Peter is the head of the MAT program in theatre education at the University of SC. Before coming to USC, Peter was the Director of Education and Community Programs for the Irondale Ensemble out of Brooklyn, NY. Peter taught middle level and high school English, German and Drama for a decade in Maine and New Jersey. Additionally, Peter worked as an actor/teacher in New York City schools, most notably with the Creative Arts Team. Peter works mostly with students and teachers infusing theatre in to the basic curriculum both here and abroad. He has served on the international board of Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed and is actively involved in AATE. He is the co-editor along with his colleague, Elinor Vettraino, of Youth and Theatre of the Oppressed, published by Palgrave Press. His research interests include the intersection of cognition and theatre, using Theatre of the Oppressed techniques with youth and activating the basic curriculum through theatre. He lives in Blythewood, SC with his actress wife, Patti, and their children Eve and Nolan.

Samantha Elkins

Samantha Elkins is a recent transplant to Columbia, Sc. Hailing from Huntington, WV, she received her BFA in theatre performance and directing with a minor in dance from Marshall University in her hometown. Before attending USC, Samantha was a professional actress working at The Lost Colony as Queen Elizabeth I, the American Family Theatres National Tour of The Wizard of Oz as The Wicked Witch of the West, and in Orlando, FL appearing in independant films and television. When Samantha isn't busy graduating from the MAT program you can see her in local theatre productions, riding her bike, and walking her dog, Louie.

Lydia James

Lydia James us a student in USC’s MAT program in Theatre Education from London, England. She completed her undergraduate degree at Bath Spa University in England studying Drama and film studies.  There she discovered that she wanted to pursue her teaching certification in drama. Her first experience of working with American children was at a summer camp in Missouri. Her responsibilities included organising and leading drama games, as well as directing a camp play. It was the M.A.T program that brought her to South Carolina. She also serves as a resident tutor in Preston College. She’s honored to be at the University of South Carolina  and is excited to study a subject about which she is passionate.

Stephen Ingle

Stephen was raised in Columbia, SC but left after high school to go to college at Birmingham-Southern College where he got his B.A. in Theatre Arts. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as an actor, writer, producer, stand-up comic, and various other behind-the-scenes jobs such as assistant to an agent, director, and producer. While in L.A. Stephen produced and starred in the award winning independent film Fish in a Barrel. In November 2006, Stephen returned to South Carolina and joined the PACE program (the alternative teacher certification program for career switchers). After two years, he decided he would rather fully pursue his Master’s Degree and was very excited to find the M.A.T. in Theatre Education program at USC. Coming from parents who were both educators, Stephen has always had education in his blood. He truly enjoys being in the classroom. He couldn’t have done it without the support of both his parents and mentor Peter Duffy.

Susan Scaccia

Susan Scaccia holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in acting and Directing from Castleton State College in Vermont. Before relocating to Columbia to be near her delightful Mom, she co-founded and directed at the Rutland Youth Theatre for seven years. There, Susan discovered a passionate belief that attention to the learning style and strengths of each child in combination with providing training in the Theatre Arts served her students well towards the goals not only of creating four full-length productions each year, but also helped foster their personal development into well-rounded, imaginative, self-confident individuals. Susan is the proud mother of four grown (beautiful and talented) children, and lives in Gaston with her two ill-behaved but well loved dogs, and is very excited to be continuing her own educational journey at USC.

Jen Simmons

Jennifer Simmons graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2002, receiving her BS in Business Administration with a Minor in Theatre. After working in communications and marketing for non-profit organizations for eight years, Jennifer decided to return to school to pursue her passion for theatre education. Jennifer has been involved in community and school theatre for most of her life, including performances with USC's Puppet Regime during her ungraduate studies. Jennifer lives in Lexington, SC, with her husband, Mac and her son, Jackson.

Michelle Taylor

Michelle recently received her bachelor's degree in theatre with a minor in English from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2011. While studying at USM, Michelle's emphasis was in directing and stage management. She is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and has performed in many shows including Grease, Little Women,and Camelot. She has also directed such shows as Westward,Whoa! and Hansel and Gretel at Slidell Little Theatre and The Far-Flunged at USM . She is excited to start the MAT program at the University of South Carolina and looks forward to combining her love for theatre and education!

Jami Windham

Jami was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a BA in Theatre with an emphasis in performance. After graduating she toured with The Missoula Children’s Theatre performing as the Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ, where she fell in love with educational theatre. She has nurtured a passion for theatre and performance from a young age and a few favorite credits include “Stella Kowalski” in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE; “Sister Robert Anne” in the musical farce NUNSENSE; and “Yente” in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She is thrilled to be a part of the MAT program at USC and looks forward to growing in her craft and a future of sharing her love for theatre with all those she is blessed to teach.