Charlie has been with Walden since 1992 where he has directed over 30 productions. He holds a BFA from Southern Methodist University where he received the Greer Garson Award for Outstanding Achievement. Before returning to Walden Theatre, where he was a student in the 1970's, Charlie was Education Director at The Wheelock Theatre in Boston, and an instructor with The Dallas Teen/Children's Theatre Co. As a professional actor he has appeared with Actors Theatre of Louisville, Stage One, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, The Dallas Theatre Center, Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Stage #1 in Dallas, Wheelock Theatre, and Off-Off Broadway (NYC). TV/Film credits include One Life to Live, Loving, Rescue 911, Tyrannosaurus Tex, the Archie Borders film, Reception to Follow, commercials and industrials.

Deirdre joined Walden Theatre in the summer of 2008, where she manages accounting and business affairs. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Murray State University. Before working at Walden, Deirdre was the Deputy City Clerk of Finance for the City of Prospect, and the Office Manager for Nauman Lincoln Roos in San Francisco.

Isaac joined Walden Theatre in 2009 to handle marketing, media relations, and communications. He is a internationally published art and culture writer who reported news for public radio station WAER 88.3 in Syracuse, N.Y. and wrote as an intern at Forbes in NYC, He holds a master's in Arts Journalism from the Goldring Arts Journalism Program in the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Isaac benefitted from a childhood spent around the arts, and he's glad to spread the word in the community (and beyond) about what the young people at Walden can do.

Alison was recently promoted into the Managing Director role at Walden Theatre after spending the last two years as Walden's Development Director. Since joining the organization in May 2007, individual donations have nearly doubled, and corporate donations have quadrupled. Alison has also started a youth board at Walden (TAAG: Teen Actors Advisory Group), and is proud of them for raising $2,000 for the scholarship fund in their very first year! Before working at Walden, she managed the Youth Learning Centers Program at New Directions Housing Corporation. She holds a Master's Degree from the University of Louisville in Public Administration, with a specialization in Nonprofit Management, and a BA in Political Science. Having spent her teenage years on stage, she knows firsthand the positive impact theatre arts education has on youth development!

Before coming to Walden Theatre in 2000, Alec taught theatre and directed productions at Trinity High School, St. Francis Goshen, and Lexington's Sayre School. A graduate of Trinity High School, he attended the University of Kentucky before touring and studying with the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York City. Since returning to Louisville, he has performed with The Necessary Theatre and is co-founder and company member in The Louisville Improvisors. Alec is also a narrator for The American Printing House For the Blind.

Dan is entering his ninth season with Walden Theatre. He has developed a number of innovative offerings for the school-based Outreach Program. Under his leadership the Outreach Program has served over 46,000 students in 365 schools and community centers in ten states. Dan has directed over 40 plays, including Walden Theatre's touring productions and works in the last six Young Playwrights Festivals. He is a member of the Kentuckiana Cultural Consortium and has contributed to Theatre Communications Group's publication "Centerpiece." Currently Dan is a member of the national TCG working group - Building a National TEAM: Theatre Education Assessment Models. He received a BA in Theatre from University of Louisville, and was a member of the 1993-94 Apprentice/Intern Company at Actors Theatre.

Chris Anger, a founder and current Artistic Director of the Louisville Improvisors, has been a professional actor working in Improvisation of over 20 years. Originally from the San Francisco bay area, he has performed with numerous troupes before moving to Louisville in 1999. He studied improv with the late Dr. Martin de Maat, former head of the world-famous Chicago Second City Training Center.

Barrett has been associated with Walden since its founding, directing over 20 productions and serving as the production coordinator and fight director for many others. Barrett has taught at Wheaton College, IU Southeast, Hanover College and Idyllwild Arts (CA). He has worked as an actor, director, and fight director in NYC with Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Pioneer Theatre, Arkansas Rep., Wayside Theatre to name a few. Locally he has worked with Actors Theatre, The Necessary Theatre, and Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. He holds an MFA from University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival and a BFA from Southern Methodist University. Barrett is the Manager of Interpretative Programs at the Frazier Historical Arms Museum.

Tony holds a BA in Theatre from Northern Kentucky University, and has since been an educator with Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and Blue Apple Players, and Walden Theatre. He is currently an historic interpreter at Frazier International History Museum. Active in local theatre, he is 1/6 of the Le Petomane Theatre Ensemble, which annually produces new works and rethinks established classics. Tony was recently see fighting with himself in Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Hallie is a recent graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she graduated with a BFA in Theater Arts. Hallie’s recent acting credits include:‘Tis Pity (Stage Manager), Durang, Durang (Ginny and DMV Tyrant), Measure for Measure (Isabella), Laundry and Bourbon (Elizabeth), Eighteen (Ella), Crater (Catherine), Savage in Limbo (Linda), and The Beaux Strategem (Dorinda). She has directed Grimms Tales, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, and 1,001 Nights, and is thrilled to be teaming up with Walden once again.

Elizabeth graduated in the spring of 2008 with a BS in Marketing and minor in Theatre from University of Louisville. She previously trained at The Hartt School and has been with Walden Theatre since 1996. She has performed in numerous productions including Uncle Vanya, Trojan Women, Hamlet, and The Nerd with Walden Theatre; Moonchildren and Betrayal with The Hartt School; My Secret Language of Wishes, Titus Andronicus and co-starring in UofL’s online freshman orientation modules. Elizabeth has performed at The Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in NYC and throughout Great Britain. She received 1st place in Kentucky’s English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition in 2001 and received Walden’s Unicorn Award in the spring of 1999. She has been teaching with Walden since 2004, and also teaches with the University of Louisville’s Delphi Center.

Founder of Walden Theatre and visionary in the field of arts education, Nancy Niles Sexton taught and worked with young actors for over thirty years.

Her inspiration and determination created Walden Theatre and sustained it for over twenty years.

A nationally recognized educator, Mrs. Sexton lectured and conducted workshops in theatre training for young people in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ontario, as well as in Kentucky. She produced the first Shakespeare Festival by and for young people in Kentucky in 1976 and later directed many award-winning productions at Walden Theatre. A prolific playwright, Mrs. Sexton has written 15 original works for Walden Theatre. Mrs. Sexton holds a BA in English/Drama from the University of Kentucky, and did graduate work at the Yale Drama School. A member of Actors Equity Association, Mrs. Sexton has sung and performed folk music and legends of Kentucky all her life. She has performed with the Kentucky Opera, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Stage West in Springfield (MA) and Walden Theatre.