Meet Our Team
Jessica Rosa Espinoza
Founder
Jessica Espinoza founded DreamBox Theatre six years after experiencing firsthand the power this art form can have on elementary aged children. Jessica is a director/ playwright, actress, and also was an elementary classroom teacher. She holds a Masters in Educational Theatre from C.U.N.Y's City College of New York. Jessica also holds a BFA in Acting/ Directing from University of Mississippi. She is a state certified teacher in both Georgia and New York in the area of Theatre Education and is certified in Early Childhood Education, grades K-5. In addition to managing DreamBox Theatre, Jessica works with the Woodruff Arts Center's Alliance Theatre and ArtsNow Learning as an education consultant bringing professional learning to teachers in the area of theatre integration. Jessica is mother to two young daughters who love singing and dancing. Jessica loves helping children use theatre to dream, learn and grow!
Laurin Dunleavy
School Program Manager
Laurin Dunleavy was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga. After receiving a BFA in Dance Performance at Brenau University she went on to perform for Walt Disney World and several different professional dance companies. She has guest performed with Cirque du Soleil, Weird Al Yankovic and North Point Community Church promo message videos to name a few. The past several years Laurin has been a Teaching-Artist for the Alliance Theater's programing where she integrates school curriculum with dance. Recently she was the project manager for the K-12 Dance Standard revisions for the State of Georgia's Education Department. You can also find her at the Holly Theater in Dahlonega, Ga performing, choreographing and in many schools and studios around the North Atlanta area. She has technical training in ballet, modern, jazz and tap.
Sylvia Langford
School Program Manager
Sylvia Langford is currently the dual language music teacher at the World Language Academy in Hall County. She has taught K- 8 during her 11 years at the school. Sylvia coordinates a variety of school-wide presentations, including the Fall Cultural Festival, Veteran’s Day Presentation, Holidays Around the World and Dr. Seuss, Read Across America events. She has been a huge supporter of DreamBox for the past 6 years. Sylvia taught piano for over 20 years and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with emphasis in Music Therapy from Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sylvia hopes that everything a child experiences at DreamBox will encourage them to follow their dreams. She is a huge supporter of the arts and understands the influence it can have on a child’s world.
Melanie Lauren Raper
Teaching Artist
Lauren Raper is a senior at Brenau University working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. As a part of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance she has been an assistant stage manager for “Mermaid Song”, “Flyin’ West”, “Tomás and the Library Lady”, Raven and The Nightingale”, and currently for “The Wizard of Oz”. Lauren was an intern for Dreambox this summer and is so excited to be joining the team this year! She has previously worked as a summer camp counselor for two years and hopes to make a career out of Theatre Education.
Alyssa Eblen
Teaching Artist
Alyssa Eblen is a senior scholarship recipient at Brenau University pursuing two Bachelor's Degrees in Theatre and Organizational Leadership. She is an active member of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance as a Recruitment Student Ambassador, Marketing Intern, Assistant Stage Manager (“Monstrous Regiment” and “The Wizard of Oz,”) and in April will serve as Assistant to the Director for “The Kiss.” She has a passion for theatre and believes in empowering the next generation through education and empathy. Alyssa is so proud to be a part of the DreamBox “Dream Team!”
Lauren Hill
Teaching Artist
Lauren Hill has worked with Dreambox Theatre for 3 years in the area of music director and choreographer! She is a Brenau University scholarship recipient pursuing a B.F.A in Musical Theatre and a member of the Gainesville Theatre Alliance. Her favorite credits include Beauty and the Beast, Aida, Godspell, Crazy for You, The Little Mermaid, In the Heights, and The Addams Family. Lauren also has experience in the elementary school classroom as a full time teaching aid incorporating the arts into young children’s curriculum. She is so honored to share her love of theatre with children and hopes to inspire them to reach for their dreams!