Fred Sheppard (Executive Director)
Fred grew up within a 100 mile radius of the City of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1972 and his Master of Arts degree in Musicology from the University of Montreal in 1985. Fred spent seventeen years teaching music in public and private elementary schools, conservatories and schools of music (notably the McGill Conservatory of Music), and community colleges. In search of a career change into performing arts administration, Fred moved to Saskatoon , Saskatchewan in 1996 where he held many contract positions in a variety of capacities with The Saskatoon Opera Association, Opera Saskatchewan, Prairie Opera, Co-Opera, The Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival, and as General Manager of Riverbank Music Company (a musical theatre company). In search of greater opportunities, Fred applied as a permanent resident to the United States and moved to Houston in 1996. Upon arriving in Houston , Fred worked for Peapod, one of thousands of dot com companies that eventually went bankrupt. Shortly thereafter, he was offered the position of Director of Education with The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion where he remained for five years. Subsequently, he worked in a similar capacity at the local Houston office for the nationally acclaimed Young Audiences organization. Fred became an American citizen in November of 2006.
 

Justin Doran (Artistic Director)
Inspired by his experience at HITS Theatre as a teenager, Justin pursued a B.F.A. in Theatre from Southern Methodist University and then a M.F.A. in Acting, U.C.L.A., School of Theatre , Film and Television. Justin was previously the Chair of the Performing Arts/Artist-in-Residence at the John Cooper School in The Woodlands. He was also Owner and Artistic Director of Imagination Playground, a tuition based K-5 theatre training academy serving over 75 families. Justin is responsible for all artistic planning of both the Miller Shows and the classes at HITS Theatre. Pursuing an acting career as well, Justin can be seen on local stages including The Alley, Main St. Theatre, and the Houston Shakespeare Festival.

Cheryl Primm (Managing Director)
A native Houstonian, Cheryl graduated with a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Houston . After working in various positions in the corporate community, Cheryl bought a Jazzercise franchise that she has managed for thirteen years. Cheryl’s two children started taking classes at HITS and she became very interested in the organization. When the need arose for a Managing Director, Cheryl was a perfect fit. She knew the organization, had years of business and management experience and was able to step in immediately. Cheryl manages all the day-to-day operations at HITS.
 

Krysti Wilson (Associate Artistic Director)
As the Associate Artistic Director, Krysti is responsible for assisting the Artistic Director produce and direct the Miller Shows as well as manage the classes and instructors at HITS Theatre. She also teaches many of the classes herself. Krysti made her directorial debut in Houston for HITS with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella in April, 2007. However, her history with HITS and Miller Outdoor Theatre began with playing Michael in Peter Pan in 1988 and includes Oliver! (Oliver), Annie (Molly), Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), and Seussical (Mayzie). She was recently seen in Urinetown at Main Street Theatre and performs with the Main Street Youth Theatre. Her choreography credits include Smokey Joes Café and The World Goes Round at Bellaire High School and for the musical theatre class at Houston Ballet and St. Edwards University .
 

Pamela Dickson (Music Director)
Pam graduated from Houston-Tillotson University with a degree in music education with an emphasis on piano pedagogy. Upon graduation, she taught music and piano in middle and elementary schools for 30 years before retiring in May 05. Currently, Pam freelances as a piano accompanist for several school districts, accompanying students for UIL choral, orchestra and band contest. She is the church pianist and Hand Bell Director at St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church . After attending several wonderful performances last year, Pam is thrilled to be part of the HITS team.
 

Pat Smith (Office Manager)
Pat has an extensive background in small business administration and real estate. She was also a professional costumer for TUTS and other Houston theatre groups. At HITS, there is nothing that Pat can’t and won’t do. She is a tremendous asset to all of the day-to-day operations in every department.

 

Natalie Arneson (Choreographer and Instructor)
Natalie recently graduated from the GSA Conservatoire in England with a BA in Musical Theatre. While overseas, she played Princess Jasmine opposite Britt Eklund and Issy van Randwick in the pantomime Aladdin, toured England and Germany as Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, and played Cunegonde in Candide. She has worked extensively her native Houston, with credits at the Alley (Much Ado About Nothing, A Christmas Carol), Houston Grand Opera (Manon Lescaut, La Cenerentola), Bayou City Concert Musicals (Fiorello,Follies), Houston Shakespeare Festival (The Tempest) Main Street Theater (Nine, Lady in the Dark), Main Street Youth Theater (Number the Stars, Junie B Jones and a Little Monkey Business), Children’s Theatre Festival (The Elves and the Shoemaker), Unity Theatre (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Early Stages (The Firebird, Cinderella, The Little Witch of Wichita), Strand Theatre (Only an Orphan Girl, Jean Laffite of the Maison Rouge), and East End Theatre (I Ought to Be in Pictures). She has also taught dance and theatre to thousands of children both in Houston and the UK .
 

Debbie Tushnet (Class Assistant)
Debbie made her stage debut at the age of 5 as Gretl in a production of The Sound of Music for TUTS directed by Carolyn Franklin . She was one of the first students at HITS when it was founded, and most recently performed as the Queen in HITS production of Cinderella at Miller Theatre. Debbie has a degree in vocal music from HBU and is also a professional harpist. Besides assisting many of the classes at HITS, Debbie uses her computer and graphics skills to coordinate printed materials for HITS. Debbie also coordinates the American Girl Fashion Show and is the Rehearsal Stage Manager for the Miller Outdoor Theatre productions.
 

Kendahl Atkinson (Class Assistant)
Kendahl has been involved with HITS Theatre since she was a teenager. She designs and creates many of the props, assists the class instructors and is the Stage Manager for all of the in-house class productions. Kendahl is also responsible for the warehouse where sets, costumes and props from previous shows are stored.
 

OtherEmployees
Other part-time employees teach acting and dance, build sets and work backstage. HITS hires local musicians through the Houston Professional Musician’s Association and stage hands and stage managers through the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees. In the summers, HITS hires student interns as class, technical and office assistants.