Meet Our Camp Staff

Award-Winning Instructors Await your Children

Spotlight Camp Director

Mr. Rob Tessier

A former Ringling Brothers Clown and stage & TV actor, Rob is founder/director of Upper Room Theatre Ministry and Director of Youth Ministry at All Saints Church. He holds a Miami University Theatre degree, a Professional Clown Diploma from Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, a Virginia Teaching License for K-12 Theatre, and a Masters in Catechetics & Evangelization from Franciscan University.

Recently named Best Director of the Decade in the DC/MD/VA area by BroadwayWorld, Rob has been directing & teaching theatre for well over 30 years. With a passion for helping young people to develop their own talents and discover their own artistic voice, Rob always sets the bar high and looks to encourage and teach in a way that brings out the best in his students.

Broadway Spotlight

Jack was named “Best Actor in a Play” in the DC Area in 2023 by BroadwayWorld. Jack holds a BA in Communications and is earning his VA Certification to teach Theatre. He has directed young performers at Fauquier Community Theatre as well as local Public & Catholic schools. A regular FOOLS Improv performer, Jack was also seen recently on local stages as Larry in Larry, the Big Time Producer and as Buddy in Elf the Musical. This will be his 6th year with Spotlight!

Cathy has received a Grammy Music Educator Award nomination, the 2021 UUAW Excellence Award, was the 2014 Teacher of the Year from Round Elementary, and has been named a Star Teacher by Hal Leonard Corporation. She is Music Director for Nativity Players and has music directed for Upper Room & Fauquier Theatres. Cathy plays with the band “Undercover” and delights in introducing the joy of Broadway music to future performers!

Maria has danced and choreographed for over 20 years. She holds a BA in Dance and an MA in Library Information Sciences. Maria has worked with children for over a decade teaching dance classes, theater camps, and working at an elementary school. She choreographed Upper Room’s Into the Woods and performed all over, including Upper Room and as an independent dance artist in Pennsylvania.

Drama Bootcamp

Kirstin is graduate of Franciscan University with a B.A. in Theatre & English. She was the theatre director at Aquinas in Woodbridge before becoming a full time mom. Kirstin still performs onstage with Fools! Comedy Improv Troupe and has worked on- and off-stage at Upper Room Theatre, Rooftop Theatre and Fauquier Community Theatre.

Esther has over a dozen years experience as Theatre Director at Potomac High School. When she’s not teaching theatre, she performs comedy improvisations with Fools! and works on- and off-stage in local community theatres, including Upper Room Theatre, Fauquier Community Theatre, and Prince William Little Theatre.

Gabrielle has a love for creating characters for the stage with children, and the art of pantomime. She has taught musical theatre at Spotlight Studio and Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre. Choreography credits include Jersey Boys, James and the Giant Peach, Once Upon a Mattress, and Tuck Everlasting at Fauquier Community Theatre.

Arts and Crafts Fun & Art Explorer

Annie has been a Diocesan teacher for 15 years, currently at Saint Theresa in Ashburn, but previously taught K-8 Art at Saint Veronica in Chantilly. She holds a VCEA license and is pursuing her Master’s in Art Education. When not teaching, she enjoys creating all forms of art, flipping furniture, attending craft fairs, baking, and cheering for the New York Yankees and the New England Patriots.

Bonnie Tiller is a highly dedicated and certified Virginia elementary school teacher with over 16 years of experience. When she’s not inspiring her fifth-grade students at St. Theresa Catholic School, she can be found hiking in the outdoors, engrossed in a good book, or enjoying live music at local concerts. A family-oriented individual, she also cherishes spending quality time with her loved ones, often incorporating fun, artistic activities into their gatherings.

All “Spotlight on the Arts” staff are approved to work with young people through the Child Protection & Safety Program sponsored by the Arlington Diocese.

Our camps are fully licensed and insured.