the Director of Communications at Arena Stage, where she supervised a staff of 35 and a 6 million dollar earned income budget.

Our Artists

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. Stephen directs, choreographs, and writes original works for the "Bold New Works" initiative.

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.

Matt Conner (He/Him/His)

Associate Artistic Director / Composer

Matt is a veteran of DC area stages who has been with Creative Cauldron State 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 the Learning Theater program and Arts Adventure camps.