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CarolinaShakespeare.org

MISSION

To present high-quality productions of Shakespeare in schools and public spaces, 

fostering community engagement, education, and local artistic achievement.

PURPOSE

To offer a counterpoint to the encroaching digitization of our world and brains by providing access 

to the greatest single body of literature ever written, igniting the minds of young and old.

VISION

To expand literacy and social skills using the excitement of live Shakespeare and the 

unparalleled beauty of its language in performance.

VALUES

To bring people together in our schools and public spaces to celebrate 

our shared humanity with laughter and pathos.


Staff:

Dan J Decker

Dan J Decker

Artistic Director Dan is the former head of the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company; the City of Henderson NV issued a proclamation commending him personally for “enhancing our vibrant community while enriching the lives of our citizens through live theater.” Dan is author of the textbook “Anatomy of a Screenplay,” and has lectured on storytelling at over fifty film festivals. Today, he’s an internationally recognized authority on Shakespeare for Young People and has been granted European citizenship.

Joseph Reese

Joseph Reese

Director. Joseph is an actor/director, a poet, and opera librettist. Opera/stage works include Orgullo (Maryland Opera Studio Commission, premier at the Public Theatre in NYC) Fatty Fatty No Friends (FringeNYC Excellence Award Winner, Innovative Theater Award Nomination, New York Musical Festival Best of Fest Concert, Time Out New York Critic's Pick), Whiskey Pants: The Mayor of Williamsburg (Audience Favorite at FRIGID New York, Showscore Critic's Pick, off-broadway premiere at HERE) .

Alyssa Krasovich

Alyssa Krasovich

Director. Alyssa is a graduate of Barton College (Class of 2024), where she earned her degree in Theatre (Performance) with a minor in Research. Her passion for storytelling drives her to create art of all kinds: writing, painting, drawing, theatre, and music. She believes art is how we connect with each other. Outside of performing, she works as the main studio assistant at Movie Makers Inc., teaching classes in acting, filmmaking, and Dungeons & Dragons

Lauren Gauthier

Lauren Gauthier

Public Contact. Lauren left her post in the corporate world as Writer and Creative Director to come to work for Carolina Shakespeare handling PR/Adv roles..

Margaret Toman

Margaret Toman

Development. Margaret is a writer and activist who advocates for the incarcerated in prisons, standing vigil against the death penalty in front of Central Prison every Monday. She spearheaded a successful effort to rescue adult daycare facilities in North Carolina from a legislative funding cut. Now retired, she continues to work on the development of Carolina Shakespeare, believing that Shakespeare enlightens, enhances, and even rescues lives from all backgrounds. Photo not recent*

India Nykamp

India Nykamp

Schools Coordinator India attended the University of North Carolina Greensboro where she received her BA in Arts Administration with minors in Theatre Management and Business. She loves acting, dramaturgy, and using her degree to support non-profit theatre which has been a formative part of her life. India handles the school bookings for Carolina Shakespeare.

Abby Patrick

Abby Patrick

Tech Coordinator. Handles the comings and going of costumes and props, stage management chores, and loves to plays parts in the productions, too.

Gus Hummings

Gus Hummings

Schools Presenter. Graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gus brings his warmth and charm to the schools where he both acts in the productions and serves as Presenter, laying out the contextual information on Shakespeare and the play the students are about to see.

Catherine Kelly Johnson

Catherine Kelly Johnson

Administration. Catherine holds a Masters Degree in Arts Administraion.