Creative Team

STAGEStheatre Producer	STAGEStheatre is an entity that is constantly evolving in order to provide actors, directors, writers, designers, and artists with a creative environment that offers an eclectic and challenging variety of theatrical opportunities at all "stages" of the process.    STAGEStheatre presents every form of theatrical literature, from the classics to world premieres.  STAGEStheatre endeavors to merge each literary work with the highest production values and the most passionate performances possible.  As a Non-Profit Organization, STAGEStheatre strives to promote appreciation for the theatrical arts through outreach to our community by involving those new to the production process and by working with local schools and organizations to provide unique educational opportunities and internships for student artists and technicians.  STAGEStheatre's stage is always open for members of the community to become actively involved in theatre.
TJ Dawson Director/Choreographer	T.J. is so happy to be returning to STAGES where he last directed the Orange County premiere and citically acclaimed production of Bat Boy the Musical; which received Critic’s Pick from Backstage West (BSW) and the "Roar of the Crowd" award from Gold Star Events (GSE).  He most recently directed and choreographed Cabaret for LHDT and Side Show at the Westminster Community Theatre; Side Show also received Critic's Pick from BSW.  In 2006 he directed his first production of Side Show earning him his first Critic's Pick from BSW and "Roar of the Crowd" from GSE at the LHDT.  His first production of Cabaret for the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse was the L.A. Times Critic’s Choice for “Best Show in 2004.”  Other favorite directing/choreographing credits include; Into the Woods, Anything Goes, Seussical, Cinderella and A Chorus Line.     Selected favorite performing credits include; Voice Over: Deep Labrynth (Shawn) for Nintendo DS, Summon Night (Loki) Gameboy Advance.  European Tour: Grease (Roger) Regional: Seussical (Horton) at Performance Riverside, Parade (Randy) West Coast Premiere with the Musical Theatre Guild (MTG), US premiere of the revival of Anyone Can Whistle (Deputy Quartet) at the Matrix Theatre, Little Mary Sunshine (Slim) with MTG, Crazy for You (Moose) at Musical Theatre West and Downey Civic Light Opera, Wizard of Oz (Lion) and Music Man (Quartet) with Performance Riverside.  He was also apart of the closing cast of Disneyland’s Hunchback of Notre Dame’s Festival of Fools as well as several Christmas seasons as a Dickens Caroler at the Disneyland Resort.    He is thrilled to be working with close and supportive friends on this project and thanks them for all their hard work and dedication.  He would also like to thank his loving friends and family for being his source of love and support.  A special thanks to his wife Jeanette, for being his every breath and above all, God, for being his constant love and inspiration.
Stephen Amundson Musical Director	Stephen Amundson has had the most wonderful of times working with TJ in the past but this show is probably the best. He graduated from Huntington Beach High school in 2006 where he was a part of the Academy for the Performing Arts.  He is currently attending Goldenwest College studying music, psychology, and cosmetology.  He plans to transfer to UC San Diego to further his education by next fall.  He has has achieved the Certificate of Merit for playing piano at Level 9.  This is Stephen's debut as a musical director and he is thrilled to work with such an amazing cast and crew!  Thanks to my adoring fans; my family and friends, for all their love and support in everything that I do.  And thanks to TJ for making this a great experience!
AJ Abrams Co-Choreographer	Mr. Abrams has trained at ballet schools all around the United States, such as Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylviania Ballet and School of American Ballet. During six years as a member of Ballet Austin Mr. Abrams enjoyed dancing such roles as the “Snow King,” Arabian and the “Sugar Plum Cavalier” in their production of The Nutcracker; “Albrecht” in Giselle; the Male Solo in Fluctuating Hemlines; a featured Pas de Deux in Stephen Mills' Touch and the princpal male role in George Balanchine's Who Cares. In the summer of 2001 he traveled to China on a six city tour with Long Beach Ballet to perform the role of the Genie in Alladin. This is Allen's first chance to perform in a musical and he is very excited to do so! Also he would like to thank his mother for always allowing him to follow his dreams!   .
Kiana St. Laurent Stage Manager	This is Kiana's second time working at STAGEStheatre, and is very excited to be back to such a wonderful place. She also feels very blessed to be working once again with such a wonderful production team. Kiana has been working in theatre for 7 years, and been working with TJ for about 4 years. She is the co-creative of TJKProductions. Kiana's credits include: Production Stage Manager/Set Design - "Cabaret"; Production Stage Manager/Set Design - "Side Show"; Production Stage Manager/Set Design - "Bat Boy the Musical"; Production Stage Manager/Set Designer - "Side Show" - "Critic's Pick" in Back Stage West; Production Stage Manager - "Merrily We Roll Along"; Original Lighting Designer- "The Golden Dream"; Assistant Stage Manager/Senic Designer- "Anything Goes"; Light Design/Stage Manager-"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"; Sound/Stage Manager-"Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat"; Light Design- "Over the River and Through the Woods"; Assistant Stage Manager/Senic Designer/Sound- LA Times Critic’s Choice for “Best Show in 2004.” "Cabaret"; Light Design/Stage Manager- "Godspell". Kiana will soon be sailing around the Mediterranean with Holland America on the MS Noordam as a Stage Manager. A big Thank you to TJ for having her work on another project with him, and for trusting her with such a large amount of responsibilities. To the wonderful crew, I appriciate all that you do. To SDSM, thank you for teaching me everything, and to her Parents, thank you for all the support and love that you give everyday.
Steven M. Villa III Stage Manager	Steve is very excited to be returning to STAGES after making his technical debut with Bat Boy! the Musical.  Within the past few months...same old story...new show....   "Te amo a todos. Ciao."
Coryn Ellis Make-up Designer	Coryn is very excited to be joining the crew for The Wild Party and working with TJ, Steve, and Kiana again. She worked with TJ, as Make-up Designer, previously on Cabaret and Anything Goes. Coryn has a BA in Radio, Television and Film from California State University, Fullerton and a Diploma for Special Effects Make-Up from The Make-up Designory in Burbank. While at CSUF she designed the make-up for the world premier musical 24 Hours an was Make-up Crew Head/Artist for The Foreigner and Into the Woods. She is also a credited make-up artist on two feature films through Asylum Productions, Dead Men Walking and Shapeshifter. Coryn has worked as a freelance make-up artist since 1999, on various student and independent films. She is currently in her forth year as a make-up artist for Knotts' Berry Farm's Halloween Haunt.
Annie Riley Costume Designer	Annie is thrilled to be back at STAGEStheatre and being able to work with some of her favorite people again. She recently did the costume design for"Cabaret" at The La Habra Depot Theatre. She has been working on costumes sporadically in-between performing. Some of her previous work includes; Assistant Costumer - "Side Show" (Westminster Community Theatre); Costume Design - "Bat Boy the Musical" (STAGEStheatre); Assistant Costumer- "Side Show" (The La Habra Depot Theatre).   Some of her favorite performing roles include; Frenchie "Cabaret"; Little Red Riding Hood “Into the Woods”, Winnifred “Once Upon A Mattress”, Lola (aka Larry) in “A Chorus Line” and Wendy in “Peter Pan”. Annie would like to thank TJ for giving her this opportunity and believing in her.