Original Creative Team

The Team

Its tricky to find a creative team that inspires and supports one another.  Christopher McFadden Gooding, Emily K. Collins and Hope Scheller have been working together in some capacity for the last three years.  As a team they seamlessly execute productions for the Alice Deal Theater Program.  Collaborating to bring the best artistic theater experience possible to the students of Deal has always been their common goal.  Although this year of virtual theater has forced them to think outside of the box, they’ve learned from the circumstances, and their students, that taking a moment to pivot and adapt sometimes produces the best results.    This has been an amazing experience for all three, and they look forward to their next project together.

Producer/Director:                                                                     Hope Scheller

Assistant Director/Choreographer:                                       Christopher McFadden Gooding

Assistant Director:                                                                     Emily K. Collins

Christopher McFadden Gooding is a professionally trained performer, director, writer and producer.  He has been working with the students of Deal Middle School since 2017 and is happy to be working with the Deal community another year.  He will continue to work with schools all over the city producing productions that help cultivate growth and bring artistic fulfillment.

Emily K. Collins is a trained stage actress living in Washington, D.C. She has had the joy of working with Deal students since 2019. Her passion lies in being a part of the transformation she sees in students who give acting a try. During the pandemic, she completed her DC teaching license and will be pursuing teaching full time in the the fall. 

Hope Scheller is a parent and theater jack-of-all-trades.  She has been involved with the Deal Theater Program since 2013.  Whether as a parent volunteer, director or producer, she has a passion for the universal yet very human impact that theater can have on a community.  She will continue to work with middle school students on productions with the hope that she can inspire young actors through poignant storytelling and vibrant language.