Meet the Staff
A native of North Carolina, Eric has built a distinguished career in New York City across multiple disciplines, including acting, directing, and casting. Over the years, he worked on thirty-four Broadway productions, including iconic shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and Mamma Mia! His Off-Broadway and regional credits span prestigious theaters like Yale Repertory Theatre, Lincoln Center Theatre, the Kennedy Center, The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Second Stage Theatre, and many others, including The Alliance Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, and South Coast Repertory. At Theatre Raleigh, Woodall has directed Violet, Parade, August Osage County, The Light in the Piazza (at the NC Museum of Art), and Big Fish. As an educator, Eric has taught and led masterclasses at institutions including New York University, Elon University, Baldwin-Wallace University, and internationally in the United Kingdom and Australia. In 2018, Eric returned to his home state as Producing Artistic Director of The North Carolina Theatre and was named “A Person You Should Know” by American Theater Magazine. Drama graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.
After almost 30 years living abroad, Ashley is happy to be back in Raleigh close to family and dear friends. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill she spent 22 years in Paris working for an international organization and five years raising her two children in Stockholm, Sweden. With a passion for music and theater, Ashley grew up surrounded by thespians and has always remained close to the theater world. She is very proud to be a part of the Theatre Raleigh family and the magic it continues to bring to the Triangle.
Megan is a graduate from William Peace University with her degree in Arts Administration. She began with Theatre Raleigh in 2021 as an administration intern, and is thrilled to now be with the team full time. When not working, Megan loves attending concerts and and traveling with her wife, hiking with her dog, and searching for the best iced vanilla latte in the Triangle.
Chris is proud of the work that Theatre Raleigh has done over the 15 years he’s been working here. Some of his favorite TR designs include Urinetown, August: Osage County, Boeing Boeing, Avenue Q, and Scottsboro Boys. Chris designed Jesus Christ Superstar, Always, Patsy Cline, Wit, Next To Normal, Evita, and A Christmas Story for North Carolina Theatre. Thanks to his wife Delaina, daughter Susannah, and son Wesley for their love and support.
Allison has been part of the Theatre Raleigh family since interning in 2014, and now joins as the Rental Manager, as well as serving as a Stage Manager for some of their productions. Graduating from Barton College with a BA in Theatre, then completing her masters degree at Virginia Tech in Theatre in Stage Management, she is thrilled to be back home in Raleigh. Her husband and daughter give her endless love and support!
John Bell
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Bio coming soon
Blaire Thompson is a native of Raleigh, NC who grew up performing in musical and drama productions with her school, church and local community theaters. She taught music at Orange Christian School and Trinity Christian School in the Orlando, FL area. Blaire moved back to Raleigh to help start Journey Church and led worship for the Kids Community for several years. Blaire is an active and involved member of the local theatre community. She has had the privilege of working with Raleigh Little Theatre (A Light in the Piazza), Theatre in the Park (A Christmas Carol), Louisburg College (Little Shop of Horrors), Paramount Theatre (Bridges of Madison County), Theatre Raleigh (Carousel and Leading Ladies Concert) and North Carolina Theatre (Evita, Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia, Annie, Kinky Boots, 9 to 5, and Sister Act).
Lauren Tompkins “LT” is a singer, actor, voice teacher, music director, audition coach, and accompanist. Her first time working with Theatre Raleigh ACT was accompanying a summer masterclass camp in 2015 and she has been with us through camps, classes, workshops, Voices on Broadway, and JTF ever since. Hailing from the Midwest, Lauren received her BM in Voice Performance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her MA in Voice Performance from the University of Iowa.
Lauren Tompkins “LT” is a singer, actor, voice teacher, music director, audition coach, and accompanist. Her first time working with Theatre Raleigh ACT was accompanying a summer masterclass camp in 2015 and she has been with us through camps, classes, workshops, Voices on Broadway, and JTF ever since. Hailing from the Midwest, Lauren received her BM in Voice Performance from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her MA in Voice Performance from the University of Iowa.
With over 35 years in administration, business ownership and event planning, Gail comes to Theatre Raleigh ACT with the experience needed to make sure that parents and students are informed and everything is organized for a smooth operation. She is the oldest of six children, grew up in Cary and is the mother of three and grandmother to seven. Gail has a genuine love for children of all ages. As Blaire’s Mom, she also has a vested interest in the success of Theatre Raleigh ACT!
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Bio coming soon
Carolyne is a Raleigh native who has lived in Seattle, Washington, Burlington, Vermont, Concord, Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, and Waiheke Island, New Zealand before returning home to North Carolina where she is pleased to call Theatre Raleigh her new home. She has a BA in Theatre from the University of Vermont. Favorite credits include Macbeth (Director), Shrew (Producer), and Ivy + Bean (Choreographer, Regional BroadwayWorld Award for Best Choreography). When she’s not working… no wait, she’s always working
Carolyne@theatreraleigh.com