Thomas Schultheis creates learning environments which bring people together, encouraging connection and reflection, while celebrating individual uniqueness. He has served as a teaching artist for numerous academies, competitions, festivals, intensives, invitationals, and showcases. Additionally, he has created an immersive theatrical high school experience titled, EXTRACURRICULAR, with workshop productions in Louisiana, Virginia, and an upcoming California version.
Thomas is a Teaching Artist with Disney Imagination Campus at the Disneyland Resort teaching “Dance Disney” and “Disney Broadway Magic”. Disney Imagination Campus offers Performing Arts curriculum and performance opportunities let participants experience first-hand what it’s like to be a Disney entertainment professional. Blending a broad range of disciplines from live theatre to dance, vocal, and instrumental music, there is truly something for everyone.
He is also a Teaching Artist with Dramatic Results®. The non-profit organization uses hands-on art programs to explore STEM subjects that prepare learners to be empathetic, resilient, and critical thinkers. Our programs follow innovative methodologies like Design Thinking and Social-Emotional Learning to fuel collaboration and creativity.
Thomas is on the Creative Team with the Musical Theatre Competitions of America. On the creative team he has created workshops and Master Classes at the forefront of musical theatre education including “TikTok Musicals: Exploration & Activation” and “Broadway Remixes the Hits – Jukebox Musical Creation .” MTCA is an Educational Musical Theater Festival filled with Performance Opportunities, Master Classes, and Competition.
He is also a Company Member of The Harvest Theater Company, a group of motivated members dedicated to bringing quality productions to the community and providing an entertaining experience for not only the audience, but for everyone involved. He served as choreographer for the West Coast Premiere of the dramedy, Feast of Fools, written by Jim Landis.
Thomas is also a Theatre Consultant for the REACH Grant. Race, Equity, Arts and Cultural History (REACH), the project seeks to establish a national, replicable model to strengthen arts learning in U.S. schools and harness the effectiveness of arts integration as a catalyst for increasing student engagement and achievement across multiple content areas.
He received his Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from National University and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University.
Thomas is a Board Member with the California Educational Theatre Association. Additionally, he has been a board member of Akomi Dance and the Arts Schools Network , Concordia University, Irvine’s School of Education Advisory Council, and part of the Actors Equity Association, Educational Theatre Association, Teaching Artist Alliance, and the Teaching Artist Support Collaborative of California.
He also worked for The Walt Disney Company for 15 years, primarily as the Disney Youth Programs Sales Manager for Disney Performing Arts at the Disneyland® Resort. Under his award winning leadership, his team created “Disney Performing Arts presents: An Educators Summit: Inspiring Brilliance”, a 2 day Summit which hosted educators from around the world. He also developed the first individual workshop opportunity for students at The Walt Disney Company called “Disney Performing Arts Open Enrollment”, as well as the first “Disney Performing Arts Conservatory.”
Additionally, Thomas was the first Team Captain for Susan Blackwell & Laura Camien’s The Spark File Select Group Creativity Coaching – a creative adventure designed to support all aspects of the creative process. Also, Thomas is a part of Susan Blackwell + Co, which is a collective of teaching artists applying creative and performance techniques to real world challenges.
He created The Educators Collective where leading educators gather together to connect, share, and support. Also, he has produced The Educators Collective Virtual Summit, a personal & professional development event which brings exceptional leaders in education together.
Thomas was also the Dean of Admissions with The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts. The Young Americans College of the Performing Arts is an accredited performing arts college with a unique curriculum for future performers. Students have the opportunity to study their craft, travel around the globe, perform on stage, and help communities in the process.
Before starting his career at Disney, Thomas performed on Broadway in the revival of Grease! as well as tours of Grease!, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Chicago, and South Pacific. He has worked as a choreographer for over 30 years, his credits include off-Broadway productions of original work with the cast of Broadway’s [title of show], and productions for over a dozen high schools & colleges.
As foster and foster-to adopt parents, he and his spouse were recognized as Outstanding ISFC Resource Parents for the County of Los Angeles as well as honored by Raise a Child Organization’s Let Love Define Family Award. They adopted their first son, Dominic, in August 2023.
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