Hope Johnston has worked in theatre for over 30 years as a designer, director, actor, administrator, teacher and mentor. From 1995-1998 she was a founding member and artistic director of Big Dawg Productions, a theatre company in Wilmington, NC. She taught theatre in public school systems for 10 years-6 in Wilmington and 4 in Charlotte. From 2004-2008 Hope was the grants coordinator for ArtsTeach, where she worked with arts organizations, teaching artists and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to bring the arts into the classroom. In 2007 Hope was the workshop coordinator for the International AACTFest, a theatre festival sponsored by the American Association of Community Theatres. Hope has also been a nominating member of the Metrolina Theatre Association for the past 5 years. She holds a BCA in Theatre and an MA in Arts Administration. Currently, Hope is the Distance Learning Advisor and Extended Day Coordinator for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.