Our teaching artists have degrees and experience in instructing, directing, and composition of childern's theatre. Our Internship and Apprentice programs train future teachers and theatre professionals.

Our Teaching Artists

Hillary Drew - Hillary started in theatre right here at Bay Street Players at the age of three with Ms. Deborah. Continuing in her theatre education journey throughout high school, her love for theatre developed into a vocational interest as she began teaching and directing children's theatre for Christian Youth Theatre Denver and Cherry Hills Community Church at the Treehouse in Colorado. Since returning to Florida, Hillary came home to BSP has become a vital part of this theatre in many roles: working in the box office, stage managing, acting, and teaching for YPT. She is currently working on a degree in Theatre Education to continue her career in children's theatre.

Tara Whitman - Tara has been an active member in the performing arts for over 17 years. Her dance background sent her across the country competing and performing for many years. Since her 2000 move to Central Florida, she has been working nonstop with theatre and dance productions. She spent the last two years as Dance Director for a high school marching band where she was responsible for drill creation and sideline and half-time show choreography. Her passion, however, is musical theatre choreography. Her resume includes work with community theatres and middle and high school theatre departments. Tara’s full musical production choreography is often taken to theatre competitions.

This past year Ms. Whitman’s choreography for Bye Bye Birdie’s "The Telephone Hour" and Anything Goes’ "Friendship" won Best in Show titles at Florida Jr. Thespians and District 5 Thespians festivals (accordingly). Most of her past work has been with the National award-winning West Orange high school where she is the Resident Choreographer. In 2006, her choreography for Peter Pan’s "Ugg-a-Wug" was given top honors by winning Best in Show and Critic’s Choice allowing the number to perform for the state and over 6,000 Florida Thespians in Tampa Bay’s beautiful Morsani Hall. Favorite choreography credits include South Pacific, Footloose, Godspell, Grease, The King and I, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, The Music Man, Seussical the Musical, Peter Pan and Disney’s Aladdin Jr

David W. Clevinger - David is formerly of Anchorage, Alaska and graduate from the University of Alaska with a BA in Communication. Named Artistic Director at Bay Street Players in 2005, he has as impressive list of teaching technical theatre, acting, design, and directing credits. He was managing Artistic Director for eight years at the Ice House Theatre in Mount Dora and is especially proud of his ART Award from the Council of Arts and Sciences of Central Florida for outstanding Achievement in the Arts 1983-84. He now works independently with his own design company, Devinger and Company.

Benjamin Rush - Ben has been active with Bay Street Players since 2004, working in productions both on and off stage. After graduating high school, he attended Florida School of the Arts majoring in Acting. Most recently he has worked as a freelance technician/director/and performer in the Central Florida area. In the fall, he will continue his education at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, to obtain a degree in Technical Direction. "Let each man exercise the art he knows."