DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Emily Moylan (she/her) is a theatre artist, educator, and non-profit administrator living in Mt Airy! As a graduate of Temple University’s theatre program, she has been a member of the Philadelphia theatre community for over a decade, as a performer, playwright, stage manager, and of course, theatre educator. She has taught all over the Greater Philadelphia region with amazing organizations like Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Enchantment Theatre Company, and Delaware Theatre Company. Her primary focus as an educator is to build community and foster collaboration through creative writing and theater making. Emily also has nearly five years of development and non-profit management experience. She was the Assistant Director at Darlington Art Center and the Development Manager at Main Line Art Center prior to her time at QTG. She holds certifications in Fundraising and Non Profit Management from LaSalle University’s Non Profit Center, as well as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace certification from DCCC. In her free time, Emily enjoys reading over many cups of coffee and cuddles with her dog, Charlie! EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Courtney Cheyanne Thoroughgood (she/her) is an actor, theatre artist, and educator from Northeast Philadelphia! She holds an Acting Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Arcadia University. She has worked as a teaching artist with 1812 Productions & Wolf Pac as well as serving as a Youth Supervisor for Arden Theatre Company. She spent the last three years post grad as the Production Coordinator for the University of Pennsylvania’s Mask and Wig Troupe along with working as a historical interpreter, a box office manager, and more. Courtney has performed in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and with People’s Light for their radio production of The Crushed Earth. She has worked at Quintessence for almost 2 years now as their Education & Administrative Assistant where she aids in all things education from school residencies to summer camp. Her main focus is making the arts accessible to all people from all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences & being able to work in education gives her that opportunity. When Courtney isn’t working, she enjoys long walks through Marshalls with an iced coffee in hand, spending time with her partner, and talking about K-Pop Demon Hunters with her 5 year old niece. Courtney dedicates everything she does to her grandparents. Hello Friends: I am thrilled to be leading the charge for Team Education here at Quintessence Theatre Group during an incredibly exciting season, our 16th year! What drew me to QTG was its mission of “text based, actor focused” work. As a self-proclaimed Shakespeare nerd, former English tutor, and lover of live performance, it felt like the best place for me to be to make a difference (and have a ton of fun doing so!). I’ve always loved language. Since I was young, I’ve been an avid reader and lover of words. While I found multiple-choice questions on tests challenging, I could write a heck of a persuasive essay! I first discovered Shakespeare in 7th grade when I read Romeo and Juliet for the first time in my English class. I fell in love with the story and the characters, but somehow, it still felt out of reach. When I took my first Shakespeare performance class in college, that’s when everything clicked. This language has always been for everyone – it’s just meant to be heard, to be living and breathing, not just exist on the page. Having lexicons and a complete works with detailed footnotes also helped! “Text based, actor focused” work does just that. Highlights the beauty of classic language by putting it on its feet and bringing it to life. In our sixteenth season, we are focusing on “chosen family”, and I am truly honored to be in conversation with these plays, these artists, and this work. Being a queer-led, non-profit theater, Quintessence strives to make these works accessible and exciting for everyone. Our education programs embody that completely. Between our student matinees, low-cost classes for all ages, scholarships, in school workshops, pre and post show community conversations, and more, we exist for you: our community. There’s something special about Mt Airy. Its hiking trails, coffee shops, block parties, multi-generational homes – one just feels welcome here, whether you’ve been here for a year or 10 or 50! That’s what we hope to foster at Quintessence. Whether you are new to theater or you’ve been a subscriber since our first season, we encourage you to come and be in conversation with us. Because at the end of the day, education is just resource sharing and building community. We can all learn from each other, and I can’t wait to learn from all of you. My very best, Emily Moylan Director of Education Quintessence Theatre Group Imagination Station $150 Ages 4-6 // Saturdays 9:30am-10:30am // January 10 – February 14, 2026 Let your little one explore their imagination and create stories all their own! Through games, movement and voice exercises, and more, this class will take well-known stories and characters and bring them to life in a new way. Your kiddo can experience the magic of performing on Saturday mornings this winter at Quintessence! REGISTER NOW! Kids Cabaret $250 Ages 7-11 // Saturdays 11am-1pm // January 10 – February 14, 2026 Discover the magic of performance in Kids Cabaret! Your young artist will explore the art of storytelling through music and movement, while fostering confidence and collaboration. Through their favorite songs, each student will tell a story all their own. Whether your little one loves the spotlight or is just coming out of their shell, this class is a great opportunity to express and hone their creativity. REGISTER NOW! Poetry as Performance for Teens $250 This class is offered on a sliding scale, based on need, thanks to our supporters at PECO and the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust. Please contact Director of Education, Emily (emily@qtgrep.org), for more information. Ages 13-17 // Saturdays 1-3pm // January 10 – February 14, 2026 From Shakespeare to your favorite singer/songwriter, poetry is at the core of creative work. During this class, playwright and poet, Noah Mannix, will take each student on a poetic journey of their own. Find your creative voice through the writing and performance techniques of spoken word. This class will give you the skills and the confidence to speak clearly and authentically on stage and off! REGISTER NOW! Adult Acting with Marcia Saunders $375 Ages 18+ // Mondays 7-9:30pm // January 26 – March 16, 2026 NOTE: All students must have performance experience. Looking to take your performance skills to the next level? Philadelphia Theater favorite, Marcia Saunders, is back at Quintessence! This winter, she is diving into active analysis. Learn this advanced acting technique through tablework, scene study, and more! REGISTER NOW!