FOUNDER, HEAD DIRECTOR, PRODUCER

Angela Burchfield is a lifelong educator, performer, and music therapist with over 30 years of experience teaching voice and piano. She’s known for her extraordinary ability to connect with children of all abilities—particularly those with special needs—and to help them discover their inner confidence both on and off the stage.

Angela has over five decades of performance experience spanning opera, theatre, rock, and sacred music. She has worn many hats throughout her career, including director, choreographer, music director, pianist, vocal coach, set designer, and muralist. Some of her recent directing and music directing credits include The Little Mermaid Jr., My Son Pinocchio, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde Jr., and Matilda (performed at Universal Studios).

In addition to her work as a director, Angela brings over 50 years of experience as a pianist, vocalist, and composer. She specializes in musical composition, arrangement, and improvisation across a wide range of genres, creating original works and adapting existing scores to match the strengths and skill levels of each cast. Her ability to customize vocal parts, accompaniment, and full musical productions ensures that every student—regardless of experience—has the opportunity to succeed, shine, and grow through the magic of live theatre.

Angela holds a degree in Music Therapy from Duquesne University and has worked extensively in special education settings, including with students in Eanes ISD. She is deeply passionate about using theatre and music as tools for emotional development, creative growth, and building lifelong self-confidence.

Today, Angela continues to teach private lessons, direct productions, and perform locally. She is the co-founder and lead vocalist of Hideous Pink, a music project she created alongside her husband, Tim, and remains committed to making the performing arts accessible, empowering, and joyful for all children.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, TEACHER, TRANSPORTATION SPECIALIST

From the very beginning, Holly Cooke has been an essential part of our organization and a driving force behind our success. With warmth, professionalism, and a truly nurturing spirit, Holly brings excellence to every aspect of teaching our youngest performers and middle school students the fundamentals of backstage procedures, theater etiquette, and performance readiness. Beloved by students and families alike, Holly creates an environment where children feel both supported and inspired. Whether she is ensuring students arrive safely and on time from school, offering calm encouragement backstage moments before a performance, or guiding young performers with patience and care, Holly consistently goes above and beyond. Her remarkable professionalism helps uphold the high standards and integrity of our theater program, while her playful and compassionate approach makes every child feel valued, confident, and seen. Holly Cooke is truly one of our greatest assets, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team.

HEAD COSTUMER, CHILDREN’S TEACHER (SPECIAL NEEDS FOCUS)

Madeleine is a graduate of Texas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts Theatre, Cum Laude honorable distinction, and a growing portfolio in theatre production and design. At the Burchfield, she has contributed to productions such as Aladdin, Frozen Jr, The Addams Famly, Mean Girls, and Descendants as a costume stitcher, and served as costume designer for Murder on the 518.

Her experience also includes roles in multiple Texas State and community productions, including spot operator for Into the Woods and stage manager for Oedipus. Most notably, she has worked as a costume stitcher for Texas State productions such as Escobar’s Hippos, Sister Act, Romeo & Juliet, and Guys & Dolls. In addition to her theatrical achievements, Madeleine is dedicated to inclusive arts education, having specialized in working with children with special needs and disabilities, and is passionate about creating spaces where all performers can thrive.

DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION, CHILDREN’S TEACHER

Jamie Watson is a trusted and deeply beloved member of our theatre team. The warmth she brings to our program truly sets us apart, creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.

Patient and attentive, Jamie nurtures each child with care, ensuring their needs are met so they can fully focus on exploring and growing in the arts. She is a quick study and is currently training in stage management, already gaining valuable hands-on experience in this area. Her calm presence, especially in high-stress moments, provides a reassuring sense of stability for students who may be experiencing performance anxiety.

Beyond her professionalism, Jamie brings joy and connection to every day. She has a wonderful sense of humor, is always ready with a good joke, and is especially loved during game time with the kids. She is often the first friendly face students look for at the end of their school day, knowing she will be there—reliable, kind, and ready to help them transition after a long day.

We are truly fortunate to have Jamie as part of our team, and her dedication to both care and craft makes her an invaluable presence in our theatre family.

COSTUME STITCHER, SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS COSTUMES, CHILDREN’S TEACHER

Gabrielle is an undergraduate at Texas State University, studying Theatre Costume Design and Construction. She has previously assisted with costumes for Frozen Jr., but is excited to begin her first full summer season at the Burchfield.

Her experience also includes many shows at Texas State and professional theatre productions, such as Cinderella, Clue, Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd, Our Town, working both as a stitcher and wardrobe member. She has also been a wardrobe supervisor for Nunsense at Maples Repertory Theater in Missouri. In addition to her passion for theater, she loves working with children and helping teach them the in and outs of the theater world. Her love for kids stems from her sister who worked as a nanny before becoming a teacher like their mom. Her hope is to create somewhere for kids to grow and shine.

INTERN - STUDENT TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR, CAMP COUNSELOR

Sophia “Aj” Vaughan is currently a student at Moe and Gene Johnson High School here in Buda, TX and has been doing theater for the past 7 years. She has been cast in shows such as “Clue”, “Legally Blonde: The Musical”, “Mean Girls”, “Cheating Death”, “Rapunzel Uncut”, “Antigone Now”, “The Play that Goes Wrong” and many more. She loves working with kids and being able to educate them on all the wonderful aspects of theater. Some of her favorite things to do are staying up crazy late and painting/building your sets. With talents specializing in classical vocal work and strong training in IT and Technical Theatre areas, she brings much to the table. Sophia is proud to represent Burchfield Educational Theater as your Counselor, and Student Technical Supervisor.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Noble Way has been involved in theatre for over a decade, gaining experience in nearly every role both on stage and behind the scenes. Noble has directed a handful of children’s productions, including Puffs, A Little Princess, and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Currently pursuing degrees in Drama and English, Noble is also a published writer and passionate storyteller.

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHER AND CAMP COUNSELOR

Tatum Dishman is an Austin-based performer who has trained for three years at the ZACH Theatre Performing Arts Academy and Pre-Professional Company, studying acting, voice, dance, and musical theater. Her love for musical theater began in fifth grade after being cast as Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Jr.. Her favorite credits include Kids Ensemble in Matilda at Zilker Hillside Theater, Pig-Pen in A Charlie Brown Christmas at ZACH Theatre, Teenager in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus at ZACH Theatre, and Katherine Plumber in Newsies. Tatum has been a camp counselor for three years and is passionate about storytelling, collaboration, and inspiring young performers through theater and is excited to return again this year as Guest Choreographer after her successful compositions during BET’s Aladdin jr and Descendants. She is excited to continue helping students grow in confidence and creativity with Burchfield Educational Theater.