Meet The Team

Natasha is a stage director, producer, and creator hailed for daring and provocative work. A lifelong artist and adventurer, she has worn many hats- classical vocalist, non-equity stage (click for credits) and film (click for credits) actress, a gymnast and senior recreational and team coach with USA Gymnastics, cross country motorcyclist, veterinary technician, grip for the film Evan Almighty, and lighting technician for the world premiere of Disney/Pixar's Cars at Lowe's Motor Speedway. She founded Dark Horse Theatre Company in 2009 in Washington D.C. Prior to that she directed numerous plays in the Mid-Atlantic region (click for credits). She studied theatre and classical voice at UNC. She completed her directing apprenticeship in 2006 at the Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha is the protégé of Michael R. Simmons (former student of renowned film director Sidney Lumet), aviator, and Managing Artistic Director of CAST. She is the proud creator of Dark Horse's Calamity: The Show and the annually sold-out event, IMPROVICON. Ms. Parnian is an "actor's director" and career-long psychological realism practitioner. This focus fosters honest, raw performances by prioritizing table work, in-depth character development, and rewarding strong choices. Her directorial approach leverages her Meisner and improvisation-based backgrounds. She enjoys collaborating with people who bring commitment, ingenuity, and depth to the craft. She is committed bold, immersive, and experimental staging of productions that defy conventional theatrical norms. Her work has been described as emotionally fearless and psychologically precise, emphasizing details, tension, and dynamic ensemble chemistry. She prioritizes challenging audiences and fostering a deep connection between performers and spectators. She is perpetually chasing  "acting that attains a level of something that we know nothing about". She is self-employed as the owner of two businesses (Dark Horse Theatre Company and Sit Stay Concierge Pet Wellness) and a for-hire performance speaking strategist for TedX, Toastmasters, and others. She moonlights as a theatre and improv workshop professional for corporate events and in area school systems. When she is not plotting Dark Horse's next theatrical experiment, she is a homeschooling mom, aspiring playwright, devoted wife, motorcycle enthusiast, and animal lover.

Arianne Warner is a proud member of Actors’ Equity with over twenty years of stage and screen experience. Arianne is graduate of James Madison University and continued training at Circle in the Square and STC D.C. Ms. Warner is thrilled to be the Associate Artistic Director at Dark Horse Theatre Company, her favorite place to create! Beloved roles include Oleanna-Carol (DC Theatre Scene nominee Best Actress), Craving for Travel-Joanne (Broadway World nominee Best Actress), No Exit- Estelle. A former New Yorker now thriving in the Virginia mountains, Arianne splits her time between the stage (actor, writer, director) and teaching yoga (Ruby Yoga, Legend Yoga). 

Michael is the Managing Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed Carolina Actors Studio Theatre in Charlotte, NC. 

Mr. Scott D. Pafumi is the Theatre Arts Director at Herndon High School since the fall of 2019.  He has been teaching and directing last 30 years. He has taught Theatre and Drama in multiple Virginia and Fairfax County schools at every grade level from kindergarten to college, beginning in 1993. Mr. Pafumi has also taught as an Adjunct Theatre Professor at Northern Virginia Community College on the Loudoun campus, teaching both Acting and Technical Theatre courses. He has served as the past President of the FCPS Theatre Arts Directors Association. He has been a company member at Dark Horse since 2018. Mr. Pafumi earned a BA in Theatre and English Literature at Virginia Tech (1995) and holds a master’s in Arts Management from George Mason University (2010). He is currently studying to get is PhD. Mr. Pafumi specializes in teaching and directing American Drama and Comedy, Shakespeare, Commedia dell’ Arte, Improvisation, Technical Theatre, and Storytelling. He is also a community theatre actor and a workshop teacher for hire, having worked at community centers, colleges, and educational theatre conferences throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

As the founding Theatre Director at Westfield High School (2000-2010), his program was the subject of a two-hour television documentary which aired nationally on ABC’s 20/20 in the winter of 2008.  The program, Drama High: The Making of a Real High School Musical, earned an Emmy nomination for Cultural Arts Programming. Scott is happily married to another Theatre teacher and is the proud father to three adult children who all make a living in the arts and education.  He enjoys staying actively involved with his church, as well as traveling cross country on motorcycle tours.

Samantha joined Dark Horse in Spring 2019. Performance credits include: God of Carnage, Clue: Live Onstage, and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. A proud longtime member of Dark Horse's Calamity: The Show, she’s learned to find humor in even the messiest moments—onstage and off. When she’s not performing, she’s probably mediating real-life conflicts between her coffee mug and her to-do list. Watch yourselves, after time spent overseas serving in the U.S. military, she’s got a mouth on her.

Katie is a Northern Virginia native and studied theatre performance and art history at VCU, which naturally led to a career in the legal field. She lives in Herndon with her kiddo, two cats, and whatever is scurrying around her attic at night.

Erin is a DMV based stand up & improv comedian, actor, voice artist. She prefers animals over people, for companionship and taste. They say laughter is the best medicine and health care is expensive. She is out to change the world one joke at a time.

Jack studied theater at VCU and ODU. He has appeared in Art and Improvicon at Dark Horse, The House of Blue Leaves and Schoolhouse Rock for Elden Street Players, and Damn Yankees at the Tidewater Dinner Theater. He has been performing improvised comedy for over 20 years, with ComedySportz (in DC and San Jose), Emmits Boys, and his own troupe DCUP (The District of Columbia Unscripted Players) which his award-winning shows Boneless Chicken Cabaret and The Simons. He has performed with DCUP at festivals in Toronto, San Francisco, Miami, Charleston, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and opened for Emo Philips at the DC ComedyFest. He is the author of Short Form Improv, available on Amazon! Jack enjoys long walks on the beach and eating red meat.

Katelyn Burton is thrilled to be part of  Dark Horse. With a strong passion for lighting design, Katelyn has recently taken on the additional challenge of stage managing. She brings her dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm to every aspect of her work. Katelyn would like to thank her family for their unwavering support.

Previously the Cultural Arts & Marketing Director, City of Fairfax, and concurrently Executive Director, Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, Inc. Prior to moving to the USA in 2000, she was the Owner and Principal of Profile Marketing Associates in the United Kingdom (UK). Currently a Board member of The Prince’s Trust (UK) and Fall for the Book Festival. A Member of the Institute of Directors (MIoD), UK & Europe; Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) (UK); National Capital Area Marketing Directors. Her qualifications include BSc in Business, Economics and Law, University of London. BA in Politics and Philosophy, an MA in Marketing, University of Wales.Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) with an accreditation (Masters)as Director NRPA from North Carolina University/National Recreation and Parks Association.

Adam is an entrepreneur and owner of Second Star Moto Tours. He is an avid and active motorcycle rider with more than 10 years of experience both on and off road.  He is a supporter of the arts and has appeared in A Mid-Social Night's Distance at Dark Horse.