Fall Production

As Executive Director of Young Actors Theatre, Natalie Futrell oversees the organization’s daily operations, staff development, and strategic initiatives in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors. A proud YAT alum, she has been an integral part of the organization throughout her career. Over her fifteen years on staff, she has served as Managing Director, Education Director, and Company Manager, while continuing to share her passion for acting with her Kid’s Company students. She has directed more than ten Mainstage productions—many of them large-scale fall shows featuring over 100 students—including The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Finding Nemo Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Matilda, and Pinkalicious. Futrell delights in creating the kind of magic in Tallahassee that evokes her favorite place, Walt Disney World, and played a key role in guiding YAT through its post-COVID operational transition, helping the theatre enter a new era of creativity and growth. Outside of YAT, she brings her performance background to life as the Midday On-Screen Talent for the Florida Lottery.

Canova serves as the Program Manager and choreographer of the ACT ONE touring troupe at YAT. She is a graduate of Florida School of the Arts, where she studied Musical Theatre and Directing.  Upon graduating Canova taught and choreographed for Asbury Arts Center in Middleburg, Florida, and directed/coached various events for Showtime USA in St. Augustine before returning to her hometown in 2018. She has choreographed various Junior productions at YAT including Frozen Jr, The Addams Family Young @ Part, Mary Poppins Jr, Nemo Kids,  and Mean Girls Jr.  Some performance highlights for Canova include her roles of Ruth Condomine in Blithe Spirit and Constance Ledbelly in Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) at Florida School of the Arts, Lady Beaconsfield in Jekyll & Hyde with NRM Performance at the Monticello Opera House, and most recently as the Nurse in Romeo & Juliet with the talented students of Young Actors Theatre.

ALISON B. GRIMES, YAT’s Music Director received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Florida State University as a voice and piano major studying with such notable artists as David Wingate and Edward Kilenyi.  She has been the Musical Director, Pianist and Vocal Coach for Young Actors Theatre since 1979 and serves as Pianist and Assistant Director at Fellowship Baptist Church. At YAT, Ms. Grimes is heavily involved in long-term planning with regard to season, secondary and touring shows.  With over 43 years of performing, directing and teaching experience; she has countless performances and over 100 productions to her credit. Mrs. Grimes also has a diploma in Writing for Children and Teenagers.  She has been awarded in Who’s Who in Music and the Extraordinary Performing Artists of America.

Rina has been dancing since the age of three, and has received training from various accomplished dance companies in Connecticut and New York.  She made her choreographic debut at YAT with The Addams Family in 2022, and has since choreographed Elf: The Musical, Pride & Prejudice, 13: The Musical, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, and Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! which was performed at FSU’s Fallon Theatre.  In addition to choreographing productions, she serves as a teaching artist at YAT, working mainly with middle and high school aged students.  Stage credit highlights include Cabaret (DC), In The Heights (Swing), Legally Blonde, and Newsies (Finch, DC). Rina is currently pursuing a career in performing arts as an independent performer and choreographer, and she is particularly grateful to J. Scott Handley, former teacher, for the opportunity to serve as YAT’s Director of Dance.  Thanks go out to family and friends for their continuous love and support!