Diana Brittain Thompson
(Founder, Director & Facilitator) Is a veteran NY trained actress, playwright, and theatre education director. Diana was co-founder of Performing Art Works, a non-profit organization dedicated to building life skills through the arts. Through PAW, Diana produced Trading Faces, a court-mandated program for Denver Juvenile Court's TASC program. This was an intensive six-week summer camp and play-building program for repeat juvenile offenders and gang members in drug and alcohol treatment.

Diana also served as the Theatre Education Manager of the Children's Museum of Denver, (CMD). Her work at CMD included the development of education programs, training actors and writing plays. Diana's original play, The Gingerbread Man, is still a museum favorite.  In coordination with CMD, the Environmental Protection Agency and Bluff Lake, Diana was commissioned to write, direct and tour an original musical, Garbage Stew, educating young audiences on water pollution issues.

Diana has created and delivered original programs for a wide variety of
institutions over the past 25 years.  These include: NY's Ensemble Studio Theatre, Rocky Mountain Survivor’s Center, Denver's Museum of Nature and Science, SCFD's Alliance Program, Central City Opera, Georgia's Clayton State College, Denver’s Family Crisis Center, Public Schools in Denver, Atlanta, and New York City, just to name a few.

Betty Brittain Ed. D
(Curriculum Coordinator and Presenter) Betty has a long career as an educational leader.  She has served, as a librarian, teacher, vice principal, counselor, principal and system wide curriculum coordinator. She has presented at the National Conference for the American Personnel and Guidance Association.  She has authored numerous educational materials including: "The WHY Manual," offering techniques to include games as learning tools to increase language fluency, psychomotor development as well as math and science skills.  She authored" Alice Matures in Wonderland", teaching life skills.

As a school administrator, Betty created a two-Year award winning Staff Development Program in reading, writing and thinking." She worked as a consultant using behavioral self-control techniques to modify aggressive behavior of elementary students. She launched "Playground Learning", an educational products and consulting firm. Betty has taught many parenting workshops as well as college level Psychology.

Betty has received numerous honors and awards.  She brings experience, expertise and a strong and positive philosophy to DAI. She holds numerous degrees including a doctorate in educational administration, specialist and master’s degrees in guidance and counseling, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and psychology.

Who are the Facilitators

Our team of facilitators are highly talented storytellers, performers, and teachers who are committed to the development of children.

The Artists
Denver based artists, Jill Haller & Thom Buchanan have produced DAI’s backdrops, logos, numerous crafts and more.  Their unique and colorful style of art is a feast for the imagination.  Their lovely and talented daughter Ivy creates many of the props and accessories used in Super Hero Academy programs.  Look for Jill and Thom’s amazing artwork in DAI’s upcoming picture book, CinderSilly.  Thom also takes uniquely beautiful photo portraits of kids and parents.  For more information, visit http://www.personaportraiture.blogspot.com/

And More...