Our People

Ry Armstrong (they/them) is an American, trans/non-binary artist and activist focused on pushing the overton window of our society toward an equitable and sustainable future. Born in Seattle, they began their creative journey at a young age studying with the Northwest Choirs, the 5th Avenue Theatre, and the Seattle Symphony, which resulted in a Grammy Award Nomination for contributions to the children’s album The Shoe Bird. Armstrong continued their academic pursuits at Central Washington University, where they graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, and at American University, where they graduated with a Master of Arts in International Relations. When living in New York City, they performed in various productions Off-Broadway and on multiple sets of shows produced by HBO. Upon returning home to Seattle, they ran for Seattle City Council as a progressive Democrat and democratic socialist hoping for radical policy changes in the face of a looming climate crisis. Today, their activist focus is on labor organizing as a SAG-AFTRA Delegate to MLK Labor and on the National Council of Actors’ Equity Association. Their artistic focus continues to be on creative projects dedicated to the pursuit of truth and breaking down the binary of the world around us. ryarmstrong.com // @ryontheryse

Cassandra León is a multi-hyphenate artist and administrator from Seattle. She has written several solo shows where she played multiple characters throughout her life as first generation U.S. born to immigrant parents. They have appeared locally at Intiman Theatre, Macha Theatre Works, Radial Theatre Project, and Twelfth Night Productions. Cassandra is a former Membership & Programs Coordinator of Theatre Puget Sound and is currently at Alaska Airlines, where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Latin Culture Resource Group and co-lead a project to establish an enterprise wide education assistance fund. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Western Washington University and is a graduate of Intiman’s Emerging Artist Program.

Janet Hayatshahi is an actor, director, and educator. She served as Associate Artistic Director and ensemble member of San Diego’s notorious Sledgehammer Theatre and ensemble member of Chicago’s Eclipse Theatre Company. She holds an MFA in Dance Theatre from the University of California, San Diego, an MA in Theatre from San Diego State University, a BFA in Acting from Ithaca College, and a certificate from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA). Janet is currently an assistant professor of acting and director of the theatre program at Seattle University.

Deanna Martinez (she/her) is a director, producer, writer and actor in Seattle, WA. She is currently the Education and Community Programs Director at Seattle Rep. She holds both a bachelors of Inter Disciplinary Arts and an Education Certificate from the University of Washington. With a background in nonprofit Arts programs, as well as teaching Humanities in public schools, Deanna is committed to access to theater education for all. She serves on various EDI committees for theaters around the Sound. This is Deanna’s 3rd year serving on the Board for Theater Puget Sound.

Ali Kidder-Mostrom (she/her) is a forensic scientist by day and theatre person by night. She is a proud member of Latitude Theatre, one of the TPS Resident Companies. Sometimes Ali works behind the scenes and sometimes she trods the boards. Having grown up in theatre, her first professional acting gig was at the age of 7. Most recently, she was seen on stage as Igor in Latitude Theatre's production of Monstrous Regiment and off stage as the costumer for As If Theatre’s Cry It Out and as Postmaster (think equal parts Stage Manager, Producer and Hat) for Latitude's first short play festival, Victorian Christmas Cards. When not making theatre, Ali can be found gardening, GMing tabletop RPGs and cleaning TPS Theatre4, as part of the Adopt-a-Studio program.

Sandra is a unique Corporate Communications leader who moved to the US and made Seattle her home a little over a year ago. Passionate about the performing arts, and a master of live experiences, Sandra has conceived and produced live entertainment for corporate events and theatrical productions. She has witnessed the positive impact performing arts brings to society and individuals, and continues to make time to sing and tread the boards to nurture her soul. Born in Australia, Sandra made her television debut on the household favorite, “Young Talent Time”, at the age of eight. She won the Melbourne Tap Dancing Championships for three consecutive years and was a performer for DanceSport Australia appearing regularly on the television network Channel 10. Residing in Hong Kong for over two decades, Sandra performed across Asia Pacific at spectacular events, including the opening act for Elton John as part of a CLSA Investors’ Forum. “Musical Story Time”, a podcast and album that she both produced and performed in was a 2021 Webby Award Honoree for Best Family & Kids Podcast. She has appeared as both an actor and voiceover artist on television, radio and in corporate videos, and has performed on stage in six countries – including the 2023 London premiere of “WILD the musical”.

Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth is a Seattle-based playwright and director, At twenty, she made her professional acting debut at the rebuilt Globe Theatre in London and spent fifteen years performing in regional theaters across the United States. As a teaching theater artist, she’s worked with the Claire Trevor School of the Arts; the Alliance Theater in Atlanta; the New York Film Academy in Soho; Seattle University; Meadows School of the Arts at SMU; and Freehold’s Ensemble Training Intensive, among others. For three consecutive years, she also made weekly trips to Gig Harbor to work with incarcerated people at the Washington Correctional Center for Women as part of the Engaged Theater Residency. Her plays have been produced in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, and elsewhere. She is the co-book writer (with Evynne Hollens) of Mija (2024 Festival Cultural de Junio, Guatemala, 2023 NAMT Festival of New Musicals, Kleban Prize finalist); co-editor (with Asha Dore) of the literary magazine Parley Lit; and the creator / managing artistic director of Parley. In Parley Rebecca has established the most robust new work developmental program in the Pacific Northwest, offering unprecedented support to its playwriting associates. Through Parley, she has developed, directed, and produced more than 85 world premieres of important new plays by underrepresented writers in the last decade. MFA (Acting), U.C. Irvine; BA (English), U.C. Berkeley; Pacific Conservatory Theater.

Montse Garza is a Latina lighting designer and actor (among other things) recently relocated to Seattle from Boston where she graduated from MIT. In school, she wore many hats including producer, choreographer, and director. She is most proud of her role in helping the MIT theater community recover from the pandemic after two years without in-person theater. In many ways, theater everywhere is still recovering - Montse is happy to be part of that effort!