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.
Our Approach
Our Story
Meet the Team
Our dream is supporting and growing leaders in the arts through out our world.
Bridget Taylor
Founder & Executive Director
Bridget Taylor a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a degree in Business and the Arts, serves as the Executive Artistic Director of Trilogy. With a deep commitment to arts education and community development, she has designed and written comprehensive curricula for dance, voice, acting, visual arts, theater, and arts leadership. As an instructor, Bridget’s private voice students regularly perform throughout the Kansas City metro area, showcasing her dedication to nurturing young talent. She is also an accomplished producer and director, having created original musicals such as *When the Last Leaf Falls*, *Clue: The Murder Mystery Musical*, and *Rhythm City*. Bridget is passionate about empowering children and families through the arts, fostering leadership and creativity to strengthen our community. She works closely with the talented Trilogy staff to direct and produce the company’s exceptional main-stage productions, ensuring that each performance is a testament to the transformative power of the arts.
Damon Taylor
Founder & Artistic Director
Damon Taylor, a graduate of The American Academy of Art, is an internationally published author and illustrator with over 20 Christian children's books to his name. With a career spanning 30 years, Damon has worked across a diverse range of industries, including graphic design, advertising, and marketing. His impressive client roster includes Golden Books, Children’s Television Workshop, VTech, Rigby Publishing, and The Church of the Resurrection. Damon’s expertise plays a pivotal role in Trilogy’s outstanding promotional materials, set design, and visual arts training. His creative vision and technical skill bring a unique, artistic flair to every project. In 2013, Damon produced a musical based on one of his books, *Pudge Ate a Prophet*, and most recently, he adapted *Caleb Crosses the Country* into a dynamic Reader’s Theater presentation. Passionate about both the arts and education, Damon continues to inspire and shape the creative direction at Trilogy.
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
Alyson Gad
Aerial Silks, Lyra Aerial Hoop Instructor
Miss Aly is a highly skilled aerial instructor, with over seven years of experience in aerial arts. Her passion for movement is complemented by her academic background in kinesiology, which she is currently studying at the University of Kansas, alongside her pursuit of a personal trainer certification. This unique combination allows her to approach aerial arts with a deep understanding of both the body and its movement mechanics.
In her classes, Miss Aly blends the precision of exercise science with the creativity and fluidity of aerial dance. She focuses on developing students who are not only strong but also graceful, ensuring they grow as both technically proficient and expressive performers. Her commitment to her students' physical and artistic growth drives her teaching philosophy, which inspires and supports students at all levels of their aerial journey.
Brook Kevins
Acrobatics, Contortions & Tumbling, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre Instructor
Miss Brook has over 10 years of experience in the dance and gymnastics world. Passionate about inspiring artists, nurturing young talent, and developing future leaders. Brook started at the age of 5, training in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Tumbling. As a Dance Instructor, Tumbling Coach, and Choreographer, Miss Brook has earned numerous awards and leadership roles at various Dance and Gymnastics studios.
In addition to her dance expertise, Brook holds a degree in Occupational Health Sciences and several certifications in health, wellness, and early education. Miss Brook is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and believes in the power of movement to enhance well-being.
Mentored by industry leaders Vanessa Woods and our own Bridget Taylor, Brook brings wealth of knowledge and inspiration to her students. In her classes, students can expect a blend of rigorous technical training through positive teaching methods and creative choreography, all designed to challenge and inspire.
Hadley Speicher
Musical Theatre, Vocal Instructor
Hadley Speicher is a dedicated 19-year-old educator and passionate advocate for the performing arts, with five years of experience teaching musical theater and vocal performance. Currently pursuing a degree in Musical Theater with a minor in Music at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Hadley blends her academic knowledge with her deep love for theater to inspire and empower her students.
A versatile performer, she has taken on notable roles such as Belle in *Beauty and the Beast*, Katherine Plumber in *Newsies*, and Jane in *Tarzan the Musical*. These experiences have shaped her understanding of performance and storytelling, which she eagerly shares in the classroom. Hadley’s journey in the arts began in first grade, and her passion blossomed through her middle school years and involvement in the Trilogy program. Mentored by the talented Tasia, Hadley continues to grow as both an artist and teacher, seeking to uplift others while honing her craft.
Known for her warm, empathetic approach, Hadley creates a positive and engaging environment where students feel safe to explore their creativity. She incorporates fun activities to make learning enjoyable while fostering inclusivity and personal growth.
Lane Cunningham
Instructor
We’re excited to welcome Lane to the Trilogy team! With years of experience in vocal training and a true passion for the arts. Lane has been an integral part of Trilogy productions such as *Beauty and the Beast*, *The Sound of Music*, *Annie*, and more. This semester, Lane will be assisting with classes and productions, sharing his expertise and enthusiasm with our talented students. We're thrilled to have Lane on board as we continue to inspire and develop the next generation of performers!
Timothy Hansen
Acting Instructor
Tim has been immersed in the theater world for nearly 30 years—and, according to him, it would have been even longer if he'd listened to his mother when he was young! After earning his BA in Theatre Studies in 2000 from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!), Tim started his journey focusing on stage management, set design, and construction. However, a series of unexpected events soon pulled him from behind the scenes and placed him in front of the camera and on stage. And he’s been there ever since.
For over five years, Tim has been sharing his expertise with young actors at Trilogy Cultural Arts. He’s passionate about teaching the foundational principles of acting, with a focus on physical movement, voice and speech, and character development. Tim believes that these elements are essential for every actor, and he loves guiding his students as they discover their unique voice and talent.
As a father of five, Tim truly values the supportive, values-driven environment that Trilogy offers. He is incredibly proud to be a part of this community, especially under the leadership of Bridget and Damon Taylor, who share his dedication to nurturing young talent. For Tim, teaching at Trilogy isn’t just about developing actors—it’s about fostering confidence, creativity, and integrity in the next generation of performers.
Claudia Oehmler
Administrative Aide
Alex kaljumaa
Stunts, Musical Theatre Instructor
Alex started as a student here himself. Performing from a young age, Alex has always had a passion for acting and the arts. His training has been a blend of musical theatre, acting for stage and film, dance and stunts, with a particular focus on bringing the physicality of storytelling to life.
In addition to being a current member of the Ronin Stunts Company, Alex works professionally as an actor and stuntman. He has had the privilege of choreographing stunts for Trilogy productions like Tarzan and Narnia, and has also taught a number of Trilogy camps, including Jedi Training Academy and The Greatest Showcamp. His film experience includes working on projects such as The Possession at Gladstone Manor and Black Zone.
This semester, Alex is looking forward to teaching the Moana and Tuck Everlasting musical theatre classes, as well as the Stunt Training class. He is grateful for the opportunity to share what he’s learned over the years and hopes to inspire students to embrace their creativity and push their limits in a safe and supportive environment. Alex is committed to helping students grow, whether through a song, a scene, or a carefully choreographed stunt, all while enjoying the process and learning together.
Chris Opperman
Vocal Instructor
Chris Opperman is a vocal and music instructor committed to helping students discover and refine their unique vocal abilities. With a degree in Music Education from Kansas State University and years of hands-on experience, Chris guides students to unlock their full vocal potential. Teaching vocal technique, breath control, and performance preparation, empowering students to build confidence and artistry in their singing.
In addition to his teaching role, Chris is a key member of the Trilogy Cultural Arts team, serving as the music director for several productions and lending his expertise in the tech booth. His involvement in both the creative and technical aspects of Trilogy productions gives him a comprehensive understanding of how music, voice, and staging combine to create powerful performances.
Krista Simmons
Ballet, Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary,
Adult Dance/ Barre Instructor
Krista is a dedicated and enthusiastic dance instructor with over 2.5 years of experience teaching ballet and contemporary dance at Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre. A lifelong dancer, she began her training in elementary school and continued through high school before expanding her education as an adult at the Kansas City Ballet. This journey deepened her understanding of the challenges and rewards of lifelong dance education.
Krista is passionate about recognizing each student’s individual strengths and challenges, offering personalized guidance to help them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. She creates a supportive and engaging environment where dancers feel part of a close-knit community, all while striving for excellence and high-quality instruction. As a choreographer at Trilogy, Krista has crafted numerous performances that seamlessly blend innovation with precision, bringing musicality and movement together in both technically refined and creatively expressive ways. Her goal is to inspire dancers to pursue excellence with joy and dedication, fostering meaningful connections both in the studio and on stage.
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, as well as a dedicated instructor at Trilogy Cultural Arts Centre. With a passion for creativity and an eye for detail, Victoria brings her expertise in makeup artistry and costume design to both the classroom and the stage. As the lead makeup and costume designer for Trilogy productions, she works behind the scenes to bring characters to life, transforming actors into the roles they play with stunning and imaginative designs.