Jason Richards

Co-Founder, Technical Director, 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.

Jahmeel Powers

Summer Camp Show Director

Jahmeel Powers is an Actor, Director, and the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre at King’s College in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Originally from Michigan, Jahmeel received his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Regent University. His acting training allowed him to take multiple professional contracts across the country such as in Maine, Michigan, Virginia, New York, and even internationally as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 in The Servant of Two Masters (Truffaldino).

As a Director, He has directed plays at The Little Theatre of Wilkes Barre (Into the Woods) (2023 NEPTA Award “Best Musical” Nominee), King’s College (Paragon Springs, One Man Two Guvnors, Timon of Athens, The Dining Room), and Gaslight Theatre (No Child), where he also serves on the Board of Directors (2021-Present). 

As an actor, his most recent roles include Schmendiman (Picasso at the Lapin Agile), Fred Casely, (Chicago) (2023 NEPTA Award Winner: “Best Musical”), and Brother Jeremiah (Something Rotten!) (2022 NEPTA Award  Winner: “Best Musical”, “Best Ancillary Ensemble”). 

Some of his favorite roles include Trotsky (All in the Timing), The Cat in the Hat (Seussical), Dogberry (Much Ado About Nothing), Headwaiter (She Loves Me), and Clown #2 (The 39 Steps). 

He is also an experienced and passionate improviser and instructor, working with a number of short-form and long-form methodologies. He received Master's level training in Improv from Regent University and is the professor/co-professor of The Art of Improvisation course at King's College (Spring 2020-Present). He is also the Improv coach/advisor/host for King's College student improv team, Causing a Scene. Notable improv companies/performances include Scranton Fringe Festival (Fringe Under Glass 2020: “Leave the Cannoli”), Planet Ant Theatre (Digital house Team), ComedySportz Detroit, and The Dinner Detective. 

In addition to acting and directing projects, he is co-owner of Powers Performance Coaching (Young Professional Award for Entrepreneur of the Year: 2020 Finalist) with his wife, Elizabeth (Beth) Guarnieri Powers. Powers Performance is dedicated to improving their individual and organizational clients’ teamwork, communication, and performative skills through various acting methodologies.  

Outside of work, Jahmeel is ecstatic to be playing his two favorite roles: A Loving Husband to the wonderfully talented Elizabeth Guarnieri Powers, and the Father of two wonderful children: Anntoinette and Ezekiel with Baby #3 coming soon!

Beth Guarnieri Powers

Summer Camp Choreographer & Dance Instructor

Elizabeth Powers is an international performer and acting instructor whose career has taken her all over the East Coast including NYC, Boston, Maine, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, Shawnee on the Delaware, and Scotland after performing in The Servant of Two Masters (Beatrice) at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

She began her journey in the world of dance at the age of 3, starting with ballet and tap, and has since focused on the art of Irish Step Dancing and Musical Theatre dance, as well as Cheerleading - competing nationally at the collegiate level while acting as captain of the squad.  She has choreographed numerous shows including Rich Theatre’s first two summer camp shows Shrek JR and Seussical the Musical JR and is proud to return to Rich Theatre for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR.  

Elizabeth has 30+ years of experience in the performance world including Stage, Screen, Musical Theatre, Television Production, Choreography, Improv, Communications, Directing, Dance, and Stage Combat as an SAFD-certified actor combatant.  Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Regent University and is currently an adjunct theatre professor and acting coach at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She is also the co-founder of Powers Performance Coaching (Young Professional Award for Entrepreneur of the Year: 2020 Finalist) with her husband Jahmeel Powers. She has performed in over 40 independent short films and TV spots as well as on stage.

Notable stage roles include Roxie in Chicago (2023 NEPTA Award Winner: “Best Musical”, 2023 NEPTA Award Nominee: “Best Lead Actress in a Musical”), Medea in Medea, Beatrice in The Servant of Two Masters, Ms. Ritter in She Loves Me, Kate in Taming of the Shrew, Botard in Rhinoceros, Masha in The Seagull, Curley's Wife in Of Mice and Men, Suzanne in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Ophelia in Hamlet and Lady Clapham in Something Rotten! (2022 NEPTA Award Winner: “Best Musical”, “Best Ancillary Ensemble”). Officially, her favorite role is a tie between: Loving Wife to Her Incredible Husband Jahmeel and Proud Mother to Their Two Beautiful Children Nettie and Zeke with Baby #3 on the way!

Ava Anderson

Summer Camp Musical Director

Ava Anderson is so excited to be joining this wonderful group of people and sharing her talents with the Rich Theatre community! Ms. Anderson has a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Vanderbilt University and is currently working on her Masters degree and Post-Baccalaureate Endorsement in Music Education at Old Dominion University. Having grown up in Virginia Beach, Ms. Anderson was involved in musical groups such as Theatrix, The Virginia Children's Chorus, and The Governor's School for the Arts. Ms. Anderson has extensive training in classical/operatic vocal styles and has performed notable roles such as Cunegonde in Bernstein’s Candide (Vanderbilt Opera Theater) and The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Florida State Opera). Her biggest goal is to instill and further a love of music into every student that she teaches.

Angelina Din

Summer Camp Assistant Musical Director

Angelina Din has had a passion for vocal performance since she was very young. Raised in upstate NY, Angelina is somewhat new to the Virginia Beach area but is already making a name for herself as a worship leader, vocal coach, piano teacher, and soloist. She is excited about her forays into musical theater and writing her first solo album. This is Angelina's third Rich Theatre production in which she is heavily involved, but she has been trained under Rich Theatre since 2019, when she began taking vocal lessons from Hannah Rosenfarb. Hannah encouraged her to participate in Rich Theatre's summer camp, Disney's High School Musical JR (2020). After starring as Gabriella Montez, she was given the opportunity to apprentice under Hannah as a vocal coach. Now, she continues to look for every opportunity to share her passion about music with others and give back to the Rich Theatre family for their support.

Taryn Noelle Nunley

Rich STUDIO, Rich Theatre KIDS!, Summer Camp Acting Instructor

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.

Jacob Hodges

Camper Enrichment Specialist & Assistant Stage Manager

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 second 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.

Jenn Martin

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

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