AYLA MAULDING
Artistic Director
Jill is an actress, writer, and teacher in south Florida and has worked in arts education for over 20 years. Jill holds a degree in Musical Theater, and was also trained at the famed Second City Training Center. Having toured nationally and internationally as an actress, Jill now currently teaches drama at various schools throughout south Florida, and has been the lead teacher for the Performance Projects’ summer camp at the esteemed Broward Center for the performing arts for five years. Jill counts the hundreds of children she has taught and cultivated relationships with, throughout south Florida, to be among her greatest accomplishments! “I found my island, I’ve been on it this whole time..I’m home!”
After being part of The Performance Project for over 10 years as a student, Ayla is honored to take on the position of Artistic Director. A recent graduate of East Carolina University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, Ayla has directed, choreographed, and performed in shows at both collegiate and professional levels. Ayla’s goal for The Performance Project is to provide professional learning experiences and performance opportunities for children and teens with the hope that these students will develop a deep appreciation of the arts for years to come.
Following a career as a professional actress, Nina Felice founded The Performance Project School of the Arts to nurture young talent and encourage the pursuit of their creative dreams. With a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a master’s degree in Child/Family Psychology, Nina incorporates the two disciplines into her teaching techniques to guide and motivate young performers. For almost two decades, she has directed and produced more than 15 shows each year. Besides her work with The Performance Project, Nina has choreographed and directed several high-caliber, professional productions at the Broward Center.