Meet the directors

 Kati has known that she would be an actor and director since 6th grade when she was asked by her English teacher to write an essay entitled, “What Will You Do When You Grow Up?”. She began moving toward that goal under the direction of Mrs. Myna Faye Bruner at Mineral Wells High School and Ms. Angela Redman at the Mineral Wells Community Theatre. She continued her training at Texas Tech University where she was inspired and influenced by Dr. George Sorensen. After graduating with honors from Texas Tech University in 1991 with a BA in Theatre and a BA in English, Kati began teaching and has been involved in the instruction and direction of young Thespians ever since.  Kati has taught every grade level from 5th to 12th. She currently teaches theatre at Fossil Ridge High School and is the lead teacher for the department.
 

Josh Helms is a proud graduate of Howard Payne University and has served as Technical Director at Fossil Ridge High School for 10 years.

In his off time, he enjoys posting on his active TikTok channel, antiquing or thrifting with his wife Bonnie, and spending time with their numerous cats, dogs and reptiles. 

 Melissa Freeman just wrapped up her 10th year at KISD and her 26th year in education. Ms. Freeman, who has loved teaching at Fossil Ridge HS the last four years, has helped design curriculum for several innovative theatre courses and has taught many of those courses including Technical Theatre, Production, Movement, Improv, Directing, Modern American Theatre and Unified Theatre. She spearheaded the KISD Class Play Festival which is completely produced and directed by students. Her students have qualified for UIL State in One Act Play, Theatrical Design, CX and LD Debate, Prose and Poetry Interp and Extemporaneous Speaking. She won the first Kelley for Best Musical and Best Direction. Ms. Freeman has directed at Camp on the Coast, presented at TETA, Capital Conference, UIL Student Activities Conference and Keller F.A.C.E. and Keller U. "Mama Free Free" knows it's better at the ridge.  

 Griffin Hammel is excited to be back at The Ridge! This is his 2nd year at FRHS and 5th in Keller ISD. He received his BA in Theatre at Central College, then went on to receive his MFA in Theatre from the University of Houston’s Professional Actor Training Program. Griffin is an EMC with Actor’s Equity and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. He regularly attends and teaches stage combat at regional workshops in Texas and Louisiana. Mr. Hammel directed and taught at TCC Northwest from 2017-2018. He’s also worked with companies like Theatre Three, Las Colinas Mainstage, Shakespeare Dallas, and Watertower Theatre. Aside from theatre, he spends his time playing fantasy football, traveling, and attempting to keep up with his rambunctious Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix, Murray.