Administrative Team
Andrew F. Higgs; Artistic Director
Andrew F. Higgs is thrilled to be the Artistic Director of Master Class Performing Arts and is a Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS) award-winning director from the Capital Region. Over the years Andrew has been lucky enough to work at theatres such as The Mac-Haydn Theatre, Broadway Sings, The GLOVE Theatre, UpStage Productions, Troy Civic Theatre, and many more! Select directorial Credits include: Little Shop of Horrors, R&H's Cinderella, Disney's Mulan Jr., Hairspray, 13, Next to Normal, Fame, Legally Blonde, Gypsy, Spring Awakening, Les Miserables, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Wendy's Shadow, Miracle on 34th Street, Heathers, Dogfight, Xanadu, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Once On This Island Jr., Bare a Pop Opera, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Elf Jr, Sleepy Hollow, Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Elf the Musical Jr., Disney’s Newsies, Annie, and Mamma Mia! BROADWAY EVENTS: Ensemble in 25th Anniversary Concert Production of The Secret Garden & Frank Wildhorn’s Concert Production of The Scarlet Pimpernel at Lincoln Center. NYC THEATRE: Corey/Man 2 (Mad About the Boy; NYC Reading) & El Gal (Choices; NYC Staged Reading). TOURS: Short and Sweet. REGIONAL: Priest (Bare: a pop opera), Thenardier (Les Miserables), Edna (Hairspray), Narrator (Into the Woods), Geronte (Scapino!), and Patsy (Spamalot!). Andrew has also hosted several guest artists and teachers across the Capital Region including: Felicia Finley, Brynn Williams, Allie Trimm, Nicholas Masson, Becky Gulsvig, Corey John Snide, Kirstin Wyatt, Angie Schworer, Derek Klena, Adam Kaplan and Kyle Dean Massey. He would like to thank his parents for their amazing support. www.andrewfhiggs.com
Kelly Jaeger; Producing Director/Company Manager
Kelly Jaeger is ecstatic to be joining the administrative team of Master Class Performing Arts as their Producing Director and Company Manager. Previous theatrical credits include: Mamma Mia, Little Shop of Horrors, Annie, Disney’s Newsies, Seussical, Hairspray, Elf Jr., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, Sleepy Hollow the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Aida the Musical and several others. No, not on stage, but as a stage mom (very similar to Dance Moms, if Andrew was Abby Lee Miller, but not in jail). She would like to thank you for supporting MCPA and congratulate her beautiful daughter, Zoe Jaeger.
Denise Paul-Lyman; Administrative Assistant
Denise Paul-Lyman is very excited to be joining the administrative team at Master Class Performing Arts. She has done props for MCPA since their 2017/2018 Season. For certain shows she has been able to show her more floral side and has made floral arrangements for the stage. She would like to thank her family for being so amazing!
Michelle Miller; Stage Manager
Michelle McGinty-Miller is very happy to be joining the MCPA team as stage manager and is the proud stage momma of Chad Miller who has been featured in many MCPA performances. Michelle has spent a great deal of time both on the stage and off, in such roles as Nun (Disney’s Newsies), Ms. Gloop (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka), Pick-A-Little Lady (The Music Man), Miss Cratchit (Gypsy), and 9 to 5 the Dolly Parton Musical.
