

About SkyRise
How we got started
SkyRise Theater, a family owned company, continues to bring the performing arts to thousands of children all over the MetroWest area for 12 years now! We have more than 21 years of experience in theatrical education, and personal performance. We love working with children of all ages, and we encourage the growth in ones ability to perform onstage and be comfortable off stage! With our passion for working with children and helping them develop their talents and attributes, we are your children's theater of choice for a wide range of unique acting services. We are dedicated to presenting fun and creative ways for children to express themselves. Through productions, theater camps, private lessons, and theatrical parties, children are motivated to be involved in all aspects of the performing arts.
Everyone asks how we got started: Zac and Tania met in Missoula Montana back in January 2010, touring for a national and international children's theater touring company. After doing a few tours, they decided to move back to the east coast to create a company of their own. "With their powers combined" they created SkyRise as a place for children of all ages to learn and grow as performers, an as individuals on and off the stage.
Meet The SkyRise Team!!!
TANIA TAYLOR
Owner/Executive Director/Producer
Tania’s journey began here in Southborough, MA. She says, "It only felt right to bring my passion for educating children through theater back home.” With a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Musical Theater Performance and Directing from Plymouth State University, she has developed her knowledge in performance theater direction and production management. As an accomplished vocal performer, Tania inspires all of her vocal students to love and respect the performing arts. She has performed in and directed 2 tours for Missoula Children's Theater. As the Executive Director of SkyRise, she is dedicated to the development of a quality educational program. Tania is excited about the incredible journey that her and Zac took when starting SkyRise 13 years ago, and is thrilled to see it grow. Thanks for all the constant support!
ZAC TAYLOR
Owner/Executive Director/Technical Director
Zac completed his two undergraduate degrees in Dramatic Arts and Business Marketing at the University of Montana and Georgia South Western. After college he spent two years working for Missoula Children's Theater as a Tour Actor Director. As the artistic and technical Director at SkyRise his training in creative movement, and art design, inspire his creations. Zac is a master carpenter along with many credits in arts such as circus, mime, gymnastics, and many types of dance. While expanding his talents and knowledge for dramatic interpretation in college, he spent the other time coaching gymnastics and appearing in on-screen productions and print modeling ads. Zac is excited to bring the arts to the MetroWest area. The families of the area have embraced SkyRise and he is proud to call it home.
KERI MCCARTHY
Program Administrator and Virtual Vocal Coach
Keri has been working as a director, music director, and vocal coach with SkyRise for more than 8 years. She grew up in nearby Milford, MA, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. She believes that musical and theatrical performance provides incredibly impactful experiences for children and young adults. Keri is thrilled to have found such an incredible team to work with at SkyRise. When she isn’t in rehearsal, Keri can be found playing piano and organ at her church, or spending time with her two sons!
JILLIAN SMITH
Director/Acting Coach
Jill has always had a strong passion for acting and has been performing in and directing theatrical productions of all scales for over a decade. She graduated from Muhlenberg College with a degree of Theatre concentrating in Acting, Directing and Performance Studies. She specializes in the methods of Stanislavski, Meisner, Bogart and Laban. She has performed all over the globe, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! She couldn’t be happier to be part of the Skyrise Team and is so glad to be fostering growth and passion for the performing arts for children and young adults.
BRENNA HERNANDEZ
Marketing and Event Director
Brenna graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and spent many years working in the field of Special Education before starting her family. She has also worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty years. While she is not much of a performer, she is an avid lover of the performing arts, especially broadway musicals, which she has enjoyed since a young age. Brenna began her SkyRise journey helping with Social Media Marketing and has expanded her role in many other ways since joining the team. She loves the SkyRise environment and enjoys working for a company that brings joy to so many and truly makes a difference in the lives of the children in our community. In her spare time, Brenna enjoys spending time with her husband, three children and dogs. She loves reading, a good netflix binge and spending time with her friends as often as she can.
KIM BOURASSA
Choreographer
Kim has been dancing all of her life and teaching for 12 years. Kim has taught at dance studios as a permanent instructor for studios in Central MA as well as guest teaching at various studios in New England. She has choreographed for ECHO Dance Collaborative (an adult dance company based out of Sudbury), Studio Theatre Worcester, and for local pop stars at various Pride events in Boston and Worcester. She is versatile in her dancing and teaching working with Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary, and Acro. Tap, Jazz, and Contemporary being the ones closest to her heart. She firmly believes that comfort zones are a great place, but nothing ever grows there. She applies this to her everyday life and instills this in her students who are capable of anything they put their mind to. She is elated to be joining SkyRise and can't wait to watch these talented students soar!
HANNAH WHITE-RIVERA
Voice Coach
Hannah is currently attending UMass Amherst studying Vocal Performance, Music Education, and Choral Conducting. She loves many different styles of music and has experience studying, performing, and teaching classical, jazz, musical theater, and pop music. Right now she is based out of Brighton, MA while she student teaches at Gates Elementary School in Acton and Wellesley High School. She’s very excited for this opportunity to teach at SkyRise, and has loved getting to know the kids in the program! In her time away from school and teaching, she loves to sing with her a cappella group and have fun with her roommates.
ROBBIE ALLEN
Voice Coach
Robbie Allen is a baritone vocalist and music educator. Graduating from Wheaton College is 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Robbie strives to make music accessible and approachable for all. He believes in lifelong learning for educators; he is excited to be an incoming student to the Longy School of Music at Bard College in Cambridge, MA. Robbie will be pursuing his M.M in Voice Studies.
Robbie has performed with ensembles such as Vocies21c, the Oriana Consort, and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also is a Bass/Baritone Section Leader for St. Mary's Church in Holliston, MA and for In Harmony in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. At the core of Robbie's teaching philosophy lies his belief that anybody can learn to be a musician. Robbie is enthusiastic about welcoming new students!
APRIL CLEVELAND
Birthday Party Manager/Event Staff/Fairy Godmother
Mom to 3 amazing girls. I Love all things Disney and fantasy. Singing Disney tunes in the car with my girls or dancing to them in the living room are favorite past times! When Im not taking the kids on bike rides or playing in the pool I love to make things. Sewing, beading, painting or coming up with fun crafts for the kids
MEGAN GERMAN
Director/Character
Megan has been a part of SkyRise, both as a student and a director. Growing up nearby, she has been grateful to work at such a wonderful company that helps her teach her passion for the arts. She is currently studying to get her Liberal Arts degree at Quinsigamond Community College and hopes to continue a lifelong career in theater. Megan is so excited to be working with SkyRise, and hopes she can inspire students just like Skyrise has inspired her. She is so glad to surround herself in a talented, hardworking, artistic community every day.
NATASHA ELLIS
Character/Facepainter
Natasha has been performing onstage and working behind the scenes for as long as she can remember. Ever since she began taking dance classes and did her first show at a young age, she has been in love with the arts. As a recent graduate, Natasha has spent most of her time working with Skyrise and performing with several community theater companies in the Central Mass and Rhode Island area. She has been so grateful for the past couple of years she has worked at Skyrise with her amazing coworkers and the wonderful students. Natasha is so excited to see what the future has in store!