Amanda Joy Brais
Amanda Joy Brais is an actress born and raised in NYC. She started acting at the age of 3 and grew up performing with a number of theatre companies in the city including TADA!, Urban Youth Theatre and the Wingspan Arts Conservatory. She holds a B.F.A. in Music Theater and a minor in Education from the University at Buffalo. After graduation, Amanda went on to work in commercial television in NYC and has taught a wide range of interdisciplinary classes including, but not limited to Musical Theatre, Ballet, Gymnastics, Science, Chess, Sports and Tennis. She is very excited to start her west coast journey with San Diego Junior Theatre!
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Anya Price
Anya Price (Teaching and Inclusion Aide) is a Junior Theatre alumna who stepped into her first JT class at the age of three. For Anya, it was a well-lit yellow brick road as her Mom, Aunt and Uncle were all students at JT as kids. She is currently studying Sociology and Theatre at SD Mesa College before transferring to a four-year university. Anya has been a Teaching and Inclusion Aide at Junior Theatre for the past five years. She is passionate about sharing her love of theatre to students of all abilities. She can’t wait to continue spreading the importance of arts education and creating safe spaces for kids to be authentically themselves!
Brett Atchison
Brett Atchison (Teaching and Inclusion Aide) is a Junior Theatre alum who grew up doing JT camps and classes, and performed and worked backstage in many JT productions. He has worked as a teacher’s aide for Junior Theatre since 2017. He is currently studying Psychology at Sonoma State University, graduating in May of 2024. He is passionate about helping students find what works for them in the theatre, whether it be acting, singing, dancing or working backstage.
Brooke Henderson
Brooke Henderson (Teaching and Inclusion Aide) is a San Diego native and is excited to be back at Junior Theatre this summer, after her recent 54 Below debut! Some of her regional credits include; Sarah in Ragtime (Moonlight Amphitheater), Ti’Moune in Once on this Island (Moonlight Amphitheater), Ensemble u/s Gloria in Damn Yankees (Marriott Theater Lincolnshire), Lorraine in All Shook Up (San Diego Musical Theater), as well as her 5 years in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe). Her film credits include; Anchorman 2.
David Goodwin
David Goodwin has spent nearly twenty years as an educator in the performing arts, working for organizations such as Junior Players of North Texas, Big Thought and Shakespeare Dallas. From 2012 to 2014, David was a Teaching Artist Fellow with Big Thought where he developed arts-integrated programming and trained both teaching artists and classroom teachers in strategies for using arts engagement to catalyze learning. From 2015 to 2018 he was the Director of Actor Training for Shakespeare Dallas. As a professional actor, David spent ten years as a company member with Shakespeare Dallas and is a longtime member of Kitchen Dog Theater. He is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and is currently the director of Performing Arts at E3 Civic High School in San Diego. David is delighted to be working with San Diego Junior Theatre and will be directing Season 77’s world premiere, Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds: A Shakespeariment.
Desha Crownover
Desha Crownover 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. and is currently serving as Interim Executive Director.
Elissa Russell
Elissa Russell (she/her) has worked as a teaching artist, director, and theatre administrator for over a decade. Prior to joining San Diego Junior Theatre as Education Director, she spent three years teaching, directing and expanding outreach programming with Theatre Aspen Education in Colorado. Elissa has also worked as a teaching artist and administrator at Midland Community Theatre (where she was once a student!), Austin’s ZACH Theatre, and Virginia Repertory Theatre. She holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in Shakespeare, and formerly reviewed theatre for the Austin Chronicle. Theatre has always been an essential part of Elissa’s life, and she is grateful to share her passion with the students of San Diego! Elissa co-directed Season 75’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and recently directed Season 76’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Eliza Vedar
Eliza Vedar is a sound designer, composer, music director and pianist based in Southern California. Their work has been featured in theatrical productions with La Jolla Playhouse, TuYo Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, New Village Arts, Common Ground Theatre and various educational institutions including: San Diego State University, CSU San Marcos and University of San Diego. Eliza holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance: Piano from San Diego State University. Eliza music directed three shows in JT’s 75th Anniversary Season (The SpongeBob Musical, Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella) and for Season 76, she composed original music for, and music directed, Tomás and The Library Lady, as well as music directed Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Mean Girls.
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Erin Keith
Erin Keith (Teaching and Inclusion Aide) is a San Diego native who is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre Management and a minor in Education Studies at Syracuse University. She has had the immense joy of working the past two years as a teaching and inclusion aide at San Diego Junior Theatre. She has also worked as the co-runner for All Star C.A.S.T. in Syracuse, a theatre workshop for actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and as a teaching artist assistant at La Jolla Playhouse. She is very passionate about arts education and accessibility in theatre, and can’t wait to continue sharing that passion with all of the JT students!
Gina Barba
Gina Barba (she/her) is a proud San Diego Junior Theatre alum who has been with the company since she could walk. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UC Santa Cruz in Community Studies and Theater and is elated to share her love of the stage with her students. Gina has taught in public schools around the country from New York City to North Carolina to California and is elated to return to Junior Theatre. Gina has spent the last 8 years working with SDJT as a Teacher’s Aide, Administrative Assistant, Camp Director, Teaching Artist and now Education Coordinator. Gina choreographed JT’s 2023 production of How I Became A Pirate and assistant directed Season 76’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
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Gordon McLachlan
Gordon “Gordo” McLachlan is a San Diego native and former Junior Theatre student with a love of all things performing arts. He holds a BA in theater from UCLA where he studied puppetry, immersive storytelling, theatrical design and film production. He is a maker/crafter, writer, performer, puppeteer, and a Teaching Artist with the SD Guild of Puppetry, the OB Adventure Club, and now, Junior Theatre! He currently serves as a production consultant working alongside Isaac Vermilye. Together they are responsible for building all of the scenic elements for JT’s 76th season! Gordo also designed the set for JT’s production of Puffs and will be designing the set for Season 77’s The Addams Family as well as assistant directing.
Grace Asaro
Grace Asaro is a San Diego Junior Theatre alum who is very excited to return as a teaching artist! She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Theatre Performance and an emphasis on movement and choreography. Grace has choreographed numerous straight plays along with musicals and is trained in all styles of dance including classical ballet, tap, contemporary and musical theatre jazz. She has also worked with the Old Globe as an intern choreographer for their high school summer programs and has taught dance all across San Diego County. Grace will be choreographing JT’s upcoming production of James and the Giant Peach.
Hannah Bosworth
Hannah Bosworth is a local singer and actor, delighted to be joining JT for the first time! A San Diego native, she earned her BFA in Acting from the University of Mississippi in 2021 and quickly returned home to the sunshine and saltwater. Since being home, she has performed in several productions at Coronado Playhouse while working with children of all ages through PLNU’s kNOw MORE!, San Diego SeaWorld and Royal Entertainers. One of Hannah’s greatest joys is helping others find their “Aha!” moments, and she is grateful to be creating those with children at SDJT!
Hunter Brown
Hunter Brown is a teaching artist, performer and director based in San Diego. They have been studying acting/stage combat for 14 years, and teaching for the last four. They have taught at San Diego Junior Theatre, the Red Mountain Theatre Company and the Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Directing credits include The Secret Garden (Wildsong Productions), Weirdo (or Make Nice) for New Village Arts’s Final Draft New Play Festival, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Trinity Theatre Company), Big Fish (Coronado Playhouse) and JT’s productions of The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales and How I Became A Pirate. Hunter will be directing JT’s production of Puffs in 2024.
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Isaac Vermilye
Isaac Vermilye is a Prop Designer, Painter, Set Designer and Theater Technician with a degree in Theatre & Technical Design from Concordia University, Irvine. He has been a youth educator for 5+ years and has worked on sets and built major props and puppets for shows like Shrek the Musical, Junie B Jones, Matilda and Cats, to name a few. Isaac serves as the Production Manager at San Diego Junior Theatre, where he is currently working on this year’s lineup of fantastic shows, and is excited and eager to be teaching technical theatre inspired classes here at SDJT.
Jasmin Haddad
Jasmin Haddad is a San Diego based theatre artist, actor and teacher. She has a degree from the University of San Diego in Neuroscience and Theatre Arts. She has been with Junior Theatre (JT) specifically for 5 years now and has taught at several San Diego Theatre Arts companies. Her specialties include acting, improv, story writing, stand up comedy, comedy acting, Commedia Dell Arte, Stage Combat and making people smile. In her acting career, she has worked at several San Diego theaters as well as for Amazon Prime (Netflix if you read this, Jasmin is available after JT Class). If you see her around JT please say hi. She loves Star Wars, dogs and funny jokes; she’ll also tolerate the unfunny ones.
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Julia Giolzetti
Julia Giolzetti is an actor, teaching artist, mom, San Diego native and proud alumna of San Diego Junior Theatre. She holds a BFA in Theatre from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. For 2 years and almost 400 shows she performed Off-Broadway with the New York Times Critic’s Pick Drunk Shakespeare. Other New York theatre credits include over 15 Shakespeare plays, originating roles in 3 world premieres, and national ad campaigns. She taught theatre workshops in NYC at Gramercy Arts High School, City Lights Youth Theatre, the Manhattan JCC and as a one-on-one monologue coach. In addition, she led classes as supplements to performances with the all-female ensemble the Tempest Ladies in Istanbul, Turkey. Here in San Diego, she has taught at North Coast Rep, in many county classrooms with Playwrights Project, and toured multiple Shakespeare productions in local schools with Intrepid Theatre Company. Last year during lockdown, Julia created Sofa Shakespeare, a global project where anyone can perform 1 minute of a Shakespeare play from home. Her goal is to help students gain confidence, learn the art of performance, and have fun on stage.
Kailee Ash-Ray
Kailee Ash-Ray is fresh to San Diego and excited to serve as a vocal teaching artist at San Diego Junior Theatre. She graduated from Millikin University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Music Education and throughout her undergrad taught K-12 students in the Illinois area. Along with working in public schools, Kailee has served as the Music Director at the black box theatre on Millikin’s campus and taught youth theater in her hometown. Her passion for music and education continues to grow and she is excited to bring something new to San Diego Junior Theatre! In addition to Kailee’s classes at JT, she music directed JT’s 2023 production of Grace for President.
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Kandace Crystal
Kandace Crystal (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker and Florida State alum. She was the inaugural Dea Hurston Professional Directing Fellow at New Village Arts and a 2024 Classical Directing Fellow at The Old Globe. Kandace’s directorial credits include Plays by Young Writer’s 2023 (Playwrights Project), The Color Purple (New Village Arts), Grace for President and The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats (San Diego Junior Theatre). She is looking forward to returning to Junior Theatre to work with these amazing kiddos on Disney’s The Lion King, JR. in summer 2025!
Karen García
Karen García is a singer, performer and multi-level teaching artist of voice and piano. Raised in Mexico City, she started performing at an early age. She got her BA in Vocal Performance from SDSU in 2020, an artist Diploma in Voice Acting from Art Team Voice Studios, 2020 Tijuana Mexico, and an artist Diploma in Dance from INBA National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City 2009. Most recently, she has performed the lead role of Apollonia in the hybrid opera/musical ‘The Magic Humming’ in New York and Mexico. She has worked with children of all ages through San Diego Opera educational program and Royal Entertainers. Karen has experience composing music for children stories and musicals. When she is not working in music, you can find her in the company of her pets and plants.
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Winter Session: Mini-Musical: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Kira Blaskovich
Kira Blaskovich is an actor, teaching artist, director and musical coach, working in San Diego for the last six years. Prior to California, she spent almost twenty years in New York City working as an actor and teacher. When she wasn’t working and playing in the NY Off-Broadway scene, she was able to help create and develop several theatre and music programs in schools from Brooklyn to New Jersey. Kira has worked with major theatre companies and companies no one has heard of – she has acted with world-famous artists and with amazing hidden, unknown gems. She holds a BFA from The University of California at Berkeley and a Masters in Acting from The American Conservatory Theatre. As a director, Kira’s credits include Ripcord and Exit, Pursued by a Bear (Coronado Playhouse), Anything Goes (Scripps Theatre Arts), and Witness for the Prosecution (PowPAC Theatre Company). Kira believes that theatre and music are about honesty of expression and vulnerability of self – two qualities that take confidence and commitment. Working with kids to help them find their confidence and voice is what it’s all about – well, and the fun!
Leasa Thernes
Leasa Thernes is a teaching artist, award-winning filmmaker and choreographer. She has written, directed and/or produced five short films. Her film, Basket of Sane, won awards for Best Surrealist and Best Experimental at the New York International Independent Film Festivals in New York City and Los Angeles, and was a participant in the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. She has directed and choreographed numerous ballets and theatrical productions. Her choreography won the Gold Medal for Group Dance and the Silver Medal for Solo Dance at the Maccabi Games (Jewish Olympics) in Boston. Leasa can be found teaching, choreographing and directing at Coronado Academy of Dance, San Diego Junior Theatre, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and at numerous after school theatre enrichment programs around San Diego county.
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Winter Session: Dancing Down the Yellow Brick Road
Winter Session: Dance Dance Revolution
Marc Caro-Willcox
Marc Caro-Willcox is a San Diego Junior Theatre alum, currently teaching at SDJT and Helix High School. SDJT choreography credits: Newsies Jr., Tuck Everlasting, Seussical. Other choreography credits include: She Loves Me (Scripps Ranch Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Coronado Playhouse) In The Heights (Patio Playhouse), Little Shop of Horrors (San Diego City College), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (SDCC), Entrances and Exits (SDCC). Performance credits include: Shockheaded Peter, Cabaret and Supers (Cygnet), Hall Pass and Danny’s Story (Blindspot Collective), Avenue Q (OB Playhouse), A Chorus Line and The Old Man and the Old Moon (Coronado Playhouse). Marc directed JT’s 2023 production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella choreographed Mean Girls last summer.
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Marie Bast
Marie Bast is ecstatic to begin her first summer as a Teaching Artist with Junior Theatre. Passionate about sharing arts of all kinds, Marie aims to help children grow their confidence and practice their self-expression. She has recently graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education and Theatre from San Diego State University, where she will be returning in the fall to earn her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. In her free time, she enjoys camping, learning new vegan recipes, vibing at the OB Farmer’s Market and teaching her black cat, Jasper new tricks. She is looking forward to a summer of creativity, learning and play!
Mary Janus
Mary Janus spent her youth performing in pre-professional and regional theatre in Boston and New York City. She was one of few teenagers accepted into the North Shore Music Theatre’s Youth Academy and trained in voice by The New England Conservatory and Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts. She was accepted into Broadway Artist Alliance’s Pre-Collegiate Training and Performance program and won several awards for her performances throughout her youth, including one of only five nominations for a Spotlight Award for Best Leading Female (which was the precursor to The Jimmys). Trained at Chicago College of Performing Arts, The Hartt School of Music, and University of San Diego, Mary has spent her adult life performing, directing, teaching, writing and producing, locally and nationally. She most recently worked on Destiny of Desire at The Old Globe.
Max Gidaley
Max Gidaley has been teaching the arts across the country for the last 15 years, with Junior Theatre being a staple and personal favorite in his career. Having grown up in San Diego, Max is a proud alum of Coronado School of the Arts as well as SDJT. With a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA, his passion and training led to teaching and choreographing for SDJT’s Shrek, Anything Goes at La Jolla High, Freaky Friday at Westview, Drowsy Chaperone at Saint Augustine’s, both Zombie Prom and Evita at CCA, and more throughout the US as well. Max loves working both off and on stage. Some of his favorite roles have been playing Frank-N-Furter in Rocky Horror Show, Carmen Ghia in Moonlight Amphitheater’s The Producers and Lillas Pastia in The Tragedy Of Carmen with San Diego Opera. Other regional credits include Pageant and Gypsy at Cygnet, Big Fish, Music Man, and Wizard of Oz at Moonlight, Cats, Man of La Mancha, Sound of Music, West Side Story and White Christmas at SDMT, and Bodyguard and Hello Dolly! At The Welk Resort Theater. Recent television appearances include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Deuce, Younger, Succession, Blue Bloods and Law & Order:SVU. “Theater and the arts has changed my world for good, and I’m thrilled to share that love and knowledge with students of all ages.”
Maya Efrat
Maya Efrat is an actress, educator and director, who recently moved to San Diego from New York City to pursue her Masters in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University. She also holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of California, Irvine. Theatre is her greatest love and passion. Maya hopes to inspire future generations, and assist them in their journey of self-discovery and love for the arts. She aims to foster a classroom atmosphere where taking creative risks is encouraged. Maya emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection in art, creating a safe space where students feel empowered to explore, fail and learn from the process.
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Mikaela Celeste Villalpando
Mikaela Celeste Villalpando is a new SDJT teaching artist and performer. As a pioneering graduate of USC’s first BFA Musical Theatre program, she was able to study at the Thornton School of Music, Kauffman school of Dance, and the School of Dramatic Arts. With recent acting teaching credits at Gary Spatz’s The Playground and performances at prestigious venues like the Pasadena Playhouse and The Old Globe, Mikaela is known for her dynamic approach to education and captivating stage presence. Passionate about nurturing the next generation of theatre, she is dedicated to inspiring young artists and fostering creativity in every classroom, production and goal they pursue on or off the stage!
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Naomi Louie
Naomi Louie is a graduate from UCSD, with a major in Theatre and Dance, originally from San Francisco. They have been performing for almost 17 years, and serving as a mentor and educator to many young theatre makers. Recently she has coupled both her love for theatre and teaching, and San Diego Junior Theatre has made that possible for her. Naomi has been a teaching artist assistant and teaching artist for companies like La Jolla Playhouse and Trinity Theatre, and now they are ready to become a part of SDJT and expand their teaching range. She prides herself in being a AAA battery, Asian-American, Autistic, an Actor and full of energy!
Ricardo Valenzuela
Ricardo Valenzuela is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC. His experience with children comes from working at San Diego Civic Dance Arts for over a decade. Past Credits at SDJT as director and/or choreographer; Junie B. Jones, Mr. Poppers Penguins, Sleepy Hollow, The Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Pippi Long Stocking and Head Over Heels. He has also choreographed Mt. Carmel High School’s choir’s annual concert, “LEGENDS” since 2017, and their theatre’s productions of Cabaret, West Side Story, The Wizard of Oz and Little Shop of Horrors. Acting credits include two seasons as the character “Antonio” in the Latin American television show Dos y Dos, and two episodes of Los Jumpitz en Espanol. Ricardo has been lucky to perform with the following theatre companies: the Starlight, Moonlight Amphitheatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, Hispanic Arts Theatre, San Diego Asian Repertory Theatre, Performance Riverside and Coronado Playhouse. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences LGBTQ+ studies from San Diego State University. Ricardo choreographed JT’s Season 75 production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and Season 76’s productions of The Sound of Music and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Sarah Siegel
Sarah Siegel (she/her) has had the joy of being a teaching artist at San Diego Junior Theatre since 2002, teaching acting and directing. She holds a degree in theatre from San Diego State University but began her theatre career in the San Francisco area, performing and directing for several years. After moving to New York City, she started two theatre companies and continued her work directing and producing both theatre and film. While in NYC, Sarah continued her training, studying under Milan Stitt and Lanford Wilson at the Circle Repertory Company. In addition, she worked as a private audition coach and acting instructor helping her students obtain roles on stage and screen. In San Diego, some of Sarah’s favorite places she has worked have been The Fritz Theatre, Stu Segall Productions and of course, as a teaching artist at JT where she has had the pleasure of watching so many students grow up and shine.
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Winter Session: Black Box Theatre: Rehearsal and Performance
Shawn Foote
Shawn Foote comes to Junior Theatre all the way from Illinois. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Millikin University and spent most of her time in undergrad directing various plays and musicals. She also worked as the Director of New Works and the Artistic Director for the black box theatre on campus. Her time in undergrad was also spent leading camps and teaching children theatre in her hometown, and eventually teaching children theatre at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago before she graduated. Since graduation, Shawn spent time teaching pre-school and nannying in Chicago before joining us here. Shawn firmly believes in the magic of art and theatre-making, and she is elated to share this with the students of San Diego Junior Theatre! Most recently, Shawn served as JT’s Interim Artistic Director, co-directed JT’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and directed Season 76’s production of Mean Girls.
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Shellina Hefner
Shellina Hefner is a theatre artist based in San Diego. She graduated from UCSD with a Bachelors in Theatre & Dance, and has since worked with companies such as Blindspot Collective, La Jolla Playhouse and Breakthrough Workshop Theatre on mostly new work and new work development. She is primarily an actor, however works as a producer, director, writer and stage manager for a variety of projects. Shellina has been a teaching artist and has worked with youth all over San Diego County for 5 years. Her workshops and plays often focus on the underrepresented voices and bodies of our community, and she leads with a restorative and open teaching style and mindset. Shellina believes that teaching theatre practices not only instill skill and confidence into her students, but also broadly teach empathy and collaboration in a way no other field can. She is excited to be joining the Junior Theatre team!
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Stefani Langley-Palmer
Stefani Langley-Palmer has been interested in theatre and acting since she was 7 years old. She has a BA in theatre and a BA in psychology from BYU, which is where she discovered her passion for children’s theatre. Stefani also holds an MA from SDSU with an emphasis in children’s theatre. She has been teaching, off and on, for SDJT for over 25 years and has taught all over San Diego county for various places such as La Jolla Playhouse and San Diego Unified School District. Stefani has 4 kids, all of whom took classes and perfomerd or worked back stage at Junior Theatre. When she is not teaching, Stefani can be found leading her Girl Scout troop or stage-managing entertainment at the San Diego Zoo.
Tammy Molenaar
Tammy Molenaar has been sewing and creating her whole life. She started designing costumes for San Diego Civic Youth Ballet about 13 years ago and has since moved into the SDJT costume department as well.
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