Emily Mattina, Artistic Director
The founder of Shakesperience, Ms. Mattina tirelessly guides the company to offering innovative touring productions, including a new program highlighting the culturally and historically rich neighborhoods of Waterbury, CT and starring its youngest residents. In her 15 years of directing, her productions have headlined festivals, including Shakespeare in Library Park, Shakespeare in Hollow Park, Festival! Stratford, Shakespeare on the Shoreline, and Vintage Shakesperience, a tour of Connecticut’s wine trail. Emily’s educational programs and public performances have received high acclaim and recognition, including enthusiastic reviews, presentations for Connecticut’s HOTS Schools, speaking and interviews for UCONN Theatre classes, and guest lectures for her alma mater, the University of New Hampshire.
Ms. Mattina has worked as an actor, director, teaching artist, and arts administrator for companies and regional tours based in California, Connecticut, Minnesota, and New York. She consults with other nonprofit arts groups regarding collaboration, outreach, education and positive company culture. She is proudly listed on the Connecticut Office of the Arts Directory of Teaching Artists. The New Haven Business Times named Ms. Mattina among the 2006 "Forty Under 40" for her professional success and community involvement in New Haven County. Ms. Mattina was also named the State of Connecticut’s 2015 Elizabeth L. Mahaffey Arts Administration Fellow.
Since attaining her M.A. in 17th Century English Literature with an emphasis on Shakespeare from the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, Ms. Mattina has directed approximately half of Shakespeare’s canon at least once. Her favorite ongoing creative endeavor is nurturing her two beautiful children, Thomas Charles and Viola Lucia.
Isaiah Santiago, Managing Director
Isaiah, born and raised in The Bronx New York attended Bronx Theatre High School where his passion for theatre and the arts led him to work in student production workshops at the Roundabout Theatre Company both acting and directing technical theatre and assisting in productions at Harvest Fields Community Church. After College Isaiah worked in various non-profit companies and schools that helped him Develop the skills necessary to help Shakesperience continue their work in the community.
Jessica Gaddis, Program Manager for Arts and Education
Jessica is thrilled to join Shakesperience. Since graduating from Emporia State University in Kansas, she has performed for multiple community theatres in Wichita. Her favorites were Wichita Shakespeare Company’s productions in the park. She played Maria in Love’s Labor’s Lost set in the 1920s, and multiple characters including Pisanio and the soothsayer in Cymbeline. She spent four years in China teaching with Disney English. Shakesperience marks her return to theatre and her first time ever working with a professional theatre company.
Rebecca Shaw, Education Manager
Rebecca Shaw is trained as a teacher with a passion in theater. Graduated with a BS in Education from Brigham Young University in 1997 and completed a Masters of Education at University of Utah in 2002. She taught in the classroom for several years before changing focus to raising her family, which includes six children with various talents and needs. Rebecca trained in the Shakesperience approach in Spring 2014. In 2019, Rebecca took on the role of Education Manager. In her part time role, she oversees the creation and updating of curriculum as well as offers support and training to Resident Artists.
Spring Sale!
Celebrate Shakespear's Birthday with 23% off all workshops and school programs! Just use the Code Birthday23 at checkout.