Our Directors
Carl Dean (Director, JCATD): A two-time graduate of the University of Montevallo, Mr. Dean is the owner of Tigerfish Productions, a theatrical services company which provides instruction for performers as well as casting services for on camera work, and was the Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Magic City Actors Theatre, for which he directed and choreographed many hit productions such as Pippin, Fame, Little Shop of Horrors, and, in collaboration with UM Theatre, the Alabama premiere of Parade. Mr. Dean was the recipient of the 2014 BroadwayWorld.com Birmingham Area Regional Theatre Awards for Best Director of a Musical and Best Choreographer for his production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and 2015’s Best Choreographer for his work on The Producers. In 2008, he was awarded “Best Actor in Birmingham” by the Birmingham News, and he received that honor again in 2010 from both Birmingham Magazine and the Birmingham News.
In 2006, his production of Forever Plaid, with the Shades Valley Theatre Academy won Best in Show at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and he has advanced to State Trumbauer with numerous one acts, including his own original play, On Lock, based on his experiences teaching in a juvenile detention center. He has worked professionally as an actor, singer, dancer, director, and choreographer for the past twenty-six years around the country. For four years, Mr. Dean served as Director of Choreography for Southern Living at Home’s National Conventions, staging and performing in extravagant productions in Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville, and at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada for audiences of upwards of 5,000 people. He has been featured as a performer in countless productions including Rock of Ages, Evita, Aida, Guys and Dolls, The Will Rogers Follies, and as Rum Tum Tugger in Cats, and he performed on Carnival Cruise Lines in Mexico and the Bahamas.
Mr. Dean has also worked as an educator and workshop coordinator across the Southeast. In addition to his role with Tigerfish Productions, he is the Director of Theatre at the Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance, where he is going into his fourth year of overseeing the Academy, after being its first full time dance teacher over fifteen years ago. Mr. Dean also currently serves as the Chair for the Secondary Division of the Alabama Conference of Theatre. He has worked with nearly every theatre in the greater Birmingham area, and is thrilled to be part of such a rich, and diverse theatre community. Most importantly though, he is the proud father of two amazing children—Caroline and Ryder!
Allie is an actor, creator, and designer based out of Birmingham, AL. She graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and has since worked as a director, designer, and performer in Birmingham and beyond. Allie has a passion for the arts and their role in education. Allie is honored to be here at Shades Valley and to create with your awesome kids!
Christopher holds a BFA in theatre from the University of Montevallo. He has over 30 years professional experience in the theatre arts with a focus as a scenic artist. He has worked in the television and film industries as well as numerous theatrical productions.