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 San Diego Junior Theatre is part of her west coast journey!
Christine Hall
Christine Hall is pleased to return to SDJT as she is a proud alum. In San Diego she has choreographed the original productions of R-E-S-P-E-C-T and The 70’s Show for Lamb’s Players Theatre, The Sound of Music at Starlight and Ragtime at the Lyceum Theatre. In New York City she has choreographed The Red Mill, Mademoiselle Modiste, and Cyrano for Victor Herbert Renaissance Project as well as many productions for National Dance Institute. She has taught throughout New York City for NDI and Lincoln Center Education as well as in Ethiopia, Vietnam, Haiti, Bulgaria, and China.
David Goodwin
David Goodwin has spent over 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 directed Junior Theatre’s Season 77’s world premiere, Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds: A Shakespeariment.
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..is music directing Season 77’s production of Disney’s The Lion King, JR. and will be directing Season 78’s production of Les Misérables.
Elissa Russell
Elissa Russell (she/her) is a theatre educator, director, and arts administrator with over fifteen years of experience. Elissa has served as Director of Education at San Diego Junior Theatre since 2021, where she oversees educational programming. Prior to relocating to Southern California, she spent three years with Theatre Aspen in Colorado, where she taught, directed, and expanded outreach initiatives. Her previous work also includes roles as a teaching artist and administrator with Midland Community Theatre (where she was once a student!), Austin’s ZACH Theatre, and Virginia Repertory Theatre. Elissa holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in Shakespeare and previously reviewed theatre for the Austin Chronicle. Across her work, she is passionate about expanding access to the arts and cultivating spaces where young people can explore their voices, take creative risks, and use theatre as a tool for social change. Elissa co-directed Season 75’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, directed Season 76’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Season 77’s production of James and the Giant Peach, and Season 78’s production of Annie.
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, Mean Girls, and The Prom.
Ferril Gardner
Ferril Gardner is a proud Junior Theatre alum who has been active in San Diego’s theatre community since 2013, most recently appearing in The Mountain Song at Coronado Playhouse. She holds a B.A. in Education Sciences and a Master of Education from UC San Diego, where her thesis explored how theatre arts principles can meaningfully enhance student engagement in the classroom. Ferril is thrilled to come full circle and bring her passion for arts-integrated learning back to Junior Theatre as a teaching artist.
Genevieve Foster
Genevieve Foster is a recent graduate from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s in English and a minor in Education. As an SDJT alum, she has worked as a Teacher’s Aide since 2019 and as an Inclusion Aide since 2024. She’s worked as the Social Media Manager at the San Diego Shakespeare Society since 2020 and helped found the Shakespeare Society of Berkeley in 2025. She was also a member and later president of “Steel on Steel,” the Historical Fencing Club of Berkeley. She’s worked with BareStage Productions, Student Experimental Theatre, the aforementioned Shakespeare Societies, the Northern California Renaissance Faire, and Albion Academy; additionally, she’s worked with CalTeach (Oakland Technical High School), East Bay Collaborative of Underserved Students (Bay Area Technical High School), and Berkeley Unified in Literacy Development (Malcolm X Elementary School) to research student agency and motivation. In July, she and her sister Annabelle will present at the Children, Youth, and Performance Conference in Toronto. This fall, she starts her MA in Shakespeare Studies at King’s College London in collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe.
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 worked with SDJT as a Teacher’s Aide, Administrative Assistant, Camp Director, Teaching Artist, and Education Coordinator. Additionally, she choreographed JT’s 2023 production of How I Became A Pirate and assistant directed Season 76’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Gordon McLachlan
Gordon “Gordo” McLachlan is a San Diego native and JT alumnus with a love of all things performing arts. He holds a degree in Theater from UCLA where he studied puppetry, immersive storytelling, theatrical design, and film production. (He also has some certificates in cool stuff like electronic music production and special effects make-up.) He is a maker/crafter, writer, performer, puppeteer, and a teaching artist who can be found throughout the city with SDJT, the Guild of Puppetry, the OB Adventure Club, Animal Cracker Conspiracy, and his own company The Ghostwave. As JT’s assistant production manager working alongside Isaac Vermilye, they are responsible for the scenic, technical, and backstage elements that help bring the magic of theatre to life. Together, they created and run JT’s technical theatre production club Ghostlight and also teach an annual week-long theatrical design intensive. Additionally, Gordo has taught classes such as Scare School: Techniques in Terror and Our Flag Means Fun: A Pirate Adventure. He has designed the sets and props for many JT productions since he was hired in 2023. Oh yeah, and he directs some shows too (Season 77’s The Addams Family, Season 78’s Shrek The Musical) alongside his long-time creative collaborator, Joey Price. If you would like to talk about electronic music, puppetry, the ol’ west, or spooky stuff—–come find Gordo!
Grace Asaro
Grace Asaro is a San Diego Junior Theatre alum who has loved returning 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 plays and musicals across San Diego County. As a dancer, she specializes in musical theatre jazz, Fosse, and classical ballet and believes in the importance of technique as a tool for storytelling. Alongside teaching, Grace also currently works as a performer at Legoland California and Seaworld San Diego. Grace was the choreographer for JT’s production of James and the Giant Peach.
Hannah Bosworth
Hannah Bosworth is delighted to be a JT Teaching Artist! A San Diego native, she earned a BFA in Acting from the University of Mississippi in 2021 and quickly returned home to the sunshine and saltwater. While home, she performed with Harmony Three, Coronado Playhouse, and Blindspot Collective and engaged with children of all ages through PLNU’s kNOw MORE!, San Diego SeaWorld, and Royal Entertainers. Hannah is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. One of Hannah’s greatest joys is helping others find their “Aha!” moments, and she is grateful to continue 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, How I Became A Pirate, and Puffs. Hunter will be directing JT’s production of The Prom this summer.
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.
Isadora Swann
Isadora Swann is a teaching artist and theatre practitioner passionate about the intersection of performance and social change. Originally from Minneapolis, she grew up acting and is now delighted to bring the joy she experienced to her work with young people in San Diego. A graduate of the University of Southern California with a double major in Theatre and Social Change, Isadora has worked internationally in Costa Rica and Japan, and her experience spans directing, writing, education, and arts administration. She is excited to help create meaningful opportunities for youth through San Diego Junior Theatre.
Jasmin Haddad
Jasmin Haddad is a San Diego-based theatre artist, actor, and teacher. They have been with Junior Theatre for 10 years now and have taught at several San Diego Theatre Arts companies. Their specialties include acting, improv, story writing, stand-up comedy, comedy acting, Commedia dell’arte, Stage Combat, and making people smile.
Jeffrey Ingman
Jeffrey Ingman is a renowned acting teacher, audition coach, director, and movement specialist based in Southern California. With more than 75 directing credits across professional, community, and academic theatre, he brings decades of experience to his work with actors of all ages and training levels. Jeffrey currently serves as an Associate Professor of Theatre at MiraCosta College, where he teaches acting, audition technique, and performance theory and directs productions for the department. Jeffrey previously taught acting and directing at the University of Montana, the University of the Pacific, and Fairmont State University, and served as the Director of the La Jolla Playhouse Young Performers Conservatory for six years. As a movement director, his credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time for the University of San Diego and Metamorphosis for San Diego City College, along with movement workshops for KCACTF. In addition to his work as an educator, Jeffrey is the founder of Audition Revelation, a coaching studio dedicated to the individual needs of actors—meeting them exactly where they are and guiding them toward authentic, truthful, and compelling performance. His clients range from emerging artists to Broadway-level performers to college audition students who earn admission to top-tier BA, BFA, and MFA programs each year. Grounded, rigorous, and deeply actor-focused, Jeffrey’s work continues to shape performers across the country and internationally, offering a comprehensive approach that unites technique, artistry, and personal expression.
Joey Price
Joey Price is a Junior Theatre alum and has worked as an actor, director, comedian, and podcaster in New York City, San Francisco and San Diego. He was a longtime performer and improv teacher at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and he worked as a teaching artist and director in public schools and summer camps with the San Francisco Arts Education Project. As a freelance director, notable credits include Urinetown, The Wild Party, Reefer Madness: The Musical, Deep Space Live, and his original Emo! The Musical. His work as a playwright has been produced at San Francisco Sketchfest, UCB, and The Pit. Joey holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University and a master’s in Educational Theatre from the City College of New York. He’s thrilled to be back at the place where his imagination and creativity could thrive, and working with the next generation to help ensure they have the same opportunity. Joey directed JT’s productions of The Sound of Music and The Addams Family and co-directed Shrek The Musical. He will be stepping back into the director’s chair for Season 79’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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.
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, The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats, and Disney’s The Lion King, JR. (San Diego Junior Theatre). She is looking forward to returning to Junior Theatre to work with these amazing kiddos on A Bad Case of Stripes in summer 2026!
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.
Kim Hendrix-Racine
Kim Hendrix-Racine is a San Diego native and has been performing in the theatre for over 40 years. She is a singer, director, music director, voice teacher, and vocal coach. Kim lived and worked in New York City for many years and has performed all over the country. She has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from San Diego State and a minor in Music. Since returning to San Diego, Kim has directed The Lion King and Alice in Wonderland at Young Actor’s Theatre. She has music directed several shows, including Anastasia, The Sound of Music, The Addams Family, and Little Shop of Horrors at Young Actor’s Theatre and West Hills High School. She still performs locally, most recently with Bodhi Tree Concerts, and at Off Broadway Live. Kim is extremely excited to be working at Junior Theatre with this amazing team.
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! Kira directed JT’s production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, music directed A Year with Frog and Toad and will music direct this season’s production of A Bad Case of Stripes.
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.
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 and choreographed 2024’s Mean Girls and 2025’s production of Annie.
Max Gidaley
Max Gidaley has been teaching the arts across the country for the last 20 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 have 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 holds a Masters in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and a BFA in musical theatre from the University of California, Irvine. She is currently the theatre director at Millikan High School. Theatre is her greatest love and passion and 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 and creating a safe space where students feel empowered to explore, fail, and learn from the process.
Michael Tyree
Michael Tyree is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor from Southwest Virginia. His sacred string quartets, many published by Hope Publishing Company and performed nationwide, have been awarded a variety of distinctions from multiple distributors. He has also catalogued numerous original compositions for orchestra, choir, wind band, chamber ensemble, and piano. Currently based in San Diego, Michael serves as the Director of Music Ministries at San Carlos United Methodist Church, conducting the church’s many ensembles including the Celebration Choir and Symphony for both worship services and concerts. He has also served as music director, pianist, and violinist for various theaters in San Diego County including Coronado Playhouse, Blindspot Collective, the Envision Theater at Canyon Crest Academy, and San Diego Junior Theatre. Michael music directed Annie, Shrek The Musical, and Les Misérables for JT’s 78th Season. For Season 79, he will be music directing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mary Poppins, and Hadestown: Teen Edition.
Nate Bartley
Nate Bartley is a JT alum and arts educator since 2023. He holds a BA in Youth Theatre from San Diego State University and specializes in accessible and inclusive learning environments for all students. Nate looks forward to creating new, fantastical worlds with the next generation of storytellers and change makers!
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. Most recently, Ricardo choreographed Season 78’s production of Disney’s Frozen JR.
Sarah Jane Salonga
Sarah Jane Salonga (she/her/hers) is a multihyphenate theatre artist and educator dedicated to cultivating the next generation of performers. She holds an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from SDSU, where she received the Outstanding Graduate Award, and has completed over 50 hours of intimacy training with Theatrical Intimacy Education. Her interdisciplinary background includes a B.A. in Integrated Education, a B.Sc. in Biochemistry, and she is also a Registered Dental Hygienist. Sarah currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at San Diego College of Continuing Education, where she teaches theatre to older adults. She also provides instruction in voice, ukulele, dance, and theatre to students of all ages. Through her diverse skill set and commitment to education, Sarah is passionate about fostering and supporting aspiring theatre artists. Recent directing credits include The Drowsy Chaperone (Coronado Playhouse), Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (SDJT), Disney’s Moana Jr. (JCompany/JCC), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Moonlight Youth Theatre), Chasing Fear (Blindspot Collective/UCSD ArtPower), and One Past Midnight: The OPM Musical (SDSU). Favorite acting credits include Storyteller/Musician in The Mountain Song (Coronado Playhouse), Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (SDSU), Melanie/Mother Moon in lit: a new musical (Blindspot Collective), and Anna in High Fidelity (Hart House Theatre, Canadian Premiere). Sarah Jane will be directing JT’s Season 79 production of Disney’s Aladdin JR.
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.
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. Shellina will be directing Season 79’s production of Holes and is excited to be part of the Junior Theatre team!
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 performed or worked backstage at Junior Theatre. When she is not teaching, Stefani can be found leading her girl scout troop or providing a breather for parents of special needs kids through respite care with the YMCA.
Stephen Evangelista
Stephen Evangelista is a pianist, vocalist, and voice teacher with over four years of experience teaching private vocal lessons, small group vocal classes, and musical theatre rehearsals with students ages 2 to 16. He studied Voice Teaching at San Diego State University, where he built a strong foundation in vocal technique, pedagogy, and choral collaboration while actively accompanying rehearsals and productions. Stephen has worked as an accompanist for vocal auditions, church choirs, school choirs, and stage productions across San Diego — most recently serving as pianist for Junior Theatre’s production of James and the Giant Peach. His teaching approach emphasizes creativity and play-based learning, helping young singers gain confidence and discover their authentic voices. Stephen music directed JT’s production of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.
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.
Tessa Molenaar
Tessa Molenaar is an alumna of San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and in 2021 expanded her Balboa Park family to include Junior Theatre! Tessa loves all forms of theatre, art, and music and working with kids. She has taught dance for over 10 years, and has worked professionally with children for about 15. She has an extensive background in customer service as well and is here to make your experience with Junior Theatre as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Theresa Maigue Bendorf
Theresa Maigue Bendorf is a seasoned professional with 25+ years of experience. An accomplished dancer, dance educator, choreographer, director, producer and trusted Realtor who’s experience ranges from owning and operating the successful Mystic Stepper School of Dance and production studio, Dance Educator at Chula Vista School for the Creative & Performing Arts, producing highly grossing, award winning shows and full park events for Sea World Entertainment, to helping families navigate the ever-changing real estate market as a trusted Realtor. From teaching her youngest students to mentoring teens getting into college and navigating their professional careers, Theresa’s passion for coaching young artists is unwavering. Some of Theresa’s notable honors, projects and clients are IAAPA Brass Ring Nominee- Best Theatrical Production “IllumiNight”, Commissioned Choreographer for 25th Anniversary SD County “A Salute to Teachers”, Choreographer for NATAS PSW Emmy Award Winning Production, Tym Telford Award for Best Choreography, Produced the full park event “Inside Look” for all 3 Sea World Parks, US Events for Philippine Ambassador- Jose Lampe Cuisia, Amusement Park Today, NFL Draft, Audacy, Reality Changers, COX SD, Rescue Agency, Miss Philippines Pageant, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association, Assembly Member District 80 and most recently the Choreographer for Kagitingan, Blindspot Collective’s sold out debut at the Museum Contemporary Art, San Diego. Theresa was very honored to choreograph for JT’s 75th Anniversary Gala honoring amazing JT alumni including her sister, Francine Maigue, who directed and choreographed JT’s successful run of Disney’s Moana Jr. Theresa was a proud parent watching her girls in the show. She choreographed JT’s productions of Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr., Disney’s The Lion King, JR., and The Prom, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Shrek The Musical, and A Bad Case of Stripes. Theresa will be choreographing Season 79’s production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Vanessa Dinning
Vanessa Dinning has been coaching singers and actors for over 25 years. Having trained as an actor, a voice & dialect coach, and a classical musician at leading drama schools in London, Vanessa balanced a successful performing career with acting, directing, and singing throughout the UK, alongside coaching young actors and singers, coaching voice and text work, singing and dialects. Vanessa is in demand as an actor, director, and singer, and as voice and dialect coach in and around San Diego. She also plays cello and piano and is a member of the UK Actors’ Equity.
Moving to San Diego, California in 2007, Vanessa has worked at Cygnet Theatre, The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Rep., The Hollywood Bowl, Moonlight Stage Productions, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, Moxie Theatre, San Diego Musical Theatre, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, New York City Opera, Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company, Scripps Ranch Theatre, Oceanside Theatre Company, New Fortune Theatre Company, The Welk Theatre, Bodhi Tree Concerts, and Coronado Playhouse, among others, as well as guest teaching at UCSD (Osher), SDSU and CSUSM universities. She has served as a teaching artist for Shakespeare’s Globe (London), The Royal National Theatre (London), Character Physics, North Coast Rep. Theatre School, Cygnet Theatre, SDSS, and San Diego Junior Theatre.