Michael Zerphy and Marv Klassen-Landis are seasoned performers with deep respect for children as audiences and as authors. Sharing a passion for inspiring creative expression in young people, they founded Children’s Voices Theatre in 2002. Their belief that students and teachers would love to see children’s writing come alive on stage has been confirmed again and again. In addition to performing, Marv and Michael have shared their enthusiasm, skills, and experience with countless teachers and artists through professional development programs for schools and at annual conferences of the Vermont Alliance for Arts Education, the New Hampshire Council for the Arts, the New England Artists Trust, and other state and regional conferences. Both artists have led professional development workshops sponsored by VSA Arts (formerly known as Very Special Arts).

Michael Zerphy is an actor, storyteller, clown, teacher, and director. He has performed in schools, colleges, theatres, and festivals across the United States and Europe—from Alaska to Scotland’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. TheatreWorks presented the Clown Conspiracy, which Michael co-created and performed. He has appeared at the New England Vaudeville Festival, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the New York International Festival of Clown Theatre. He performed in Bill Harley’s Lunch Room Tales, and he has taught at Boston University. Michael co-created and performed El Trato and Fiddle ‘n’ Fool. His solo shows include Cahoots, Zany Acts, and Don’t Do That! Michael has provided workshops for education majors at the College of St. Joseph and for therapists at the Sand Play Therapists of America annual conference.

A performer, writer, educator, and arts education consultant, Marv Klassen-Landis is the author/illustrator of Jump, Children, Jump and the co-author of Please Talk with Me. He writes poetry and fiction for children and adults and has led workshops, residencies, and Family Poetry Parties from New Hampshire to Colorado. He often integrates words, music, movement, and visual arts in his performance projects and residencies. He co-created and performs Son of a Dad with Michael Zerphy and actor Hamilton Gillett. As an associate of Dawn M. Ellis, Marv has conducted arts education research for the Tennessee Arts Commission and VSA.

Both artists are Juried Artists with the Vermont Arts Council. Michael Zerphy is also on the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ artist roster.