ABOUT
Class Act is a year-round, innovative theatre program that provides students of all ages with a creative foundation in music, theatre, and acting.
Class Act’s mission is to positively impact the lives of its students and families, by encouraging personal growth through creative expression and theatre.
Our programs offer the fundamental backbone to excel personally and professionally. We cater to the needs of every student who enters our door.
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OUR CORE VALUES:
Excel Creatively, Work as a Team, Impact the Community, Always Have Fun
STAFF
Jessica Alexander
Artistic
Director
Jessica (MFA in Acting from New School University and BFA in Theatre from Doane University) has been involved in dance and theatre since the age of 5. She began working at Class Act Musical Theatre in 2011 and is so happy to have the opportunity to continue bringing her love and passion for performing and the arts to her students and the community.
Michael Cochnar
Managing Director
& Executive Producer
Michael (BFA in Theatre from Doane University) has been involved with theatre and entertainment since middle school. Mike enjoys running Class Act with his wife, Jessica, and bringing new and exciting opportunities through theatre to the kids in our community. Mike is also a writer/director in the film industry.
Jaya Ely
Production Administrator
& Producer
Jaya brings a wide range of experience to children's theatre and has been on the creative end of Class Act shows for more than 20 productions. Jaya has worked as a director, producer, and choreographer for multiple Class Act productions.
Ally Muholland
Tween/Teen Director
& Co-Choreographer
Ally (Graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy) has many years of experience in musical theater for kids. She is a working actress with a large musical theater background as well as on camera and voice over work. She brings her many talents to Class Act as a director, choreographer, and Program Director.
Thom Dalesandro
Music
Director
Thomas Dalesandro (BA in Performing Arts: Music from CSU Channel Islands) began playing piano at 6 years old and started his professional career at the age of 11. His vocals and keyboards are featured on projects ranging from rock albums to motion pictures, including Polar Express and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Aside from session work, Thomas performs alongside countless original and cover bands from a wide variety of genres - appearing everywhere from local bars and clubs to corporate events, conventions and festivals such as Warped Tour. Find out more at www.thomasdalesandro.com.
Gabriella Hartline
Enrichment Associate
Director
Gabriella (BA in Mass Communications from Florida State University) has joined the Class Act team with many years of experience in youth theatre and dance. She currently works with our enrichment and kids programs.
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Brooke Thornton
Kids & Enrichment
Assistant Director
Brooke has been an educator in the arts for over eight years, both in theater and dance. She earned her BFA in Acting for Film in 2021, and her MA in Classical Acting in 2023. Brooke has always had a passion for inspiring young artists and helping them grow. She truly believes in the power of using theater, dance, and music to instill confidence and high self esteem in young performers.
Alyssa Dvorak
Kids & Enrichment Producer,
Lead Director/Lead Choreographer
Alyssa Dvorak (Graduate of New York University) has an extensive history of working in youth theater. She served as a director, choreographer, stage manager, producer, performer, board member, and administrator during her twenty years at the Verona Area Community Theater in Wisconsin before moving to California in 2021. She is excited to join the Class Act Team and help kids find their passion for Musical Theatre.
Tiffany Vallerga
Tweens & Enrichment
Co-Choreographer and Assoc. Director
Tiffany (BA in Cinematic Arts from San Francisco State University) has joined the Class Act team as a Theatre Enrichment teacher for our after-school programs, and is a co-choreographer for our tween and teen main stage program.
Rachel Specland
Kids & Enrichment
Assistant Director
Rachel assists with our theatre enrichment and kids programs.
Maria Fouras
Theatre Enrichment
Assistant
Maria has performed with Class Act for a number of performances and assists with rehearsals and show productions.
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Emily Williams
Co-Producer/Co-Director
Kids Program
Emily comes to Class Act with credentials from The National Ballet School of Canada, 15 years of experience performing
on Broadway, National Tours, Regional Theater, Feature Films and Commercials. She served as an Assistant Director/Choreographer to Bill Burns for The Tuacahn Center for the Arts Production of Tarzan, and a Guest Choreographer/Teacher at AMDA.
Ivory Reid
Tween/Teen
Co-Choreographer
Ivory has been a dancer of various genres for over three decades. She’s been a dance instructor/choreographer for two of those as well. Ivory has taught various dance styles and musical theater at Dance Alliance Camarillo, California ( Ventura County), S.P.A.C.E. (Near and Arnolds School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) , Mendocino Ballet, and Carol’s Dance Studio in Northern California, and Lineage Dance Company in Pasadena, California. She’s choreographed and performed numerous shows at Mendocino College where she also, got her AA degree in Theater/Performing Arts, and was the first recipient of the Inspiring Dancer Award. They’re SUPER excited and proud to join the Class Act family this season!
Daniela Vargas
Kids & Enrichment
Assistant Director
Daniela (BA Sociology from CSUN) is a long time performer turned staff member. She has been a part of the Class Act family since 2010 and has been in over 20 productions with us. She assists with our theater enrichment and kids programs.