Kerri Thoreson - Executive Director – Kerri brings a depth of organizational management experience to her role as ED of Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre. She's an award-winning writer and columnist. Having spent her youth in Coeur d'Alene she has an affinity for the uniqueness of the community and all that make it a special place to live, especially for the people who call it home.
A decade in Portland, Oregon involved with the music industry and entertainment booking, a long career in the written word, radio and communications and in recent years a "second act" as a commercial actor provide Kerri an eclectic appreciation of the arts and artists. The artistic and economic impact of the performing arts in the Coeur d'Alene area is significant and she's committed to telling the story of the theatre far and wide.
Jadd Davis - Artistic Director - Jadd began his professional career in the arts at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre in 2002, debuting as Rapunzel's Prince in Into The Woods. Since then, he has acted, directed, music directed, produced and educated throughout the northwest and beyond.
As a performer, Jadd has appeared onstage with Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre (in over 20 productions), Village Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, Casa Mañana, Ordway Center for the Arts, American Music Theatre of San Jose, Seattle Children's Theatre, ReAct, The Inverse Opera, Opera Coeur d'Alene, Taproot Theatre Company and many others. He is featured on several cast albums, including the original cast album of the recent Broadway hit A Christmas Story: The Musical!
His backstage work (directing, casting, producing, etc.) has been seen onstage at ACT Theatre, Village Theatre, The Inverse Opera, Taproot Theatre Company, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, Interplayers Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts and others.
Jadd has a particular affinity for producing unique theatrical experiences and small-scale, intimate performances. In that capacity, he has written and produced myriad performances in collaboration with many organizations throughout the northwest. To this end, he co-founded The Inverse Opera in Seattle and has served as its Artistic Director since 2011. In his tenure, he has overseen successful collaborations with ACT Theatre, SecondStory Repertory Theatre, Taproot Theatre Company, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, Theatre Puget Sound and The Bing Crosby Theatre. Other positions Jadd has held include Casting Director and Company Manager for Village Theatre, and Artistic Associate and Company Manager for Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre.
As a performer, Jadd has appeared onstage with Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre (in over 20 productions), Village Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, Casa Mañana, Ordway Center for the Arts, American Music Theatre of San Jose, Seattle Children's Theatre, ReAct, The Inverse Opera, Opera Coeur d'Alene, Taproot Theatre Company and many others. He is featured on several cast albums, including the original cast album of the recent Broadway hit A Christmas Story: The Musical!
His backstage work (directing, casting, producing, etc.) has been seen onstage at ACT Theatre, Village Theatre, The Inverse Opera, Taproot Theatre Company, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, Interplayers Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts and others.
Jadd has a particular affinity for producing unique theatrical experiences and small-scale, intimate performances. In that capacity, he has written and produced myriad performances in collaboration with many organizations throughout the northwest. To this end, he co-founded The Inverse Opera in Seattle and has served as its Artistic Director since 2011. In his tenure, he has overseen successful collaborations with ACT Theatre, SecondStory Repertory Theatre, Taproot Theatre Company, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, Theatre Puget Sound and The Bing Crosby Theatre. Other positions Jadd has held include Casting Director and Company Manager for Village Theatre, and Artistic Associate and Company Manager for Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre.
Alyssa Hersey - Business Manager
Alyssa Hersey is fortunate to work in a business capacity with such a vibrant company as Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre. A California transplant with a background in English Studies and Violin Performance, her foremost passion is taking part in the creative arts and sharing the magic it inspires with others. You may have seen her acting, dancing, and singing in shows (North Idaho College, Lake City Playhouse, Liberty Lake Community Theatre, Aspire Community Theatre, etc.) or heard her violin emerging from various local orchestra pits (Lake City Playhouse, University High School, Spokane Civic Theatre, etc.). In addition, she's enjoyed music directing at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy and performing as part of the Coeur d'Alene Murder Mystery Theatre troupe. She believes that the sense of unity and creativity which theatre brings is vital to the well-being and spirit of humanity, and she is therefore thrilled to promote CST within our community.
Kay Poland - Marketing Manager
Kay has loved music and theatre from a young age, spending part of her high school years as a member of the Young Americans and performing theatre around the so Cal area. After earning a degree in music, Kay transitioned into her career as a radio broadcaster, where she has spent the last 29 years (and continues still at 89.9fm KYMS). She returned to theatre just a few years ago, performing with Traditions of Christmas, CCT North Idaho and the Modern Theatre. It is a pleasure to work with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, telling people all about the many wonderful shows. In her spare time… Oh, who are we kidding?! Kay has no spare time as she spends most of it as a “crazy theatre aunt” to her CYT North Idaho students and the professionals, as well!
Kay has loved music and theatre from a young age, spending part of her high school years as a member of the Young Americans and performing theatre around the so Cal area. After earning a degree in music, Kay transitioned into her career as a radio broadcaster, where she has spent the last 29 years (and continues still at 89.9fm KYMS). She returned to theatre just a few years ago, performing with Traditions of Christmas, CCT North Idaho and the Modern Theatre. It is a pleasure to work with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, telling people all about the many wonderful shows. In her spare time… Oh, who are we kidding?! Kay has no spare time as she spends most of it as a “crazy theatre aunt” to her CYT North Idaho students and the professionals, as well!
Annette Nolting- Box Office Manager
Annette has lived in the North Idaho area most of her life and has been actively involved in Theatre since she was 13, either on stage when she was younger or behind the scenes doing make up and hair, choreography or backstage management. Mixing theatre with work life, is just an added benefit to the week. She was production team hair and make up for Christian Youth Theater North Idaho for 5 years, as well as a founding member of Aspire Community Theatre. She also teaches east coast swing to various groups in the area as well as few traveling tour groups that have performed a local retirement homes and festivals. When not doing theatre Annette enjoys spending time with her husband Jordan of 5 years and their son Samuel.
Aimee Paxton - Director of Education
Aimee's love for theatre started at a young age as Gladys in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and performed in the Spokane area through high school. She graduated from Western WA University with a Spanish degree, and certificates in Teaching English as a Second Language and International Studies. She quickly went back to school to pursue her love for theatre at Eastern WA University.
After graduating from Eastern, Aimee spent the past couple of years with CST's On The Road school show of Living Through the Fire touring in North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Aimee is excited to visit schools with the new tour this fall, Across the Divide; promoting kindness while incorporating facts about Lewis and Clark as well as local fauna and flora. She has had the privilege to co-write Across the Divide with Jadd Davis and Henry McNulty. A couple of favorite roles were Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher and Boris in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Aimee loves teaching kids theatre; incorporating a kind and safe space in theatre for kids to explore and learn. In her free time, she enjoys dabbling in writing, traveling, and painting on the side.
Aimee's love for theatre started at a young age as Gladys in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and performed in the Spokane area through high school. She graduated from Western WA University with a Spanish degree, and certificates in Teaching English as a Second Language and International Studies. She quickly went back to school to pursue her love for theatre at Eastern WA University.
After graduating from Eastern, Aimee spent the past couple of years with CST's On The Road school show of Living Through the Fire touring in North Idaho and Eastern Washington. Aimee is excited to visit schools with the new tour this fall, Across the Divide; promoting kindness while incorporating facts about Lewis and Clark as well as local fauna and flora. She has had the privilege to co-write Across the Divide with Jadd Davis and Henry McNulty. A couple of favorite roles were Smee in Peter and the Starcatcher and Boris in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Aimee loves teaching kids theatre; incorporating a kind and safe space in theatre for kids to explore and learn. In her free time, she enjoys dabbling in writing, traveling, and painting on the side.
