Joan McCarthy ~ Executive Director

Joan founded MadCAP almost fourteen years ago. Joan holds a Masters degree in Educational Psychology from UW Madison with an emphasis on Gifted & Talented. Before MadCAP she was a classroom teacher, a Learning Disabilities teacher, a science teacher for gifted students, a puppeteer and a mother.  She has served as MadCAP’s Executive Director since 1995.  As an artist, Joan enjoys creating and performing with puppets.

Kjerstie Johanson ~ Artistic Director

Kjerstie holds degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy and has worked in hospital, school, and creative arts settings.  A musician and composer, Kjerstie teaches private lessons in voice and piano.  Kjerstie has been teaching with MadCAP since 1999 and has over 14 years of teaching experience. Kjerstie is MadCAP’s Artistic Director and oversees the Music Studio as well as the Artistic programming. 

Teaching Artists

Kathryn Ambler ~ Theatre Arts / Music

Kathryn is a local actress and singer. She holds and BFA in Musical Theatre from UW-Stevens Point, and an MFA in Theatre from UN Las Vegas. She moved to Madison from Milwaukee where she worked at Discovery World Science Museum as a performer and classroom teacher. Kathryn teaches the adult Musical Theatre sessions.

Liz Emmerling ~ Music

      Liz received her B.A. in Theatre Performance with a Minor in Music from Western Michigan University . Liz is a musical theatre performer and teaching artist from Kalamazoo Mi, and she is very excited to cross the lake and call Madison her home! Liz works with some of the ensembles and teaches private lessons in voice and beginning piano.

Evy Gildrie-Voyles ~ Theatre Arts

Evy is an actress, monologist and teaching artist. She holds a BA in Theater and English from Oberlin college an MA in Theater History from University of Illinois. She moved to Madison from New Jersey where she worked for two years with Shoestring Players as an actress and workshop leader performing and teaching creative drama and creative writing in classrooms across NJ, PA and NY. Evy is a Stage Director for MadCAP and the Director for the Improv Performance Ensemble.

Paul Milisch ~ Theatre Arts

Paul joined MadCAP's staff last summer as the Producing Director and has worked with MadCAP since 2005. He holds a B.A. in Performing Arts Education. Paul works with MadCAP as a Stage Director. Paul has been seen on stage in production of Batboy! The Musical, Hair and ART.This year, Paul will coordinate MadCAP productions at the Overture Center, teach some of the ensembles, direct Willy Wonka and teach private acting instruction.

Brigid Ryan ~ Music

 Brigid has moved to St. Paul, Minnesota.  Liz Emmerling will teach students previouusly enrolled in private lessons with Brigid.

Holly Scarborough ~ Music

For the past several years, Holly has taught private lessons and ensembles with MadCAP's School of the Arts.  This fall, Holly will move to Germany with her husband. Liz Emmerling will teach Holly's students.

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