Molly Schunicht
Program Director / Teens Coordinator
Molly is a Vocal Music teacher with degrees in Vocal Performance, Music Education, and a minor in Musical Theater. Molly is a currently the Program Director of Hoogland Education and a studio voice teacher. Previously, she was a classroom music teacher for 5 years with grades ranging from K-12. Molly has been the show choir director, musical director, vocal coach, and madrigal director for her previous school districts. Since moving to Springfield in 2021, Molly has lucky enough to work on multiple shows including Spongebob, Follies, Once, High School Musical, and Rock of Ages.
Craig Williams II
Artistic Director / Teens Coordinator
Craig fell in love with the arts at an early age and has shared his passion with the Springfield community for more than 20 years. As a director, he led the Springfield High School theater department through 8 years of growth in student involvement, program enrichment, and production quality, culminating in the receipt of the Kevin Lehman award for outstanding leadership service in extra-curricula.
Craig has directed, acted, and designed for more than 75 productions through the Springfield Theatre Centre (STC), Springfield High School (SHS), The Muni, and the Hoogland Center for the Arts. He has also served as a member of several nonprofit boards including STC, Springfield Area Arts Council, Springfield Urban League, Copper Coin Ballet, and most recently as President of The Muni Board of Managers.
In his full-time career, Craig works for the State of Illinois SAP team as finance functional expert, and enjoys traveling with his husband, Ryan.
Favorite Theater credits, include: Springfield High School’s All Shook Up, The Wiz, Cats, Hairspray, and Ragtime; Snow White, 9 to 5, and Chicago at STC; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Wiz, The Last Five Years, and Songs for a New World at Hoogland Center for the Arts; and Disney’s High School Musical, Hairspray, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Dreamgirls, Disney & Cameron Mackintosh's Mary Poppins, EVITA, and The SpongeBob Musical for Muni.
Chrissy Mauck
Juniors Coordinator
Chrissy is a local music educator and frequent stage performer! While she currently serves as a band director in Chatham, she has spent 6 years teaching choir and voice lessons in both Central Illinois and Indiana. A lifelong learner and performer, Chrissy has been involved in both community and professional theaters across Illinois since 2010; this includes acting and singing, choreographing, and directing.
Since making Springfield her home, she wasted no time joining the Springfield area theater community, and has since been seen in different local productions. Her passion for education and performance are what drew her to the Hoogland Performing Arts Education program. Chrissy is so excited to get started working with the Juniors this season!
Sophie Nuding
Juniors Coordinator
Sophie is a local science and theater teacher. She graduated from Illinois State University in 2017 with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In high school, Sophie discovered her love for theater and hasn’t looked back! Since then, she has performed in numerous musicals. Some of her favorites include Mary Poppins at the Muni and Kinky Boots at the Legacy Theater. Sophie also enjoys being on the production side of theater, from assistant directing musicals to stage managing Willy Wonka. Sophie is excited to be joining the Hoogland Education team full time for the 2023-2024 school year!
Zoey Zara
Kids Coordinator
Zoey is a local music educator and life-long theater enthusiast. Zoey earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Millikin University in 2015. She performed in her first musical at the age of 8 and has never looked back! Since 2015, Zoey has performed in and staffed for shows all across Springfield. She very much looks forward to bringing her experience and love of teaching and performing to the Hoogland Education Program!
Lindsey Rudd
Kids Coordinator
Lindsey Rudd is a mom to two amazing kids-Aiden and Everleigh, and wife to DJ. Lindsey has her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and Master’s in special education. Currently, Lindsey is a special education teacher in District 186. Lindsey has been performing in local theater productions since 2003, and was most recently on staff for The SpongeBob Musical at the Muni. In joining the Hoogland Ed program, Lindsey is thrilled to be combining her two biggest passions-teaching and theater!