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About Us
Paper Moon Playhouse for the performing arts is a long-held dream of Jessica Gaylor, a trained thespian with decades of teaching experience in all aspects of the performing arts, who wanted to offer a transformative
artistic experience to the youth of Las Vegas that has heretofore not been available.
Paper Moon Playhouse will focus on educating through hands-on production work; inspiring
through esteem-building exercises and experiences; fostering the development of young artists into compassionate and confident individuals; and giving back via social outreach programs.
Jessica Gaylor
Artistic Director / Resident Educator
Jessica Gaylor is a distinguished educator, director, and artist with over thirty years of diverse experience in the world of theatre. Her career spans a wide array of roles, from performing with esteemed companies such as Sesame Street Live and the Missoula Children's Theatre to directing over forty full-scale productions within public and private institutions. Her dynamic work is marked by a profound commitment to bringing stories to life and inspiring audiences with her creativity and energy.
She is a highly accomplished arts educator with thirteen years of experience at the esteemed Meadows School, where she honed her expertise and fostered significant growth in her students. Following her tenure there, she served as the Cultural Supervisor and Artistic Director for the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, enriching her diverse background in arts education and deepening her commitment to cultivating creativity in the community. Currently, she serves as a Theatre Specialist at Doral Academy, an Arts Integration Charter School, where she continues to inspire young artists.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre and Performance Studies, and in addition to her theatrical accomplishments, Jessica is a talented voiceover artist and a proud cancer survivor, embodying resilience and grace in both her personal and professional life. Jessica’s career is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of theatre and her unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation of young artists.
Cynthia Vodovoz
Education Coordinator / Resident Educator
Cynthia Vodovoz is a seasoned educator with an extensive artistic background spanning thirty-six years. As a passionate advocate for the arts, Cynthia’s career is marked by a profound dedication to both the craft of theatre and the enrichment of young minds. An esteemed alumna of The Rainbow Company Ensemble, Cynthia honed her skills and love for the theatre early on. Her academic journey in the arts began at The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, where she majored in theatre, and continued with a degree in Stage and Screen Acting from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Cynthia’s education and experience have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of theatre, from performance to production.
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Cynthia’s versatile talents extend beyond acting; she excels in every area of theatre, including direction, stage management, and behind-the-scenes production. Her deep love for children’s theatre shines through in her work, as she is dedicated to nurturing and inspiring the next generation of performers and arts enthusiasts.
Locally, Cynthia has been a vibrant presence in the Las Vegas theatre scene, both on stage and off. Her contributions to acclaimed productions, such as Le Rêve and Rose. Rabbit.Lie demonstrate her ability to blend artistic excellence with technical expertise. Her commitment to the theatre community in roles like Franz Kafka (Morphotic), Polly Pry (Cannibal) and Miss Julie (Miss Julie) and her unwavering respect from peers and students alike underscore her reputation as a leading figure in the field.
Ariana Dane
Operations Manager / Artistic Consultant
Ariana Dane has decades of experience in the entertainment industry. She began her artistic journey as a performer in Burgess Community Theatre Children's Program (Menlo Park, CA), then studied acting at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and the London School for Performing Arts. Eventually she relocated to Los Angeles where she became a member of The Screen Actors Guild and worked in front of and behind the camera. Before moving to Las Vegas she co-founded a film production company and worked as a screenwriter and producer.
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Ariana has also spent many years honing her skills as a business manager, administrator, and entrepreneur, most recently being the co-founder of CurlVegas, a non-profit curling club here in Las Vegas. From creating websites, to handling back-end operations of accounting and marketing, Ariana brings a calm, level head to the business of running a performing arts center.