Meet Our Founders

Wendy Duke
Co-Founder

Wendy S. Duke has a BA and MA in Theatre Arts from the University of Akron. Former drama teacher at Miller South School for the Arts in Akron, she has been teaching drama classes for all ages and abilities for many years and is currently writing a book called "Applied Drama for Autism."

Laura Valendza
Co-Founder

Laura Valendza has been teaching theatre and acting for over 40 years. She holds an MFA in Acting and an MA in Special Education. She is an intervention specialist at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and a member of the North American Drama Therapy Association.

  • Former Teacher

    Bree Chambers has a BA in Art Therapy at Capital University and is currently studying Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College, Columbia University.

  • Former Teacher

    Jordan Euell is a comedian and writer who worked with CADA from 2014-2021. He recently graduated from Kent State with a BS in Digital Media Production with a Theatre Minor and is currently pursuing an MFA in Screenwriting at DePaul University, even studying with Second City.

  • Former Teacher

    Hallie Heffernan has a BFA in Musical Theatre with minors in Dance and Communication Studies from Ohio Northern University. She is a working actor in New York, with credits at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and others.

  • Former Teacher

    John Lynch was a longtime CADA teaching assistant turned teacher and actor currently based in Maryland where he has performed with several theatre companies.

  • Former Teacher

    Brandon Meeker is an actor and improviser who worked with CADA from 2015-2021. He is a graduate of the Akron School for the Arts at Firestone CLC Theatre Department and is currently studying Political Science and History at the University of Akron.

  • Former Teacher

    Mikaia Ak Barr is a longtime theatre student, filmmaker, and photographer. She is currently in the School Of Cinematic Arts (Production Track) at University of Southern California.

  • Former Teacher

    Bhawna Sudhir is an “autism mom” who is studying dance therapy. Her specialization is using movement to stimulate the brain and creativity. She is the founder and director of Dancing Bells, LLC, a platform to serve individuals with different capabilities to express themselves and interact with each other through dance and movement.

  • Former Teacher

    Shannon Uphold has an MFA from the Professional Actor Training Program at University of Houston and has trained in The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey SPTP’s Next Stage Ensemble. She works as an Instructor for the Barbizon Modeling and Acting Center, works as an actor, teacher, and mentor, and plans to continue her education in Drama Therapy.

  • Former Teacher

    Eve Urban is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Theatre and an Applied Theatre Certificate in Spring 2021. She has trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education in Intimacy Coordination, Theatre of the Oppressed Pittsburgh in Image and Forum Theatre.

  • Former Teacher

    Molly Wetzel has an MFA in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Houston. She has performed and taught for many regional theatres around the country. She’s currently working as an audiobook narrator and dialect coach from her home.