Heidi Knight Meigs (she/her) is UCYT's Artistic Director. Heidi received a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon in 2013, with a minor in Art. Her involvement at Upstart Crow began in 2007 as a theatre parent. Over the years she took on many roles, working as a volunteer, a board member, and ultimately joined UCYT's staff in 2014. Heidi's work at Upstart Crow spans many departments: directing, designing, stage managing, mentoring, as well as overseeing our theatre, performance troupe, education, and summer camp programs. Heidi has worked on 60+ shows at UCYT, including favorites such as Shrek (2016), School of Rock (2016), The Music Man (2008), Something Rotten JR (2024), and Beetlejuice JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man (2008)

All-Time Favorite Musical(s): Billy Elliott, Moulin Rouge, and Hadestown

Jill Switzer (she/her) is UCYT's Vocal Director. She received her bachelor of music education degree from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana. While currently maintaining her own private voice studio, she also is a member of the Eugene Concert Choir and the Eugene Opera Chorus. She has worked extensively with children, youth and adult choirs, most notably as music director at the Indiana University Newman Center for eight years. Although she is classically trained, her performance background also includes musical theater and Latin American folk music. Her teaching credentials encompass vocal technique and music theory workshops in both English and Spanish. Jill has worked on 35+ shows at UCYT, including favorites such as The Music Man KIDS (2019), The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition (2024), and Beetlejuice JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Vocal Director for The Jungle Book (2017)

All-Time Favorite Musical: Singin' in the Rain, Les Miserables and In the Heights

Savannah Knight Meigs (she/her) is UCYT's Program Manager and Stage Door Performance Troupe Director, in addition to her roles as director, choreographer, and costumer. She received her Associate's degree in Musical Theatre from Casper College in 2020. Savannah also has many years of experience working as a camp counselor with Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. A UCYT alumni, Savannah performed in 34 shows at UCYT throughout elementary, middle, and high school, in addition to being a member of UCYT's Stage Door Performance Troupe for five years. In her Junior year of high school, Savannah founded a yearly benefit concert, UCYT's Miscast, which performed annually for several seasons. Savannah has since worked on 25+ shows at UCYT, including favorites such as Matilda JR (2023), Something Rotten JR (2024), Beetlejuice JR (2025), and High School Musical JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Entr' Actes (Crew + Squad's predecessor) in Cinderella (2007)

All-Time Favorite Musical(s): Shrek the Musical, Something Rotten, and Jesus Christ Superstar

Rebekah Hirons (she/they) is a Director, Instructor, and Lighting Designer at UCYT. She received her associates degree in theatre arts from Lane Community College. Rebekah has an extensive background in theater, specializing in improv and devised pieces. An Upstart Crow alumni, Rebekah performed in 4 shows as a student, and has since worked on 20+ shows at UCYT, including favorites such as Matilda JR (2023), Frozen JR (2024), and Beetlejuice JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Senora in The Addams Family (2017)

All-Time Favorite Musical: Beetlejuice the Musical

Autumn Owens (she/her) is an Instructor, Camp Counselor, Squad Director, and Choreographer at UCYT. Autumn has an extensive background in dance and theatre, having spent more than 15 years on the stage. A UCYT alumni, Autumn was a member of UCYT's Stage Door Performance Troupe for five years. In her senior year, Autumn was Stage Door Troupe Captain, in addition to being Student Director for Stage Door's student-led production of She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition (2023), and performed in a total of 20 shows as a student. She has since worked on 10+ shows at UCYT, including favorites such as Matilda JR (2023), Something Rotten JR (2024), and Beetlejuice JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Jan (one of the Pink Ladies) in Grease (2017)

All-Time Favorite Musical(s): Newsies, Anastasia the Musical, and Starlight Express

Audrey Sullivan (she/they) is a Summer Camp Counselor and Squad Director at UCYT. Audrey has an extensive background in theatre, having spent more than 10 years on the stage. A UCYT alumni, Audrey was a member of UCYT's Stage Door Performance Troupe for seven years, a Co-Director for Stage Door's student-led production of Miscast (2021), and performed in a total of 33 shows as a student. Audrey has since worked on multiple shows at UCYT, including favorites such as Matilda JR (2023), Frozen JR (2024), and High School Musical JR (2025).

First role in a UCYT Show: Entr' Actes (Crew + Squad's predecessor) in The Sound of Music (2014)

All-Time Favorite Musical(s): Anastasia the Musical and Phantom of the Opera