Biography

Desha Crownover

Desha Crownover, Junior Theatre’s current Executive Director, is an award-winning stage director and musical director with over 75 shows to her name, ranging from intimate black-box style plays to fully-staged musicals. She has had the opportunity to direct, teach, and perform across the country for the past twenty-five years where her work has been commended by such theatre notables as Edward Albee, Ming Cho Lee, Patricia Zipprodt, and Timothy Near. She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from SDSU and a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Performing from UCSD and has served on the teaching faculty of SDSU, Cuyamaca College, and Santa Fe Christian Schools teaching music, acting, theatre history, public speaking, and speech and debate. Her work as a playwright has been produced at UCSD, SDSU, and Santa Fe Christian Schools, as well. Desha served as the Artistic Director of San Diego Junior Theatre where she has taught and directed for the past twenty years. She directed Season 76’s production of Disney’s Finding Nemo JR..

Disney’s The Lion King, JR.

*No performances July 4-6

Directed by Kandace Crystal
Music Directed by Desha Crownover
Choreographed by Aisha Reddick

Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice
Additional Music and Lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer
Book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi
Based on the Broadway production directed by Julie Taymor

Based on the hit 1994 Disney movie and Broadway musical, Disney’s The Lion King, JR. is the timeless tale of Simba, a young lion born to be king, who is forced to flee after the death of his father, Mufasa. On the outskirts of the kingdom, Simba learns about identity, family, responsibility, and what he has to do in order to make things right for the Pride Lands. Featuring classic songs like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Circle of Life,” and “Hakuna Matata,” the entire family will enjoy the perfect theatrical spectacle that is Lion King, JR.

Trash Panda-monium

Production by Blindspot Collective
Co-Directed by Desha Crownover and Marc Caro-Willcox
Written by Shellina Hefner and Elissa Russell

Audiences of all ages are greeted by a friendly forest ranger who places a campsite under their care and supervision. When three clever raccoons arrive to explore the mysterious objects left behind, young audiences must consider how to balance friendship and collaboration - imagining playful games and scenarios through the lens of sustainability. Scout, Bandit, and Ringo use their imagination to turn trash into treasure, encouraging youngsters to participate in a stormy game of pretend, sharing their own methods of communication, and solving problems. When the fun and games cause a mess, audiences and trash pandas alike must untangle important lessons about sustainability, working together, and keeping all of our natural habitats clean and safe.

Disney’s Finding Nemo, Jr.

Directed & Music Directed by Desha Crownover
Choreographed by Theresa Maigue Bendorf
Assistant Directed by Sarah Kaplan

Music and Lyrics by
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Book Adapted by Lindsay Anderson
Music and Orchestrations Adapted and Arranged by Myrna Conn
Based on the 2003 Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo written by
Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds
and directed by Andrew Stanton

When Marlin, an anxious and overprotective clownfish, learns that his son, Nemo, has been captured, he must face his fears and set off on an epic adventure across the ocean. Along the way, with the help of lovable characters such as the optimistic Dory, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. See this vibrant underwater world come to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship and adventure!

Newsies, JR.

Directed by Desha Crownover
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Jack Feldman
Book by Harvey Fierstein
Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White

The Tony-winning play, based on the best-selling novels, upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.

Tuck Everlasting

Directed by Desha Crownover
Choreographed by Marc Caro-Willcox
Adapted for the Stage by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Music by Chris Miller
Based on the Novel by Natalie Babbitt

When Winnie Foster meets the Tuck Family she discovers they hold the secret to everlasting life. Should she return to her own family, or join the Tucks on their never-ending journey?

The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington

Directed by Desha Crownover
Adapted for the Stage by Alfred Bradley
From the Stories by Michael Bond
Music by Bert Chappell
Lyrics by Bert Chappell, Brenda Johnson and Alfred Bradley

San Diego Junior Theatre's 1997 production of The Adventures of a Bear Called Paddington.