Taylor Harlow : Artistic Director
Taylor is from Gardner, Kansas. He studied acting at the School of Performing Arts at Pace University in New York City. Recently, he played Zeus in The Shape of the Stars with the Obie Award-winning Strangemen Theatre Company and worked as an artist in residence at the Barn Arts Collective in Maine where he helped develop How to Fall in Love With the Earth Again. He also recently produced a workshop of a Miss Major, a new play, in Brooklyn, New York. Locally he’s worked with Starlight Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage, and KC Repertory Theatre. Taylor could not be more excited and humbled to bring Astra Theatre Co. to life and to be nurtured by the city he loves best. @harlowtaylor
Anthony Fortino : Finance Chair
An Overland Park resident who just returned from NYC, Anthony is beyond excited to be involved with Astra Theatre Co.. His professional acting credits include the Broadway National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical Fun Home; Newsies, South Pacific, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon, Catch Me if You Can, Altar Boyz, Into the Woods, and Titanic, to name a few. He will be starring in Jersey Boys this Spring at Phoenix Theatre in Phoenix, AZ. Accountant by day, actor by night. Anthony is jazzed to be collaborating with some of his best friends
Brooke Lacy: Marketing Director
Brooke received her BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from the University of Oklahoma in 2014. Since then, she has performed regionally with companies such as Goodspeed Opera House, North Shore Music Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Transcendence Theatre Company, Music Theatre Wichita, and Musical Theater Heritage. Brooke is absolutely thrilled to be helping contribute to the KC arts scene with her best friends!
Elizabeth Reese : Literary Manager
Previously in Kansas City: Cats (MTH); Geppetto and Son, The Dinosaur Musical, (The Coterie); A Wonderful Life, Next to Normal, Into the Woods, (MTKC). Regionally: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cyrano de Bergerac, Three Sisters (American Players Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theater); Into the Woods (Ten Thousand Things); The Sneetches, Cinderella, (Children’s Theatre Company); Macbeth, Noises Off!, My Fair Lady (Texas Shakespeare Festival); The Most Happy Fella (Second Fiddle); Bessie’s Birthday, C., (Theater Latté Da-NEXT Series); School Visit Program (Oregon Shakespeare Festival). Proud member of Actors Equity Association. Instagram: @e.reese.
Emma Marston : Director of Arts in Education
Emma graduated from Stephens College in 2014 where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. Since then, she has performed for Musical Theatre Heritage and done local commercial work in KC, you may also find her leading worship at her church! In August, she received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from the University of Kansas. She currently is a toddler teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School.