Welcome to Our Next Showcase!

STEPHEN SCHERMITZLER (Artistic Director) is the Founder of the Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona. After earning a BFA in Music Composition from ASU in 2010, Stephen became the resident music director for Detour Company Theatre and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre (now Silver Star), along with several independent local community productions. 

As a pianist, he has collaborated with artists who have performed Broadway and national touring runs of 1776, Dear Evan Hansen, Waitress, Hamilton, Camelot, New York, New York, and 42nd Street. As a singer, he has been featured with Arizona Musicfest, Phoenix Chorale, Arizona Bach Festival, Symphony of the Southwest, North Valley Chorale, and the West Valley Symphony. He is intensely devoted to the nurture of authentic artistic development of all actors and musicians. Love always to Ray and the Pod. 

DYLAN SUEHIRO (Conductor) was born and raised in Hilo, Hawai‘i. He serves as MTAA’s Conductor and Communications Director. As a performer, he is an avid multi-instrumentalist, playing with Tempe Winds and the North Valley Symphony Orchestra, in addition to the MTAA Orchestra. Spamalot marks Dylan’s ninth Showcase; he previously conducted The Pajama Game, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Sound of Music, Annie Get Your Gun, and Spamalot, and he played in the pit for Titanic, A Little Night Music, Big Fish, and The Pirates of Penzance.

Dylan holds degrees from Indiana University and ASU in music education and conducting. Since moving to Arizona in 2013, he has taught at multiple schools in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, in addition to serving as a clinician and adjudicator for bands and orchestras around the Valley. 

An avid baker and passionate supporter of the local food community, Dylan is also a member of Emerging Leaders and volunteers at the Desert Botanical Garden. He lives in Phoenix with his husband Kyle.

RICK ROSS (Chorus Director) is a multi-decade educator who has been a program builder for students and teachers. He absolutely loves bringing people together to make music happen and create community. Rick directed choral music students for 25 years in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. He created the choral program at Greenway Middle School during its first decade and was the proud Director of Choral Activities at Shadow Mountain High School for 15 years. Rick greatly enjoyed collaborating with his choral colleagues and artists across the state while providing musical and educational opportunities for students. 

After departing the classroom, Rick went on to facilitate positive campus culture and student achievement as Dean of Students at SMHS. During his 34 years as a public school educator in PVUSD, he was involved in numerous District & Association leadership roles & committees, as well as negotiating 19 contracts on behalf of certified personnel to improve teaching conditions and learning outcomes. 

Rick also sang with multi-generations of kiddos as Children’s Choir Director at Church of the Beatitudes. Rick has recently retired from PVUSD and is enjoying his time as an Enrichment Instructor with Inspirato Education. It has been Rick’s pleasure and privilege to be involved with MTAA from the very first production (He was the Mayor in Seussical), serving as a founding member of the Board and currently serving as Secretary. Rick has enjoyed numerous roles with MTAA as well as other organizations throughout the Valley.

ROBYN PITMAN (Staging Director) is an Arizona-born performer and music director who has worked in theaters across the country touring in Brigadoon (Fiona), The Music Man (Mrs. Squires/Marian Understudy), and Legally Blonde (Elle's Mom/Judge). 

Regional credits include: The Music Man (Marian), Brigadoon (Fiona), Carnival (Lili- AriZoni Winner for Best Actress in a Musical), Hello Dolly (Irene), Titanic (Alice), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), 1776 (Martha Jefferson), Lucky Stiff (Annabel), Cinderella (Portia), A Little Night Music (Mrs. Anderssen) and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Woman One).

Music Directing credits include: Les Misérables, Brigadoon, The Sound of Music, Legally Blonde, Fiddler on the Roof, Lucky Stiff, and Honk!

As an educator, Robyn taught high school choir for 14 years and was the proud director for multiple National award-winning Show and Jazz Choirs. She holds a BIS in Music and Education from Arizona State University and an MBA from Southern Indiana University. In addition to performing and music directing, Robyn currently works as a Human Resources Business Partner and Arizona Realtor.