Kaleidoscope Youth Theater
Bozeman Montana!
Stacy Hostetter - Artistic/Executive Director and Founder of KYTStacy grew up in Bozeman participating in the exceptional opportunities in music, art, and performance the Bozeman School system afforded. After beginning a family and several home businesses including a small wood design business which was featured in Country Living Magazine and being a co-creator of 'Dreamweavers Design' one of the first wedding design businesses in Bozeman, she returned to MSU to finish degrees in Art Education and English Literature where she graduated with honors and claimed the 'Bronze Pencil' award for Outstanding Art Educator. She has been writing, teaching, and directing theater in the Bozeman community and schools for over 13 years, beginning her career as the drama coach for Hawthorne Elementary's after school theater program, where she directed one to two shows a year for ten years from 1996-2006. In addition, she taught art theater classes at Chief Joseph Middle School for six years, and served as the adviser for the art club, radio club, and Live on 65 TV, as well as the drama club, which she continues to coach to this day. This is her eleventh year coaching CJMS Drama. Hostetter also stays active in the larger Bozeman theater scene, having worked with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and Montana Shakespeare in the Schools for eight years in various capacities- Stage Manager, Costume Designer, Assistant Costume Designer, Seamstress, Head Craftsman, Properties Designer.She has also been the Costume Designer for many Hawks Theater Company productions, designing shows such as - Fiddler on the Roof, Twelfth Night, You Can't Take it with You, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Also the Costume Designer for the BHS Color Guard for their Marching band Shows, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Costume Designer for The Montana Theatre Works, Oliver, A Christmas Carol. She most recently completed Artist in Residencies at Irving Elementary School where she wrote and directed a musical version of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' featuring over 50 fifth grade students performing at the Willson Auditorium, and at CJMS, where 35 students performed her original musical 'Nowhere To Go But Up!' In the Spring of 2009, Hostetter and KYT will be Artists in Residence at Learning Circle Montessori. Hostetter has also taught theater at Irving and Longfellow Elementary Schools as part of the GATE program, as well as directing a full school production at LaMotte School. Over the past 13 years, Hostetter has also written over 50 musical plays with over 500 pieces of music for school performances, Kaleidoscope Drama School Classes, and Kaleidoscope Summer Camps.
Claudia Shouse - Musical Director & Teacher
With guitar in hand or fingers on the keyboard, Claudia has been working with children for almost 45 years. Growing up in Iowa, she was a celebrated soloist from a very young age in the schools and community, winning numerous award with her strong soprano voice. She also wrote for her school newspaper and participated in the writing and creation of her school's spring variety show every year. A gift of a guitar and a young family gave Claudia the impetus to begin songwriting, setting much of her poetry and writing to music. Although the music she does now is quite different from the classical style in which she was trained, the tunes are catchy and the words, witty! Moving to Bozeman in 1975, she became immediately involved in the music scene. She became the director of a children's choir at church and shortly thereafter, an assistant director for the Bozeman Children's Choir when it formed. She also directed numerous church folk choir groups over the years, helping young musicians to learn to play the guitar and find their voice. With an eye for beauty, Claudia started 'Dreamweavers Design' in the mid-1980's, designing weddings and parties for folks in Bozeman, Big Sky, and across the country. Her experience with those 'productions' translate quite nicely to the theater world!
Sally Hull - Assistant Director, Dance Teacher & Choreographer
Sally began her theater and dance training as a young girl growing up in California. Moving to Bozeman for college, she attended MSU receiving a degree in theater. Sally is well known in the Bozeman area for her dynamic and fun choreography, musical theater & tap classes for area studios, and work with the High School and MSU Colorguards. Not only does her choreography win at dance competitions for its originality and spirit, it is a winner with audiences. Choreographing shows such as -Annie - for Montana Theatreworks, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown - for New Life Player's, MANY Kaleidoscope classes & productions! Sally shows her heart for music, and her understanding of creating characters through music. In addition to teaching, Sally is an accomplished performer, singing, dancing and acting in many local stage productions over the years and participating in dance workshops with nationally recognized dancers.
Hallie Echols - Guest Choreographer
Hallie grew up in Bozeman performing as a dancer and actor. Dancing from the time she was 5, Hallie competed for 12 years in jazz, tap, lyrical dance, and musical theater, winning numerous aards with her teams and student choreography. Hallie took her natural drama to stage, beginning her acting career as a fourth grader at Hawthorne Elementary. She continued to perform in school productions throughout middle school. Her strong singing voice, personality, and dancing skills landed her roles in Annie and The Sound of Music with Montana Theatreworks, where she also was a choreographer. Hallie also choreographed for New Life Player's 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' and for Kaleidoscope summer camps since their inception. A true mezzo-soprano, Hallie also received recognition as a vocalist in High School, being chosen as a member of the All-State Choir, All-Northwest Choir, and the United States Youth Ensemble Choir traveling throughout Europe. Hallie continued her musical education at Seattle University where, despite the intense requirements of double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy, she participated in three choirs plus a church choir. During her internship in London, England, she took time to become a member of the All Souls Choir. Upbeat, enthusiastic, and full of rhythm and smiles, Hallie takes her love of music and performing to help even beginning dancers look and feel like pros!
