Founder
“The student audience, to me, has become the most important audience I can reach, because you impact so deeply on them.”

Artistic Director | Co-Founder

“If there is ever a day I get discouraged about theater's importance or ability to reach a broad audience, I attend a Literature to Life performance. It's that inspiring. We also do longer residencies in schools and professional development - our company of actors and teaching artists is astounding and as dedicated as our staff. It's probably the most gratifying work I do.”

Actor: County of Kings

The most meaningful thing for me being an arts educator is being able to connect with children via the arts. The opportunity to be a part of the team that makes children their number one priority. As always, I'm excited about inspiring children to be creative and encouraging them to express themselves through art – writing, music, poetry.

Actor: Black Boy
LTL Board Member

“Through Literature to Life, I've discovered more about myself, things that I could only feel…that I now have words for. And many of the students and communities I've encountered have discovered the same.”

Actor: If Beale Street Could Talk
Expert Teaching Artist

“I treasure the interactive and engaging nature of theater as it lifts up the page. Some of the most profound literature of our world speaks to the social and personal experiences of our communities. I'm looking forward to learning how our work deepens critical thinking and impacts the daily actions and well-being of the youth I engage with.”

Legacy Actor: House on Mango Street
Producer : The Latehomecomer

Actor: The Giver
Adaptor: The Latehomecomer

Actor: The Latehomecomer

Actor: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Company Manager

“Doing a Lit to Life performance is akin to taking a sip of magic, if magic could be captured in liquid form. Beyond being a beautiful and ever changing process of growth for any actor, demanding one to become fully attuned with every inch of their acting instrument, the reception from students about what they have just been a part of is the most heartwarming part of the performance. When you bring to life someone’s favorite character, or better yet a character they’ve never seen but can palpably relate to, and they get to see them, and breathe with them, and weep with them, the words take on new meaning and quality. People always ask ‘how do you remember all those words?’ and I always say ‘I have no idea. It just pours out’.”

Expert Teaching Artist

“I love giving young people a vehicle - through theatre - to explore and express their voices. Witnessing young people experience growth, through ‘Aha’ moments of transformation, continues to surprise & transform how I see myself and our world.”

Actor: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Actor: The Latehomecomer

Expert Teaching Artist

Expert Teaching Artist
Legacy Actor: House on Mango Street

Actor: Farenheit 451

Legacy Actor: House on Mango Street & I Love America
LTL Adviser

Legacy Actor: Emily Dickinson
LTL Adviser

“As an actress, I am committed to engaging students' intellectual curiosity, reflecting their genuine emotions and inspiring their imaginations; that they might find themselves connecting personally with this extraordinary poet. Seeing students write their own poetry in the course of a short session never ceases to amaze! I look forward to the unexpected moments that arise in the classroom when students surprise us with their own discoveries and points of view.”

Actor: Secret Life of Bees

“In my work I seek to ‘let the little guy drive’, or the kid in me to explore a bit more – all the best discoveries come when I'm playing, not working. I love activating the imagination with simple ingredients – a story, a stage, and an audience to listen. I can't wait to share these discoveries with kids!”

Actor: The Kite Runner

“I am thrilled to be part of a wonderful organization that is dedicated to enlightening and enriching the lives of young people. The most exciting aspect of my job is seeing children/young adults experience empathy in a new or more profound way.”

Expert Teaching Artist

“I am an artist, educator and agent of change, committed to using artistic craft and the creative process to impact both my local and global communities. Working with young audiences connects me with other Activists equally committed to creating meaningful artistic experiences for children.”

Expert Teaching Artist

“I am constantly learning from the students I work with. Their perspectives on art bring out in me new ways of thinking and creating for me.”

Actor: The Giver

“I love creating new theatrical performances that inspire wonder and curiosity in young audiences and families. It is a privilege to share the world of The Giver with young audiences – I love hearing how the content moves their thoughts and imaginations. I always look forward to engaging audiences through performance and discussion.”

Legacy Actor: The Giver
LTL Adviser
Adapter: El Deafo

“Lit to Life holds a very special place in my heart. I have been fortunate to perform under the direction of both Elise Thoron and Wynn Handman. Having two kids who are avid readers, I believe strongly in the mission of this program to inspire young audiences.”

Pedro is a Theatre Artist and Educator in the Twin Cities. Originally from Puerto Rico, Pedro came to Minnesota to study at Macalester College, and stayed in St. Paul, where he had been working and building his artistic career for over 30 years. As an actor, Pedro has appeared in many theatrical productions in such companies as Mixed Blood Theatre, History Theatre, Park Square Theatre, Ordway Center for the Arts, Pangea World Theatre, and Teatro del Pueblo, among others. As an Educator, Pedro is a Theatre Adjunct Professor at Augsburg University. He is a Teaching Artist at SteppingStone Theatre, Children’s Theatre Co., History Theatre, and Teatro del Pueblo. He also teaches at various schools with Speaking Out Collective, a group of artists teaching critical thinking, writing, and theatre arts.

Bryce Foley is an American actor from Ypsilanti, Michigan. He received his B.A. in Drama from the University of Michigan and is a recent graduate of the Terry Knickerbocker studio. He has performed at UofM (Pass Over, Twelfth Night, The Bacchae), Davis Shakespeare Festival (The Reaper & The Whale), and is pleased to make his New York theatre debut in The Great Gatsby with Literature to Life.

Kevin Townley (he/him) is a New York-based artist who has performed in Hollywood blockbusters, elementary school cafeterias, and everywhere in between. Film: The Sitter, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Men in Black 3. TV: The Last OG, The Detour, Madam Secretary, Law & Order. Off-Broadway: Goodbar (Public Theater), My Deah (Abingdon), Shockheaded Peter (Little Shubert). As a Waterwell Theatre ensemble member he devised and performed Marco Millions (based on lies…) (Theater Row), The King Operetta (Barrow Street), and #9 (59E59). From 2010-2020 he and Elna Baker co-produced and -hosted The Talent Show Brand Variety Show (New York Magazine “Best Variety Show”), featuring the likes of They Might Be Giants, Rachel Maddow, and Ira Glass. With Rachel J. Peters he received a 2022 Opera America grant for their work Manor of Speaking, inspired by Oscar Wilde's U.S. lecture tour, starring Stephanie Blythe. He wrote, co-directed, and starred in the short film Who Knows?, and his first feature film, Alien Hearts, will complete production in 2024. Kevin’s book Look, Look, Look, Look, Look Again: Buddhist Wisdom Reflected in 26 Artists was published by Lionheart Press in 2022. He is also a certified meditation instructor.

Elizabeth Raquel Ramirez is a proud Hispanic actress from San Antonio, Texas. Her credits include In The Heights at Oklahoma City University and two award-winning shorts, Most Likely To and Dream Carriers. She is most known for her contribution to the HBOMax documentary Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020, produced by Tony Award winner Laura Benanti.