Our Instructors & Staff

Juliet Yaques, the co-founder of Making Light, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the world of children's theatre. Her artistic...

Emily grew up leaping, twirling, and pirouetting through life as a dancer, which planted in her a lifelong love for the arts. Now, she’s...

Janae Easton is a distinguished artist and former Adjunct Professor at FSU, where she taught in the Painting and Drawing Department....

Joe brings a wealth of experience to his role as Technical Director at Making Light Productions, where he oversees the technical elements...

Erica J. Dowling is a classically trained vocalist and dedicated educator who brings both technical skill and heartfelt connection to every note she sings and every student she teaches. Originally from Kissimmee, Florida, Erica holds a BA in Music from Florida State University and an AA in Education from Tallahassee State College. A proud graduate of Osceola County School for the Arts, Erica’s foundation in classical voice is complemented by her vibrant experience in musical

Cameron Garrett, an experienced dance and musical theatre instructor, brings 24 years of teaching performing arts in Tallahassee to Making Light Productions. Former owner of The Edge Dance & Fitness and a member of Dance Masters of America, Cameron has directed dance programs for various organizations and her own company, DancEffects, and has been with Making Light since 2017. With a passion for nurturing young talents, many of Cameron's students have pursued teaching or prof

Tonya John is a highly skilled seamstress and passionate teacher with over 30 years of experience in costume design and creation. With a Bachelor of Art degree from Pensacola Christian College and a background in core curriculum and art instruction for both neurotypical and neurodivergent children, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Tonya's expertise ranges from crafting custom costumes, including mascots and character designs, to intricate alterations and pattern d

Taylor, a proud graduate of Florida State University's esteemed theatre program, brings a wealth of experience and a versatile skill set to Making Light Productions. With a deep-rooted passion for theatre that originated in high school, Taylor has been involved in various capacities both on and off stage throughout her journey. Her invaluable years of experience working with touring Broadway companies at her hometown theatre, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, have shaped her into

Jack Jammer is a local scenic designer and master carpenter who is honored to be a part of the incredible team at Making Light Productions, where he serves as Scenic Director. He previously served as Production Manager and Master Carpenter at Quincy Music Theatre and holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He spent five years working as an architectural designer for BKJ Architecture before transitioning to full-time theatri

Hope Mallari is Making Light Productions’ Virtual Assistant, providing vital support across our programs and marketing efforts. With a strong background in design, organization, and digital communication, Hope helps keep our systems running smoothly and our community connected. She helps to manage registration and scheduling through Opus1, maintains shared files and calendars, designs graphics and flyers in Canva, and creates engaging content for social media and email newsle

Julia Blagodir brings a rich and diverse background in theatre and film to Making Light Productions, along with a deep passion for...

Darci Brown wears many hats as an elementary school teacher and a dance instructor at Making Light Productions. She has been a dynamic...