Marlana Perry has been involved in theatre since middle school, both onstage and behind the scenes. She studied English and Secondary Education in college, and an assistant directing internship during her student teaching quickly led her to theatre education. She spent seven years as a theatre faculty member and director for Valor Christian High School's conservatory program in Colorado, earning a Bobby G Award nomination for best production of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2019 and the Colorado Thespians' Best Show Award for her direction of Bright Star in 2020. After moving to Texas, Marlana served as the Director of Theatre at San Marcos Academy before stepping away from the classroom to homeschool her children. In 2023, she was awarded the TAPPs Linda Wolfe Leadership Award for her direction of The Wizard of Oz. Though life has taken her away from theatre for brief seasons, she always finds her way back because, as she likes to say, "You don't choose the theatre life—the theatre life chooses you.