2023 Showoff in the Desert

Bobb is in his 26th year at Valley Youth Theatre. Under his direction and leadership, VYT has become a respected, professional-level theatre company where thousands of young people experience the magic of live theatre. Since 1996, Bobb has received numerous awards for his work as a director and garnered several for the theater itself including Arts Organization of the Year. Bobb’s recognition includes: the inaugural Lifetime Achievement award at the Governor's Arts Awards 2021, the 2019 Mayor’s Arts Award, the 2013 Dreamr Award for public sector/non profit, being named one of the Valley’s Most Influential business leaders and 40 Under 40 by the Phoenix Business Journal, and Arts Advocate of the Year by the Greater Phoenix Arts & Business Council. His professional affiliations include Valley Leadership Class 33, Organization for Nonprofit Executives, Phoenix Community Alliance and The Screen Actors Guild member since 1985. Bobb has been married for over 30 years to his beautiful wife, Karol, and has one daughter, Channing.

Karol is in her 27th year with VYT.  She began her career as a professional clown and costume designer in Sherman Oaks, CA. “Bobbo & Kookee” performed for A-List celebrities and numerous Royal Families. She moved to Phoenix in 1995 and became the Resident Costume Designer for Valley Youth Theatre. During her first 9 years at VYT, she won 12 ariZoni awards for Costume Design and 10 ariZoni awards for Hair & Make-up. She has also won numerous National Youth Awards (NYA) for Outstanding Costume Design. For the 2015 Broadway World Phoenix Awards, she won Best Costume Design for a youth production for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Karol designed at the New Amsterdam Theatre for the Broadway cast of La Cage Aux Folles performing in Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. She believes that research, attention to detail and the love of storytelling through color and texture is essential to a solid overall design.

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Hersel Cremeans has 24 years of experience in choral education. Under his direction his show choirs and concert choirs have won multiple awards including Indiana State Championships. He is a full time clinician and custom arranger for his own company, On Key Productions. Hersel is a sought after clinician. He loves working with students from around the country, challenging them to find their best performance and discover how to create a significant experience for themselves and their group. He has been writing custom arrangements (both concert literature and show choir ) for 16 years and his work can be heard at most show choir contests. If you are interested in learning more check out his website www.onkeyproductions.net. Hersel and close friend Jarad Voss just started their own summer camp - Show Choir Indy. The goal is to give kids an in person fun, positive and challenging intensive workshop. Be looking for more information at www.showchoirindy.com. Hersel has been married to his best friend, Kelly, for 24 years. Together they have two amazing children, Emma (17) and Ace (13). They reside on the west side of Indianapolis. You can frequently find Hersel & his children building Legos. The kids love them almost as much as he does! As a family they attend a local church and are active on the worship team and in children's and youth ministries. Hersel is very excited and honored to join the judging panel. 

Richard Lunt has taught choral music in Arizona and Utah at the K-12 and collegiate levels. He is currently working at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher. He received his Bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University and his Masters in Music from Brigham Young University. 

He was voted the Spanish Fork High Schools National Honor Society’s Outstanding School Teacher in 2001, Round Valley High School’s Teacher of the Year in 1999, and American Leadership Academy’s Teacher of the Year in 2013 and 2021. Mr. Lunt received the National Deans List at EAC and NAU. While participating in a barbershop quartet at Eastern Arizona College, he participated in and won the Southwestern SPEBSQUA Barbershop Western Division Champions. 

Richard has been on judging panels throughout America for Show Choir and Concert Choir competitions for Heritage Music Festivals, FAME Events, Heart of America, and various show choir high school school-produced competitions, etc. 

Mr. Lunt's Concert Choirs have been invited to participate and perform in National Choral Festivals. They have received the “Outstanding Choral Music Program” with top honors for many years of participation. His Show Choirs have won the National Show Choir Championship title three times. They have won many caption awards; Best Soloists, Best Vocals, Best Show Band, Best Show Design, Best Costumes, Best Set, and Best Repertoire. Having spent most of his career in Utah, they have traveled across America and competed well against show choirs from the east and California where show choir competition is similar to a sport. 

Richard enjoys production and has directed many musicals, and themed shows each year in his choral program, and has produced a production for Utah State Boy Scouts entitled A Celebration of Eagles which was produced in the UVU Basketball Arena. Mr. Lunt, his wonderful wife Melissa, and three children and one grandchild live in Spanish Fork Utah.

Raised in Euclid, Ohio Steffahn Maclin began his performance career when he started dancing in elementary show choir. He continued that training throughout his high school career. Steffahn attended Kent State University, where he honed his craft in the performing arts while simultaneously studying Communications. Upon graduating Steffahn ventured out to New York City where he currently works consistent gigs in Musical Theatre, Commercial Dance, TV & Film Production. Steffahn currently choreographs groups in OH, NM, GA, & FL. Steffahn is exhilarated to continue pursuing his artistic passions with everyone here at Showcase in the Desert!