Our Story
Damon and Bridget Taylor have a passion for children and supporting them in expressing their God-given gifts through the arts. Thousands of artists and families in the Greater Kansas City Area have been touched by their commitment to arts education. Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre is the third major theater school the couple has founded in the Kansas City area over the last two decades providing opportunity for training and performance for artists ages 3 through adult in theater, dance, music and art. Their students have achieved many theatrical, radio, and television successes, locally and nationally, in addition to receiving opportunities in voice over and commercial work.
Meet the Team
Our dream is supporting and growing leaders in the arts through out our world.
Bridget Taylor
Founder & Executive Director
Damon Taylor
Founder & Artistic Director
Damon Taylor, a distinguished graduate of The American Academy of Art, brings over 30 years of extensive experience in graphic design, advertising, and marketing to Trilogy. An internationally published author and illustrator Damon has penned over 20 Christian children's books, collaborating with renowned clients like Golden Books and Children's Television Workshop.
His creative genius not only enhances Trilogy's promotional materials and set designs but also enriches our visual arts programs. Damon's visionary skills have also led to the creation of musical adaptations of his books, including Pudge Ate a Prophet and the Reader's Theater presentation of Caleb Crosses the Country.
With a passionate commitment to the arts and education, Damon continues to drive Trilogy's creative direction, inspiring all with his dedication to nurturing young minds.
Shelby Baker
Director of Theater Studies
Shelby Baker is the Director of Theater Studies at Trilogy, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for the performing arts. She is a graduate of The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Oklahoma City University. With a diverse background in both stage and vocal performance, Shelby offers private coaching in acting, vocal technique, and audition preparation. Her personalized approach focuses on helping students build confidence, refine their craft, and succeed in competitive auditions. For more information or to schedule a session, contact Shelby at [email protected].
Keri Kruger
Administrative Assistant
Keri supports the Executive Directors behind the scenes, ensuring smooth operations at Trilogy. She plays a key role in administrative tasks, offering valuable assistance to staff, students, and families.
Alyson Gad
Aerial Silks, Lyra Aerial Hoop Instructor
Alyson (Miss Aly) is a skilled aerial instructor with over seven years of experience in aerial arts. With a background in kinesiology and a pursuit of personal trainer certification, Alyson blends her academic knowledge of body mechanics with her passion for aerial movement. Her teaching focuses on developing strength, flexibility, and artistry in students, ensuring they grow both technically and expressively. Miss Aly’s holistic approach to teaching inspires her students at all levels to embrace aerial arts with confidence and creativity.
Brook Kevins
Acrobatics, Contortions & Tumbling, Ballet, Jazz, Tap,
Musical Theatre Instructor
Brook Kevins brings over 10 years of experience in dance and gymnastics, having trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and tumbling. In addition to her dance expertise, Brook holds a degree in Occupational Health Sciences and certifications in health, wellness, and early education. She is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles through movement and believes in the power of the body to enhance both physical and emotional well-being. As an instructor and choreographer, Brook nurtures young talent by blending rigorous technical training with creative choreography to inspire and challenge her students.
Hadley Speicher
Musical Theatre, Vocal Instructor
Hadley Speicher is an energetic and dedicated musical theater and vocal instructor, currently pursuing a degree in Musical Theater with a minor in Music at MidAmerica Nazarene University. A performer since childhood, Hadley has taken on leading roles in productions such as Beauty and the Beast and Newsies. Her teaching combines her academic knowledge with practical performance experience, guiding students to refine their vocal and acting abilities. Hadley’s approach is both warm and empathetic, creating an engaging and supportive environment where students feel encouraged to explore their creativity and grow as performers.
Lane Cunningham
Voice/ Musical Theatre Instructor
We are excited to welcome Lane to the Trilogy team as a Voice Student Teacher! With years of experience in vocal training and a deep passion for the arts, Lane has proven to be a valuable contributor to Trilogy productions such as Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, Annie, and most recently, Prince of Egypt. This semester, Lane will be assisting with classes and productions, offering his expertise to help develop our students' talents. In addition, Lane is now offering private voice lessons, providing personalized guidance to help students reach their full vocal potential. We’re thrilled to have Lane on board as a valuable part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation of performers!
Timothy Hansen
Acting Instructor
With nearly 30 years of experience in theater, Tim Hansen has spent the last five years sharing his expertise with students at Trilogy. After earning his BA in Theatre Studies from the University of Kansas, Tim initially focused on stage management, set design, and construction before transitioning to acting. He is passionate about teaching the foundational principles of acting, including voice, physical movement, and character development. Tim's approach centers on building student confidence and nurturing creativity, while instilling a strong sense of integrity and discipline in aspiring performers.
Claudia Oehmler
Administrative Aide
Claudia assists with a variety of administrative tasks at Trilogy, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. Her dedication supports the staff and helps create a positive environment for students and families.
Alex Kaljumaa
Stunts, Musical Theatre Instructor
Alex Kailijuma, a former Trilogy student, has returned as an instructor with a passion for acting, stunts, and musical theater. His training in various disciplines, including stage and film acting, dance, and stunt choreography, allows him to teach students how to incorporate physical storytelling into their performances. Alex has choreographed stunts for Trilogy productions such as Tarzan and Narnia and looks forward to sharing his expertise with students in classes like Stunt Training and Musical Theatre. His goal is to inspire creativity, build confidence, and teach students to push their limits safely.
Chris Opperman
Vocal Instructor
Chris Opperman is a vocal instructor and music director at Trilogy, with a degree in Music Education from Kansas State University. Chris specializes in vocal technique, breath control, and performance preparation, helping students refine their voice and develop confidence in their singing abilities. He is also a key member of Trilogy’s creative team, overseeing music direction for productions and contributing his technical expertise behind the scenes to create powerful performances.
Krista Simmons
Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary,
Adult Dance/ Barre Instructor
Krista Simmons is a passionate dance instructor with over two years of experience teaching ballet, modern, lyrical, and contemporary dance at Trilogy. A lifelong dancer, Krista began her training in elementary school and continued her studies at the Kansas City Ballet as an adult. Krista is dedicated to helping students overcome challenges and reach their full potential by providing personalized guidance and creating a supportive environment. She is committed to fostering a love for dance and inspiring students to pursue excellence while enjoying the process.
Tasia Choudhry
Musical Theatre, Tap, Jazz Instructor,
Class & Faculty Coordinator
Victoria Patterson
Makeup and Costume Design Instructor
Victoria Patterson is a talented makeup and costume designer who brings her expertise to Trilogy’s productions. She leads the design process for makeup and costumes, transforming actors into their roles through creative, detailed designs. Victoria also shares her skills with students, teaching them the art of makeup and costume design in the classroom. Her passion for creativity and attention to detail helps bring characters to life on stage, enhancing the storytelling process and providing students with valuable skills for their own creative journeys.