Our Mission

LIVE Kids Theater Company was founded by three NC licensed arts educators, Roberto Velarde (drama), Lacy Lowder (dance) and Danny Yancey (music). The three envisioned a musical theater camp designed for upper elementary kids (rising 4th - rising  6th graders) with a three-pronged mission: (1) To give kids top-notch musical theater experiences in a safe, fun environment. (2) To provide opportunities for kids to "find their voice" on the stage and in life by building self-confidence and improving self-esteem. (3) To provide an environment for kids to meet other kids who share their love of the arts.

Roberto Velarde Artistic Director 
roberto@livekidstheater.com

​Roberto Velarde is a graduate from the Theatre Education program at East Carolina University, and has over eight years of experience as the primary acting coach at the Garner Parks and Rec, Garner Towne Players summer drama camps. As the Theatre Arts Instructor at Martin Middle School, Roberto is also able to bring his personal major production experience to the classroom. For the last twelve years, Roberto has had the opportunity to teach hundreds of students the knowledge, art and skills of play production, acting, the nuts and bolts of scene design, technical design, and prop making, which ultimately lead to school wide performances that these students can be proud of. Roberto believes in inspiring kids to “think big” no matter how impossible it may seem to achieve their creative idea. Furthermore, it is through the fun and creativity of theater education that students gain the inner confidence, passion and valuable skills that carry them through their lifetime.  Roberto is married to his wife Katie and the two of them are the proud parents of Isabella and Wyatt.

Lacy Lowder Choreographer
lacy@livekidstheater.com

Lacy Lowder is a dedicated choreographer, artist, and teacher of dance. She studied dance for 13 years at Asheville Center of the Performing Arts and continued her studies at Meredith College with a degree in K-12 Dance education in 2011. She has taught dance in wake county public schools for the last 5 years and has guest taught  at local studios in the Raleigh area as well. She has served as a judge for local university dance group auditions. She has co-choreographed a tap solo with Carol Finley that went to the Nationals of American College Dance Festival, and has choreographed a number of musical productions in her high school, college, and teaching careers. Lacy is incredibly excited to share her love of dance with camp kids. 

Danny Yancey Music Director
danny@livekidstheater.com

Danny Yancey is a pianist, singer, songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated music educator. He has been teaching elementary and middle school in North Carolina public schools for 14 years. He has a B.A. degree in Music Education from North Carolina Central University and a M.M. degree  in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  He has been the music director for numerous musicals throughout the triangle area and has worked with a number of theater companies including Burning Coals Theatre, Garner Towne Players and more. He is married and lives in Durham with his wife Deidre and four kids: Christopher, Olivia, Cameron & Weston.