Jason Richards

Co-Founder, Director, Instructor

Summer Camp Co-Producer & Tech Director

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.

Angelina Din

Artistic Musical Director

Angelina Din has always had a passion for teaching, which led her to become a vocal coach and beginner piano teacher at the age of 17. She has a heart for teaching music and voice with healthy vocal pedagogy in a creative space that prioritizes growth and fun. She hopes to leave a lasting impact of expression and intention in her coaching.

Over the past five years, Angelina has been establishing herself in Virginia Beach as a worship leader and singer-songwriter with her debut album launching this Fall, 2024. This is Angelina's fourth Rich Theatre production in which she is heavily involved, but she has trained under Rich Theatre since 2019, participating in 2020’s Summer Musical Theater Camp. Now, she continues to look for every opportunity to share her passion about music with others, and give back the support she’s received from the Rich Theatre Family. 

Joy Naik

Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Joy Naik began her dance training over 30 years ago with the world-renowned, Dance Theatre of Harlem, in Harlem, NY. During the 90's Joy's family moved to Chesapeake, VA where she trained with the distinguished Academie de Ballet. She also trained with Virginia Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and Ballet Magnificat!’s summer workshops. In 2001, Joy become a trainee with Ballet Magnificat!’s company.

The military took her performance and choreographic opportunities across the country and internationally. This included Project Dance at Universal Studios in Los Angeles and in Times Square, New York. In Indonesia, she was the choreographer for The Man called Jesus's Indonesian version of The Play, and in 2008 she was a faculty member at the Russell School of Ballet in Chantilly, VA. In Rota, Spain she taught dance on base, developed a dance team, and produced two shows.

Joy works as an off-ice coach with figure skaters at the Chilled Ponds Ice Sports Complex, has taught dance and theatre production classes at the Renaissance School of the Arts, in Suffolk, Va, where she currently serves on the board, and personally brought home the first place trophy for the females in Act 1 in Dancing with the Hampton Roads Stars 2023.

Joy is proud to have founded her own dance studio, the Dance Theatre of Coastal Virginia.

Along with being a Commissioner with the Fine Arts Commission of the City of Chesapeake here in Virginia, she has trained and has seen with great pride many of her students make it into the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s summer workshops.

Reese Aaron is a dancer, choreographer and creative, known most currently for her previous seasons on Mahogany N Motion serving as CoCaptain, as well as the creative dance director for the Spriggs Burroughs Production of Art After Dark. She has been dancing since the age of three and trained at studios in California and Hawaii. She’s is also a junior at Spelman college majoring in English. Reese, with her many years dedicated to cultivating her love of dance realized she found a joy in the creation of dance as well as in the art of it.

Reese Aaron

Assistant Dance Instructor/Choreographer

Jacob Hodges

Summer Camp Acting Instructor

Jacob Hodges is a passionate actor, musician, and writer who is currently studying a BFA in Acting at Liberty University. Jacob has a big heart for the younger generation and giving back to aspiring theatre kids. Jacob loves having fun and doing everything he can to make dull or low moments as bright as possible. Jacob comes from a military family, and has lived in many different areas, meeting and befriending all kinds of people, but he calls Virginia home. Jacob's most recent projects include playing Friar John and understudying Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet at Liberty University, and playing Ed Carmichael in You Can't Take It With You at Liberty University. Jacob is thrilled to be returning to the Rich Theatre staff for his third year, and cannot wait to make more memories and have so much fun. Jacob’s goal is to do the best that he can to culture and grow the positive, encouraging, and fun environment of the Rich Theatre community, and hopes that everyone who comes into contact with Rich Theatre feels the love and encouragement of this wonderful team's heart.

Micaela Calcagno

Camper Enrichment Specialist & Assistant Stage Manager

Micaela Calcagno is a student at Christopher Newport University currently majoring in Communication Studies. Performing since she could walk & talk, Micaela has taken part in multiple theatre productions! Some of her recent highlights include Once Upon a Mattress (2023), Clue! (2022), and James and the Giant Peach (2022). Through the art of storytelling and performing, Micaela has been able to flourish beyond the stage and apply the countless teachings Theatre has provided. From creating and leading the Saint Gregory cheer team to working at the Ferguson Center of the Arts, many things Micaela has accomplished have been supported by the accumulation of qualities learned within the Theatre. Micaela is overjoyed to watch the students of Rich Theatre learn, grow, evolve.

Jenn Martin

Summer Camp Costume Designer

Jenn Martin is excited to once again share her creative talents with Rich Theatre. Her appreciation of theatre began over 25 years ago when she met her husband, local Hampton Roads actor Garry Manasco, and these days she can be found sporting her luxurious Mrs. Claus design alongside his Santa costume each year as they delight children and families in Hampton Roads. She loves to bring characters to life through costume and prop creation and has a long track record of costuming adult talent. Jenn has also designed and constructed the costumes and props for educational theatre such as "Shrek JR." (Rich Theatre), "James and the Giant Peach Jr." (Rich Theatre), "Clue" (Catholic High), and "Once Upon a Mattress" (Catholic High). When she’s not working in theatre, she serves on staff as the Preschool Ministry Director at Spring Branch Community Church. She and her husband have 2 daughters who have made their own mark on the local theatre scene.

Carrie Doherty

Box Office & Front of House Manager

Carrie Anne Doherty is back for another summer with Rich Theatre and is pleased to use her innovative ideas and organization with our beloved patrons in mind. Carrie has a rich history in the theatre - her husband, Sean Doherty, is a professional stage and screen actor, her 4 children have performed in multiple theatre and film projects over the years, and Carrie has served the local theatre community in key technical and crew positions for the last 20+ years.

Carrie has a passion for people, creating beautiful spaces and environments, and helping to make visions come to life in inspiring ways.