Our Team at Talespinner Children's Theatre
Executive Director: Sarah Durham (she/her)
Sarah is a passionate arts leader, performer, and educator who brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, theater production, and arts education to her new role. She has built a career that seamlessly blends artistry and administration, advancing creative organizations through strategic leadership while keeping storytelling and accessibility at the heart of her work.
An accomplished actor, director, and choreographer, Sarah’s theatrical credits span a wide range of roles and genres. Her combined experience onstage and in arts administration gives her a unique perspective on nurturing artists and engaging audiences. Most recently, she served as Business Operations Director at the National Center for Choreography in Akron and has also held key administrative and leadership roles with ICA–Art Conservation, DANCECleveland, Playhouse Square, and Salem Community Theatre.
Sarah holds a Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Wright State University. She has worked directly with youth and artists both nationally and within her community and remains a proud advocate for arts access and education.
Administrative and Programs Coordinator (she/her)
Olivia Queener is a 14-year veteran of the United States Navy. She proudly served as a Hospital Corpsman, engaging in various assignments and deployments around the globe. After her honorable discharge, Olivia actively pursued acting in film and stage throughout northeast Ohio.
She has gotten cozily settled into Cleveland, Ohio. Olivia began her TCT path with the touring show ‘Everything I Feel’ directed by Mariah Burks. Moving forward, Olivia was requested back to audition for the role of ‘Tortoise’ in ‘Tortoise and Hare’ directed by Will Potts. After seeing all the joy these programs brought to the school staff and students, Olivia applied to be a teaching artist. Ever since, Olivia has conducted in-house classes, productions, school residencies, and summer camps.
Although she has left active duty status, the mission remains the same; to create an environment where people can genuinely feel and be their true authentic selves through the arts. I am truly honored to accept the position of Education Manager. My goal is to help continue the growth of accessible arts for our youth and surrounding communities and to keep a safe and welcoming environment that is conducive to learning and, most importantly of all, fun.
Teaching Artists
Jasmine Banes
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Jasmine Banes is a proud graduate of Cleveland School of the Arts and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Acting and Directing at Baldwin Wallace University. Jasmine has appeared in and worked on productions such as Hairspray, where she played Dynamite at Near West Theatre. She has also expanded her work behind the scenes, directing Shrek the Musical Jr. and Ragtime at Near West Theatre, as well as Matilda Jr. at Tale-spinners Children’s Theatre. As an emerging artist, Jasmine continues to grow her passion for storytelling both onstage and behind the scenes, with a particular interest in creating meaningful theatrical experiences for diverse audiences. She is endlessly grateful to her grandmother, Gail, for being her biggest supporter and cheerleader throughout every step of her artistic journey.
Christina Compean
Christina Compean is excited to be part of Talespinner Children’s Theatre! She joined the team as a Teaching Artist in the summer of 2026, where she was the choreographer for the production of Matilda Jr. Her credits include performing with SeaWorld Entertainment in Countdown to Halloween as Elmo, as well as choreography credits with Midland Center for the Arts and Midland Public Schools. Christina holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. She looks forward to creating, performing, and sharing her passion for the arts with the Cleveland community! Thank YOU for being awesome!
Talia Eshenbaugh
Talia has been a Teaching Artist with Talespinner Children’s Theatre since 2025 and works as an actor at multiple theatres across Cleveland! She is extremely passionate about the art of theatre and loves to share that passion with her students. Her favorite thing to teach is Shakespeare.
Mike Frye
Mike Frye is an actor from Oberlin, OH and has performed at theaters all over Lorain county and Cleveland, including Workshop Players, Olde Town Hall, Blank Canvas, convergence-continuum, Dobama, and the Oberlin Summer Theater Festival. He has performed numerous times for children with Talespinner and Spark Theatre 4 Youth. When he's not busy elsewhere, he can be seen monthly in Hot Goss: the Improvised Musical at Imposters Theater.