Staff
MOLLY ISHMAEL
Director
Miss Molly Ishmael is FA's theater director. She is an award-winning playwright, award-winning director, award-winning event planner, experienced high school theater producer, studied method actor, and the founder of Majesty Publishing, an online sacred script resource. Her background includes writing and directing for schools, churches, competitions; teaching and tutoring, and also corporate management and event-planning over the past 20+ years. She studied at The Academy of Arts Christian Conservatory majoring in Sacred Dramatic Production with a minor in Youth Ministry, and she holds a BA in English from UMGC majoring in Creative Writing and Rhetoric.
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HIGHLIGHTS:​
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Superior, Ensemble Acting [Director] (Florida Thespians District 12 Festival 2025)
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Winner, Best Original Stage Script: "The Book of Job" [Playwright] (Christian World Arts Festival 2023, Washington, DC)
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Winner, Best Residential Events [Event Planner] (SEFAA Awards 2018, South Florida)
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Superior with Invitation, Drama, Large Ensemble [Writer & Director] (AG National Fine Arts Festival 2005)
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Superior with Invitation, Human Video, Large Ensemble, [Director] (AG National Fine Arts Festival 2005)
NATHAN DOBBS
Co-Troupe Leader (HS)
Mr. Dobbs is an experienced actor and singer who has played leading roles in multiple shows, sung in tri-state choir, and assisted producing and acting in many high school and church productions. He joined our team for our 2024-2025 season, and he is also a full-time HS history teacher at FA. Mr. Dobbs enjoys dedicating his many talents on stage to the glory of God!
MARCIE FUNK
Assistant Director (Elem)
Mrs. Funk holds a Bachelor in Education with a major in Speech Communication and minors in Theatre and English from Hardin-Simmons University. She's been with our team since Spring 2025.​​​​​​​​​​​ Marcie and her family were missionaries in Africa for 27 years, and now she's sharing the gospel with our youth on stage! We are blessed to have Miss Marcie return this year!​
AMY CLEMENCE
Rehearsal Assistant (Elem)
Mrs. Clemence holds a Bachelors in Science in Elementary Education from University of Central Florida. She is an experienced teacher and tutor, and works full-time at FA as a teacher. Miss Amy volunteered during our spring 2025 play, and her son is on our drama team. We are excited to officially welcome Miss Amy to our team for the 2025 Christmas season!​​​
CATE FRANTZ
Assistant Director(HS)
Mrs. Frantz is an experienced actor, singer, and director who has been performing on stage since high school. She has been assisting our team since 2023, and she is also a full-time employee at FA. She holds a BA in Church Ministry from Baptist Bible College. She enjoys writing and directing dramatic productions for her church as well as acting in local productions from time to time.
LYDIA MASTERJOHN
Rehearsal Assistant (HS)
​Mrs. Masterjohn is an experienced actress and producer who has worked in theater for many years. She has assisted us in supervising rehearsals since 2022, and she serves as a live prompter for our productions.​​​​​​​​​​ She is also a substitute teacher here at FA, and her grandchildren ​are alumni of FA Drama Team. We welcome Miss Lydia back for our fourth season together!
Join Us!
Support our students from lights up to curtain.
FA Drama Team is actively looking for volunteers to support our growing program!
We accept volunteers who agree to uphold our family-friendly values, encourage education as a priority for our students, and who uphold a high standard in the performance arts.
We require everyone who volunteers on-site to pass a background check and become an approved on-campus volunteer; please contact FA's front office for more information.
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We are currently looking for volunteers with the following skill sets:
-- Scenery Painters
-- Sewing / Tailoring
-- Carpenters
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To volunteer, please contact us now!
FA Office Phone: 352-787-7762
Director Email: mishmael@faleesburg.com​