Elizabeth Blakemore
Owner/Artistic Director
Elizabeth graduated magna cum laude from Concordia University-Chicago with degrees in Theatre and Business at the age of 19.
Since moving to Atlanta in 2006 she has taught theatre and acting classes and directed shows for a number of programs including Master's Academy, Portfolio Academy, Artios Academy, Renaissance International School of Performing Arts (RISPA), the Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Sunrise Baptist Church, Victory World Church, and WOW Talent. She has also assisted with casting for CYT. As a private acting coach, she has helped students prepare auditions for colleges, professional theatre companies, Disney, commercials, and agent representation. In addition to teaching and directing, Elizabeth occasionally performs around Atlanta at various theatres. Past acting roles include Catherine in "Proof", Laura in "The Glass Menagerie", Betty in "The Foreigner", Mistress Page in "The Merry Wives of Windsor", Dr. Vivian Bearing in "Wit". She also owns a private piano studio through which she teaches private in-home music lessons each week.
She has worked on over 100 productions for children and youth as a Director, Music Director, or Producer. Favorite directing projects include "The Pirates of Penzance", "Little Women", "Bugsy Malone Jr.", "The Wizard of Oz", "Moby Dick the Musical", "Schoolhouse Rock", "Shrek the Musical", "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown", and "Thoroughly Modern Millie".
Elizabeth founded Forefront Arts in 2010. Since then thousands of children and teens have experienced the transformative power of live children's theatre through our classes, workshops, summer drama camps, and productions. Elizabeth founded Forefront Arts so that she could fulfill her love of performing and directing shows, have one-on-one relationships with the students she teaches, and strive for a healthy work/life balance for her young family. She and her husband have two young boys and like every mom, every day is crazy and hectic, but every day is a gift! 
Kathryn Allen
Teaching Artist
A musician, audio engineer, and local theatre professional, Kathryn has been a part of the Atlanta arts community since 2009. She has been playing the piano for more than 25 years, the guitar for more than 20, and has been in vocal groups her entire life. She works to be a well rounded performer, with the goal to inspire young minds to love music and theatre as much as she does. She has lead as well as performed in many musical groups, from choirs to theatrical music direction to local bands.
Kati Grace Brown
Teaching Artist
Kati Grace is a local actor, teaching artist, choreographer, and director. As a teaching artist, Kati Grace has directed numerous youth productions for students through both artist-in-residency initiatives, school-year programs, and summer camps. Through her "day job" as the Associate Director of Education for the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern she created the Shakesploration Days programs for Homeschool students and various in-class programs such as Play On! Theatre Games to Build Your Classroom and the Literacy Through Drama Workshop series. Kati Grace has also worked regionally as an actress, director, teaching artist and arts administrator with the Barter Theatre (VA), Flat Rock Playhouse (NC) and Faulkner Dinner Theatre (AL) as well as for Atlanta theatres such as the Aurora Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare Festival and the Alliance Theatre Acting Program.
Brady Dunn
Teaching Artist
Brady completed an apprenticeship at Serenbe Playhouse where he performed in several TYA productions including Robin Hood, The Snow Queen, and The Sleepy Hollow Experience. He has a degree in Musical Theatre from West Liberty University.
Eileen Koteles
Teaching Artist/Choreographer
Eileen has been working in professional theatre for over thirty years as an actor, dancer, choreographer, and director. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre at the University of Florida, and went on to study dance in New York. Upon returning to Florida, Eileen wrote, directed, and performed in a children’s theatre troupe, touring the east coast of Florida, teaching drug and violence prevention through the arts. Moving to Atlanta in 2012, she has enjoyed becoming part of this growing, creative, wonderful theatre community as an actor, choreographer, and teaching artist. There is no greater joy than to share all that theatre has to offer with the most creative among us, children.
Courtnee Miles
Teaching Artist
Courtnee Miles holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Theatre from Hampton University. An Atlanta native, she has written several publications and is a Contributing Writer for BroadwayWorld.com.
Pursuing her passion for Arts Education, Courtnee is currently working with WonderRoot, the Alliance Theatre, Serenbe Playhouse, and the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County as a Teaching Artist. It is in that position that she is able to introduce young children to the craft of acting and Theatre Education. She has also had the pleasure of working at CBS Radio and Lucky Dog Filmworks.
Courtnee gets her greatest gratification from interacting with the community and being a positive influence on the lives of children and families through the arts. It truly gives her a sense of purpose. She is passionate about working with youth and preserving and celebrating different cultures through community building. She is ecstatic to join the Forefront Arts family!
Avery Sharpe
Teaching Artist
Avery Sharpe is an actor, singer, dancer, improviser, and writer around the city. After receiving his B.A. from Kennesaw State University, he has performed at venues such as the Alliance Theatre, GA Shakespeare, and Actor's Express just to name a few. He has most recently become a member of the Dad's Garage Improv rookies, and he is excited to be here this summer with Forefront Arts! Love to Yeshua and Mon Papillion!
Sarah Steele
Teaching Artist
Sarah Steele received her B.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies from Kennesaw State University. She is an actress/teacher/director who has performed and taught with a number of companies including Stone Mountain Park, Dad's Garage, Playground Creative Studio, and Forefront Arts.
Julia Steudle
Teaching Artist
Julia has performed and taught/directed for a number of theatre companies including Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Forefront Arts, Aurora Theatre, and several princess party companies. Originally from Michigan, Julia moved to Atlanta to complete a year-long apprenticeship with Atlanta Shakespeare Company.
Nikkia Tyler
Teaching Artist
Nikkia is excited to be joining the Forefront Arts team as a new resident of Atlanta. Nikkia has relocated from Chicago where she graduated from Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts with a degree in Acting and African American Studies. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Nikkia has spent the last seven years in Chicago working in arts education administratively, as a teaching artist and as an actor. Nikkia has worked in public school and private facility settings as a a drama teacher. Her most recent directing and artistic credits include assistant directing The Wiz at Emerald City Theatre and writing and directing the Dr. Seuss Amita Health workshops with ECT. Her recent performing credits include Steel Magnolias, A Song for Coretta, The Condition of Femme, and Wedding Band. Nikkia is excited to share all of experience and learn and grow with the Atlanta and Forefront communities.