Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF), the professional theater at DeSales University, has announced the appointment of Anelise Diaz as the new Education Director.

Diaz will spearhead Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s educational programming, including the administration and project management of the Festival’s fall WillPower Tour, an annual Shakespeare competition for high school students, and coordinating student group visits to the Festival during the summer performance season.

Additionally, she will oversee the Festival’s accessibility programming, including American Sign Language Interpreted, Audio-Described, Open-Captioned, and sensory-friendly Relaxed Performances.

Working closely with the leadership of the Festival’s Volunteer Guild Board, Diaz will also participate in coordinating volunteer activities and initiatives during, and in preparation for, the summer Festival season.

“Anelise Diaz is a strong addition to our staff,” said PSF Producing Artistic Director Patrick Mulcahy. “Her DeSales University degrees in theater and education, combined with her direct experience with both the Festival and our community will serve PSF and its many patrons well.”

Diaz succeeds Jill Arington, a DeSales alumna who was Education Director for seven years.

Diaz was a member of the PSF Young Company for two seasons, including roles in “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Twelfth Night” and “All’s Well That Ends Well.”

Diaz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater with a focus on Education from DeSales University, and a Secondary English Teacher Certification following a student teaching assignment at Freedom High School last fall. She’s a graduate of the Lehigh Vallley Charter Arts High School.

Diaz, a Lehigh Valley native, resides in Allentown with her family.