We are planning a free Unified Theater Openhouse.
Join us for a free Unified Theater Open House! This special event is designed for actors of all abilities—both with and without disabilities—to come together and explore acting, movement, and music in an inclusive and creative environment. The Open House is a free sample of an exciting multi-week program we’re developing for the fall. While dates for the full class haven’t been finalized yet, this is your chance to get a sneak peek and experience what’s to come.
Interested in being the first to know when dates are announced? Join the waitlist by sending us an email at admin@royalrivercommunityplayers.com. We can’t wait to see you there!
Your Instructors
David Sheehy is thrilled to be working with Royal River Community Players to bring Unified Theater to Maine! David has directed unified productions at Lyric Music Theater, including Once Upon a Mattress: Youth Edition in 2024 and The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition in 2025, as well as Cinderella: Youth Edition in 2024 at Gorham Arts Alliance. Originally from New Hampshire, David moved to Maine in 2021 and has been directing, music directing, and performing at a number of theaters throughout Maine. He works as a Learning Designer at Saint Joseph's College in Standish, and as a remote adjunct math faculty at Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology. When not working or doing theater, David loves to kayak with his wife, Abby, or walk his dogs, Harold and Molly.
Tyler Costigan has been performing for stage and screen for over 30 years, most recently with Mad Horse Theatre in South Portland. Tyler spent the summer of 2022 at the Celebration Barn Theater, training in Advanced Eccentric Performance under the instruction of Avner (“The Eccentric”) Eisenberg, and performed at the Barn's 50th Anniversary celebration alongside some of the world's funniest people. In 2018 Tyler discovered his passion for teaching young performers and has since led workshops at True North Theatre, Ten Bucks Theatre, and The Grand. He served for one year as the theatre director at Ellsworth Middle School, and has just finished his second year as director at Jordan Small Middle School in Raymond.
Cookie Harrist is a performer and teacher who recently returned to Maine after performing and teaching professionally in San Francisco for the last eight years. She has performed in dance and theater works by Joe Goode Performance Group, LEVY Dance, Sara Shelton Mann, Maine Dance Company, and many more. Cookie grew up performing in Boston’s regional theater community but since college, she has forayed into contemporary dance and especially loves to teach. She holds a BA in Dance and Poetry from Marlboro College. Cookie is delighted to share her love of all performing arts with students at the Royal River Community Players