About Act

Sarah Mallory graduated from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) in 2008 earning a B.S. in Physical Education with cross-endorsements in Health Education and Dance Education. Sarah has had the opportunity to work with Paul Dennis of the Limon Company, Jennifer Muller, the Paul Taylor II Company, Hubbard Street, cast members of Broadway’s the Lion King and the Albano Ballet. Sarah earned a M.S. in Special Education from CCSU in 2010 and 092 Administrative Certificate from Sacred Heart in 2014. Sarah served as Vice President of Dance for the Connecticut Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance from 2010-2012 and Secretary from 2013-2014. Sarah currently serves on the Connecticut High School Dance Festival planning committee. Sarah started teaching at ACT in the fall of 2008 as the Physical Education and Health teacher, and Ballet and Hip Hop teacher. In 2013, Sarah took on an administrative position as Dean of Students and in 2015 became Principal. She believes she has found her forever home at ACT; a place where she can share her passion for the arts with her students.

Jessica started as the administrative assistant for Arts at the Capitol Theater (ACT) in February of 2011 after graduating from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2010 with a B.S. in Business Administration. While in her senior year at ECSU, she completed an internship at the Windham Chamber of Commerce and organized that year's Home & Business Expo at the Eastbrook Mall in Mansfield. Jessica's administrative support skills spring from working as an office assistant at a family-owned company for many years. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with her husband, dog, and cat.

Dan has been teaching at ACT since 2007. Since graduating from Lyndon State College in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, he has been working on enhancing his video/film production skills. In 1988, Dan worked as a production assistant for Castle Rock Entertainment during the filming of Lord of the Flies. After moving back east, he was hired by Colony Cable in Rhode Island, where he was named director of photography and senior editor in the video production division. Dan was Director of Production and Co-Owner of QMedia in New London, CT, for four years before joining ACT. In his spare time, Dan is an avid golfer and sports enthusiast.

Kristina Dukette graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2007 with a B.S. in English and a concentration in Secondary Education. She earned her Master’s degree in Secondary Reading and Language Arts from the University of St. Joseph in 2012. Before coming to ACT in March 2022, Kristina taught middle school English/Language Arts for 15 years. When not at school, she stays busy being a Cub Scout & Little League mom to her two sons, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

Raised in a household that combined the best of both her Chilean and American heritages, Jane Glenn is very proud to be working as a Special Educator at ACT since 2007. Jane holds a degree in Latin American Studies from The University of Connecticut, a Master’s of Science in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State University and a degree in Administration from Sacred Heart University. Jane is committed to the unique and specialized program at ACT that allows students to explore and reach their creative and academic potential. During the summer months Jane works as a Dean of Students for Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. Personally, she has lived in and traveled extensively throughout Latin America and Europe, and finds that the unique experience of ACT is the culmination of her varied interests. Jane feels privileged to work with young people who share her passion for creating and appreciating the arts.

Anna Hall is the School Counselor at ACT. She graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2019 earning a M.S in Counseling for Education, and earned her undergraduate degree at CCSU in 2016. While attending Central Connecticut State University, Anna was a member of the University Singers and participated in Spring 2013 concert tour in China and Japan. Anna’s love of music began at a very young age, and she is excited to have both of her passions -- for the arts and for counseling -- meet at ACT. Prior to joining ACT, Anna was the School Counseling Intern at Terryville High School. As a School Counselor, Anna looks forward to assisting students through high school and thereafter. In her free time, you can find Anna singing, doing crafts, watching crime shows or spending time outside.

Prior to teaching, David lived and served as a missionary in Guatemala, Central America. David is a graduate of SUNY Geneseo, where he majored in Spanish and secondary education. He also holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a minor in ESOL. David has completed study abroad programs in both Madrid, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica. While in college, David served as the Spanish club president and the student government roundtable coordinator. In these roles he was able to participate and manage many community service projects with the Spanish speaking community of Rochester, NY. Since 2003, David has worked as a community college instructor, high school Spanish teacher, and coached both soccer and wrestling.

Tiana Mancuso is a Connecticut native and a graduate of University of Connecticut. Upon graduation she began teaching for UConn’s School of Dramatic Arts, where she was named Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2002. Tiana has had a full and extensive professional career on stage, in video and photography. She has performed with a number of Connecticut dance companies including; Stop/time Dance Theater in West Hartford, Breakin’ Through in Putnam and DancEnlight in Hartford. Tiana was a principal dancer with Full Force Dance Theater in Hartford, CT for 10 years and is grateful for the many years spent collaborating with other dancers and artists, specifically the opportunity to work with dance veterans like Adele Meyers of Connecticut College and Mary Cochran formerly of Paul Taylor Dance Company. Over the last 15 years, Tiana has held various teaching positions throughout CT and NY for both public and private institutions and has worked with dancers of all ages and ability. Tiana has been the Dance Director at ACT and a faculty member of the school since its inception. As a professional working artist, Tiana’s focus is on creating curriculum and choreography that reaches each student individually, and providing quality, tailored instruction in each course. Tiana encourages students to take ownership of their own learning, train intensively and foster their own authentic creative voice.

Chris received his degree in Political Science and History from the University of Connecticut and his Masters in Teaching from the University of New Haven. Prior to joining ACT in 2021, he worked in various alternative education and public school settings. He loves teaching and engaging with students on the subjects of human nature and how they can impact the world around them. Outside of work he enjoys golfing and spending time outdoors, particularly down by the shore.

Ava R. Molnar has been with ACT since 2017 and is the head of the new Integrated Arts and Management pathway. She received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Clark University and her M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts with a concentration in Performance Creation from Goddard College. She is an award winning poet and performer and has had her plays produced across New England. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Windham Theatre Guild and is a member of the Windham Music, Arts, and Culture Commission.

Sarah Murphy began sewing and making costumes through museum education work and historical reenactment. Her costume portfolio includes several historical reproductions from the Renaissance through the Victorian era. She studied at Smith College, earning a B.A. in History in 2005. She earned a Connecticut Social Studies teaching certificate in 2008 from the University of Saint Joseph. After teaching in a few long-term substitute positions, she came to ACT to teach Costume Design in 2013. Sarah is currently pursuing a Masters in Art Education from Central Connecticut State University.

Math teacher Randy Nokes is proud to be part of the ACT community. He chose teaching as a career while attending CCSU, where he earned a B.S. in History and Social Studies Secondary Education. Following his passion for archaeology, Randy completed a master’s degree at Western Washington University. Upon returning to Connecticut, he began working as an archaeological technician at the Pequot Museum while continuing graduate studies in archaeology at UCONN. Randy has been teaching in Connecticut middle and high schools since 2007, and earned teacher certification in mathematics in 2010. In his free time he enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, running, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Katherine Popovic (“Kasia”) holds a master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music and a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music. She has had performances throughout the United States and Europe including venues in Hungary, Poland, England, Washington D.C., and New York City. In 2005, she became an Artists International Alumni and performed her Carnegie Solo Debut as an award winner for the Artists International competition. She taught through Education Through Music in New York City, held private studios at the Brooklyn Conservatory, and instructed students at the community school of the arts at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Outside of ACT, Mrs. Popovic is a devoted mother of her three daughters. She has been a teaching artist at the ACT school since 2007.

James Rowley received his B.S. in Mathematics in 2018 and a M.S. in Secondary Education in 2019 from Eastern Connecticut State University. He loves both Mathematics and the arts, and has several years of experience doing both in Northeast Connecticut. He has been teaching at ACT since 2019, and is fortunate to be able to work with students who are interested in and passionate about the arts.