Our Teaching Artists
Travis Cooper (Chesterhausen, The Call of the Matterhorn) has been working with theaters around Iowa for several years. Travis has had the honor to learn from and collaborate with amazing artists from Ames, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. Travis grew up doing shows and camps with Story Theater Company of Ames. He has also done several shows at Kirkwood Community College, helping both onstage and off. He is currently finishing up two degrees at Kirkwood, and then plans to head to Chicago.
Dakota Eiselstein (Odie, The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger) originally from Tipton, IA, is currently attending Drake University in Des Moines to get his BFA in Musical Theatre Performance and a minor in Spanish. You may have recently seen him in Cinderella (Prince Topher) at the Des Moines Playhouse, The Theory of Relativity (Mike) at Drake University, and Chicago (Mary Sunshine) at Tipton High School. He is super excited to teach the amazing art of theatre to kids across Iowa.
Monté J. Howell (Skill-Building Teaching Artist, FTP Swing) is a New York City based actor who's currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Iowa (Acting), where he also serves as a graduate teaching assistant. Aside from his academic pursuits, Mr. Howell works as an educator for Des Moines Performing Arts and as an adjudicator for the Iowa High School Musical Theatre Awards. Mr. Howell also serves as a teaching artist for Riverside Theatre's Will Power program. Select Credits: Les Misérables (Broadway National Tour), The Golden Apple (New York City Center Encores!), Les Misérables (The MUNY), Shrek (Alliance Theatre), Sister Act (Arkansas Rep), The Music Man (Flat Rock Playhouse), Porgy and Bess (Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh), and Little Shop of Horrors (Stages St. Louis). Proud member of Actors Equity Association.
Jacob Kilburg (Logan, The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger) is thrilled to be returning for his third season with Footliters Traveling Playhouse. You may recognize him as Kha (Secret of the Sphinx 2021) and Coach Lederhosen (The Call of the Matterhorn 2022). Some of his favorite past credits include: Warren (Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook), Edmund (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe), and Thomas Andrews (Titanic: The Musical). Enjoy the show!
Indica Mutchler (Philippa, The Secret of the Sphinx) is a student at Kirkwood Community College planning to graduate this summer. She is planning to move to Chicago after graduation and pursue a career within the performing arts. She has love for all things theater - performing, costume, set, improv, management, and of course, education! Indica is thrilled to be working with Footlighters this summer and can't wait for it to start!
Alex Overturf (Kha, The Secret of the Sphinx) is an actor and theatre teaching artist from Davenport, Iowa. This is his second summer touring with Footliters Traveling Playhouse and he’s excited to once again bring theatre to children all around the area. As a performer, Alex has appeared in shows like Cinderella, The Addams Family, and more. He’s also worked as a director and written a handful of plays. When he manages to find time outside of the theatre, Alex enjoys writing stories, playing video games, and spending time with his family.
Lucy Polyak (Captain Bonnie, The Vanishing of the Jolly Roger) is originally from Coralville, IA and is a recent graduate of Grinnell College, where she majored in Theatre and History. Her most memorable theatrical endeavor was directing a production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last fall at the Loft Theatre in Grinnell. This is Lucy’s third summer with FTP and she couldn’t be more excited to be here!
Katie Redden (Skill-Building Teaching Artist, FTP Swing) is in her last semester at the University of Iowa. She has participate in the following University productions: Our Lady of 121st St, The Bacchae, and String. Once she graduates, she hopes to earn her training to become an intimacy coordinator. On top of that, she wants to gain more experience in standup, and to continue her acting journey.
Chloe Schultz (Adelaide, The Call of the Matterhorn) is from Van Horne, Iowa, and attended Kirkwood Community College where she graduated with an associate’s degree in music. She plans on transferring to the University of Iowa to earn a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Chloe loves to perform many styles of vocal music including classical, jazz, opera, musical theater, and more! She has loved to sing, dance, and act from a very young age. Chloe is excited to work with children of all ages and hopes to inspire them to continue their musical journeys in life, just as she was inspired by performers around her.
Bobbi Scott (Ms. G, The Secret of the Sphinx) is a Cedar Rapids native and has been at Kirkwood for a few years. She is more passionate about theatre than anything else in life. In the past she has been a part of several musicals and plays, but plays are her favorite. Her proudest performances have been as Babe McGrath in Crimes of the Heart, Gerty Fail in Failure: A Love Story, and Wendy Darling in Lost Girl. She can’t wait to help others explore theatre through FTP!
Robbie Williams (Coach Lederhosen, The Call of the Matterhorn) is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. They graduated with a degree in Theatre Performance and, Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities. They have spent ample time working with youth in both a Theatre setting but also working at local daycares. Last year they toured with The National Theatre for Children for their Connecticut elementary school tour and loved to bring education and humor to these elementary schools. Robbie Is excited to work with the Coralville Performing Arts Center this summer and see what adventures come.