Spotlight On

Emily Stamets (she/her) is a storyteller and teaching artist. She was a classroom Theatre Arts teacher for over ten years, and co-created over ten original “Hyper-theatre” productions with Rogue Artists Ensemble as a designer, playwright, and puppeteer. She studied Shakespeare performance & production with Shakespeare & Company in MA, and holds Master’s degrees in Theatre Design & Production (SOU) and School Leadership with a focus on arts-integrated inclusive education (Harvard). She is the current Chapter Director of CA Thespians, and sits on the board of the National Storytelling Network. Recent projects include directing the devised SDUSD Honor Theatre Project for the La Jolla Playhouse WOW Festival.

Jeffrey Parsons (he/him) returns to Southern California after directing the musical theatre program at Maui Academy of Performing Arts for the past three years. Onstage credits include Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate (Central City Opera), Bobby Child in Crazy for You (San Diego Musical Theatre/Moonlight Amphitheatre), and the Emcee in Cabaret (Welk Resort/Craig Noel nomination). He has directed productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Freaky Friday, as well as youth productions of High School Musical JR and Finding Nemo JR. His choreography for Dames at Sea (Sierra Madre Playhouse) was nominated by the LA Stage Alliance for an Ovation Award. He’s the creator and host of “A Musical Theatre Podcast” on the Broadway Podcast Network and is a member of Actor’s Equity.

Trevor Tevel (rhymes with bell) (he/him) has been in a relationship with improv and sketch since 2008. He has trained and performed in Los Angeles at the Westside Comedy Theater, Groundlings, Second City, UCB, iO West, and The Improv Space. Trevor also completed the sketch programs at Groundlings and UCB, which gave him the tools to develop pilots for A&E and Comedy Central. Trevor has toured the country performing improv and sketch for colleges and corporations with the award-winning short form troupe – Mission Improvable. He has also taught and coached at The Improv Space, iO West, Westside Comedy Theater, RISE Comedy (Denver), Mockingbird Improv, and Finest City Improv where he performs with Deep Dish while also producing Spiked Punch.

Abby Leigh Huffstetler (they/them) thrives within the intersections of creative expression, arts education and mental health. They recently earned their MFA in Theatre & Dance from UC San Diego. Abby holds certifications in multiple weapons within The Society of American Fight Directors. They are an actor, educator, intimacy choreographer, actor combatant and clown. UC San Diego credits: DANCE NATION, Hells Canyon, Twelfth Night, End Days, Uncle Vanya. Regional credits: Streetcar Named Desire; Miles For Mary; How to Defend Yourself (Humana Festival of New American Plays) Dracula, The Many Deaths of Nathan Stubblefield (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Free Free Free Free (Exponential Festival); Noises Off (Rome Little Theatre). Film credits: Redrum, Dirt, CBGB. Intimacy Direction credits: 900 Years (UCSD); Two Kids That Blow Shit Up (Endless Summer Productions); Staged Intimacy & Violence (Teaching Assistant, UCSD). Abby is an Actors Theatre Professional Training Company alum. They hold a BFA in Performing Arts from SCAD. There is no space for the perpetuation of white supremacy in their process and exploration.