The company
Glorifying Christ Through
Excellence In the Arts
CSDC was established in 2002. For co-founders Irene Miller and Marla Ripps, it literally all began with a dream and a prayer. Irene had a dream, and Marla had a prayer for a place where God could be glorified through theatre and where Christians could find an outlet for their talent. Since 2001, CSDC has taught all aspects of theatre arts to students K-12. Through this pre-professional training, the students are able to utilize their gifts and talents to serve others in any aspect of theatre or in business.
With God’s blessing and direction, we envision Crystal Sea Drama Company continuing to grow in its ability to offer classes and productions in a first class facility. Crystal Sea Drama Company is dedicated to training artists in theatre arts education and performance.
In August, 2009, we moved into our current location – a warehouse at 8414 Speedway. The building used to be an archery warehouse. The space, affectionately known as “The Studio”, has been transformed into a black box rehearsal theatre complete with costume shop, extensive costume, props and sets storage, and classrooms.
Co-Founders
Irene Miller has been involved in theatrical productions since 1970. She has a degree in Theatre and Communications Arts from the University of Iowa.
Marla Ripps is a civil engineer who received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M.
Arsenic and Old Lace, February 2020
the Staff
Irene miller
Executive Artistic Director, Founder
Irene Miller graduated with a Theatre and Communications degree from the University of Iowa. She is co-founder of the company, along with Marla Ripps, and is the Executive Artistic Director. Irene has directed over 50 plays for CSDC, consisting of comedies, dramas, musicals, radio theatre, and Shakespeare productions. She has been acting since she was young and has performed in numerous plays, with favorite roles being Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, Aunt Martha in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Corrie ten Boom in The Hiding Place. She is a mother of nine and grandmother of four and has been homeschooling for close to 40 years. In her free time, she loves to scrapbook, spend time with her family, and travel with her husband, Larry.
Marla ripps
Founder, Photographer,
Costume Dept. Head Emeritus
Marla Ripps co-founded CSDC with Irene Miller in 2002. She has worked in some capacity in almost every show CSDC has produced. Her expertise can be seen in CSDC's makeup designs and applications, costumer designs and construction, and photography. Mrs. Ripps has a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University.
CRISTAL RUBIO
Bookkeeper
Cristal Rubio is an administrator and bookkeeper for CSDC. Over the last few years, she has taught our Makeup Classes and designed makeup for productions. Three of her children have attended Crystal Sea. Cristal also owns a bookkeeping firm called BeautyPro Bookkeeping.
Sam Moellendorf
Improvisation and Tech Instructor
Sam Moellendorf was a student at CSDC for nine years! His favorite classes back then were Tech and Improvisation, so it is no surprise that he is teaching Tech and Improvisation this year! He is a newlywed, having met his wife, Julianna, also on staff, at CSDC. Sam graduated from the Diesel Tech Academy at St. Phillip’s College and is looking forward to putting his degree to work soon.
Kelly Hanson
Elementary Theater and Art Instructor
Kelly Hanson is a local artist and entrepreneur with over 20 years of professional experience. She has run several art related businesses including working as a decorative interior painter and running an international children’s art kit subscription business. She also spent over 10 years performing locally with the National Comedy Theatre and Comedy Sportz improv troupe. Currently, Kelly is a homeschool mom and teaches kindergarten in a hybrid model school. She loves teaching children’s theatre and art classes here at CSDC!
Gwen kandt
Director, Instructor
Gwen Kandt teaches English and Drama at Crestmont Christian Preparatory School in Boerne. She has been involved in drama ministries at four churches and led a homeschool theater program in Sioux City, Iowa. Over the years, she has written scads of skits, one-acts, and full-length plays for her students to perform, including two published one-acts: Do-Overs and Everyman 2.0. In her spare time, she reads, blogs (ingennesaret.blogspot.com), and indulges in far too many desserts.
Miguel Hernandez
Film Troupe Instructor
Miguel Hernandez is CSDC’s Film Troupe teacher. He enjoys teaching students the ins and outs of making films. In fall, 2025, he performed as a Policeman in CSDC’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, and last spring, he subbed as a backstage tech and a lighting tech during Richard II. His two sons are in CSDC’s productions. He also teaches at local private schools and homeschool co-ops.
kari west
Music Director
Kari directs the musical aspects of most of our productions. She came to CSDC looking for a place for her daughter to pursue her love for theatre and quickly got involved herself. A private piano teacher, she has a BA in Music Business from Northeast Missouri State (now Truman University) and has played piano since she was 7. Kari and her husband Jeff co-founded South Texas Arts Academy in Devine, where she is the managing director and music instructor. They have five daughters, two of whom are CSDC alumni.
JULIANNA moellendorf
Instructor, Director, Graphic Designer
Julianna Martin is an alumna of CSDC, where she began classes in 2018 and is now teaching acting classes. She also teaches theatre at St. Gregory Catholic School. Her years at CSDC were full of performing, directing, creating fun memories, making great friends and community, and meeting her husband Sam. Theatre became a creative outlet for her and helped her get out of her shell; her mission is to give back to the community that has given her long-lasting joy, as well as to spread God’s light and glory to the youth of this theatre.
Office Manager, Director, Instructor
Eastin Kandt graduated with a B.A. in Communications from Abilene Christian University, with a focus on Non-profit Communication and a minor in Theatre. She is a 2018 alumna of Crystal Sea Drama Company. Recently, she has played roles in “Differently Abled”, “Our Town”, and “The Change”. Eastin has stage-managed multiple plays since 2016. CSDC's New Play Festivals hold a fond place in her heart because that is where she got her directorial debut with her self-written piece “Cordelia” in 2016. She was a recent recipient of the Audacious Actress award from the Bolden Awards in Atlanta. Eastin loves her 14-year-old dog, Wheatly, and her 2-year-old cat, Prince, and they sort of love each other, too. She’s looking forward to see what God has for her at CSDC now!
Ellie Moellendorf
Instructor, Scenic Painter
Eleanor (Ellie) Moellendorf has been a member at CSDC for the past 13 years. She spent the last decade working in all facets of the theater from acting, teching, and now teaching. Her favorite roles were Mrs. Whatsit in “ A Wrinkle in Time” (2024) and Aunt Hilda in “60s Mania” (2023). Now as an alumni her future plans are to follow the Lord's plans for her and to grow creative young minds at the theater. She loves giving new life back into CSDC and is grateful for all her mentors and friends.
LARRY MILLER
Lead Carpenter, Tech Instructor, Cell Phone Guy
Larry Miller has been having his cell phone "go off" at the beginning of almost every CSDC production since 2005. Since his retirement as a Safety Engineer in 2024, he's enjoyed spending time at the studio building shelves for storage and teaching the Tech class. He recently made his acting debut in Pirates of Penzance!Larry is the father of nine children and grandfather of four. He's been involved with CSDC since its inception, as he is the husband of one of the founders, Irene Miller. In his spare time, he enjoys doing handyman jobs around the house and the studio.
VICTOR LAMPHIER
Snack Bar/Supplies Coordinator, Tech Class Assistant, Security
Victor has been involved in theatre in one way or another most of his life. He started at CSDC in 2004 when his daughter, Autumn, was a student, by training our tech students how to work backstage. Victor is a jack of all trades, helping out with whatever is needed around the studio. He's usually one of the first to arrive and is always the last to leave, being sure that everything is locked up and safe before he goes. Victor is a veteran, working many different types of jobs both in and out of the military. He is a cat-lover and rescuer and has a room in his home designed to be cat heaven. CSDC's auditorium is named the Victor Lamphier Black Box Theatre in honor of all of the time and talent he has donated to the company.