CCT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Jennifer Welch is the Artistic Director of Cookeville Children’s Theatre, where she has been a guiding force for over 20 years. Known for her commitment to excellence and her heart for mentoring young artists, Jennifer leads CCT with a focus on fostering creativity, discipline, and a strong work ethic. Her approach to theatre emphasizes not only artistic achievement but also the values of integrity, professionalism, and collaboration. Under her leadership, CCT has become a beacon for high-quality productions, earning multiple regional accolades including Best Director, Best Choreographer, and Best Musical. Jennifer’s passion for theatre is matched by her dedication to developing the next generation of performers, fostering confidence, self-expression, and an enduring love for the arts in her students. As a director, choreographer, and educator, Jennifer has shaped the lives of countless young people, helping them develop both their artistic skills and their character. Her leadership continues to inspire, and her work consistently elevates the standard for young theatre in the Upper Cumberland community.

Jennifer will be teaching “Page to Performance” and “Play in a Day (for Ages 10-13)” this semester.

TEACHING ARTIST

Prudence van Aalten received a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Theatre from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. After graduation, Prudence moved to Los Angeles where she continued studying Acting at Improv Olympic, The Larry Moss Studio and The Beverly Hills Playhouse. Prudence then moved to NYC and received a Professional Certificate inthe Meisner Acting Technique at The William Esper Studio with Bill Esper. After graduating from The William Esper Studio, Prudence continued to study and work with some of the leading theater artists working today, including Tony Greco, Tony Award nominee Betsy Aidem and Tony Award winner Eve Ensler. She worked at the world renowned theater St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn for 8 years and acted in many shows Off Off Broadway, and also Off Broadway with The Women’s Project Theatre. She co-created, co-wrote and co-directed her own comedy show called Prudence and Lyndsay’s Favorite Things at Cornelia Street Cafe in Greenwich Village. Prudence also produced and curated Until The Violence Stops: Women’s Film Festival for Eve Ensler’s organization VDAY. Prudence’s film work also includes working with M. Night Shyamalan on his “My Life” American Express commercial which premiered during the Academy Awards. Prudence has been teaching Theatre at Tennessee Tech since 2014. She also co-wrote the textbook, “Suit the Action to The Word, A Project Based Introduction to Theatre ” with her colleagues here at TTU. As a member of The Tech Players at The Backdoor Playhouse, she has acted in several shows including Steve Yockey's Pluto and she directed the tenth anniversary of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues in 2017. As part of Tennessee Tech’s Backdoor Playhouse’s 70th season last fall, Prudence directed Jen Silverman’s Witch and is currently directing Thornton Wilder’s classic, Our Town this February. Prudence is an active member of the local theater community. She has been in several shows at Cookeville Performing Arts Center including Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, Edward Albee's At Home at The Zoo and the play Relatively Speaking written by Ethan Coen, Elaine May and Woody Allen. Prudence went to NYC in September 2023 with the premiere of local playwright Laura Holloway’s new play, The Kitchen. She also played Nancy in Storyteller House’s new play this past summer, The Cabana, along with an evening of short plays, Duo/Duet.

TEACHING ARTIST

Bre Brown is an enthusiastic theatre lover who is excited to work with Cookeville Children’s Theatre. After making the journey from California to TN to study theatre, she couldn’t be happier making art in such a wonderfully supportive and talented community. Bre got her BFA in Theatre Performance at Belmont University and studied Classical Acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and she has worked in shows all around Nashville and Cookeville. She cannot wait to help others explore the magic of live theatre! Recent Credits Include: Vivian in The Cabana, Mollie in The Mousetrap, Krista in Lost Girl.

Bre will be teaching Drama Explorers, Acting Adventures & Performance Foundations on Monday evenings this semester.

TEACHING ARTIST

Laura Holloway is an award-winning actress and director and a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (Los Angeles) and the University of South Alabama. In recent years, she has shifted her focus to playwriting and producing, founding Storyteller House and bringing her original works The Bathroom, The Lounge, and The Cabana to life, along with The Kitchen, which premiered in New York City last fall. She credits much of her creative foundation to Cookeville Children’s Theatre, where she first discovered her love for the arts, and she remains deeply passionate about supporting and inspiring the next generation of young artists.

Laura will be teaching Teen Improv Troupe and Acting Lab this semester.

TEACHING ARTIST

Bio Coming Soon

Marlene will be teaching Art Explorers, Adventures in Art, Art & Design, and Stitch to Stage this semester.

TEACHING ARTIST

Katelyn Leddy is an award-winning actress, dedicated stage manager, and passionate teaching artist with a deep love for musical theatre. With experience in over 30 productions, Katelyn has excelled in roles both on and off the stage, bringing professionalism, creativity, and heart to every project she undertakes. Katelyn has been an integral part of Cookeville Children’s Theatre since 2003, contributing her talents as a performer, technician, and leader. Additionally, she has worked with Cookeville High School's choral department musicals since 2015, helping to bring memorable performances to life. Outside of the theatre, Katelyn is a committed educator, teaching 2nd grade at Park View Elementary School. Her dual passions for teaching and the arts allow her to inspire and mentor young performers, nurturing their talents and fostering their love for the stage. She is continually inspired by the dedication and artistry of her colleagues and is proud to be part of a vibrant community that celebrates excellence in theatre. Katelyn’s contributions to CCT continue to enrich the experience for both cast and audience members alike.

Katelyn will be teaching Story Creators and Story to Stage this semester.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Clare Moyer is a freshman in her second semester at Tennessee Tech University, studying Secondary Education with a focus in English. She spent her high school years at Cookeville Childrens Theatre, where she learned how powerful storytelling and a creative community can be for young people. Last semester, Clare returned to CCT assisting Academy classes and helping with the fall production of The Wizard of Oz. She cares deeply about helping students feel supported, encouraged, and at home, and hopes to foster the same sense of confidence and possibility that CCT gave her.

TEACHING ARTIST

Cindy Putman first stepped onto the stage of Cookeville Children’s Theatre in 1976, beginning a lifelong journey with theatre that has shaped her work, her values, and her life’s calling. From those early performances, Cindy discovered the profound joy and transformative power of the stage—not just as entertainment, but as a place where children grow in confidence, resilience, and self-expression.

For decades she has dedicated her life to education, storytelling, and community connection. As a nationally recognized educational specialist and storyteller, Cindy has worked in schools, public media, and community programs to uplift children and families through creative learning and positive relationships. She has served as an elementary and middle classroom educator, a longtime education and community engagement associate with WCTE PBS, a Ready To Learn project manager, and now as an academic social interventionist, bringing uplifting experiences to children across the Upper Cumberland region.

Cindy often reflects on how meaningful it is to now teach and work with students who are children of so many of the children she once directed at Cookeville Children’s Theatre. This full-circle experience is something she treasures deeply. She loves sharing with them her passion for theatre and stage performance—not simply as an art form, but as a powerful tool for building self-confidence, resilience, and helping young people discover the true actor or actress they were meant to be.

Her work goes beyond the stage: Cindy is passionate about storytelling as a way to connect communities, support families, and inspire children. She believes that every child can thrive when adults are committed to their growth and that the arts play an essential role in encouraging children to find their voice, courage, and creative expression.

Through teaching, theatre, public media, and community engagement, Cindy Putman continues to make a lasting impact—bringing out the best in each child she meets and helping them step confidently into the spotlight of their own potential.

Cindy will be teaching “Play in a Day (ages 5-9)”

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Anderson Sheets is a proud CCT alum and current student at Tennessee Tech University, where she’s majoring in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Occupational Therapy. She has been a part of Cookeville Children’s Theatre for 11 years including many workshops and various roles in fall productions. Anderson has danced for 16 years and is currently teaching dance at Stage One Dance Studio and is the coach of the Avery Trace Dance Team. CCT has always been a place of belonging—and she can’t wait to help create that same experience for a new generation of students.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Bio coming soon.