Shelby Castillo is a music educator and director with a passion for inspiring young performers. She spent nine years teaching middle school choir in Lewisville ISD and just completed her first year teaching elementary music in Irving ISD. Shelby has music directed multiple productions with the ACT in Lewisville and is excited to be music directing for Irving Youth Theatre for the first time with Frozen Jr and Kids. She earned her degree in Vocal Music Education from Texas Christian University in 2016. Outside of the classroom, Shelby is a proud mom to her two children, Daniella and Elias.

My name is Beatriz Espinosa, and I was born and raised in Irving, Texas. I graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington and have been teaching art in Irving Independent School District for the past five years. I love helping students discover how they can create beautiful, creative artwork using simple materials. While I enjoy exploring all forms of art media, painting has always been my favorite. 

My name is A’nya Gipson, and I am excited to serve as the choreographer for Madagascar Jr. at Irving Youth Theatre while also supporting and supervising our camp counselors throughout the program. I love creating a positive, encouraging environment where students can build confidence, express themselves creatively, and experience the joy of theatre. I’m passionate about helping young performers grow both on and off the stage through movement, teamwork, and storytelling.

Elizabeth grew up in Irving doing theatre and musical theatre with her whole family. She has continued acting, singing, and dancing through adulthood. Elizabeth taught in the Irving ISD for a short while and then became a stay at home Mom to her two sons. After raising her sons and teaching preschool for many years, Elizabeth is very excited to be back in the theatre world working with IYT.

Lisa Hill is an experienced educator, administrator, and arts advocate who has served as a classroom teacher, instructional leader, campus principal, Head of School for the North Texas Performing Arts Academy in Plano, and Director of Human Resources for Irving ISD. Most recently, she retired after serving as Assistant Principal at Pierce Early Childhood School. Together with her husband, Michael Hill, she co-founded Irving Youth Theatre to provide accessible, high-quality performing arts opportunities for youth in the Irving community. Drawing on her extensive background in education and leadership, Lisa is passionate about creating safe, supportive environments where young people can grow in confidence, creativity, collaboration, and empathy through the arts.

Michael Hill is a lifelong advocate for arts education and youth performance opportunities in North Texas. He has taught dance, music, and choir at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in Irving-area schools and recently retired as K–5 Music Specialist at Uplift North Hills Preparatory School. Michael also served on the Irving ISD School Board and has spent more than 20 years on the board of Entertainment Series of Irving. Together with his wife, Dr. Lisa Hill, he co-founded Irving Youth Theatre to create meaningful performing arts opportunities for young people. Under their leadership, Irving Youth Theatre has produced a growing range of youth musicals, camps, and community collaborations that help students build confidence, creativity, and collaboration through the arts.

Mrs. West recently retired from Irving ISD. She will be greeting each camper every morning and supporting our campers throughout the day. She will serve as our Parent Liaison for the camp.