Rising Stars

Marissa Hertzfeld

Musical Theatre & Acting Teacher

As a Charlotte native, Marissa grew up performing in local community theatres. She decided to pursue her love of theatre at Appalachian State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Education. Since then, Marissa has taught elementary, middle, and high school students around the state. She has experience directing and choreographing a variety of ages. Marissa has directed productions at The Academy including Willy Wonka Jr, Aladdin KIDS, Annie Jr, Beauty and the Beast Jr, Matilda Jr, The Wizard of Oz (RSC), and our next production, Shrek Jr. She also leads workshops at The Academy as well as our fall musical theatre classes: Rising Stars and Shining Stars. Marissa recently led our 2026 Jr Theatre Festival troupe to the Atlanta festival where they performed before Broadway professionals and earned the Excellence in Acting award. Marissa believes that arts education is central to our humanity. Theatre teaches a plethora of essential lifelong abilities, such as strong communication skills, collaboration, creative problem solving, empathy and compassion, self-confidence, and so many more. These are skills she places at the forefront of her teaching, while also placing a huge emphasis on self-discovery and enjoyment of the creative process. Marissa lives in South Charlotte with her husband and fur baby. When she is not teaching, you can find her traveling and spending time outdoors. We are so excited to have Marissa on faculty at The Academy teaching musical theatre classes and directing productions!

Lindsey Ranz

Musical Theatre, Dance, & Acting Teacher

Lindsey Ranz is a passionate Theater Teacher, Director, and Choreographer originally from Colorado. She studied Film Acting at the Savannah College of Art and Design and Theater Education at the University of Northern Colorado, and holds an Associate’s Degree in Psychology. Lindsey has been involved in theater since the age of 15, when she first fell in love with the art form’s unique ability to tell stories, create connection, and spark a sense of wonder. Over the years, Lindsey has directed productions such as Carrie: The Musical and Young Frankenstein and has taught theater to students ranging from elementary through high school. She taught at Ascent Classical Academy, where her work emphasized the historical significance and enduring impact of theater across cultures and time. Most recently, she has enjoyed inspiring creativity and confidence as a Teaching Artist with Matthew’s Playhouse School of Theater and Summer Camps. We are thrilled to welcome Lindsey to the the CAA faculty! Lindsey’s first production with our Musical Theatre program was this summer’s production of The Little Mermaid Jr., in which she served as the Director and Choreographer. Lindsey will be teaching musical theatre classes this fall in addition to our Dance for Musical Theatre class. Lindsey’s teaching philosophy centers around equipping students with a well-rounded foundation in acting and theater, while encouraging curiosity, self-expression, and critical thinking. Her goal is to introduce young performers to a variety of tools and techniques — from Sense Memory work as adapted by Lee Strasberg to Uta Hagen’s renowned “9 Questions” for character development — so that every student can find their own approach and confidently step into the world of a character. Above all, Lindsey believes that theater is more than performing — it builds empathy, communication skills, and self-awareness, all of which serve students both on and off the stage. Her greatest hope is that her students walk away not only with a deeper understanding of the craft, but also with confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong appreciation for the magic of storytelling.