THE NCPA WAY

Our Mission

At North Central Performing Arts, we are committed to creating a positive theater experience where each child feels valued and an important part of the community we create together. We take pride in producing high quality performances that are achieved through team building, hard work and fun! Every child enrolled in one of our sessions will have a part in the final production.

Meet the Team

  • Liz Gengle

    OWNER/DIRECTOR

    Liz is a Phoenix native who grew up in the theater world. She was involved in local productions throughout her childhood and into college where she decided to get her degree in teaching. Liz has a passion for working with young people and has been a teacher for 14 years where she has worked with students ages 6 through 14. Liz has been teaching theater and choir in the public school setting for many years and is currently the theater teacher at Madison Meadows Middle School. She is excited to bring her expertise to North Central Performing Arts.

    Through her work with young people, Liz has developed many skills to make students feel safe to take risks and push themselves to reach their full potential. Liz is committed to making NCPA a place where students can explore their creativity, build confidence and forge lifelong friendships.

  • Teresa Simmons

    ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

    Teresa has spent most of her career coaching and teaching children. She was both a gymnastics coach and elementary school teacher for many years. She has a passion and love for guiding and supporting students in their learning journeys, and loves celebrating all of their accomplishments. She is excited to be a part of the team at North Central Performing Arts and to share the joy of performance and theater with children through music, dance, and acting.

    She is the proud mother of two children and five grandchildren. She recently retired from education where she ended her career as an elementary school principal. Her life has always been surrounded by children and she’s excited to continue having fun with the students at North Central Performing Arts.

  • Meryl Temple

    VOCAL DIRECTOR

    Meryl has lived in Arizona all her life; she spent her own childhood acting in community theater productions and singing in school choirs. Nowadays she sings in a local community chorus, which she loves and has been part of for 10+ years. Meryl is beyond thrilled to be able to share her love of performing with North Central Performing Arts! 

    Meryl has worked with children of all ages for over 20 years, first as a teacher and now as a therapist. Although she loves her career, it has been her dream to work with children in the theater setting, where creativity, focus, and fun come together to build lifelong skills, confidence, and relationships. Meryl is passionate about supporting and empowering children to become and be their most authentic selves, both on stage and off.

Anika Pierro

Anika has loved the performing arts her whole life. She started out as a dancer, and later fell in love with musical theater. Anika enjoys and has participated in all aspects of community theater, from performing onstage to working behind the scenes. She is also involved in Sunnyslope High School’s Concert Choir and theater department.

Anika has experience working with kids from 3 to 14 through performing arts. She first directed and choreographed a musical when she was in seventh grade, which sparked her ambition to pursue a career in theater education. Anika also started a business that year to allow kids to express themselves through dance and musical theater. Anika is excited to share her passion for the performing arts with the students at NCPA!

Choreographer/Assistant Director

Libby Kraeer

Libby brings over 24 years of dance choreography and coaching experience, inspiring performers from age 3 through adulthood. Originally from Kansas and Texas, she relocated to Arizona in 2019, bringing with her a passion for developing confident, expressive, and well-rounded performers.

During her collegiate years, Libby was a member of the nationally recognized Tyler Junior College Apache Belles dance team, where she served as Captain and performed as a member of the Elite Team. Throughout her coaching career, she has choreographed for countless recitals and dance competitions, helping students build confidence while developing their technique, artistry, and stage presence. In 2014, she guided her collegiate competition team to an NDA National Championship title.

A lifelong musical theater enthusiast, Libby loves combining movement and storytelling to create choreography that helps performers connect with their characters and bring productions to life. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of performers and creating an environment where students can grow, shine, and discover their love of the stage.

Choreographer/Assistant Director
Dance Teacher

Audrey Guca

Coming Soon!