VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE STAFF Bobb Cooper.....................................................................................Producing Artistic Director Karol Cooper.................................................................................. Resident Costume Designer Mark Fearey.......................................................................................Resident Music Supervisor Suzie Martin................................................................................................... Managing Director Debra Bacorn.......................................................................................Director of Development Renee Bioletto....................................................................................... Costume Shop Assistant Matt Brown....................................................................................................... Technical Director *Joycelin Jacobs-Schwartz........................................................... Production Stage Manager Tiffany Owen....................................................................................................General Manager Kris Romero....................................................................................Audience Services Manager Cozette Phifer...........................................................Director of Marketing & Communications Carolyn Marie Wright.......................................................... Director of Education & Outreach *Denotes VYT Alumni
VALLEY YOUTH THEATRE STAFF BIOS Bobb Cooper (Producing Artistic Director) is in his 24th year at VYT. Under his direction and leadership, it has become a respected, professional-level theatre company where thousands of young people experience the magic of live theatre. Since 1996, Bobb has received numerous awards for his work as a director and garnered several for the theater itself including Arts Organization of the Year. Bobb’s recognition includes: the 2013 Dreamr Award for public sector/nonprofit, being named one of the Valley’s Most Influential business leaders and 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business Journal, and Arts Advocate of the Year by the Greater Phoenix Arts & Business Council. His professional affiliations include Valley Leadership Class 33, Organization for Nonprofit Executives, Phoenix Community Alliance and The Screen Actors Guild member since 1985. Bobb has been married for 29 years to his beautiful wife, Karol, and has one daughter, Channing. Karol Cooper (Resident Costume Designer) is in her 23rd year with VYT. She began her career as a professional clown and costume designer in Sherman Oaks, CA. “Bobbo & Kookee” performed for A-List celebrities and numerous Royal Families. She moved to Phoenix in 1995 and became the Resident Costume Designer for Valley Youth Theatre. During her first 9 years at VYT, she won 12 ariZoni awards for Costume Design and 10 ariZoni awards for Hair & Make-up. She has also won numerous National Youth Awards (NYA) for Outstanding Costume Design. For the 2015 Broadway World Phoenix Awards, she won Best Costume Design for a youth production for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Karol designed at the New Amsterdam Theatre for the Broadway cast of La Cage Aux Folles performing in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. She believes that research, attention to detail and the love of storytelling through color and texture is essential to a solid overall design.