Nancy Florkowski (Founder, Director)
Nancy Florkowski has been the executive and artistic director of Motor City Youth Theatre since founding it with husband, Fred Florkowski, in 1990. She’s appeared in local radio and television commercials as well as community, regional and dinner theatre. She’s also taught special education and drama for thirty-one years while directing Youth Theatre, High School, and Middle School productions.

M.A. Eastern Michigan University: Drama/Theatre for the Young
Master of Ed. Wayne State University, Special Education, M.I. Education Specialist / Wayne State University: Special Education, E.I., and L.D. B.A. / Eastern Michigan University: Education Coventry College of Education (Coventry, England) Drama/Theatre for Children Professional Apprenticeship Program in Acting/ Actor's Alliance

Kathy Macateer (Choreographer)
Kathy has taught dance for 26 years in various dance studios as well as in her own studio for 13 years. She studied Checcetti Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, modern and Pointe. Kathy has been a member of Michigan Panthers, Detroit Spirits, and even danced as a Cabbage Patch Doll for the Coleco Company. Kathy has moved her dance company to Grantland Street

Dennis Penney (Accompanist)
Dennis has been our accompanist for numerous RYT, TBP and MCYT shows since 1990. He is also an accompanist at Stagecrafters, Birmingham Players, Gabriel Richard High School and many others. Dennis is the accompanist at St. Valentine Church in Redford as well and he’s a piano technician by trade so if you ever need his services, please contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fred Florkowski (Scenic Designer, Builder)
Fred is an associate Professor in Scenic Design and the Technical Director for Wayne State University’s Bonstelle Theatre. Fred is a graduate of WSU with a BS in Education and MFA in Scenic Design. Fred has provided scenic designs and technical direction for over 80 productions in regional theatres. Recent credits include You’re Not Alone, an educational film for teens; The Old Jerusalem, a lobby exhibit at The Jewish Community Center; Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors (Bonstelle); Tales of Wishing and Silliness and The Storytellers, at OCC; In Ipod We Trust at The Second City in Novi, and many, more.

Raymond Schmidt (Vocal Director)
Ray has taught at RYT, TBP and MCYT for over fifteen years. He directed the Redford Youth Theatre Children’s Choir, which was selected to perform in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond at the Fox Theatre in Detroit in 1996. He is the vocal music teacher at Thurston High School and Pierce Middle School in South Redford Schools and is the vocal director at St. Aidan Church in Livonia.

Trenda Baldridge
Trenda has been vocal director with RYT, TBP and MCYT since 1990. She is also the accompanist and keyboard teacher at Southfield Lathrup High School. Trenda also plays for numerous other theatre productions and choirs around the Detroit area.

Shannon VanEsley
MCYT summer day camp Director and Choreographer, has been a resident actor of NYC since moving there in 2000 to study musical theatre at the American Music and Dramatic Academy. Shannon also received a BFA in musical theatre from The New School University in New York. Shannon is one of our original MCYT graduates!