About Us

Our Mission

Board of Directors

Angela Brooks: President

Lanna Hubbard: Executive Vice President

Tonya Ortega: Treasurer

Kristen Moore: Secretary

Tara Langerhans: Executive Board Member

Tracy Cauthorn: Executive Board Member

Myia Oliver Jones: Resident Choreographer

Mrs. Shanks founded Camp Broadway Kids in March of 2006 in order to provide a musical theatre summer camp to 35 students. In just a few months, the summer camp had grown into a full youth performing arts program, and in August 2007, CBK was renamed San Angelo Broadway Academy Youth Theatre. In its history, she has had the pleasure of directing large companies in over 65 musicals such as Les Miserables, School of Rock, Spongebob , Hairspray, Tarzan, and Mary Poppins to name a few. Catching the acting bug from her great grandmother who performed with Sophie Tucker and Mae West on the Vaudeville circuit in New York, Mrs. Shanks has been dancing for 40 years, studying and training with top artists such as Joe Tremaine, Susan Stroman, Mia Michaels, Kathy Marshall, Jared Grimes, Debbie Allen, Gremaine Salsberg, Jason Samuel Smith, Jackie Sleight, Finis Jhung, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Ailey, STEPS On Broadway, The Edge and Millinium Dance Complex in LA, and workshopped and danced with the Broadway revival cast from A Chorus Line. Having been an actress for over 38 years, she has worked on various voiceovers and major films, including the motion picture short, Texas America, Legally Blonde 2, The Manchurian Candidate, Man of the House, and 3 seasons in the NBC drama series, Friday Night Lights. Some of her favorite stage credits include Velma in Chicago, Nellie in South Pacific, and Roberta in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. Mrs. Shanks holds a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from Angelo State University and a Masters in Theatre Arts from Texas Women’s University. She is also a graduate of the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and is the 2019 Woman of Distinction recipient for Central Texas. She is a national award winning choreographer whose students have won multiple regional and national titles in jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theatre dance and was recently recognized by the Broadway Community in NYC for her original production choreography with Continuum Dance Company and was named Choreographer of the Year in 2023. Her works has been performed nationally, and most recently internationally in Italy. She continues to perform, study and teach dance, theatre, and film, as well as guest direct and choreograph for various programs and institutions. Her students are working professionally in New York, Los Angeles, Texas, and Florida, and have recently been seen on Broadway National Tours, Disney World, and TV and Film, and part of the World Tap Festival in Germany! She shares her love of the arts with her husband Jimmy Shanks, who is a musician and educator, their daughter Paisely Grace, and her two stepsons Jacen and Arick.

Angela Shanks: Founding Executive Director

The San Angelo Broadway Academy Youth Theatre is a non-profit educational performing arts facility that cultivates the minds of students with positive social and self awareness, stimulates imaginations, and gives them the tools they need to reach for their goals and dreams. The academy provides a professional and high level of education to children and youth in theatre arts, dance, and vocal performance by trained professionals in a positive environment.

Jessica has 36 years of experience in both instrumental and vocal music. She has performed with choral ensembles across the country and overseas. Her music experience ranges from Musicals to Jazz, Classical to Worship. Jessica has a Bachelor of Music Education from Angelo State University and currently teaches at Central High School. She previously attended West Texas A&M University where she studied voice with Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert. Jessica and her husband Josh have been married for 19 years and have three children, Sarah, who will be attending West Texas A&M this fall to study theater education, Hannah, who is in the Central High School Choir, and Jonathan, who is a percussionist in the Lee Middle School Band. Jessica not only teaches voice at SABA, but also serves as the music director for summer camp programs. Jessica is excited to be joining the SABA family and share her love and passion for music with the students of San Angelo.

Sarah started singing and dancing at the age of 5, coming from a family full of singers, musicians and performers. She trained with the San Angelo Broadway Academy for years, having the opportunity to learn from Broadway professionals such as Sierra Boggess, Ethan Slater and Laura Bell Bundy.

She now serves as the resident stage manager/assistant director for all of SABA’s main stage productions and directs all out of season productions including “Little Women”, “Finding Nemo Jr.”, “Play On” and “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” to name a few.

During her time at SABA, Sarah has taught multi genre acting classes for ages 3-18 as well as offering private acting coaching.

Having been an actress for over 10 years, she has worked on several commercials and short films as well as the stage. Some of her favorite stage credits include Laurey in Oklahoma, Sophie in Mamma Mia, Betty in White Christmas and Katherine in Newsies.

Myia is a classically trained ballet dancer from Fort Worth and a senior dance major at Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Myia is extensively trained in Cecchetti, Vaganova, and Balanchine Methods as well as Modern and Contemporary techniques such as Graham, Dunham, Limón, and Horton. While at Grand Canyon University, Myia studied partnering in both ballet and contemporary dance. Myia has taught ballet and other dance genres at the The Phoenix Dance Studio and Arazando Dance as well as pointe at the Juice Box Dance Academy. She has also had the privilege of choreographing for the Dallas Academy of Music and Performing Arts and the Lake Country Christian School fine arts department. Along with her infectious personality and energy, Along with her infectious personality and energy, Myia brings a vast knowledge of not only technical ballet, but other dance generes as well to the dance program at SABA!

Britain Hebert: Early Childhood Dance Instructor / Adult Tap

Braden Jowers began his dance training at the age of 11 with Hip Hop classes at San Angelo Broadway Academy. After a few years on the competition team, he began also training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, and Contemporary. At a Dallas day intensive in 2017 he was given a half scholarship by Chehon Wespi-Tschopp to the IAMForce winter intensive 2017 in Los Angeles, California where he then earned a full scholarship to the IAMForce Summer intensive 2018. After being accepted to both UNCSA and UNT Dance Programs, Braden chose to stay close to family and attend UNT to major in Dance. After his Freshman Year he was selected along with 29 other dancers to attend the prestigious Hubbard Street Dance Company Summer Intensive 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Throughout his career he has trained and performed with many top Choreographers and Companies across the nation. After moving back to San Angelo to take care of his health, be with family, and marry the love of his life Braden is excited to begin choreographing and training the students here at San Angelo Broadway Academy.

Sarah Dunlap: Assistant Artistic Director

Pam has over 40 years experience teaching private voice lessons with 35 years experience teaching in the public schools. She holds a Bachelor of Vocal Performance Degree and a Masters in Music Education as well as a Certification in Music K-12. While teaching in the public school setting, Mrs. O'Donnell has had the pleasure of directing musicals and operettas and worked with students in vocal and ensemble competitions. She has directed Children's Choirs in churches as well as the State levels and taught at Children's Choir Teacher Workshops for over 40 years in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, New Mexico , Washington and Texas.
In 2018, Mrs O'Donnell retired and has been continuing to share her love of music by substitute teaching and teaching group choir classes. Her and her husband Mike, who also shares her love of music having a Music Degree and often assisting her by accompanying students on piano and organ, have been married for 46 years and have 2 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Mrs Pam is excited to be a part of SABA and can't wait to share her love of music with others!

Nathan’s love for music started when he was 12 years old. He has played piano for 8 years and won several accolades for his performances in San Angelo and at the Texas Music Teacher Association competition in Waco, Texas. He has had years of vocal training at San Angelo Broadway Academy and then continued his vocal training at Angelo State University. He will graduate from ASU next Spring with a degree in Vocal Music Education.

Though he is well-versed in many musical genres such as Classical, Christian, and Contemporary, he has a special place in his heart for Musical Theatre. Nathan has been a part of Saba since he was 15 years old. He has had the honor of performing in several stage productions such as The Addams Family, The Music Man, Matilda, and Phantom of the Opera. Now he is excited to return to Saba as a voice teacher and pour into the next generation of musicians!

Nathan Miller: Voice Instructor

Braden Jowers: Hip Hop Instructor / Resident Choreographer

SABA is excited to welcome Britain Hebert to our teaching staff! A SABA alumni, Britain has been dancing for 10 years training in all styles of dance such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and pointe. Britain was also a competitive dancer for 8 years, leaving her mark in the dance world earning countless regional and national titles, including numerous awards for outstanding tap solos. Not only does Britain have a love for dance, she spent 12 years on the stages of San Angelo singing and dancing her way into people’s heart. Britain is currently a freshman at ASU in the Pre-Med program, majoring in Biology and dancing on the ASU dance team, The Angelettes. Britain can’t wait to share her love of dance not only with SABA students, but adults who are ready to put some metal to the floor in a fun and exciting adult tap class!

Ben Allen: Piano Instructor

Ben Allen is a classically trained pianist. Having a mother who is also a piano teacher, Ben quickly found his passion for music that would continue through adulthood. Ben is a graduate from Angelo State University with a degree in Accounting. He works as an accountant at House of Faith, and works with children in their outreach programs. He enjoys being able to share his love of music with students at San Angelo Broadway Academy thorough private piano lessons.

Pamela O'Donnell: Voice Instructor

David Padgett: Piano Instructor

David Padgett is a classically trained pianist who has been playing those ivory keys since he was four years old. He is currently a sophomore Music Education major with a concentration in piano at Angelo State University. David was involved in piano and percussion while in was in high school. He was the All-State 1st Chair Jazz Pianist for the Texas Small Schools Band Association, playing with the All State Jazz Band at the Texas Educators Music Association Conference in San Antonio, along with other multiple music achievements.

Growing up on a ranch near San Antonio Texas, it was always a dream of his to pursue a degree in music and eventually continue on to earn a Doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy so that he can continue to educate others.

Teaching has always been a passion of David’s and he finds it rewarding watching his students grow in both skill and confidence as musicians. Over the years, music has become not only just a passion for David, but a calling; something he feels compelled to share with others. He can’t wait to start his teaching journey at SABA!

Andrea “Andi” Thompson is a student from San Angelo, Texas, pursuing a Bachelor of Music with All-Level Teacher Certification at Angelo State University (ASU). A passionate choral musician, she performs with several ensembles, including the ASU Chorale, Chamber Singers, Treble Choir, and the San Angelo Chorus. Within the ASU Choir program, Andi serves in multiple leadership roles as a choir officer, section leader, and social media manager.

As a soloist, Andi has been featured with the ASU Choirs, San Angelo Chorus, and the ASU Voice Studio. In 2024, she won the ASU Concerto and Aria Competition and performed with the ASU Symphony Orchestra. She continues her vocal and musical studies under the guidance of Dr. Eric Posada, Dr. Jessica Posada, and Dr. Mark Covey.

Andi is passionate about sharing the joy of singing and helping others grow as musicians. After completing her degree at ASU, she plans to pursue a Master of Music in Choral Conducting.

Andrea Thompson: Voice Instructor

Miss Morales is an award winning choreographer and dancer. As a San Angelo Broadway Academy alumni, Miss Morales spent many years not only dancing, but competing with Continuum Dance Company winning numerous regional and national awards. During her time at SABA, she performed in countless stage productions, and had the privilege of co-directing Steel Magnolias. Miss Morales not only teaches recreational dance classes, but trains members of Continuum Dance company in hip hip and contemporary, encouraging them to tell a story with movement. Immersing herself in the arts, Kambry has also been seen behind the scenes during productions as backstage manager, spot operator, and hair and make up guru. Having recently studied abroad in Europe, Miss Morales is a junior at Angelo State University. .

Kambry Morales: Dance Instructor/ Company Choreographer

Amy Leon: Lead Ballet Instructor

Amy Leon began her formal ballet training in Dallas, Texas, under the direction of Ceyhun Ozsoy, former Ballet Master of the Ankara National Ballet Company. Upon graduation, Amy moved on to train at Belhaven University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance with an emphasis in ballet performing and teaching and with an English Minor, having twice received the Bezalel Award for artistic achievement. Amy then became a company artist with Collin County Ballet Theater in Plano, Texas, performing lead roles including Swanhilda in Coppélia. Next, Amy danced with Ballet Nouveau Colorado, where she performed roles including Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, among many other contemporary works. Additionally, she has performed as a guest artist with Boulder Ballet, San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, and California Ballet Opera in classical works such as Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, and in other original contemporary pieces.
Amy has also taught dance for over 18 years including such classes as Mommy and Me, creative movement, pre-dance combo, ballet, pointe, character, tap, jazz, conditioning, and ballet history. Also, she has served as a rehearsal instructor for many of the schools for which she has taught. She has worked with students from six-week-old babies through pre-professional students headed into college dance programs and trainee programs. Amy is excited to be teaching at San Angelo Broadway Academy where she can share her love of dance with all of her students and her own children, too!

San Angelo Broadway Academy