Leadership
Mandi Miller
DIRECTOR
Mandi is a native of upstate New York. Mandi started attending overnight camp from a young age, and grew from camper, to counselor and lifeguard, to camp director. Mandi earned a bachelor’s in Music, with a focus on arts management. Shortly before starting her career in the arts, Mandi’s childhood summer camp was closed, leading her to realize how much her love of camp had shaped her and really changed her life. And so, Mandi embarked on a new dream: being a camp director.
This dream led to a master’s degree in Recreation with concentrations in Outdoor Education and Camp Administration. Before coming to Berkshire Lake, she spent seven summers as a Camp Director at two different all-girls overnight camps, in New York’s Finger Lakes and Adirondacks regions.
Mandi is thrilled to now combine her passion for camp with her love of the arts at Berkshire Lake! She is devoted to empowering girls through the camp experience, and believes wholeheartedly in the transformative powers of both the arts and of camp to shape and enrich girls’ lives. She is committed to meeting the needs of the entire camp community—campers, families, and staff—in order to deliver the best possible experience for all.
During the summer, Mandi is joined at camp by her husband, Daniel (a professor during the year), and their dog, Trolley, both whom share in the love of camp and are active members of the Berkshire Lake community.
Michelle Bruckner
DANCE AND THEATER DIRECTOR
Lovingly known around camp as “Showgirl,” Michelle Bruckner brings an incredible combination of professional performance experience, educational expertise, creativity, and heart to our Dance & Theater program.
Michelle has performed and toured all over the world as both an actress and dancer. She made her Broadway debut in Chicago and also played Sheila on the American national tour of A Chorus Line. In addition to her extensive theater background, Michelle has a strong background in dance. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Adelphi University and has trained extensively in a wide range of styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, modern, and contemporary. She has trained and taught dancers at all levels, including collegiate instruction, and has performed and toured as a dancer in productions worldwide. Her choreography experience is equally robust, most recently including a high school production of Hadestown.
Michelle has taught acting, dance, and musical theater throughout the United States and internationally in places including Lisbon, Portugal, Berlin, and Mexico City. She serves on faculty at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, where she works with emerging performers and artists.
Known for her spirited, funny, and deeply caring personality, Showgirl is passionate about helping campers grow both on and off the stage through hands-on instruction, encouragement, and creativity. When she’s not teaching, directing, or performing, Michelle hosts The Showgirl Tip of the Day Podcast, which shares insights and stories from the world of show business.
Brittani Moore
ASSISTANT THEATER DIRECTOR
Brittani is a multi-hyphenate actress, singer, and director proudly from Robbins, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Northern Illinois University. Brittani went on to work as a professional actress. She has enjoyed a genre-crossing career in productions ranging from Elephant and Piggie to Oklahoma! In addition, she has performed as a solo artist opening for The Delfonics and for The Bernie Mac Foundation.
When not performing, Brittani works as a theater director and coach. She served as founder and director for the collegiate theater organization at Prairie State College. She also enjoys working as a professional vocal coach specializing in contemporary stylings. Brittani draws her inspiration from some of her favorite shows including My Fair Lady, The Little Mermaid and Hamilton, and believes deeply in the magic of storytelling. During her downtime, you can find her studying the latest in vocology and composing original works in music and children’s literature.
Kate Miller
VISUAL ARTS DIRECTOR
A dedicated artist and educator from Kansas, Kate holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with expertise in ceramics, fine arts, and printmaking. With over two decades of teaching experience, Kate has earned accolades such as Kansas Art Educator of the Year and Elementary Educator of the Year. Her creative impact extends beyond the classroom, having won national art competitions and garnered recognition for her lesson plans.
Kate's passion for art education is evident in her 15-year tenure as the Art Director at an overnight camp, where she successfully built and led an enriching art program. Beyond teaching, she has served as the president of the Kansas Art Education Association, contributed to national committees, and currently leads local organizations in arts and tourism.
As a versatile artist, Kate has juried competitions, presented workshops, created public art, and works as a freelance illustrator and art curriculum consultant. Emphasizing that everyone is an artist, regardless of skill level, Kate advocates for the transformative power of art and camp experiences in fostering self-expression, exploration, lasting friendships, and more.
