Onstage, backstage and from the drama coach's viewpoint, Maria C. Novelly has been involved in drama since she was a student herself. Her interest in acting has been with her from Colorado to Texas, from Germany to California. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Colorado College and her master's degree from the University of Texas. She has served as a teaching assistant in the English Department at the University of Texas. She taught junior high and high school drama and English for five years in Germany, where she was also a drama coach. In the theatre - both amateur and professional - she's done it all: actress, director, stage manager, technician, publicity director and scenery and lighting designer. In Theatre Games for Young Performers, her first book, Maria Novelly's love for the theatre and young people shines brightly. Maria resides with her husband and children in Stockport, England, which is just outside of Manchester. She met Adele Firth (nee Lawson) when her son Matt attended the Adele Lawson School of Theatre Saturday workshops for four years and both she and her son became involved in the shows. Staging Musicals for Young Performers is a result of trying to distill Adele's ability to take thirty kids and put on a full length musical that builds the performer's skills and confidence and gives the audience a gift of genuine enjoyment.