Venture Faculty and Staff
“What matters is this: can you make a rehearsal into a lively experience for those taking part? Can you feel the material growing and taking shape and beginning to live as you and your collaborators work? Do you get a passionate satisfaction out of this work? If these three questions get from you a ringing and spontaneous affirmative, then press on. If not, better stick to that nice steady job in the bank, or go chase wild bulls and bears on Wall Street or elephants in Africa”
Founding Artistic Director
Kirstin Leigh Daniel
Education: BA Theatre Education Emerson College,
MTS in Production and Design Southern Oregon University,
MA Shakespeare and Creativity a Shakespeare Institute and Royal Shakespeare Company Collaboration.
Work: Shakespeare & Company, Adjunct Professor UNCA, Brevard and Young Harris. AC Reynolds High School. She is a company member of Asheville's The Cardboard Sea.
Passions: Teaching, laughing, living a wholehearted life, Shakespeare, old homes, her vegetable garden, cooking, swimming in lakes and her deeply feeling toddler Juniper.
Costume Designer
Tyler Ogburn
Education: BA in Theatre from Young Harris College
Work: Entrepreneur, photographer, designer. Previously worked as a stylist in NYC and taught costume courses and designed for Young Harris College and UNCA
Passions: Taking photos, spending time with my dog Astrid, playing games with my family, creating art and living a whole and fulfilling life.
Resident Teaching Artist
Lochlan Angle
Education: Graduated in 2019 with B.A.s in Theatre and History from the University of South Carolina. 2018 Shakespeare and Company Summer Training Institute. 2018 Weekend Workshops at the American Shakespeare Center.
Work: Venture credits are Puck in 2022's Midsummer and Feste/Fabian in 2019's Twelfth Night. Other local theatre work includes playing George Bailey and others in Live from WVL Radio Theatre: It's A Wonderful Life with the Immediate Theatre Project, and working as a teaching artist as well as playing various roles in educational shows put on by Bright Star Touring Theatre. In his non-acting time, Lochlan works as a bartender and tour guide at various Wicked Weed Brewing locations.
Passions: Shakespeare of course! Playing and listening to good music in any form. Watching sports (go Gamecocks!). Playing sports (disc golf, pickup soccer). Hiking. Traveling.
Resident Movement Theater Artist
Monika Gross
Education: BFA UNC School of the Arts. Certified Alexander technique specialist.
Work: Co-owner, Form Fitness & Function (Alexander and Pilates studio). Executive Director, The Poise Project (Nonprofit focused on research and delivery of Alexander programs for socioeconomically diverse populations). Adjunct Professor at Appalachian State University (2011-12). Artistic Director, At-A-Site Theater (Theater in unusual spaces where theater and audience meet unexpectedly).
Passions: Acting, directing, playwriting, object theater, puppetry, physical theater, site-specific theater. Words. Languages. Travel. Butoh dance. Trees. Friendships. Reading. Naps.
Front of House
Kim Garner
Education: Design at Brigham Young University
Work: Finance Associate at First Baptist Church of Asheville. Administration, management, and fundraising for plays, musicals, and concerts in multiple Buncombe County Schools. Previously Camp Director for multiple youth conferences and young women summer camps.
Passions: My 4 kids, Chocolate, the Beach, Photography, & Genealogy Research
Summer Workshop Manager:
Ann Forster
Education: BA English Literature Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Secondary Teaching Credential Cal State Fullerton, Cleared Credential National University, MA Shakespeare and Creativity University of Birmingham Shakespeare Institute
Work: Para Educator at a Special Needs Elementary School, Office Assistant/Event Staff at the Festival of Arts Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach
Passions: Shakespeare, Thoreau, Food, Travel, Cats
Social Media Specialist
MJ Gamelin
Education: BA in Drama with a minor in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship, UNC Asheville
Work: Stage manager, assistant director, actor and student with TheatreUNCA
Passions: Tabletop games, sci-fi/fantasy, embroidery, collaboration, community, and baking.