Creative Grounds Staff

Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy is blessed to have these individuals on staff to help lead The Organization as it builds individuals up through fostering relationships and growing artists.

Black and white photo of Mark Landis in front of theatre curtains.

Mark Landis - Executive Director, Co-Founder & Music Director

Mark Landis serves as the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy.  Mark holds a Bachelors Degree from Ball State University and studied two years at Indiana Wesleyan University in Music Education and Worship Ministry.  For shows with CGFAA, Mark serves as the Music Director.  He has been teaching private voice lessons for over 20 years.  Mark is married to Katie and has three sons.

Black and white photo of Katie Landis in front of theatre curtains.

Katie Landis - Youth Development Director, Co-Founder & Director

Katie grew up in Indianapolis and loved her many years as a member of the Indianapolis Children's Choir.  She graduated from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois, where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Worship Arts with a minor in Youth Ministry and Music.  She has spent countless hours helping various teams alongside her husband, Mark, since CGFAA began and enjoys directing shows while also serving as the Youth Development Director. As Youth Development Director she works with the Student Leadership Team and the Chaplain Program.  She and Mark are the parents of three crazy boys.

Black and white photo of Christa Fleming in front of theatre curtains.

Christa Fleming - Choreographer & Dance Instructor

As a native of Indianapolis, Christa attended Holy Name Catholic Elementary and Roncalli High School where she was a member of show choir and the musical theatre department. Christa continued her education at Webster University where she studied Musical Theatre and Dance and Marian College where she studied Music Education and Vocal Performance. She is also a former cast member at Walt Disney World where she performed at The Magic Kingdom. Some of her favorite choreographing opportunities include various numbers with the Moving Company at IUPUI, Buck Creek players, Whiteland High School, and other various programs across the city. Christa enjoys spending time with her kids and fiancé and is a member of Saints Francis and Clare Catholic Church, where she is employed and her children attend school. She feels very blessed and thankful for any opportunity to share her love of the arts with the youth of our community.

Black and white photo of Jamie Moiser in front of a brick wall.

Jamie Moiser - Musical Director

Jaimie was born and raised in Sandusky, Ohio and graduated in 2015 from Anderson University (Anderson, Indiana) with a BA in Music Business. She has performed and directed with various theatres on the North and West sides on Indianapolis, but is excited to have become a part of the CGFAA family through this production. She enjoys getting see the growth of her students when she directs and teaches vocal lessons.

Black and white photo of Christa Fleming in front of theatre curtains.

Laurel Hays - Videographer

Laurel first started out with Creative Grounds as a Show Coordinating for the show Willy Wonka. Since Willy Wonka, Hays has helped film, edit, Direct and do other various roles for several shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Bye Bye Birdie, Peter Pan, Into the Woods, Frozen, Oklahoma, Shrek, and more. As a Director, she has had the pleasure working with all of the Creative Grounds family and hopes to see everyone continue to learn and grow!

Black and white photo of Erin Troxell in front of theatre curtains.

Erin Troxell - Show Coordinator

Erin currently teaches 4th grade and is writing her dissertation to earn a doctoral degree in reading and literacy leadership.  Erin is married and has four kids.  Her family lives downtown and they are parishioners at St. Roch Catholic Church, where her kids also attend school.  Erin loved choir and band throughout high school and middle school, and loves to give that same opportunity to her kids and serve other families!

Black and white photo of Michelle Wood in front of theatre curtains.

Michelle Wood - Show Coordinator

Michelle lives in Southport with her two children and her sister Kim and her children. There is often another little one tagging along with the family as Michelle and Kim are also foster parents. Michelle loves how welcoming CGFAA is to her family and how all the directing team and parents have supported her children throughout the years.

Black and white photo of Kim Heron in front of theatre curtains.

Kimberly Heron - Show Coordinator

Kimberly lives in Southport with her two children and her sister Michelle and her two children. Kimberly loves theater and performed on stage in her youth. She is thrilled to be able to share this love with her children and all of Creative Grounds. Kimberly is thankful for Creative Grounds and everything this program has done for her family and the community.

Garod Cavanaugh - Technical Director

Garod, a Greenwood native, is the auditorium stage technician for Emmens Auditorium at Ball State University.  In addition to Emmens Auditorium, Garod brings years of theatrical and entertainment industry experience to Creative Grounds. He has designed sets for the majority of the shows at Creative Grounds!