An alumna of MHSA's Theatre Department herself, Mrs. LaCroix is grateful to give back to the organization that helped cultivate her love of Theatre. She aspires to instill the same love and passion in her students. She graduated with a BFA in Acting from UW-Stevens Point and received her Theatre Education degree from UW-Milwaukee. Mrs. LaCroix would like to extend a heart felt thank you to her husband and son for letting her spend so many hours away from home to live out her creative passions.

Nari Shuttlesworth began their dance journey at the age of five and brings a vibrant, multicultural movement background to the stage. They are trained in poms, hip hop, ballet, contemporary, modern, pointe, jazz, Palestinian, Lebanese & Jordanian dabke, African, and tap. With over a decade of teaching experience, Nari has shaped dancers in nearly all of these styles since the age of fifteen. Their professional credits include performances with the Milwaukee Bucks, Capita Productions, The Force Within Dance Company, Danny Gokey’s Sophia’s Heart, and work under renowned choreographer Frank Gatson. They have trained with Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Aliya Janell, Galen Hooks, Petr Zahradnicek, and Frank Gatson. As an educator and choreographer, Nari has taught at Locomotion Dance Company, JCPAA, Lake Shore Dance Company, and currently teaches at Milwaukee High School of the Arts. With The Wiz, Nari fuses classic storytelling with bold, soulful movement, aiming to honor the roots of the show while elevating it with fresh, innovative choreography that reflects the spirit of Black joy, magic, and liberation.

Raymond Roberts is the Director of Vocal Music at the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, where he has taught since 1991. Mr. Roberts is a graduate of the Booker T. Washington High School of the Arts in Dallas, TX and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University. He is also active in the Milwaukee music community, having held the position of Assistant Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and Director of the Plymouth Concert Chorale. Raymond currently co-directs the music program at First United Methodist Church - West Allis with his wife, Alyssa. Roberts’ students have been recognized nationally by such institutions as the YoungArts scholarship program, the NAACP ACT-SO scholarship competition, Classical Singer competition, DownBeat Magazine, the Grammy Foundation, and the Ravenscroft Jazz Prize. His choirs from Milwaukee High School of the Arts have performed at numerous state and regional music conferences as well as with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Pablo Amaya, III has been Orchestra Director at MHSA since 2001. A proud graduate of MHSA (Class of ‘91) and Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts, Mr. Amaya received a Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Performance (Violin/Viola), Bachelor of Fine Arts - Music Education and a Master of Music (Instrumental Emphasis) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Mr. Amaya has performed as violinist/violist with the Racine Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (Madison), Plymouth Concert Chorale, Master Singers, and Waukesha Concert Chorale and Symphony Orchestra. He has been recognized in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of 50 directors who make a difference, and has appeared as a guest conductor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Honors Orchestra. Mr. Amaya's students and ensembles have been recognized by the NAACP ACT-SO and Civic Music Association competitions, received the prestigious Downbeat Award for best High School Symphonic Orchestra, received numerous Gold Award/First and Adjudicators Award at Heritage Music Festivals in Toronto, New York, and San Francisco, performed with the Irish band We Banjo 3 at the Pabst Theater and Irish Fest, and received 1 ratings at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Music Festival.

In his 17th year as Technical Director and Theatre teacher at MHSA, Mr. Rich is happy to bring a new take on his second iteration of design for "The Wiz". He would like to shout out his children for their support.

Layla is so thankful to be stage managing her senior musical The Wiz!! Layla loves stage managing and working so closely with Mrs. LaCriox and Mr. Rich. You might have previously seen Layla as Casey on the MHSA production of '40 days'. Layla is forever grateful of her time and experience here at the Arts, Since it is Layla's senior year she wants everyone to be aware of the senior project festival where there will be shows that have been directed by not only herself but her lovely peers.

(Junior Visual Art Major)

(Freshman Visual Art Major)

(Sophomore Theatre Major)

(Sophomore Theatre Major)

(Freshman Theatre Major)

(Sophomore Theatre Major)

(Freshman Visual Art Major)

(Junior Theatre Major)

(Senior Theatre Major)

(Freshman Theatre Major)