Meet the Teachers

Joshua Katzker

Acting Teacher/Program Coordinator

Josh's Bio

Joshua Katzker is a veteran of the Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre, having spent five years performing for and educating the children of Central and Western New York. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Arizona State University.

Josh has been acting, directing and teaching across the country for nearly twenty years including stints in Chicago, New York, Florida, Ohio, and Washington. Some of his regional credits include: The Confession (Blue Gate Musicals), Bedroom Farce & Picnic (Orlando Rep), Learn to Be Latina (Stray Cat) Dames at Sea (White-Willis), Tecumseh! (Scioto Society), There Once Was a Longhouse, The Golden Goose, Hound of the Baskervilles, Around the World in 80 Days & Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings (Merry-Go-Round), and the world premiere of The Boys Room at the Tony Award-winning Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.

Dan Williams

Music/Voice Instructor

Dan's Bio

Dan Williams is an active performer, arts educator and musical director. Performances have been all around central New York from musical theatre to opera to concert stage. He has taught at Redhouse Arts Center, CNY Arts Center and at several area schools, helping to direct shows, notably at Jordan-Elbridge and Oswego.

Dan is a graduate of SUNY Oswego with double majors in Music and Spanish and a minor in Theatre. He is very excited to be working back at MGR after having helped with the 2009 summer season working in house management.

Christan McLaurine

Dance Teacher

Christan's Bio

Christan is Nashville native with a B.S. in Theatre and Dance. In the fall, he toured with Merry-Go-Playhouse as a Wei Wei/Deshi in their production of The Magic Paintbrush. Christan has appeared in such productions as Madagascar- A Musical Adventure, The Selfish Giant, OH FREEDOM! The Story of the Underground Railroad, A Christmas Story, The Musical, Our Town, Of Mice and Men, and HEATHERS: The Musical.

In addition to his performance, his technical credits include Once on this Island Jr as Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer, VIGILS by Noah Haidle as Director, Smart People by Lydia Diamond as Stage Manager/Scenic Designer, and Assistant Stage Managed shows for New Stage Theatre productions of Best of Enemies and VANYA, SONIA, MASHA, and Spike.