Meet Our Teaching Artists! (Part 1)

Get to know the faces behind our fall classes! We have a passionate and highly talented slate of teaching artists preparing to lead courses in acting, musical theatre, creative drama, filmmaking, and more, starting September 16.

Learn about just a few of these incredibly skilled individuals and sign up for their classes by reading below.

Enrique Vargas

Enrique has been teaching at IStage for 1 year! Plus, you may recognize him from his role as Padrino in our recent professional production of Cinderella: A Salsa Fairytale.

Favorite part of teaching at IStage: “The excitement, passion, creativity, and artistry of the students is unmatched!”

Enrique is thrilled to return to Imagination Stage, where he recently served as their 2024 Education Apprentice. He is a proud native of Flint, Michigan, and holds a BFA in Performance through the University of Michigan - Flint. Credits include: Upcoming: Mother Goose; Cinderella: A Salsa Fairytale (Imagination Stage); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Pride and Prejudice (U of M-Flint); The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Flint Youth Theatre); Elotes y Esquites (Flint Rep). As an educator, Enrique has worked with the Flint Youth Theatre, Flint Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and the Chicago Children’s Theatre.

Classes:
Musical Theatre: Broadway Kids (grades K-1)
Musical Theatre: Matilda (grades 2-3)
Musical Theatre: Broadway Bound (grades 2-3)

Natalie Garcia-Ruiz

Natalie has been teaching at IStage for 2 years!

Favorite part of teaching at IStage: “I love working with the dedicated teaching teams and the passionate students who are eager to learn. With the amazing community here, I have been able to help make and witness some really cool art!”

Natalie is a Performer, Director and Teaching Artist that works in the DMV area. She studied Theater Education at James Madison University but discovered her passion for theater growing up here in Silver Spring. In fact, she decided to pursue theater while performing at Blake High School where she now directs! As a Teaching Artist, she is passionate about making arts education accessible to all and being a part of the magic that is an early childhood arts education.

Classes:
You & Me: Jungle Boogie (12-23 months)
You & Me: Jungle Boogie (24-36 months)
You & Me: On the Farm (12-23 months)
You & Me: On the Farm (24-36 months)
Saturday Song Circle Workshops (ages 1-5)
Drama & Music: High Seas Adventures (ages 4-5)
Musical Theater Intensive: Into The Woods (grades 6-12)

Benjamin Kapit

Benji has been teaching at IStage for 1 year! He also works as our full time Digital Media Manager.

Favorite part of teaching at IStage: “Working with students who are passionate and energetic about the arts of music and filmmaking!”

Benjamin Kapit is a filmmaker, music producer, and actor who got his start in both film and acting at Imagination Stage as a child. He has since produced award winning films and music as well as starting his own independent production company. Benji is thrilled to be teaching the filmmaking courses at Imagination Stage, as it’s his passion and hyperfixation, and he loves being a nerd about it with people who are excited to learn.

Classes:
Fundamentals of Filmmaking, Part 1 (grades 6-8)
Acting for the Camera (grades 6-8)
Narrative Filmmaking Project, Part 1 (grades 7-10)
Film Music Production (grades 9-12)
Visual Effects Workshop (grades 8-12)
Sound Mixing Workshop (grades 8-12)
High School Filmmaking Intensive Workshop (grades 9-12)
Filmmaking Conservatory: Directing for Film (grades 9-12)
Filmmaking Conservatory: Lighting for Film (grades 9-12)
Filmmaking Conservatory: Sound Design for Film (grades 9-12)