Staff
MOLLY ISHMAEL
Director
Miss Molly is FA's theater director. She is an award-winning playwright, award-winning directer, award-winning event planner, experienced high school theater producer, and the founder of Majesty Publishing. Her background includes writing and directing for schools, churches, competitions; tutoring; and also corporate management and event-planning over the past 23 years. She studied at The Academy of Arts Christian Conservatory, majoring in Sacred Dramatic Production with a minor in Youth Ministry. Molly has a BA in English from UMGC, majoring in Creative Writing and Rhetoric, and she teaches high school English at First Academy.
​
AWARDS & EXPERIENCE:
-
Winner, Best Original Stage Script: "The Book of Job" (Christian World Arts Festival in Washington, DC)
-
Winner, Best Events: "Community Resident Activities of the Year" (SEFAA)
-
Superior with Invitation, Group Acting: "Tell the Story" (AG National Fine Arts Festival competition, multiple levels)
-
Director & Producer: 75+ full-length productions & hundreds of performances
CATE FRANTZ
Rehearsal Assistant
Miss Cate is an experienced event planner and talented actress. Cate holds a BA in -- from --. She works at FA full-time on the office staff team, and volunteers producing and performing in special events for Tri-County Baptist Church. She has also performed in independent Christian films directed by her husband, Jacob Frantz. Our students always enjoy the special treat of Miss Cate occasionally acting alongside them! Most recently, she played "Dr. Cornelius" in FA's production of C.S. Lewis's "Prince Caspian." Cate's children attend First Academy.​
PHIL GOWAN
FBC Technical Director
Mr. Phil is an experienced technical director who has supported the FA theater program for many years. He works full-time at First Baptist Leesburg as the technical director, volunteers in FBC's youth ministry program, runs his own business, Foundations AV.
-
​-
-
-
LYDIA MASTERJOHN
Rehearsal Assistant
Miss Lydia is an experienced actress who has worked and volunteered in theater for over 30 years. She has assisted in directing and supervising rehearsals in 2022 and serves as a "live prompter" in every production.​​​​​​​​​​​
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lydia's grandchildren attend First Academy.
GARY ZOLLO
Lighting & Special FX
Mr. Gary is an experienced technical director who has toured globally with acts including One Direction, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. He holds a ---- and a -----. He works full-time at Live Oaks Community Church as the operations manager, and runs his own business, A1 Production and Touring, with his business partner Isaac Rojas. Gary's nephews and nieces attend First Academy.
JESSE SILVER
FA Technical Director
Mr. Jesse is an experienced technical director who has supported the FA theater program since 2023. He holds an MA in Technical Production from Full Sail University, and a BA in Information Technology from the University of Florida. He works at FA full-time at the IT director.
-
-
-
-
Jesse's children attended First Academy.
ISAAC ROJAS
Sound & Special FX
Mr. Isaac is an experienced technical director who has supported the FA theater program since 2023. He works full-time at Live Oaks Community Church as the technical director, and runs his own business, A1 Production and Touring, with his business partner Gary Zollo. Isaac's children attend First Academy.
-
-
-
Join Us!
Support our students from lights up to curtain.
Majesty Theater 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. Further, we require everyone on site to pass a background check and become an approved on-campus volunteer; please contact FA's front office for more information (below).
​
We are currently looking for volunteers with the following skill sets:
-- Scenery Painters
-- Sewing / costumery
-- Carpenters
-- Ushers & Ticket Scanners
​
To volunteer, please contact us now!
FA Office Phone: 352-787-7762
​