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>> Staff |
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| JIMMY
HIPPENSTIEL:
Artistic Director
Jimmy
Hippenstiel has been with the Academy for many years as an outstanding
director and choreographer. While Jimmy plans to continue directing
and choreographing shows for MTA’s older age group, Jimmy’s
duties as Artistic Director involve him in overseeing the artistic
aspects of all MTA productions and working with the age-group
directors to ensure that MTA continues to offer both postive learning
experiences and accomplished productions. Jimmy’s background
includes a BA in Musical Theater from Cal State Fullerton, as
well as an AA in Music and Conducting from Citrus College in Azusa.
He was a three year member and Student Conductor of the prestigious
Citrus singers, traveling throughout Europe and Hawaii. Prior
to that, Jimmy toured nationally with “The Young Americans”
and Columbia Artists Recordings. As a ten year employee of the
Walt Disney Company, Jimmy toured extensively throughout the world,
performing at such exciting venues as New York’s Lincoln
Center and Radio Center Music Hall, as well as The Hollywood Bowl.
Jimmy also spent ten years as a dancer and guest entertainer on
Princess Cruise Lines. |
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| JIMMY
HIPPENSTIEL:
Director/Choreographer
Jimmy
is the resident director/choreographer for the Musical Theatre
Academy of Orange County. Jimmy has choreographed and directed
many programs extensively throughout the O.C. area. Jimmy's dancing
background has taken him around the world with Princess Cruises,
and with the Walt Disney Company. Highlights include performing
at New York's Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood
Bowl. |
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STEPHEN
REIFENSTEIN:
ACE Director
Stephen
has been involved in Musical Theatre for over 17 years, acting
in and directing a number of shows and reviews. His acting credits
have included roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,
Anything Goes, Working, Oklahoma and many others with theatres
such as Musical Theatre West, Elizabeth Howard’s Curtain
Call Dinner Theatre and Main Street Players. For over 7 years,
he has been directing productions such as Annie, Bye Bye Birdie,
Aladdin and Cinderella with Orange County Children’s Theatre,
La Habra Depot Theatre, Broadway on Tour, Yorba Linda Civic and
the newly formed Musical Theatre Orange County. Stephen is dedicated
to building the confidence and social skills of our youth. He
feels the ACE program is a wonderful opportunity for all involved.
By day, Stephen is a Construction Finance Accountant for a property
management company in Newport Beach. |
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SHARON
FRAZIER:
Production Vocals
Sharon
Frazier is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a B.A.
in Music, and teaches music and humanities to middle school students
in Tustin. She has also been a music director for the Depot in
La Habra, Buena Park Civic Theater, and Trilogy Playhouse as well
as a performer in Nunsense, H.M.S. Pinafore, 1776, Grease, Into
the Woods, Children of Eden, Robin Hood & The White Arrow,
South Pacific, Joseph…, and West Side Story. Sharon joined
MTA in the Spring of 2004 as Musical Director for the older age
group productions as well as MTA’s Summer on Broadway series.
Of all the roles Sharon has played, her favorite has been the
role of Mommy, to her beautiful daughter Emily. |
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DEBORAH
MATHEWS:
Acting Class Instructor & Assistant Director
Deborah
is a member of Actors Equity. Just recently moved back from NYC
where she worked as an actor and a director. She is a graduate of
American Center for Musical Theater in New York. She has trained
with Joanna Gleason, E. Katherine Kerr, and Deborah Lavine. Deborah
has appeared on stage in roles as diverse as Mary in "Merrily
We Roll Along," April in "Savage in Limbo" and was
one of the original cast members of the Curtain Call Dinner Theater.
Deborah grew up doing children's theater where she met her life
long friend Jimmy Hippenstiel. |
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ED BANGASSER:
Stage Combat Instructor
Learn the basics of stage combat from award winning fight choreographer. This class is sure to be an exciting and athletic thrill for guys and gals alike who want to learn how to take a punch, small inclass fight demonstration for family friends on the last day! Class is Saturdays 10 – 11am July 6 to August 26. Ages 12 to Adult. Cost is $110 |
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REBECCA BARDSLEY:
Improv/Comedy Instructor
Rebecca currently is a Contract Writer for Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 and is the owner/operator of Company Comedy Company in Tustin that produces improv and sketch comedy shows for corporate events with high profile clientele, including Disney, DirecTV, Sanwa Bank, Blue Shield and more. She also was a Humor Columnist for an entertainment magazine. Rebecca served as Casting Assistant at Tepper Gallegos Casting in Hollywood. |
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JESSICA CARAVELLA:
Group Vocals
Jessica is currently performing at Disneyland, and can be heard singing theme songs at Sea World in Florida. When she is not performing or recording, she enjoys teaching. Jessica has taught with The Young American’s, at Crossroad’s School for the Performing Arts in Santa Monica and continues to teach students individually. Several of her students have been the leads in musicals within their communities, are scholarship winners to various universities and continue to win high awards through various competitions. Jessica holds a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Cal State Fullerton. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of the Musical Theatre Academy team. |
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MELODY MULLIGAN:
Tiny Tot Thetare Instructor
Stage Manager
Melody has been affiliated with MTA for several years in various capacities; performer, Stage Manager, and Tiny Tot Theatre instructor. She worked for Disney for many years and has performed around the County in various musicals. Melody loves spending time with her children and husband, who is MTA's resident scenic deisgner.
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ALLISON COLEMAN:
Dance Instructor
Allison is thrilled to be returning to the Musical Theatre Academy! She first joined MTA in 1993 when it was formerly known as Rainbow Singers and performed with the group until 2001. At the academy, Allison was seen as Ado Annie in "Oklahoma", Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls", the Narrator in "Joseph", just to name a few. She is a BFA graduate from the prestigious musical theatre conservatory at the Hartt School of Theatre. Dance training includes: Jimmy Defores, Broadway Dance Center (NYC), and various world champions in ballroom, latin, and swing dancing. Allison is proud to mention that she used to dance on a competitive team with Benji Schwimmer, Lacey Schwimmer, and Heidi Groskreutz from the TV show SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE! |
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