About

Artistic Director

Arla Faye opened North Shore Dance & Theater (formerly North Shore Dance & Drama) in 1994. A prominent member of the Skokie and North Shore fine arts and dance community, Arla holds a BA in Dance Performance from Butler University. She also earned an MA from Northeastern Illinois University. She has dedicated much of her life to bringing the fine arts to students of all ages, adults and children alike.
Performance Background includes:
- Chicago Opera Ballet
- Butler Ballet
Studied with:
- Martha Graham
- George Verdak
- Stone & Camren

Co-Owner, Theater Producer

Alisha Fran Potter is the founder of North Shore Dance & Theater's children's theater group, formerly known as Take Two Children's Theatre. She has a BA in Education, with minors in Dance and Drama, and a MS in Fine Arts Curriculum from National Louis University. Alisha has taught for—and been published by—Pearson-Scott Foresman Skylight Lesson Lab. She has produced, directed, acted, costumed and choreographed numerous shows in the Chicago-land area. In addition to her work with North Shore, she was also a drama specialist for Glenview School District 34 and currently is a teacher-Librarian.
Producer:
- Take Two Children's Theatre, Glenview
Performance Background includes:
- Life's a Stage Players, Glenview
Studied with:
- Gus Giordano
- Ruth Page
- Trained in Laban and Graham Methods

Managing Partner, Choreographer 

Anne Neumann is a passionate award-winning choreographer at North Shore Dance & Theater, who has trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip-hop and tap. She graduated from Niles North High School, known for its reputation of having one of the most outstanding performing arts programs in the nation and has an Associates in Marketing Management. Anne has had the opportunity to be the resident choreographer for NSDT's play productions (formerly Known as Take Two Children's Theatre) since 2010. Anne founded the award-winning Sparkles Dance Company in 2013 and is the current choreographer and coach for the team. She looks forward to sharing her love of dance with her students and their families and friends!
Resident Choreographer:
  -North Shore Dance & Theater's Theater Division (Formerly Known as Take Two Children's Theatre)

Musical Director, Theater Director, Camp Instructor 

Judy Smith studied music theory, pedagogy, and theater at Texas Woman’s University and North Texas State University, and completed a pedagogy fellowship at the Verhoog Music Institute. She has taught piano on the North Shore for thirty years, and has performed as an actress, church music director, chorister, and keyboardist. She’s thrilled to join NSDT, where performance excellence is the standard!

Musical Director, Theater Director, Camp Instructor 

Christina Trulio Hasty has taught general music, chorus, voice, and guitar both privately and in the classroom for over 30 years. She has taught music in the public schools in both California and Illinois, has directed numerous musicals for both children and adults, and has worked with young adults in musical theater, voice, and composition. She has a B.A. in voice and composition from Berklee College of Music in Boston and a Masters degree in Music Education from UCLA. Christina is pumped to be a part of the NSDT team!

Resident Artist, Make-Up Artist

Deena Kahn has been involved with North Shore Dance & Theater since 2000, not only as a student, but also as a volunteer and as an employee. She graduated from Niles West High School, known for its reputation of having one of the most outstanding performing arts programs in the nation, where she participated in the music, theater, and art programs. In May 2016, Deena graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with triple emphases in Film Studies, Journalism, and Art. Since completing her Bachelor’s degree, Deena has also earned a Global M.B.A. from Northern Illinois University and a certificate in International Management from Sapienza University in Rome, Italy. She is currently NSDT's resident Make-Up Artist for all of our stage productions. A portfolio of her creative work is available at dkdesignandmedia.com