Instructors

Jennifer Aycock (Owner, Director)

Originally from Memphis, Jennifer holds a B.F.A. in Theatre performance from Auburn University and an M.A.T. from Harding University. After graduating from Auburn, she toured internationally with Missoula Children’s Theatre as a tour actor/director, then moving on to California Theatre Center where she continued her love of teaching young actors.

Upon returning to Memphis in 2007, Jennifer taught and directed for Playhouse on the Square’s Summer Conservatory and After School Acting Programs as well as New Day Children’s Theatre, a place she still holds dear to her heart. She created her own programs across the greater Memphis area focusing on the revitalization of theatre programs on the elementary level and beyond using improvisation, story theatre, voice, breath, energy, and the tools of an actor.

She is a member of Alpha Si Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society, and Alpha Chi. Shows under her direction have received a number of nominations and honors through the Orpheum’s High School Musical Theatre Awards. If you’re lucky, you can still catch a of glimpse of her on stage using the skills she teaches at one of the many local Memphis theatres.

Jennifer is in her 2nd year as the Director of Theatre Arts at Christian Brothers High School and resides in East Memphis with her husband Brian, 7-year-old daughter Audrey, and their toy poodle Laya. Her family enjoys eating local, traveling, and working hard. They are so excited to be continuing this magical Sunfish journey with all of you!

Lily Anderson (Teaching Artist)

Lily Anderson was born and raised in Memphis, and is proud of it. Recently graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.F.A. in Performance theatre, she loves everything theatrical. She uses her bubbly and energetic personality to spread positivity throughout. She recently has found a love for teaching, and hopes one day to explore it further. She hopes to spread her love for theatre to others and let them know that you can change every day and there is always something new to experience. She is excited to inspire young ones to find what they love, and learn and love what it’s like to be an artist.

Sulan Roachell (Teaching Artist)

Born and raised a Memphian, Sulan Roachell is a senior BFA Theatre Performance major at The University of Memphis. Being an honors student, Sulan rigorously and enthusiastically pursues her love for the arts, which also includes her love for teaching! Sulan has taught at Nashville Children’s Theatre as a Teaching Artist Intern for their 10-week-long summer camp intensive, where she had the privilege of teaching kids aged 4-14 and discovered how truly transformative children’s theatre can be.
 
Sulan was awarded the 2025-2026 Rising Leaders Scholarship and the 2025 Samuel James Riggans Memorial Scholarship for the Arts in recognition of her academic and leadership achievements. She currently serves as The Mertz Association President, a not-for-profit registered student organization at The UofM that gives voice to Theatre & Dance students through community engagement and fundraising.
 
Her theatrical and technical credits at The Uof M include As It is in Heaven (Izzy), The Mousetrap (Mollie Ralston), 12th Night (Curio/US Maria/US Malvolia), Voices from Spoon River (Faith/Elsa/Pauline), Emerge: Student Dance Works (Stage Manager), Into the Woods (Assistant Stage Manager), and Elektra (Assistant Director/Light Console Operator). Sulan plans to pursue theatrical and film acting after college and is determined to one day move to New York. Until then, Sulan continues to be fulfilled creating and teaching art wherever there is a stage!

Caille Ballentine (Teaching Artist)

Caille Ballentine is a freshman at the University of Memphis, majoring in Exercise Science with aspirations of becoming a physical therapist. Born and raised in Memphis, she is driven by a deep desire to help others heal and grow, and she is passionate about making meaningful connections—whether in a clinic, a classroom, or a community setting.

Caille loves volunteering and mission work and seeks out opportunities to serve wherever she can. During her senior year of high school, she traveled to Atlanta to serve the homeless—an experience that deepened her commitment to compassion and service.

While her academic path isn’t directly tied to education or childcare, Caille has found great joy in working with children. From mentoring 4th graders through the Academy 4 program to caring for her younger brother at home, she values the unique perspective and joy that kids bring into the world. These experiences have helped her grow into a more compassionate and well-rounded individual.

Caille is especially excited to be part of the SunFish environment, where imagination, kindness, and personal growth are celebrated every day. She loves witnessing the way children laugh, play, and express themselves—and she’s honored to support and learn alongside them.

Drew Van Epps (Teaching Artist)

Born and raised in Memphis, Drew Van Epps is a senior at Christian Brothers High School. He plans to earn a Bachelor’s in English and then earn a Juris Doctor degree. He plans to be a lawyer one day and continue performing in local community theatres. Drew is a former student of Jennifer Aycock and has worked in tandem with her directing multiple small productions and camps over the last two years. For the entirety of his high school career, Drew has loved working with children. He expresses this through his time spent coaching multiple youth sports teams, leading Vacation Bible School camps, and working with Jennifer closely in her youth performance programs. Throughout high school, Drew was a mainstage member of the Brothers on Stage program, participating in numerous shows as an actor and stage manager.
Subscribe to SunFish Children's Theatre Updates
We respect your privacy.