Tom Parr | Artistic Director

Tom Parr is a critically acclaimed director, designer and theater educator. For over 20 years he has guided students of all ages toward finding their passion for the arts. His work has taken him across the country to teach and coach teachers in his integration arts techniques, combining all aspects of arts, technologies, and core subject material. In 2003 he co-founded Second Thought Theatre in Dallas, Texas. He has directed and designed over 30 professional productions including DFW Theater Critics’ “Best Play” of 2006, Dallas Morning News’ “Artist to Watch” 2007, and the Dallas Observer’s People’s Choice for “Best Director” 2012. Tom has taught at St. John’s Episcopal School, Lakehill Preparatory School and is currently working in arts administration at Parish Episcopal School.

He has directed over a hundred student created works and 50 educational main stage productions. His students have gone on to successful acting and arts studies at multiple area high schools including Booker T Washington, Woodrow Wilson High School, Jesuit, Ursuline, Greenhill, and Parish Episcopal School and more. Many of his former students are still acting, designing and dancing professionally or at universities across the country. Tom is thrilled to continue fostering theatre in the East Dallas community and remains diligent in his commitment to inspire and mentor artists of all ages.

Amy Kulas | Executive Director

Amy Kulas has always had a love of the arts and has played a big role in her community. Growing up, she was heavily involved in dance and community theater in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was a part of an outstanding performing arts department at Lincoln East High School, participating in select choirs, musicals, plays, and traveling the country competing with her show choir. As a college student at Texas Christian University, she was selected for TCU Voices, a collegiate show choir. After graduating, she became an elementary school teacher in the Grapevine-Colleyville School District, and directed the Children’s Summer Musical, Broadway Extravaganza. She also directed kids in a musical radio commercial for Columbia Children’s Hospital. Along with being a soloist in her church choir, she has worked as a wedding vocalist and has played featured roles as an adult in both Fiddler on the Roof and Brigadoon, Fort Worth community productions.  Most recently, while raising her three children in Dallas, she has led worship (soloist) for Cornerstone at Highland Park United Methodist Church, worked as the Director of Worship for Cornerstone, served as President of the Lakewood Service League, and has held a variety of other volunteer and leadership positions at her children’s schools, through her church, and in her community of Lakewood. For the past several years, she has costumed over 100 Woodrow Wilson High School theatre students for their annual spring musical. Her love of the arts continues. She and her husband of 30 years regularly attend productions at Broadway Dallas and the Winspear Opera House. They have passed this love and appreciation of the arts on to their children, who have participated in various arts programs including the Variations Show Choir at Woodrow Wilson High School, the Woodrow Wilson musical, and leading worship at local churches. Amy is dedicated to showcasing the artistic talents of the community through East Dallas Arts.

Caroline Kulas | Voice and Movement Instructor 

Caroline Kulas is a performing arts educator & entrepreneur. She currently serves as the primary school music teacher at St. John’s Episcopal School and is the owner of Clara’s Castle, a princess party venue in East Dallas. At EDA, she music directs, choreographs, and teaches private voice & dance lessons.

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Arkansas, where she was an officer and student choreographer of the Movement Dance Company. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Music Education at Southern Methodist University, where she has completed Level I training in both the Orff Schulwerk and Kodály music education methodologies.

Caroline is dedicated to teaching musical theater in an engaging and intentional way, preparing students for a lifelong love of the performing arts.

To book private lessons with Caroline, please complete the registration form linked above. After registering, she will contact you to schedule your lessons.

Amiti Perry | Choreographer

Amiti received her BA in Dance from the University of North Texas and her MFA in Choreography from The Ohio State University. For over 13 years, she lived, worked, performed, directed, taught, and created dance in New York independently, collaboratively, and in multiple dance and theatre companies. Amiti is the founder of æmp:dance/amiti perry + company, with whom she has created, presented, and performed in New York and Texas. Upon returning to North Texas, Amiti taught as an adjunct professor of dance at UNT. In addition to teaching numerous technique and theory courses, she performed in faculty works, premiered original choreography, and served as rehearsal director for visiting guest artists. Amiti has choreographed over 50 musical theatre and dramatic productions over 25 years. She has also served as a resident choreographer for musical theatre productions at Theatre at The Colony and contemporary dance performances with the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. She has been part of East Dallas Arts since 2018 and is currently faculty for movement, dance, and theatre at Lakehill Preparatory School.