Board of Directors
Mitchell Knuppel
Executive Director
Mitchell Knuppel serves as the Executive Director & is one of the founders of Trussville Children’s Theater. He is currently a software engineer for Southern Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from The University of Alabama as well as a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Auburn University. Additionally, he is pursuing his Master of Business Administration degree at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Mitchell was heavily involved in the arts throughout school, participating in both state and national level competitions.
Taylor Knuppel
Artistic Director, Voice & Class Instructor
Taylor Knuppel (Mrs. K) is a co-founder of Trussville Children’s Theater and loves creating a space where kids can grow in confidence, talents, and friendships. She holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama and is Orff-Schulwerk Level I & II certified. At TCT, Taylor has directed The Little Mermaid Jr. and Annie Jr., and currently serves as Assistant Director for The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition. Her past credits also include performing in Shrek, The Wiz, and 9 to 5 with the Actor’s Charitable Theatre in Tuscaloosa, as well as music directing Seussical. Outside of TCT, Taylor teaches 4K at the WEE Center, and she loves spending time with her husband, Mitchell, and their daughter, Emerson. Her favorite musical is Six, and her favorite place to travel is Disney World! Taylor believes theater should be a safe, welcoming space, just as it was for her, and she is passionate about providing that experience for every child at TCT.
Ben Short
Board President
Hunter Birdyshaw
Board Vice President
Erin Piper
Board Secretary
Mandi Adams
Board Treasurer
Amber Cooper
Fundraising Chair
Amber Cooper comes from a family that truly embraces the arts. They are theater owners, published poets, touring dancers, award-winning writers and accomplished musicians. As a graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, Amber continues to use her talent as a freelance painter and designer.
Amber Cooper holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Loyola University New Orleans, a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from The University of Alabama Birmingham, and an Education Specialist Degree from The University of West Alabama. In 2019, Amber earned the prestigious National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards.
Having been an educator for 18 years, Amber currently serves as a K-5 Math Specialist with the Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative. She provides training and guidance for math coaches and teachers in school districts across the greater Birmingham area.
Amber is excited to be a part of the Trussville Children’s theater so that children in our area can experience the joy and wonder of the arts. “Arts education is near and dear to my heart because it has categorically shaped who I am as a person. Involvement in the arts fosters creativity, curiosity and critical thinking. When we participate in the arts, we build true connection to the people in our communities and across the globe.”
My name is Natalie Johnson and I am married to my husband, Logan, and have three wonderful children Leighton (11) Nate (9) and Charlie (6). I graduated from Auburn University with a Masters in Elementary Education.
You can find me most days watching my kids do what they love at the ballpark, TCT, or TAC. I enjoy snuggling up with a good book, gardening, and going on walks with our dog, Rosie.
Heather Cates
Board Member
Natalie Johnson
Board Member
TCT Staff
Heather Sims
Studio Manager
Addie Hendricks
Choreographer
Heather Sims (Ms. Sims) serves as the Studio Manager at Trussville Children’s Theater. Heather has worked with children in various capacities for 17 years. Music and theater is a big passion for her starting back in middle school band and then onto playing in the high school Symphonic, marching and jazz bands as well as in the orchestra for several different musicals. She has served as Stage Manager in “Pirates the Musical” and “Willy Wonka Kids” at Paine Elementary School. Heather loves watching the shows come together and seeing the children have a blast on stage and off. She loves seeing the bonds formed within the cast and is very excited to see the great things that TCT will achieve in our community.
Addie Hendricks (Mrs. Addie) brings over 10 years of experience as a dance instructor and choreographer in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, and musical theatre. She has spent more than 27 years performing on stage, including eight seasons with Alabama Ballet in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, where she was featured as Marie among other roles. Addie has choreographed TCT’s productions of Matilda Jr., The Little Mermaid Jr., Moana Jr., and The Wizard of Oz Jr. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama, and her favorite musicals are Thoroughly Modern Millie and Crazy for You. When she’s not in the studio, Addie loves going on mission trips and has traveled to Mexico, Peru, East Asia, and Israel. Inspired by the mentors who poured into her as a student, she is passionate about creating a space for kids to explore creativity, challenge themselves, and grow in their love of theatre.
Lawson Lowe
Rising Star Director, Class Instructor
Carrigan Myers
Voice & Class Instructor
Lawson Lowe (Mrs. Lowe, previously Ms. Cribb) has been part of TCT since its very beginning and loves watching the theater continue to grow. She began performing in high school and went on to study Musical Theatre at Samford University before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. At TCT, Lawson has directed Winnie the Pooh Kids, choreographed Annie Kids, taught classes, and is currently serving as Assistant Choreographer for The Wizard of Oz Jr. She also performed in Red Mountain Theatre’s Acting Intensive and takes adult ballet classes at Alabama Ballet. Outside of TCT, Lawson teaches Kindergarten at Paine Elementary and is married to her husband, Ethan. Her favorite musical is Legally Blonde, and a fun fact is that she speaks Spanish and once lived in Costa Rica for three months! Lawson believes theatre is the perfect outlet for kids to connect their natural creativity and imagination with the joy of play, and she is passionate about creating that magic for her students.
Carrigan Myers (Mrs. Carrigan) has been performing since she was 13 and recently discovered a passion for teaching through the students at TCT. She studied Musical Theatre at the University of Montevallo and trained with The Open Jar Institute Intensive in New York City. Some of her favorite professional credits include Lucille in Junie B. Jones the Musical, the Lion in The Wizard of Oz, and Wendy in Peter Pan at Birmingham Children’s Theatre. At TCT, Carrigan loves helping students find the perfect song to match their unique voice and personality, while encouraging them to grow through both confidence and mistakes. Her favorite musical is Anastasia, and a fun fact is that she once worked at Disney World! Carrigan believes one of the greatest joys of teaching is watching kids gain confidence and discover their own talents through theatre.
Nate Blakley
Voice & Class Instructor
Nate Blakley is thrilled to be joining the TCT team as one of our class instructors! A lover of all things theatre, he’s spent his time performing, directing, choreographing, and teaching locally and across the U.S. Much love to the Dream Team.
Mason Elizabeth Greer
Voice Instructor
Mason Elizabeth Greer (Ms. Mason) is a Birmingham native who has loved music and performing since childhood. She began doing theatre at the age of seven, which eventually led her to pursue a degree in Musical Theatre. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Reinhardt University, she returned home and has worked with Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Virginia Samford Theatre, and Homewood Theatre. Her favorite musical is The Phantom of the Opera, and she has a fun hidden talent—she can wiggle her nose! Mason Elizabeth is passionate about giving kids the same encouragement and inspiration that her own teachers poured into her. She strives to create a fun, safe environment where young performers can use their imaginations, grow in confidence, and fall in love with the magic of theatre.
“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.”
Blake Johnson (Mr. Blake) is from Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is a proud graduate of The University of Alabama’s Graduate Acting Program. He currently serves as a Teaching Artist and Program Associate with the Birmingham Black Repertory Theatre Collective, where he is passionate about nurturing young artists and celebrating Black theatre traditions.
On stage, Blake’s recent credits include The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), Topdog/Underdog (Booth), Julius Caesar (Antony/Six), Othello (Othello), The Importance of Being Earnest (Chasuble), and Pipeline (Dun).
He is thrilled to be joining the Trussville Children’s Theatre family and looks forward to sharing his love of storytelling and performances with the students!
