Our MISSION
To produce youth musicals with an emphasis on process, teamwork, leadership and joy, while instilling a strong work ethic with high performance and rehearsal expectations.
Our VISION
Mountain Youth Musical seeks to encourage the love of music and theater by giving youth the opportunity to participate in a creative, nurturing and positive environment.
Our COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
Mountain Youth Musicals is committed to offering a diverse, inclusive, and safe space for authentic and creative expression and mutually respectful teamwork. We believe in equity, justice, inclusion and belonging for all, whatever their age, sex, gender, identity, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or identity, transgender status, native language, genetic information, marital status, physical ability, disability, affiliation, political service, military status, veteran status or socio-economic status. We value differing abilities in our productions to help create the vibrant community we all cherish.
Tonje Williams / Executive Director / Costumer
Tonje is the new Executive Director for Mountain Youth Musicals. She first became involved in the organization many years ago when her oldest decided to try a musical in 4th grade. 14 years later she continues to stay involved, with the latest move as Executive Director. She loves creating costumes for MYM and has been the costumer for our productions off and on since joining! In her spare time, she loves to mountain bike, snowboard, cross country ski, and spend time outdoors with her family and her dog.
Gretchen Moritz / Director
Gretchen has been directing musicals for 15 years. She has a BA in music performance and continued to earn a Masters in Education from University of Colorado. Gretchen currently teaches Middle School Music at Rocky Mountain Academy and is the mom of 3 boys, who were the inspiration for her to develop a musical theatre program. She feels very fortunate to be able to bring her passion for music and musical theatre to kids and is excited to help grow this new Mountain Youth Musicals venture! . In her spare time, she enjoys travel, skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and everything outdoors.
Our Team:
Colleen Lee / Director
Colleen Lee is a singer and performer living in Evergreen, Colorado. She graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in Literature and has enjoyed working with children of all ages for the past fifteen years. Along with performing on the stage in both musical theater and with her bands, she will be entering her fifth year as a youth theater director for the Evergreen Chorale’s Summer Music Camp program. She has deeply enjoyed joining Gretchen Moritz as co-director for Mountain Youth Musicals’ productions of Rogers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, WIZARD OF OZ, PETER PAN, and LITTLE MERMAID. She is continually impressed and inspired by the youth talent in our area.
Trista Hertz / Board President
Trista first dipped her toe into the theater world when her older son joined MYM’s cast of “Cinderella” in 2018 and she signed up to help with props for the show. After seeing the joy in the rehearsal process, as well as the creative fun of crafting a monster’s arm and a stack of wax-sealed invitations for the ball, she was hooked! Outside of helping behind the scenes at many local theaters, Trista enjoys art journaling, nature walks, and trips to Disney parks.
Serri Miller / Board Secretary
Serri has lived in Evergreen for more than 14 years and is a proud MYM parent. She is passionate about theater's power to immerse young people in positive energy, confidence, perseverance, and acceptance of themselves and others. A former stage actor and competitive public speaker, Serri has taught acting and movement to middle schoolers and also has served as a high school speech coach, adult literacy tutor, and adjunct professor of law. She holds a B.A. in Organizational Communication from Wright State University in Ohio and a law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Serri is a full-time litigation paralegal in the Professional Liability group of Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, business planning, container gardening, and traveling with her children.
Liesl Parker / Community Representative
Liesl was a parent volunteer with the musical theater program when her daughter was in 3rd-8th grade, so she knows how valuable the MYM experience is to our students. Now that her daughter is in college, Liesl’s glad to be back with the MYM team! In her down time, she finds pleasure in Zumba, yoga, volunteering with EAPL and the Mount Evans Angel Committee, reading and making memories with her husband, daughter and two poodles.
Susan Murphy/ Community Representative
Susan's oldest daughter participated in the very first production, Tom Sawyer, 20 years ago when the organization sprouted through the vision of a couple of teachers wishing to give students an opportunity to express themselves through theater. Witnessing the positive impact theater had on both of her children, she chose to get involved and support the amazing work that Mountain Youth Musicals does in this community. She is currently heading up the SCFD grant writing effort. After working most recently in the Jefferson County School District, she is now enjoying her retired life; golfing, swimming, and playing pickleball.
MYM Board of Directors
TRISTA HERTZ PRESIDENT
SERRI MILLER SECRETARY
SUSAN MURPHY GRANT SPECIALIST
GRETCHEN MORITZ
LIESL PARKER
SOPHIE SAXTON