Student Advisory Panel
Panel members have the opportunity to…
- Help shape the future of CFCArts youth theatre programs by weighing in on things like show selections, program procedures, extra opportunities, class and camp offerings, and more
- Make and discuss suggestions for the CFCArts youth theatre programs with fellow student leaders and CFCArts leadership
- Receive an official CFCArts badge, complimentary tickets to most CFCArts productions, media opportunities, and other perks
- Gain an impressive experience for resume and college applications
- Serve in additional leadership capacities, such as the Youth Theatre Program Ambassador for CFCArts
Please note that being a part of the Student Advisory Panel involves the following commitments:
- Being an active member of the Student Advisory Panel for from date of admission (early to mid July 2024) through the end of July 2025 (roughly one calendar year)
- Auditioning for, and if cast, participating in at least one CFCArts Youth Theatre production per semester (students may serve in an assistant or tech capacity if their schedule does not allow for participation as a performer – students who are not cast will not have this held against their requirement)
- Attending meetings roughly every six weeks (pending calendar availability) to lend insight and suggestions regarding CFCArts Youth Theatre programs in a structured way, brainstorm, and plan fundraising and promotional events, etc.
- Volunteering to assist with the planning, running, and promotion of CFCArts Youth Theatre fundraising and service events. This includes the Annual Summer Celebration (July 20, 2024 and mid to late July 2025), at least two Youth Theatre Production front-of-house volunteer positions per year (one per semester), and at least two Student Advisory Panel-planned and run service projects per year (one per semester).
- Advocating for CFCArts Youth Theatre programs within the Central Florida community and your sphere of influence
- Students may have additional responsibilities should they choose/be selected for additional leadership capacities
Meet the Student Advisory Panel
Chris Gillespie
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Chris is extremely excited to be serving on the Central Florida Community Arts Student Advisory Panel! At 14 years old, Chris is starting their freshman year at Lake Brantley High School. Since 2016, Chris has been involved with CFCArts, performing in one of their favorite roles, the White Rabbit, in Alice in Wonderland with the CFCArts Youth Theatre program. Chris’s love of music and theater has been nurtured and developed since they were very young. When Chris is not taking the stage, they are often busy baking or finding new arts and crafts to do.
Max Goldman
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Max is honored to be returning to the CFCArts Student Advisory Panel! Max made his CFCArts debut in May 2022 as Grandpa Joe in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr. Since then, he has had the privilege of appearing in productions of Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars, Aladdin Jr., A Christmas Carol, and most recently, Into the Woods as Narrator/Mysterious Man. He is 14 years old and a freshman at Windermere High School, having just completed his middle school career at Bridgewater Middle School. There, he was voted Most Musical among his peers and chosen by his teachers for Outstanding Performer in Theatre. For the past two summers, he attended the Broadway Artist Alliance Summer Intensive for acting. When he is not at rehearsal or performing, he enjoys watching his favorite TV shows, including The Big Bang Theory and Law & Order. He is looking forward to helping CFCArts create incredible experiences over the next year!
Zayd Husain
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Zayd is an incoming seventh grader at Orlando Science Middle School. He has been involved with CFCArts since early 2023 as Company in Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, Disney’s Aladdin Jr., and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Youth Edition. He was cast in the Jr. Troupe as Boss Elf in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. and as the Horse most recently in The Wind in the Willows. Zayd’s love for the performing arts continues and he has recently spent some time in an all dance intensive for Moulin Rouge and summer camps with CFCArts. Besides theatre, Zayd enjoys music, anime, video games and traveling. He is excited about the opportunity to serve on the student panel.
Chase Kensington
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Chase is very excited to join the Central Florida Community Arts Student Advisory Panel. He is 16 years old and homeschooled. Chase has been involved in theater for several years but only joined CFCArts last year, where he was thrilled to play the Wolf in Into the Woods. Before joining CFCArts, some of his favorite roles included Trunchbull (Matilda the Musical), Beast (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) and Shrek (Shrek the Musical). Chase also enjoys Improv and has been fortunate to participate in the Second City Residency Program the last two years. He looks forward to working with other students on the Panel and to more amazing experiences with Central Florida Community Arts.
Shane Lea
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Shane is 16 years old and a senior at Edgewater High School. He has been working with CFCArts for over five years now and has had a number of amazing experiences including performing in multiple productions of A Christmas Carol, participating in multiple productions of Clue for a Cause, and working as a technician for some of the summer programs. The warm and supportive community have been like a second family to Shane and have provided him a number of opportunities to grow.
Evelyn "Evie" Ortiz-Tatarka
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Evie is thrilled to be a part of the CFCArts Student Advisory Panel. Evie first joined the CFCArts community in 2023, performing in Disney’s Aladdin Jr., Alice in Wonderland, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Youth Edition. She also served as Student Stage Manager for last summer’s production of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS. This summer, Evie was cast in the Seminole County Performing Arts Summer Stock production of Mary Poppins. Evie was actively involved in her middle school’s performing arts programs as a member of Jr. Thespians, Advanced Chorus, and as a member of the Florida All State Chorus. A lifelong dancer, she served as student choreographer and dance captain for her school’s production of Shrek the Musical. A rising freshman, Evie looks forward to performing both as a member of her high school’s theatre department and with CFCArts. She truly believes that her experiences with CFCArts have helped her become the performer she is today.
Daisy Spann
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Daisy is 14 years old. She will be a freshman this year. Daisy’s favorite experiences with CFCArts are being a Student Ambassador, attending community and volunteer programs, and most recently being in Into the Woods as Little Red. In the past three years she has been in 21 performances, VP of Junior Thespians, and is excited to attend Broadway Artists Alliance in July.
Lourdes Starr
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Lourdes has been performing on the stage longer than she hasn’t, starting when she was in first grade performing a ballet showcase of Beauty and the Beast. Since then, the seventeen-year-old has been seen in CFCArts shows as the hauntingly beautiful Ghost of Christmas Future (A Christmas Carol the Musical) and the charismatic Genie (Disney’s Aladdin Jr.) She recently had the wonderful opportunity to perform as Monsieur Thérnardier (Les Misérables) during this summer and is thrilled to perform in many other shows during her senior year of high school. When she’s not doing theatre, she is either fawning over her devoted cat Austin, making bracelets, writing, or hanging out with her friends at Universal. She’s thrilled to be a member of CFCArts’ Student Advisory Panel.
Katelyn Stewart
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Katelyn Stewart is 15 years old and a sophomore at Circle Christian School. Her first show with CFCArts was Mary Poppins in spring of 2023 and she has been in love with the company ever since. She gives all the glory to God as she continues to work diligently to help shape the future of CFCArts. 1 Corinthians 10:31.