Leslie Ptak Baker

Teaching Artist

Leslie Ptak Baker, a native Arizonan, began RAD ballet studies at age 4. However, eventually, musical theater and jazz dance lured her away. Outstanding ASU BFA Graduate in Modern Dance Performance and Choreography, she performed professionally in New York, Los Angeles , Montreal, and Japan, then sailed eight years, worldwide, as an entertainer and cruise director with Princess Cruises. She has studied with Luigi, Jaime Rogers, Joe Tremaine, Bill Evans, Martha Graham dancers, Cynthia Gregory, David Howard and others. Leslie has performed in and choreographed countless shows for Theatrikos, Theatrikids, Flagstaff Music Theater (FLOC), Stargazer Collaborative Theater, and Fountain Hills Community Theater. Leslie taught dance (Tap, Jazz, Modern, Dance History) for 16 years at FALA. Prior to moving to Flagstaff, she lived 9 years at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and created fitness, creative movement, and children’s theater programs for the community. Leslie is most proud of her two grown children, Kieran and Kinzer, and is ecstatic to be a grandmother of two future dancers, Carson and Beau! And, she hopes that EVERYONE dances fearlessly everyday!

Newton McDaniel

Teaching Artist

Molly Parafiniuk

Molly Parafiniuk

Teaching Artist

Molly Parafiniuk is a theatre educator with a deep passion for helping students discover their voices through the performing arts. With several years of experience in the classroom, she brings fresh energy, creativity, and a student-centered approach to theatre education. Molly holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Westmont College, where she trained in acting, directing, voice, movement, and theatrical design. Since entering the field, she has directed school productions, led acting workshops, and developed engaging lesson plans that foster confidence, collaboration, and self-expression in young performers. Her teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive space where students feel safe to take creative risks, explore new ideas, and grow both artistically and personally. Whether in the rehearsal room or the classroom, Molly strives to cultivate curiosity, empathy, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. When not teaching or participating in other theatre endeavors, she enjoys traveling, reading, video games, and can be found at her sewing machine most days.

John Propster

John Propster

Teaching Artist

John Propster moved to Flagstaff in October 2015 when he retired after 30 years as a theater teacher and director at George Washington HS in San Francisco. He studied and performed with BATS – Bay Area Theater Sports – to hone his improv skills. Since moving to Flag he started improv classes for seniors and the multi aged Theatrikos’ improv group the UFOs. His philosophy is “Improv for Life”

Education Department Staff

Joseph Maniglia

Joseph Maniglia

Education Director

Joe Maniglia has been a theatre educator at Theatrikos Theater Company since 2008 when he moved to Flagstaff from Chicago, IL. He holds a BA in Communications/Theatre Arts from Taylor University and graduated from Chicago’s Second City Conservatory program.

For the last 15 years, Joe has been the Education Director at the theatre. Along with an incredible team he has directed/co-directed over 65 productions and led hundreds of summer camps, won the AZ Governor’s Award for Arts Education in 2016 and the 2024 Viola Award for Excellence in Arts Education.

In his spare time Joe loves to spend time with his kids.