Summer 2026 Classes
Step into the spotlight this summer and make some magic on stage!
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Our classes are led by seasoned theatre professionals with real-world experience who bring energy, creativity, and insider know-how to every session. Whether you're looking to shine, learn, or just have a great time, this is your chance to dive into the world of theatre in a fun and welcoming environment.
Open to Sun City West residents with a current SCW Rec Card — come meet our talented instructors and let the summer theatre fun begin!
Lynn Rouyer
Lynn Rouyer is a 9 year resident of Sun City West and she’s excited to reconnect with Theatre West as she always enjoyed her involvement in the past.
Lynn is a seasoned director and educator who has worked with theater groups from Illinois to Arizona. She holds a BA degree in Education from Northwestern University and currently serves as Director of Arizona Children’s Theater (ACT), as well as choir director for Munds Park Community Church. She has previously directed for Pinewood Players, Sunflower Playhouse, and Mouse House Players, bringing a collaborative spirit and strong creative vision to each production.
Lynn is passionate about developing confident performers and strong ensembles, using proven techniques that build character, stage presence, and collaboration. Her experience ranges from small groups to casts of over 120 performers. She also founded Lynn Hope’s Talent Center and created the children’s television program Lynn Hope and Friends.
With her strong educational background and hands-on directing experience, Lynn brings a positive, structured, and practical approach to every production she leads.
Ray Schiel
Ray Schiel is a storyteller and enthusiastic ringleader of all things Reader’s Theater. He
currently serves as the facilitator for the Sun City Players Reader’s Theater Ensemble (RTE) in Sun City. For the past two years, he has been joyfully wrangling scripts, voices, and the occasional dramatic pause into lively performances both on stage and out in the community through RTE’s outreach program, “Community Spotlight”.
Armed with a BA in Theater Arts from the University of Dayton and training as a Teaching Artist through the Actor’s fund Teaching Artists Institute, Ray has taught theater and acting at every level- from energetic K-12 classrooms to college students as an adjunct professor at East Carolina University. His teaching philosophy? If you can read it, you can perform it…and if you can perform it, you can connect.
As an actor, Ray has tackled roles both holy and hilarious, including Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, Brian in “The Shadow Box”, and the ever-neurotic Paul Bratter in “Barefoot in the Park”. He brings the same blend of heart, humor, and humanity into every rehearsal room he leads.
Judy Ross
Judy graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a major in Education. Judy also has extensive theater experience. She has appeared is such productions as: “Play It Again Sam”, “Mame”, “How to Succeed in Business” and many, many more Mainstage productions. When she wasn’t acting, she volunteered in every aspect of theater productions: ushering, lighting, board member, publicity, president. This had given her hands on experience in actual theater operations.
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Her most recent history includes directing several mainstage productions for Theatre West. These include: “Odd Couple, Female Version”, The Savannah Sipping Society” and Plaza Suite”. She has great visionary ideas that have been fermented with her involvement in the art field.
Judy has traveled nationally and internationally teaching mixed media classes. A highlight of this was teaching 2 weeks in the UK.
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She understands the importance of the written word as she herself has written for many
mixed media magazines and written articles for many booklets. The written script has been prominent in her art endeavors.
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Because of her appearances on HGTV and DIY TV, she knows and understands the visual aspects of the theatre and how important it is to present a professional product to the audience. One of her philosophies about directing is the “safe method”, allowing actors to experiment and grow into their characters.
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With her many, varied experiences, Judy brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom as well as every project she takes on!
Helene Benigno
Helene Benigno holds a BS degree from SUNY Brockport, majoring in Broadcast Journalism as well a dual minor in Theater Arts and Criminal Justice.
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Helene first stepped onto the stage on Long Island, NY at the age of 10 as Duffy in a summer camp production of “Annie”. By the age of 20, after many high school and college productions, she directed for the first time-a summer variety show on that same camp stage!
Her first originally written play was produced that same year at her college, SUNY Brockport, a one act called “The Price of Destiny” which, many years later was expanded and staged professionally in Arizona, garnering multiple AriZoni nominations and one win. Also in NY, she worked as a DJ for the radio station, Magic 94.3. She worked in television for News 12 Long Island, then later for TV68 in Boston. She’s appeared on multiple TV and Radio shows back East but Helene’s true love is the stage. She has acted, written and directed for dozens of children’s and adult stage productions. Her favorite acting roles include – Corie Bratter “Barefoot in the Park”, Ann Deever from “All My Sons” and Meg Magrath from “Crimes of the Heart”.
Helene has been teaching and directing year round throughout the greater Phoenix area.
Some of the many organizations utilizing her teaching and directing skills are: Ghostlight Theater, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Arizona Broadway Theater, Sun City Players, City of Goodyear, City of Avondale, and Phoenix area Girl Scouts.