Conservatory Staff

Conservatory Director

Jose Rondon, Jr.

Jose Rondon Jr. has over fifteen years of experience as a teaching artist, administrator, and choreographer. A proud member of the Actors Equity Association and the Freddie G Class of 2015, Jose thrives on organization, creativity, and all forms of expression. Jose currently serves as the Conservatory Director for the North Carolina Theatre, as Assistant Professor at UNCG in the Musical Theatre Department, and previously as the Assistant Director of The Pointe! Studio of Dance. He is also proud to serve on the board of the Community Engagement Network and as a leader of the North Carolina Theatre Engagement Team. As an administrator, Jose has worked with the Hayes Taylor YMCA and Samuel French, Inc. Former students have performed professionally and in regional theatres, including Hamilton: An American Musical, Mean Girls, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Favorite musical theatre choreography credits include Songs for A New World (NC Theatre; Regional Theatre,) Rock of Ages and Spongebob the Musical (UNCG,) Bring It On the Musical (NC Theatre Conservatory,) Mean Girls (Heritage High School,) Grease (Heritage High School,) Tarzan the Musical (Heritage High School,) Shrek the Musical (NC Theatre Conservatory,) The Lion King Experience, Hairspray Jr. (Community Theatre of Greensboro). Favorite concert dance choreography credits include It’s A Hard Knock Life and Pride Land (The Pointe! Studio of Dance). Favorite performing credits include Mary Poppins (Neleus/ensemble), Spamalot, Kinky Boots (Angel,) and most recently On Your Feet (North Carolina Theatre). Jose is beyond thrilled to be recognized as Broadway World’s Regional 2021 Choreography Winner and 2022 Triangle Rising Stars Best Choreography Winner (Heritage High School- Tarzan the Musical.) His work has been featured at the National Black Theatre Festival and has won awards at the Junior Theatre Festival. He is also very proud to have been recognized as one of DPAC’s Local Heroes during this past season. Jose strongly believes that “everything happens for a reason.”

Conservatory Manager

Emily Phoebus

Emily Phoebus is a dancer, singer, teacher, and choreographer. She has been performing since she was five years old, both in musicals and through dance performances. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts (Musical Theatre) from East Carolina University, where she received an award for “Outstanding Senior in Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography,” as well as graduated summa cum laude. Emily just completed her first year as a teaching artist with NCT Conservatory. She has loved seeing the growth in her students over the past year and cannot wait for another year with the conservatory. She has also served as a teaching artist with North Wake Theatre for seven years, getting to help choreograph musical performances such as Moana Jr., High School Musical 2, and Shrek Jr.. She was also given the opportunity to choreograph an ECU mainstage performance, The Visit, as well as a student run musical theatre showcase where she choreographed several solo and group numbers in many styles, such as jazz, hip hop, and even tap. Some of Emily’s favorite performance credits are in musicals such as Head Over Heels (ensemble/dance captain), Pippin (ensemble/asst. choreographer), Mamma Mia (ensemble/asst. choreographer), You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally), and most recently at Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Mardi Gras dancer). She looks forward to advancing her career in choreography and performing, as well as continuing her time here at NCT.