Hailing from New York, Ms. Maples holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Education from Arizona State University and a M.A. in Theatre from San Diego State University. Throughout her studies, she had the opportunity to direct a variety of student work, one-act and full-length plays. Wendy has spent the last 5 years bringing original theatre to high schools and elementary schools throughout San Diego, forging theatrical collaborations within the community and across the country! In 2005 she was nominated for a BRICK Award, honoring pioneers in youth service. Since 2004, Wendy has volunteered with the Jenna Druck Foundation, serving as a mentor at their annual Young Women's Spirit of Leadership Conference. A member of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, she has presented her work Nationally in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Vancouver, Canada. In addition to her duties with Step UP Theatre, Wendy is currently a teaching artist with Youth Arts San Diego, as well as the Visual and Performing Arts components of San Diego City Schools.

Jamie is an alumnus of San Diego State University where she studied Theatre Arts and English Literature. Her work in collaborative and youth theatre has taken her all over San Diego County, into Tijuana, and as far as South Africa. She has studied voice and speech for the past 12 years and currently teaches. Jamie studied Bharatanatayam - a classical Indian form of dance/theatre - extensively for 8 years and danced with a company throughout. Step UP Theatre is her first project in working towards a Masters Degree in Business Administration.