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.
He has created the “Creativity & Inspiration Workshop”, “Let Me Try That Again”, “Musical Theatre Exploration Clinic”, “Signs & Synchronicity”, and “TikTok Musicals: Exploration & Activation.” He received his Master of Arts in Strategic Communications from National University and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from James Madison University.
Thomas has 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.
He is on the Creative Team with the Musical Theatre Competitions of America. MTCA is an Educational Musical Theater Festival filled with Performance Opportunities, Master Classes, and Competition.
Thomas is 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.
He 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.
Thomas is 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.
He is a Board Member with both the Arts Schools Network and California Educational Theatre Association. Additionally, he has been a board member of Akomi Dance, 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.
Thomas 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, he 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.
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 20 years, his credits include off-Broadway productions of original work with the cast of the Broadway’s [title of show], and productions for over a dozen high schools & colleges.
As foster 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.
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