About Us
‘Imagine NEPA’ has been a long time in the making. The owners, Katie and Samantha, first met in 2006 while they were college students, performing in a community theater production. Samantha found herself in need of a place to live, and even though they didn't know each other well, Katie, who was raised to believe there’s always room for one more, invited Samantha to live on her couch in her small apartment until she could find a better situation.
Over the course of 15 years, their friendship grew and they became more like sisters. They shared a love for theatre and the arts, which brought them together and strengthen their bond. Now, they are fulfilling their dream of opening their own performing arts and education space.
Katie and Samantha have always wanted to bring the confidence, joy, and friendship they found in the theatre and arts community to others They are excited to provide a space where people of all ages can explore their creativity and learn about performing arts. They are humbled and gracious of the amazing support they have received from family, friends and the greater community, who believe in their vision.
Their journey from college students to business owners is a testament to their passion for theatre and their commitment to making the arts accessible for all. Together they are the founding board members of the Imagine Performing Arts Fund. The fund was founded with the vision of providing scholarships, reduced tuition, and funding to increase community access to high quality theater workshops and performing arts based educational programming for all ages.
Meet Our Team
At Imagine, our team values creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. We believe in providing a safe and inclusive environment for our students to express themselves and explore their talents. Together we strive to and empower our students to become and passionate performers.
Katie Lanie
Owner, Imagine NEPA
Performing Arts Center
Executive Director, Founder
Imagine Performing Arts Fund
Katie Lane is a passionate individual who wears many hats - she is a mother to three, a wife, and a teacher. She has a strong love for performing arts, sustainability, and helping others. Katie attended Mansfield University and Keystone College, where she obtained her PA teaching certification. With her K-12 teaching experience, she has held various roles such as a competition marching band director, theater director, social studies teacher, and most recently, she worked in K-2 autism support.
Throughout her life, Katie has had a deep connection with the performing arts. She has been involved in school music and theater ensembles since elementary school, continuing through high school, college, and into adulthood. She firmly believes that the performing arts have the power to bring people from different backgrounds together and allow them to see each other's humanity. Katie also recognizes the importance of art, music, and drama in children's development, as they help foster emotional intelligence, self-expression, and creative thinking skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Katie has always dreamed of creating a space where children's imaginations can flourish, friendships can blossom, and a community of support and encouragement can thrive. She is excited to bring this vision to life at Imagine! Katie currently resides in Clark's Green, PA, with her husband, Kevin, and their three children, affectionately referred to as their "Beatles Babies" - Penny Lane, Lucy (in the Sky), and (Hey) Jude. They also have a dog, cat, and fish, and enjoy their shared love for music and hiking.
Samantha Christ
Owner, Imagine NEPA
Performing Arts Center
Business and Operations Director, Founder,
Imagine Performing Arts Fund
Samantha's career path has indeed been unique and diverse. After graduating from Keystone College with a degree in Environmental Biology, she discovered her passion for education while working at the Keystone College Environmental Education Institute.
Samantha's love for learning and her desire to further her own education took her to New Hampshire, where she pursued graduate classes in Conservation Biology. However, her heart brought her back to NEPA, where she found a new opportunity at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. It was there that she discovered her true calling in Education Technology and Learning Design. At the medical school, Samantha held various roles, including Library Assistant, Curriculum Coordinator, and Education Technology Specialist. Her passion for education and technology led her to pursue a Master's degree in Education in Learning, Design, and Technology at Penn State University.
Despite her career taking a different direction, Samantha's love for the environment has remained constant. She continues to be passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability. Additionally, her love for learning and teaching has always been a driving force in her life. Samantha has a wealth of experience in theater and performing arts, which she combines with her science and technology background.