Meet Our Faculty
J.P. Gulla
Also known as Mr. G, J.P. Gulla is a seasoned theater professional with decades of experience on stage, behind the scenes, and in arts leadership. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Acting/Directing from DeSales University, and later went on to complete dual Master’s Degrees in Acting and Business Administration from The Catholic University of America.
J.P. has acted, directed, and taught locally, nationally, and internationally, bringing his passion for performance & education together.
Leeanne Shepherd
Is a founding member of ACT ONE Theater Company, Inc. She serves as the Executive Director of People Helping People and Assistant Director of Second Home Learning Center. Ms. Shepherd is dedicated to the performing arts and in particular musical theater. Understanding that many children are often excluded from extracurricular music activities due to socio-economic constraints.
Jay Jay Espinal-Cruz
Jay Jay Poe is a founding member of ACT ONE Theater Company, Inc.. An individual with many unique skills and talents, Jay Jay has been in multiple musicals in high school as well as color guard in both high school and college. Jay Jay has been Choreographer “The Lion King, Jr.” “Shrek, Jr.” and “Willy Wonka, Jr.” all with ACT ONE.
Roberta Paulette Payne
As a founding member of ACT ONE Theater Company, Inc. Ms. Payne has been involved with many musicals with ACT ONE including “The Lion King Jr.”, “Shrek, Jr.”, “Willy Wonka Jr.”, She had also been a movie extra in “Gods and Generals, Iron Jowed Angels” and Hallmark’s “The Love Letter”. She has take Irish Step Dance. Her favorite thing about theater are the friendships made during the production process that span ages, schools, and cultures.
Alan Deihl
Alan brings 25 years of theatre experience to ACT ONE. Past works include over 20 stage shows, Five musicals, Four Shakespearean performances, a PBS documentary "The Battle of New Market: The field of lost shoes" and extra work for HBO in the mini-series "John Adams". His special skills revolve around stage presence and projection, comedic timing and physicality, improv and character development.
Courtney Entsminger
Mrs. Entsminger is a teacher by day and a theatre enthusiast by night. She joined the company in November 2024 working on ACT ONE’s production of “The Lion King, Jr.” and has loved being part of the behind-the-scenes magic ever since. With a background in education and a passion for the arts, Ms.Courtney (as we call her) helps keep things running smoothly and supports the cast and crew however she can. She's thrilled to be part of a team that brings stories to life on stage.