About YFS
Founded in 2021 through a generous grant from the Rea Charitable Trust, The Young Festival Stage is dedicated to bringing dynamic, professional theatre experiences to young first-time
theatre-goers and seasoned patrons alike. Our vision is to ignite the imaginations of our Central Texas community by showcasing world-class performances that celebrate the power of live storytelling.
We believe that theatre can inspire, affirm, and cultivate a deep appreciation for imaginative and artistic expression. By fostering a lasting relationship with young audiences, we aim to shape the future of theatre in Central Texas.
PRODUCING DIRECTOR
Michael Sullivan is the founder of YFS and the writer/creator of Leonardo and the Flying Machine. The first show of our company, it came to life over the course of 14 years of development including three onstage iterations. Michael is an associate professor in the department of Theatre Arts at Baylor University. He previously served on the faculty of the University of North Texas Theatre and Dance Department and the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.
Professor Sullivan is an active professional set designer, and has worked extensively with a variety of production companies, including Shakespeare Dallas, the WaterTower Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theatre, Stage West, Circle Theatre, The Huntington Theatre, The Adirondack Theatre Festival and the Pollard Theatre.
In Academia he has designed for the University of North Texas Opera and the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, School of Drama and School of Musical Theatre. Most recently he has designed for Shakespeare Dallas: The Merry Wives of Windsor, the world premiere of Quixote, and The Tempest, and Hamlet last January. He was the last Assistant to William Eckart, fabled Broadway designer on several productions including the world premiere of Three Coins in the Fountain at the Muny in Saint Louis.
COMPANY MANAGER
Guilherme Feitosa de Almeida, pianist, conductor, and teaching artist, a native Brazilian, completed his Master in Music at Baylor University in 2008. He earned a Bachelor in Sacred Music with emphasis in Composition at the Seminário Teológico Batista do Norte do Brasil in Recife (Brazil) in 2005.
Previously, Professor Almeida taught at McLennan Community College (Waco), Centro de Educação Musical de Olinda (Olinda/Brazil), Conservatório Pernambucano de Música (Recife/Brazil). Prof. Almeida is an ordained minister in the Baptist tradition.
A much sought after music director, performer, liturgist, and consultant, Prof. Almeida is immersed in storytelling, spirituality and the arts, transformational education, and social justice.
He has presented at the Goiânia Opera Festival (Vocal Music of the Baroque - Performance Practices), at the Political Theology Network (A Canção do Senhor na Terra Brasileira - Liturgies of Resistance), at the Baptist International Conference on Theological Education (TogetHEr: Re-imagining, Re-reading HERstory in the Church). Lately, he has led worship for the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gatherings (2017 - Thailand, 2018 - Switzerland, 2019 - The Bahamas).
Recently Prof. Almeida joined the 2020 cohort of CAS Creation & Scenario in Music at the Zurich University of the Arts where he will study and craft contemporary practices of communication and collaboration involving Theatre (Direction, Scenography), Music (Composition, Performance, Conducting), and Technology (Sound Design and Sound Architecture).
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Dr. Jason MacGregor, a distinguished scholar with a proven track record of academic excellence and extensive international experience, leverages his expertise to make significant contributions across diverse endeavors.
Dr. MacGregor holds a Bachelor of Commerce (1999) from the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor and a Ph.D. (2007) from the University of Florida. Dr. MacGregor joined Baylor University's esteemed accounting faculty as an Assistant Professor. His dedication to both teaching and research resulted in his promotion to Associate Professor (2014) and his appointment as the Roderick Holmes Chair of Accountancy (2015).
Dr. MacGregor's research focuses on critical areas such as audit economics, auditor judgment, and financial reporting quality. His work is published in top-tier journals like Auditing: A Journal of Theory and Practice has garnered significant acclaim within the academic community.
Dr. MacGregor's passion extends beyond academia. He actively collaborates with non-profit organizations across a diverse range of countries, from Uganda to Greece. His unwavering commitment to global development is focused on promoting ethical decision-making and tackling the complex challenge of global poverty. Through his work, Dr. MacGregor champions ethical practices that contribute to a more sustainable and equitable global landscape.
Dr. MacGregor's commitment to making a positive impact extends to his local community. He serves in advisory roles with prestigious organizations like the Waco Chamber of Commerce and the Cooper Foundation, lending his expertise and guidance to support local initiatives and economic development.
In 2023, Dr. MacGregor joined the Young Festival Stage leadership team. He hopes to see YFS engage all corners of the Waco community and better understand how the arts can promote community development.
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