Welcome to STARS Performing Arts!

STARS is a program created to educate young performers and showcase their stories through theatre, music, and dance. We strive to create accessible classes and performance opportunities that emphasize the importance of youth-centric theatre and art. We aim to promote growth by providing unique theatrical experiences for students of all experience levels. Our goal is to educate and train new artists as well as pre-professionals in a wide variety of techniques and skills that prepare them for various fields. We aim to foster a positive and uplifting environment for students to be able to express themselves freely. We focus on giving our students a voice to tell stories that represent their age and experiences, giving them the tools to create their own art.

Meet the Team


  • Founding Artistic Director

    Sierra is so excited to serve as the Founding Artistic Director at STARS, finally living out a dream she’s had since she was a young performer. Since then, Sierra has earned her degree in Theatre Education from Ball State University and has worked as a director, teaching artist, choreographer, and stage manager for various theatres and schools in Northern Virginia and Indiana. She is proud to be the theatre arts director at Franklin Middle School. Sierra is excited to provide high quality training and productions for a new generation of theatre artists.

    Upcoming: Sierra is currently directing SPELLING BEE

  • Artistic Associate

    John is thrilled to be joining the STARS team! A WATCH Award nominated choreographer and Helen Hayes Award winning performer, John is a familiar face in the theatre world of the area. He is excited to get to work with the STARS community and can't wait for the fun that's in store!

    Upcoming: John is currently Playing Leaf Coneybear in Spelling Bee

  • Teaching Artist

    Jack Lockrem (he/him) has been creating theatre with young people nearly a decade in NOVA and in the Midwest. Jack graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Theatre Education and quickly moved to NOVA, where he serves as Frost Middle School’s Drama Teacher. He has worked with many community theaters as a director, designer, producer, techie, actor, camp counselor, and everything in between. Jack is extremely passionate about giving young people opportunities to be STARS on the stage! Jack’s favorite musical is Little Shop of Horrors.


  • Teaching Artist

    Julien is super excited to be joining the STARS company as a teaching artist! He currently is in his junior year of receiving a BFA in acting and a minor in education at Concordia University in Montréal. Julien is originally from the Northern Virginia area where he fell in love with theatre in high school. He soon quickly grew a strong passion for theatre as an educator and loves every minute he gets to spend spreading his joy, energy, and passion for theatre with his students. He has previously worked as a theatre Counselor and Camp director while also assisting in productions at Franklin Middle School when in the area; allowing him to already be able to work with the students on all levels. Julien loves theatre for the beautiful stories you can tell and the space it creates for people to find out who they are, and he cannot wait to do this with the amazing students and staff at STARS!

  • Teaching Artist

    Syd is thrilled to be joining the STARS team! You may have seen her most recent work as Assistant Choreographer in Sterling Playmakers' Willy Wonka. When she is not on the production team side of things, you may catch her onstage! Some of her credits include: Galen - Legally Blonde (CFTC), Featured Dancer - A Christmas Story (CFTC), Featured Dancer - Big Fish (CFTC) and Ancestor - Addams Family (Sterling Playmakers). She is excited to work with the STARS community and can't wait for the fun to begin!

    Upcoming: Syd is choreographing SPELLING BEE

  • Teaching Artist

    Molly is so excited to join the STARS team! She is a recent graduate of VCUarts with a concentration in Theatre. There, she directed Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing with Shafer Alliance Laboratory Theater. She has also holds multiple assistant directing credits including two world premieres, Cross Stitch Bandits and Roman A Clef. Over the years she has worked as a designer, actor, and director on various projects. Theatre has been very near and dear to her heart for her whole life, but Molly really found her love for all things theatre as a student at Chantilly High School. She has worked in youth theatre for many years, including serving as the Production Manager for CFTC’s Performance camp this past summer. One of Molly’s biggest passions in the performing arts is creating spaces in which people of all ages can use their imagination and most of all have fun!

    UPCOMING: Molly is directing the STARS Winter Musical