The Team
Who We Are
Michelle London
Director of Teams and Conservatory
Broadway actress Michelle London grew up in Orange County and recently was seen at The Ahmanson in Grey Gardens starring Betty Buckley. Ms. London is an acclaimed singer having performed at notable venues including The Kennedy Center, the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, The Academy of Music in Philadelphia and The Boston Opera House. On Broadway and across the country Ms. London has starred as Glinda in Wicked, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and
Sandy in Grease. Since moving back to Orange County, Ms. London has become one of the most sought after musical theater coaches. Michelle has spent many years at St. Margaret's Episcopal school in San Juan Capistrano as a choreographer, costume designer, and producing the Innovation Stages summer camp. She most recently starred as Elsa in Frozen Live at the Hyperion at Disneyland.
Micah Williams
Acting, Vocals and movement
Micah Williams has been a veteran in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. He began his career working in theatre and commercials, quickly adding television and film to his resume. Micah became a Disney Channel staple, well known for his role in the movie Jump In and his 4 season stint on Good Luck Charlie as Emmett.
As an actor, his television credits include: Like Mike 2, The Ron Clark Story (Young Actor Award Nomination), The Office, and Snowfall to name a few. Micah is a consummate performer, operating as a triple threat. He is a trained singer, actor, and dancer, passionate about instruction. He garnered his specialized technique after studying under Andrew Magarian at The Shop: Simply Acting. As well as various other performing arts schools and programs like CALArts.
As Micah’s reputation grows, he’s been invited to teach workshops all over the US and UK. Under his guidance, students have booked a multitude of commercials and television roles. Micah’s approach to teaching focuses on the development of his studies of all ages and experience levels.
Emma Toughy
Dance and MT Team Coach
Emma Touhey is a bicoastal dance educator and choreographer. Originally from the East Coast, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance at Hussian College in Studio, where she earned her BFA in commercial dance. Emma has worked for a number of artists including boy band Pretty Much, BP Major, Patee Sarasin and renowned choreographers like Christopher Scott, Ambrose Respicio, and Nicole Kirkland, to name a few. Emma quickly found her passion for teaching and choreography, creating award winning pieces for studios on both the west and east coast. She is super excited to be joining the team at Center Stage and can’t wait to work and inspire the next generation of young dancers.
Lesley McKinnell
Team Coach and Vocal Director
Lesley McKinnell has performed in shows from Carnegie Hall with her Children’s Chorus growing up to two National Tours of WICKED (u/s Glinda & Nessarose) and the original touring cast of A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER (Miss Barley, u/s Sibella & Phoebe). She has also performed in Guam & Times Square in NYC with the USO Show Troupe and on Disney’s MAGIC Cruise Line as a Broadway Guest Artist (TANGLED, Mother Gothel & TWICE CHARMED, Lady Tremaine) to other such exotic places as Maine (BARBRA STREISAND TRIBUTE, portraying Barbra Streisand) and North Carolina (GUYS & DOLLS, Adelaide). In Los Angeles, Lesley performed in many UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODIES at the former Rockwell Table & Stage (HOME ALONE, JURASSIC PARK, CLUELESS, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, etc.)
Lauren Denny
Ballet
Lauren is a native of Southern California where she began her early training at the age of 7. Lauren participated in Youth America Grand Prix, winning regional competitions and qualifying 6 years consecutively for the international Finals in New York City. In 2011, she was awarded the Grand Prix Award in Seattle, WA. As a young artist, Lauren was invited to perform in the “International Ballet Festival of Miami” (2010), “Stars of Today Meet The Stars of Tomorrow Tour” (2011), and Anaheim Dance Festival (2012). In 2012, Lauren joined Ballet West’s trainee program on full scholarship. In 2013 she was promoted to Ballet West II. With Ballet West, Lauren performed on tour with the company, where she performed “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker”. A few of Lauren’s featured roles with Ballet West II include “Marguerite”, Val Caniparoli’s “Lady of the Camellias”, the “lead couple”, Gerald Arpino’s “Confetti”, and “Raymonda”, “Raymonda”. Lauren also performed several mixed repertoire showcases and full-length ballets including “Giselle”, “Swan Lake”, Fredrick Ashton’s “Cinderella”, Gerald Arpino's “Confetti”, George Balanchine’s “Serenade”, Val Caniparoli’s “Lady of the Camellias”, etc. Today, Lauren continues sharing her love for dance while training dancers across Orange County, CA.
Shawn Kurilko
TAP
Shawn Kurilko took his first tap class at the age of 7 and never looked back. He spent his youth training in a variety of dance styles throughout Southern California and broadened his education at Orange County High School of the Arts and Columbia College (Chicago). Shawn is a proud member of Jason Janas' tap dance company, Co.MMIT, and does commercial work in Los Angeles including television, films with Channing Tatum, and advertisements for Gucci. Shawn has also taught and performed internationally at some of the world's most renowned dance festivals and theaters. Shawn's classes are high-energy and focus on the crystal clear technique that has been passed down to him by his own teachers and mentors.
