Jason Richards

Co-Founder, Director, Instructor

Jason Richards has a heart for the dramatic arts and children. He served on the staff of Spring Branch Community Church in Virginia Beach as the Children’s Ministry Creative Director for 6 years. There he produced the weekly K-5th Grade programming known as Rock City, a weekly scripted half-hour variety show in which adults and kids grades 6+ performed on stage, and children grades 4+ worked light, sound, and video cues (with adults!) in the tech booth. Jason spent years as a professional actor in Miami, performing in musical theatre, in major (and minor!) motion pictures, and television. He also worked as an elementary school Drama Teacher, directing and often writing plays for grades 1-6. Jason holds an MA in Cinema-Television Directing from Regent University and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He is passionately and happily married to Lynn Kenny Richards and is the father of three boys.

Taryn Noelle Nunley

Actor Coach, Vocal Instructor, Curriculum Developer

Taryn Noelle Nunley is an ardent actor, director, and playwright. Having recently graduated from Liberty University with a B.A. in Theatre Performance, and minors in Psychology and Cinema, her passions are clear: community, humans, and art. A lifelong resident of the 757, Taryn has grown up in local theatre since age four and is eager to pour into young lives with the same generosity she received. Taryn has had the opportunity to direct, coach, perform, and write for the stage throughout high school and undergrad. Her highlights include director of Pride and Prejudice at Young Musicians of Virginia, originator of the role Elizabeth Teass in Bedford Boys (ACTF recognition), and joint recipient of ACTF recognition for excellence in Dramaturgy as a lead writer of Decipher: An Unpenned Story of the Civil War. Taryn is ecstatic to share her training with Rich Theatre students! Her greatest hope is to impart the values of community, generosity, and self-compassion through our beautiful craft of empathy and storytelling.

Mark Zillges

Rich STUDIO Instructor

Mark Zillges is a theatre and film actor and director who has worked in Hampton Roads for the last thirty-five years. The whole time, he has stayed close to Regent University, where he graduated twice: first with an MA in Acting and Directing for Cinema (in 1997) and later with an MFA in Acting (2007). It started while Gillette Elvgren was producing his original plays and Shakespeare, and Mark connecting with him as often as possible. Mark has acted in productions for Regent University, Tidewater Stage and Tidewater Musical Stage, The Founder’s Inn Dinner Theatre, and Seven Venues in Norfolk. He has been a member of several improv teams including Funny Before Breakfast, was an original member of Regent University’s VIPs (to which he is currently faculty advisor), The Dumbwaiters, and F.A.C.T. (Freaking Awesome Comedy Theatre). Mark was first taught Meisner acting technique at The Actors’ Place under Sylvia Harman, where he later started teaching film acting and Improv (in 2008). Mark has been an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University (Film Directing) and Regent University since 2007. At Regent he teaches Improv, Acting Shakespeare, Advanced Scene study and Styles. He has also taught improv workshops in a number of venues, including a Regional YMCA corporate retreat, the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Virginia Beach, and a hair care chain’s retreat. Mark believes any acting problem can be solved by knowing the rules of improv and knowing how to listen. More precisely…Mark believes that any problem can be solved by understanding and applying improv acting rules.