Rachel Jett, is honored to serve as the Artistic Director of NTI, and has been a faculty member of the National Theater Institute since 1998. She is an alum of NTI, MATS and the Advanced Directing Semester. She holds an MFA from TISCH in Music Theater Writing and attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Ok.

She was the first American aspirant to the innovative and esteemed Russian movement coach and teacher Andrei Droznin. She was an original company member of Synetic Theater in Washington DC and teaches workshops at various universities and colleges Connecticut College, Juilliard, Bryn Mawr, Wheaton, Wellesley, Smith, Wesleyan and New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA).

Rachel was honored at the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in 2018 for her service as an educator. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Writer’s Block Inc in New London.

Her performances include The Body Artist by Don Delillo and NOT ONE DAY by Anne Garrete, directed and adapted by Jody McAuliffe. She was the choreographer for Songs For a New World by Jason Robert Brown directed by Nicole Brewer.

She has directed The Wolves By Sarah DeLappe and Love and Information by Carol Churchill, and She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen for Connecticut College. She is the proud mama of Jett and Phoenix

Ciara (She/Her/Hers) is a New London, CT native. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2018. In her free time Ciara loves to learn about astrology. Ciara loves to travel, and is passionate about experiencing new cultures. She has worked in higher education for over seven years.

Monica is beyond excited to join the NTI staff as the Program Coordinator! Monica grew up in Los Angeles, California, and attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a Vocal Major. Since graduating from the Hartt School of Music with her BFA in Musical Theater, Monica has been teaching voice, acting, piano, and improv comedy, both virtually and in person. She's also performed across the country and is a member of Actor's Equity. Monica especially loves creating roles in new musicals, and favorite past roles include Mother (U/S) in A Christmas Story (Berkeley Playhouse), Lucille in Gunfight at the Not-So-Okay Saloon (Hollywood Fringe Festival), Gabby in Milo at the Movies (Goodspeed Opera House), Snowflake in North Pole High (New Musicals, Inc.), and many more. She is also featured on the Original Cast Recording for A Carol Christmas, distributed by Kritzerland. www.monicaallan.com