Directors
Erik Archilla
Erik Archilla
DEPARTMENT CHAIR & THEATRE PERFORMANCE MAGNET DIRECTOR
Erik Archilla graduated Summa Cum Laude from Baylor University with a BFA in Theatre Performance. Erik began teaching at the Richardson High School Theatre Magnet in 2006. He has directed many plays at RHS, such as Lord of the Flies, By the Bog of Cats, Arcadia, and Legally Blonde. In 2018, he was an RISD STARS Teacher recipient from the Excellence in Education Foundation. Outside of school Erik is an actor in the DFW area, with such credits as: Brian in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Water Tower Theatre; Steven in The Line, Second Thought Theatre; Tiny Tim in Mrs. Bob Cratchett’s Wild Christmas Binge, Richardson Theatre Center; Linus in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Theatre Three; and Dromio of Syracuse in Comedy of Errors, Dallas Shakespeare Festival. He has also done voice over work for Funimation, OcraTron 5000, and commercial radio. Erik is represented by Kim Dawson Agency. He is a co-creator, writer, and producer of the critically acclaimed audio drama podcast “1865,” which currently has almost 5 million downloads.
Erik.Archilla@risd.org
Emily Whitman
Emily Whitman
THEATRE PERFORMANCE MAGNET DIRECTOR
Emily Whitman graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts, with a Dance Minor from Hendrix College in 2011. Before that, she graduated from Richardson High School as an Honor Thespian in 2007! Mrs. Whitman spent 2 years in New York City, living and working as an actress, and was able to participate in several short play festivals and staged readings, including an augmented version of Romeo and Juliet, in which she played Benvolio. Her previous teaching experience was in Dallas ISD, where she taught both high school and middle school Theatre students. She is thrilled to be returning home to guide the next generation of Theatre Professionals to achieve their dreams. She still continues her acting work here in DFW, most recently playing Dylan in The Best Woman at Imprint Theatreworks. You can also find her (4!) audiobooks on Audible.
Emily.Whitman@risd.org
Donny Covington
Donny Covington
TECHNICAL THEATRE MAGNET DIRECTOR & AUDITORIUM MANAGER
Graduated from University of Dallas with a B.A. in Drama in 2010. Donny has worked with theater companies all over Dallas since 2008 including: The Dallas Theater Center, The Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Kitchen Dog Theater, The Contemporary Theater of Dallas, Lyric Stage, Upstart Productions, and The Richardson Theatre Center. He joined Nouveau 47 Theatre during its first season in the historic Margo Jones Theater in Fair Park, and went on to serve as Artistic Director as well as President of the Board of the Margo Jones Partnership. His credits include acting, directing, and technical direction. Additionally, Donny spent two years working for the scenic department of Freeman Audio Visual, one of the leading AV companies in the country. Donny joined the team at Richardson High School in 2013.
William.Covington@risd.org
Alexis Suggitt
Alexis Suggitt
TECHNICAL THEATRE MAGNET DIRECTOR & AUDITORIUM MANAGER
Graduated from Drake University with a BFA in Theatre/Film Design and Production, BA in Graphic Design, and California Institute of the Arts with an MFA in Scenic Design & Painting. Alexis has worked as a member of IATSE Local #51 & #67 since 2004 working an array of Broadway Touring shows and Live concerts as well as New York Stage and Film, and the REDCAT Theatre in California. Alexis has taught Theatre in both the Houston and Dallas areas. Her credits include; Acting, Directing, and Technical Direction. Alexis joined Richardson High School in 2017.