Meet the directors
The Directors
L-R: Griffin Hammel, Kati Grimmer, Lunday Maninger, Chantz Cochran
Kati Grimmer
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.
Griffin Hammel
Griffin Hammel is excited to be back at The Ridge! This is his 3rd year at FRHS and 6th 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, and traveling.
Lunday Maninger
Lunday Maninger is the new Head Technical Director at Fossil Ridge High School. She is super happy to be working with such an amazing group of students and fellow directors. She received her BA in Theater from Howard Payne University.
Chantz Cochran
Chantz Cochran is the new Technical Theatre Director at Fossil Ridge High School and is extremely excited to be a part of Theatre at The Ridge. He has done tech in numerous shows such as The Addams Family, In the Heights, and Bye Bye Birdie.