Alexis Duermeyer
Founder & Artistic Director
Alexis has over two decades of experience in theater education. She has founded Backyard Kids’ Theater with the goal of creating a safe, inspiring and inclusive space where she can offer premiere theater training while making every child, regardless of experience, feel proud and valued.
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Alexis has recently returned to the Bay Area after serving as Artistic Director of The Random Farms Kids’ Theater in Westchester County, NY. In addition, she has taught children of all ages throughout the country with programs such as Camp Broadway, Broadway Bound Kids, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and The D.A.R.E dance program. Over the past 20 years, Alexis has worked with thousands of students on both the east and west coasts. Alexis’ students have appeared on Broadway in Matilda, Dear Evan Hansen, School of Rock, Fun Home, Kinky Boots, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Billy Elliot, Mary Poppins and Les Miserables. On TV in Saturday Night Live, The John Oliver Show, Billions, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch as well as many
films and major motion pictures.
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Alexis has a B.F.A. from the Tisch School of the Arts (NYU) where she studied at the Atlantic Theater Company as well as musical theater at Cap 21. During her time as an actor, she appeared in numerous productions throughout New York City as well as National Tours. Alexis is a member of Actors Equity Association. She is so thrilled to create and grow Backyard Kids’ Theater in the Bay Area where she first fell in love with musical theater.
Chip Colvin
Musical Director
A new transplant to the Bay Area, Chip is thrilled to be back living on the west coast!
Chip earned his Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance with minors in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance at a small liberal arts college in Houston, TX. He then went on to earn his Master's Degree from the University of Southern California in Keyboard Collaborative Arts. Chip has had a wide-ranging career as a pianist, conductor, teacher, and music director.
Anna Vorperian
Assistant Director
Anna Vorperian is a Marin County native and a seasoned performer. She started tap and jazz classes at the age of 6 and a year later performed in her very first show Guys and Dolls with Marilyn Izdebski Productions. At the age of 13 she began assisting Marilyn with directing and dance classes and has gone on to work with many other companies throughout the north bay such as North Bay Theatrics, Stapleton School of the Performing Arts, The YES Foundation and Montessori de Terra Linda. She has been studying classical, contemporary and musical theater vocals since the age of 9 and it is one of her many passions. When not directing or teaching youth programs she herself can be found performing on numerous stages in the Bay Area. Some of her favorite roles include: Magenta (The Rocky Horror Show), Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes) and Marian Paroo (The Music Man). Theater has always been a place of great happiness for Anna and has always inspired her to challenge herself in ways she never knew possible and she hopes to be able to inspire the same in the younger generations.