Shelby Hovley

Executive Director/Owner

Shelby holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Weber State University.  Shelby has been seen on the Carousel Theatre stage for three seasons at Lagoon Amusement Park, performing their "Live in Living Color" Broadway Show, "Let's Dance" Pop-show, "Jungle Rhythm" Day Show and "Verano" Night Show (Swing).  She has a solid background in Choreographing and Directing, her most recent credit was Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Shrek the Musical Jr. at Legacy Preparatory Academy South, where she oversaw the elementary school's choir & musical theatre program for three years. When she is not teaching and directing her passion for performance has given her opportunities to play, Jeannie in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Lola in Damn Yankees and Bambi in Curtains. Her most recent credit is Ariel in Footloose at The Ziegfeld Theatre with a tour to The Egyptian Theatre in Park City.  She has performed in two world premiere productions: Girl of Glass & Of Myth and Mud, performances for which she received Irene Ryan Nominations for roles played.  She competed in Irene Ryan Competition in Los Angeles, California in 2014.  While attending WSU she held a Full-Time Department Scholarship, as well as secondary scholarships and attained a well rounded education including not only regular musical theatre curriculum but also Costume Design.  She has costumed designed for numerous productions, her most recent projects being, Alice in Wonderland, Shrek the Musical & AIDA.  Shelby loves Backstage with her whole heart and jumps at every opportunity to meet and coach her students.

Kayeli Hathaway

Executive Director/Owner

Kayeli studied Musical Theatre at Weber State University and before opening Backstage, taught as a private voice instructor for many years.  Kayeli is constantly directing shows and her most recent projects include: Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast Jr, Shrek the Musical Jr., and Peter Pan Jr.  She was the Assistant Director for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at WSU in 2017. Along with being a director, and teaching music at Stewart Elementary this past year, Kayeli loves to perform herself. Her favorite roles have been, Reno in Anything Goes, The Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooge, Winnie in Annie Get Your Gun, Rona (Understudy) in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and other featured dancing roles in multiple shows.  Her most recent project was 9 to 5 at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre.  Kayeli grew up as a gymnast mastering tumbling and flexibility, during this time she also competed as a cheerleader.  She completely immersed herself in children's theater at Roger's Memorial Theatre growing up and found every opportunity to perform.  Kayeli is an expert in vocal performance and has a solid classical background as well as belt-legit style.  She also loves coaching pop-rock voice styles.  Kayeli’s favorite part about directing & teaching is discovering hidden talents within the kids. She loves to see their growth and encourage them to be the best performer they can be.

Kyra Beatty

Tap/Jazz Dance Instructor

Kyra has an extensive repertoire in Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre, Tap, Ballet, Irish Step and Jazz.  She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Marquette University and has trained and performed for over 25 years and has enjoyed working as a Teacher and Choreographer for 18 years.  Kyra taught at Next Step Dance in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Cherry Creek Dance Studio in Cherry Creek, Colorado.  Kyra also attends many tap seminars and workshops throughout the country, keeping her techniques fresh and up to date on the latest and greatest dance steps.  Kyra has performed as a featured dancer in many Musicals and with several Dance Companies, including David Taylor Dance Theatre Company.  Favorite shows include Wizard of Oz, George M!, Damn Yankees, Once Upon a Mattress, Peter Pan,  &  Jack and the Beanstalk.  She teaches all levels of tap and is delighted to share her experience and talents.

Landry Thomas

Private Voice Instructor

Landry is currently attending Weber State University’s Musical Theatre Program, pursuing a Bachelors of Arts Degree while holding a full-time departmental scholarship.  She just performed Ruthless portraying the role of Tina for which she received her second Irene Ryan Nomination.  She just toured Where Words Once Were to Arizona as Eila, a role for which she competed in the Irene Ryan Nomination competition.  You may have seen her as the leading lady in Centerpoint Legacy Theatre’s production of Crazy for You as Polly Baker this past summer season. Other favorite roles include; Janet van DeGraff in The Drowsy Chaperone, Chava in Fiddler on the Roof, Bambi in Curtains, and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Landry has extensive voice training in classical-legit and Broadway belt styles.  She also has prop designed for many productions.  Landry loves sharing her knowledge with young performers who are learning the art of theatre.

Nicole Thomas

Ballet Instructor

Nicole holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ballet with a Teaching Emphasis from The University of Utah.  She was awarded the William Christensen Teaching Scholarship during her time attending.  She performed in Kingsbury Hall as a student in various performances throughout her semesters and worked with Janek Schergen in his ballet piece Circle of Friends.  She was seen on Capitol Theatre’s stage, as a dancer in The Opera Die Fledermaus.  She worked as an Adjunct Faculty Ballet Teacher for Salt Lake Community College.  She taught at C & C Ballet Academy and Artistic Dance.  In her younger years she was well known in the Ballet community for her incredible Adagio and her high-extension arabesque.  She performed on the Altamont Lariettes Drill Team through High School, and placed “All-State” Drill Team in her division.  She currently teaches Kindergarten at Legacy Preparatory Academy, she loves teaching young performers with a passion for the arts and creativity. 

Peyton Davis

Voice Instructor

Peyton is currently studying Musical Theatre at Weber State University and holds a full-time departmental scholarship. He has a passion for singing and acting, having performed at various locations in Northern Utah such as Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Peery’s Egyptian Theatre, The Tabernacle at Temple Square, and many others. His favorite roles include Jack in Into the Woods, Hunk/Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and John Darling in Peter Pan. Peyton was chosen and competed as an individual top-ten finalist at the Utah High School Musical Theatre Awards in both 2013 and 2015. He works closely with the theatre program at Ogden High School as an alumni and has directed, music directed, and designed several productions since graduating. Peyton has experience in both classical and contemporary vocal techniques and is very excited to be working with such talented students and faculty.

Sarah Heiner

Performing Arts Instructor

Sarah is currently studying at Weber State University, taking classes in theater arts and dance performance and education. Sarah has been dancing since the age of three and has been trained in many styles including jazz, ballet, ballroom, modern, contemporary, and tap. She was a Tigerette on the Ogden High School drill team and held the senior drill mistress position, helping to choreograph nationally ranked dance routines. Sarah is very passionate about musical theater and does choreography for her local community. Her recent projects include: The Drowsy Chaperone, The Little Mermaid, Xanadu and Hello, Dolly! At Ogden High School. Sarah is also a dance instructor at Kids are Music and Dance in Ogden. She enjoys helping students of all ages find a passion for movement and expression in musical theater and dance. Sarah is excited to be a part of the Backstage team and can’t wait the wonderful experiences in the future at this wonderful studio. 

Kyle Lawrence

Music Director / Voice Instructor

Kyle studied Musical Theater at Weber State University and has had a lifelong passion for the performing arts. He’s worked as an actor, music director, sound designer, composer, and director with companies along northern Utah including Backstage Performing Arts, Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, Good Company Theatre, Ogden Musical Theatre, the Ziegfeld Theater, and Salt Lake Acting Company. As a teacher he loves helping students to find their home in the arts. He encourages his students to explore and excel as individual artists and as collaborators of the theatre, coaching them in music and voice, acting, dance, and theatre history.