SVST Camp Instructors
COLLIN J. PITTMANN (Director of Education) holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from the UK’s #1 Drama School at the University of Essex/East15 Acting School (London). Pittmann recently worked as Assistant Director on the World Premiere of an Off-West End production titled Wilko at the Queen's Theatre. In 2023, Pittmann received the Washington Governor’s Arts & Heritage ‘Young Leader Award.’ He is a 2021 graduate of Texas Christian University, where he double majored in theatre and broadcast journalism. While at TCU, Pittmann arranged and directed an award-winning revue production titled Wonder Women: Celebrating Women’s Roles on Broadway. He was recognized by the university as an 'Emerging Leader' in 2023. An involved theatre artist and Spokane native, Pittmann works as Director of Education and Production Manager for the acclaimed Spokane Valley Summer Theatre (SVST). His recent SVST credits include Director of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville and Co-Director of SVST Rising Stars. Additionally, Collin has stage managed many SVST productions since 2018. He is thrilled to continue his work with SVST and looks forward to a lifelong career in theatre and education.
DR. ANDREA OLSEN ('Jr. Rising Stars' Camp Director)is the Associate Artistic Director of Spokane Valley Summer Theatre and the Director of Music Ministry at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist. Previously, Andrea served on the music faculty at Gonzaga University from 2002- 2009. She was the music specialist at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute from 2005-2018, and has served on the voice faculty at Holy Names Music Center since 2005, at North Idaho College since 2009, and Spokane Falls Community College since 2014. Andrea is a frequent adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor for music festivals in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana. Andrea has music directed several shows at area high schools and Community Colleges including Bonnie & Clyde, Catch Me if You Can, Beauty and the Beast, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Happy Days, Funny Girl, Once Upon a Mattress, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and The Little Mermaid. As a soloist, Andrea has sung with organizations all across the Inland Northwest. Andrea’s notable musical theater roles include “Christine” in Phantom, “Miss Sarah Brown” in Guys & Dolls, “Cathy” in The Last Five Years, “Johanna” in Sweeney Todd, “Maria” in West Side Story, “Betty” in White Christmas, “Fantine” in Les Misérables, “Witch” in Into the Woods, “Patsy” in Always, Patsy Cline, “Lily” in The Secret Garden, and “Donna” in Mamma Mia! Andrea holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, a Master of Arts in Music degree as well as a CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) Certification and a Doctorate of Sacred Music.
HALIEY WEBER ('Broadway Acting Camp' Co-Director) is a Washington State native. Haliey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Masters in Education from Eastern Washington University. She and her husband moved to Quincy, WA in December of 2019 to begin her teaching career at Quincy High School, where she teaches Drama and English. After her first love of teaching, Haliey is also a professional actor, director, clinician, and technician. Haliey has worked with numerous theatrical organizations and is currently the Teen Director for Spokane Valley Summer Theatre’s Acting Conservatory. Some favorite shows she has worked on include: Always, Patsy Cline, The Sound of Music, Fuddy Meers, Mamma Mia!, and Alice in Wonderland. When Haliey isn’t working on a show, she loves to foster the same adoration, devotion, passion, and discipline for the performing arts within younger generations.
AMANDA GUARISCO ('Broadway Acting Camp' Co-Director, 'Wizard of Oz' Director) is a graduate of Eastern Washington University where she double majored in Secondary English Education and Theatre. She also earned her certification in Career and Technical Education for Technical Theatre & Design in 2020. She has spent the last four years teaching and directing at University and Central Valley High Schools. Amanda has been an active member of Spokane Valley Summer Theatre since its inception. She acts, teaches camps, stage manages, assists with production coordination and works on the Box Office team. She has been acting since she was in elementary school and continues to do so. Spokane Valley Summer Theatre shows she has been seen in: Bring it On: The Musical, The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, Sister Act, Escape to Margaritaville, and South Pacific. Amanda also co-directs and emcees SVST Rising Stars - a musical showcase of talented regional teens and young adults pursuing musical theatre and studying in coveted training programs across the nation. Additionally, Amanda is an active advisory council member for the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center. She looks forward to the steppingstone that the facility will be for the multitude of talent in our area!
ADELINE KRAFT (Jr. Rising Stars, Choreographer) is an energetic and trained dancer/Choreographer from Spokane, WA. Adeline is an experienced competition dancer and enjoys Choreographing regional productions. In addition to Choreographing a number for SVST's 2025 Rising Stars showcase, she is delighted to work with the Jr. Rising Stars camp students on a choreographed group number.
CALLIE TURNER (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Instructor) is thrilled to return to SVST and work alongside this team of kind artists. Callie graduated with her BA in Theatre Performance at Seattle Pacific University. Her most recent SVST production was Little House on the Prairie (Mary). Other past credits include Steel Magnolias (Shelby) The Revolutionists (Charlotte Corday) and Into the Woods (Baker's Wife). Special love to my darling husband! Psalm 63.7
NOELLE FRIES (Alice In Wonderland, A Pig Called Wilbur, Super-Friends!, Co-Director) is thrilled to commence her 4th summer with the SVST Conservatory! She brings a unique perspective to her role as instructor, having been involved in main stage productions alongside some of the area's most talented adults since she was 7 years old. Her first audition/role was Little Cosette in a 6-week sold out run of “Les Miserables” in which she was cast by SVST Executive Artistic Director Yvonne A.K. Johnson. Yvonne and many others have been her acting mentors and nurtured her as theater ‘family’ in numerous productions over the years. Noelle is one of a handful of actors who can say she has been with SVST every season since its first in 2016. A favorite role was Sandy in 2023’s Grease. Other favorite SVST roles include Mary Lennox (The Secret Garden). Little Red Riding Hood (Into The Woods), Louisa (The Sound of Music). She most recently appeared as a Snowbird in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. Noelle has been cast in more than 20 plus productions. She’s also been a part of performances/collaborations on the areas well-known stages: Les Miserables with the Spokane Symphony at the Fox, Christmas at the Bing with the Clarion Brass and at the FICA (Opera House) was in the ensemble of the Spokane engagements of the National Tour of A Christmas Story. Noelle’s a triple-threat, having studied dance and voice over the years, while sharpening her acting skills in productions. She’s also done television (guest starring in ‘Z Nation’), been in local TV commercials and even starred in a national ‘Fruity Pebbles’ commercial. Noelle hopes to share with conservatory students her passion for being part of a team to create and tell stories and the great life-skills she’s learned through being involved in theater.
CARALEE ROSE (Scooby Doo, James & The Giant Peach, Harry Potter Instructor) is a teaching artist from Spokane, WA. She grew up doing theatre and studying dance and voice all over the city. She went on to study musical theatre and psychology at UW, and has performed professionally in several plays and musicals across the state. Her passion is play and how games and art can improve learning for all students. She is now a few months out from graduating with her M.A. in school counseling at Whitworth University (yay!), and works as a teaching artist, choreographer, and creator as well as a substitute teacher in Spokane.
ELLY SIMS (Alice In Wonderland, A Pig Called Wilbur, Super-Friends!, Co-Director) is originally from Spokane, WA. Currently, she attends college at Wright State University pursuing a degree in Theatre. Elly also appears as a recurring guest star in Sony Picture’s Going Home, streaming on PureFlix. She has been seen on-stage in several SVST productions including South Pacific and Rising Stars. She will again take the stage in 2025 as a Daughter in The Pirates of Penzance. Previously, Elly has enjoyed assisting camps with Director of Education Collin J. Pittmann and working as a Child Wrangler for SVST's annual production of A Big Band Christmas. She looks forward to sharing the magic of live theatre with Conservatory students this summer!