Reagan Messer
Executive Director and Artistic Director of Dance

Reagan Messer is currently the Executive Director/Artistic Director of Dance for MoCo Arts in Keene, NH. Reagan is a native of Atlanta and former Boston Ballet Soloist. He has also danced as a guest artist throughout the United States, South America, and New Zealand.

He has performed principal and soloist roles in Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, La Bayadere, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Winter Dreams, Michael Pink’s Hunchback of Notre Dame, Stanton Welch’s Madame Butterfly, Bruce Well’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room, Paul Taylor’s Company B, Agnes De Mille’s Rodeo, Lila York’s Celts and numerous ballets by George Balanchine. He also served as Ballet Master for Boston Ballet II from 2000 to 2002, which included directing and coaching the young dancers through their rehearsal and performance season.

In 1993, Reagan toured Brazil with Fernando Bujones and Friends where he danced Don Quixote Pas de Deux and Gopak. In 1994, he was a finalist at the International Ballet Gala in Atlanta, Georgia featuring artists from Boston Ballet and the Royal Ballet of London. He also directed Ballet Galas in Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Vermont. Before his ballet career, Reagan’s focus was in the jazz and tap world where he worked with legendary performers Smokey Robinson, David Hasselhoff, Issac Hayes, Ruth Buzzi, Rita Moreno, Carol LAwrence, Director john Landis as well as dancing at Walt Disney World.

Besides his current role at MoCo Arts, Reagan is an Artistic Advisor for the North Atlanta Dance Theatre and served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for North Atlanta Dance Theatre. He also served as a founding board member for Keene Housing Kids Collaboartive. Reagan lives with his wife and two daughters in Keene.

Danielle Fitzpatrick
Artistic Director of Young Arts & CupCAKE 

Danielle Fitzpatrick, MA BC-DMT has been teaching dance and theatre to people of all ages throughout the tri-state area for more than two decades. She moved to Keene so that she could pursue a Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy at Antioch University, where she is now adjunct faculty in their graduate program. She has taught creative dance, children’s theatre, ballet, adaptive dance technique, and dance/movement therapy courses in studio settings, classrooms, preschools, workshops, and at the undergraduate and graduate level.

In addition to teaching dance, Danielle is a Board-Certified dance/movemnt therapist specializing in using dance with elders with neurocognitive disease. Danielle serves as a Chair on the Board of the American Dance Therapy Association. At MoCo Arts, Danielle is the Director of Young Arts, where she uses her extensive knowledge of child development to support our youngest artists in dance, theatre, and camps. Danielle enjoys writing original plays to be performed by the students at MoCo Arts. When she is not sharing her love of dancing with others, Danielle enjoys raising her two daughters.

Laura Carbonneau
Artistic Director of Theatre and C.A.K.E. 

Laura Carbonneau, an alumnus of MoCo, a native of Keene, and a true story of how life can be transformed through the arts, grew up through MoCo’s theatre and dance pograms and participated in the first of many years of C.A.K.E. summer camp. She has been teaching, volunteering, and assisting at MoCo arts in the theatre and C.A.K.E. programs since 2015 and has been an active part of MoCo’s creative team for its annual fundraiser Lights. Camera. Keene!

Acting, directing, and theatre have always been passions of Laura and she is incredibly active in the greater Monadnock Region’s community theatre scene, participating in Keene Lions Club, Springfield Community Players, and various other theatre groups in the region. Laura has appeared in over 25 shows with highlights from Janet in the Drowsy Chaperone, Olive in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Katrina in Sleepy Hollow, Gingy in Shrek. Laura has an incredible passion for stroytelling, writing plays that have been performed at MoCo Arts, creating props for shows, and has been involved in over 100 plays and musicals during her theatre career.

Holding a master’s in Sustainable Food Systems from Green Mountin College, Laura has implemented her studies into more robust cooking classes at C.A.K.E. summer camp and even teaches an online cooking series for kids through the Monadnock Food Co-op. Laura’s passion for the arts and love for teaching kids in the community has always pulled her back to MoCo Arts. Laura will be pursuing an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy through the University of Idaho starting in the fall of 2024. She is proud to provide a safe and nurturing environment where students thrive and is honored to guide students as they craft their ability to tell stories through perfomance and build confidence through the arts.

Danielle Love
Front Desk

Danielle Love first learned about MoCo as a young parent after relocating to the Monadnock Region from a lifetime of living along the coast in Machias, Maine. Starting out as a proud parent and behind-the-scenes volunteer, Danielle is grateful to be at the front desk a couple of evenings per week to greet and assist dancers, parents and community members. Having earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Southern University and certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Danielle’s professional path has always drawn her to “helping professions.” This includes supporting students with disabilities in the classroom, implementing welfare to work policies as an employment counselor and partnering with schools to prepare students with disabilities for life after high school. When she isn’t at the front desk Danielle can be found attending performing arts events, spending time with her family or planning her next travel adventure.

Nat Zilske
Customer Service Manager

Nat Zilske first entered MoCo Arts in 2009 as the father of a sweet and tiny four-year-old girl. Although he can now be found behind the front desk during the day, you will most certainly still see him in the lobby and at performances as a proud parent. After studying Journalism and Political Science at Wittenberg University he worked as a graphic designer and web developer. When he isn’t behind the front desk or with his family, he can usually be found in the woods as an avid trail runner and ultra-marathoner.

Samm Osborne
Communications and Marketing Manager

Samm Osborne’s journey into the performing arts began with a unique challenge–her hearing difficulties as a child. To communicate, she turned to dramatic expressions, which became the foundation of her lifelong connection to theatre. Growing up, Samm shined in dance recitals and musical theatre productions, with one of her favorite roles being Enid in Legally Blonde. Her talent and dedication led her to perform twice at Disney World and star in Dinosaur Jr.’s music video “Whatever’s Cool with Me.”

Samm’s passion for the performing arts extends beyond the stage. Her love for engaging children in the arts inspired her to teach across various levels, from preschool to middle school, and even driving school. While earning her master’s degree in education, she simultaneously served as the Director of Operations for a performing arts studio in Western MA. Over 12 years, Samm honed her skills in website design, program managment, and social media strategy. 

Now, as a key member of MoCo Arts, Samm brings her wealth of experience, creativity, and enthusiasm to the team. She is dedicated to fostering a beloved and inclusive environment, continually striving to elevate MoCo’s impact in the community and beyond. 

Heidi Schwieger
Director of Development

Heidi is an experienced administrator, educator, and advocate with a focus on building community. A resident of the Monadnock Region for more than 30 years, she understands the rich tradition of the Arts in this uniquely rural and vibrant area. Heidi is a firm believer in the power of artistic expression, discipline, and collaboration to strengthen self-awareness and connection to others.

Heidi holds a BA from Allegheny College and is a Fulbright Scholar. A veteran thespian, modern dancer, and classically trained singer, she has a life-long investment in the Arts as a performer, director, producer, and board member, including with many organizations throughout the Greater Monadnock Region.

She has two grown children who are both MoCo alumni. A resident of Keene, Heidi enjoys all things French, getting outside, archery, and literature. She’s delighted to serve the mission of MoCo Arts and to foster new generations of artists.

Avril Miller
Front Desk

Avril has been a part of the MoCo community since her eldest daughter, now a graduate of MoCo Arts, was 18 months old. It felt natural for Avril to start working at the front desk not only because she spent so much time at MoCo as a proud parent of two dancers but also due to her love of socializing and helping others. 

Avril lives and works her “day job” as a High School teacher of French, Culinary Arts and English, in Keene, NH. If she is not at work, you can find Avril enjoying one of her many favorite past-times of baking, knitting, dreaming of being at the ocean or traveling to France to see family.

Kathie Lanphear
Fiscal Coordinator