Kristin Vandenberg- Technical Theatre
Kristin Vandenberg is originally from Tallahassee Florida where she graduated from Florida State University with a BFA in Technical Theatre – Lighting Design. After college she worked in regional theatre and national tours until beginning to work as the Production Coordinator / Operations Manager running all crews and coordinating all scheduling for a 12,000 seat arena complex in Tallahassee. After almost 20 years there, she and her husband and four children moved to Austin five and a half years ago to handle the grand opening of the Performing Arts Center at Texas State University where she worked until deciding to move into secondary education at McCallum. She is very excited to be spearheading the Technical Theatre program at the Fine Arts Academy and wants to thank her husband for supporting this surprising change in career paths!
Samantha Gang - Performance & Musical Theatre
Samantha Gang graduated from Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre and her EC–12 Theatre Teaching Certification in 2022. Prior to joining McCallum, Samantha served as the Theatre Director at Lively Middle School, where she spent four years developing a highly successful program centered on collaboration, creativity, and the belief that every moment matters.
During her time at Lively, Samantha directed numerous productions including musicals, UIL One Act Plays, Junior Thespian festival pieces, and multiple showcases. Under her direction, Lively Theatre earned over 100 individual and group awards, 50+ national qualifying scores, and multiple district honors, including back-to-back AISD Middle School UIL One Act Play District Championships in 2024 and 2025. Samantha was also recognized as an AISD Teacher of Promise and a Campus Teacher of the Year Finalist.
At McCallum Fine Arts Academy, Samantha is excited to continue developing young artists through performance, storytelling, and a shared passion for musical theatre. She believes theatre has the power to build confidence, create community, and inspire students both on and off the stage.
Natalie Uehara- Musical Theatre Director & Choreographer
Natalie Uehara is a former professional dancer who holds a BFA in dance from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC. She is an award-winning choreographer and sought-after dance and theatre educator who is skilled at helping performers of all levels reach their highest potential. Many of her former students are current professionals in the dance & theatre industries all over the world. She is the Co-Director of the McCallum Youth Dance Company and the resident choreographer and Dance Director for MAC Theatre, both located at the McCallum Fine Arts Academy in Austin, TX. Before relocating to Austin from Honolulu, HI, she was the director of Castle DanceForce and resident choreographer for the internationally recognized Castle Performing Arts Center. For 10 plus years, she directed theatre education programs and choreographed shows at Diamond Head Theatre. Additionally, She has received multiple nominations for the Heller Awards, winning the award for Best Choreography in 2019 for 42nd Street and Best Production in 2023 for Pippin. Natalie is also the Musical Theatre Director for Dance Discovery & Avery Ranch Dance, Choreographer for the AISD Summer Theatre Series, Guest Choreographer for Lamar Fine Arts Academy, Hutto Theatre, McNeil Theatre, and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, TX. She is married to Chris and together they have two beautiful children, Kobe & Giabella.