Welcome!


This fall the Theatre Department at Modesto Junior College is presenting an exciting opportunity to you, our students! Join us as we share a variety of guest speakers to inspire and spark your imagination. This is rare inside look into the diverse world of performing arts. Our guests will share their educational and professional journey in various roles from acting and stage managing to sound and makeup design.

Learn about what is possible in the world of performing arts!

Browse the guest speakers below and be sure to RSVP as space is limited. 
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These guest presentations are all FREE and will be streamed live via Zoom.

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Photo by Ruca Souza from Pexels



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​“You get whatever accomplishment  you are willing to declare.”                           ~Georgia O’Keeffe

What will I learn?

Gain inside perspective from a variety of industry professionals!

Not only will you get to hear from professionals, but it's a great chance to network and ask our guest speakers questions. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity. 


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Image by Evgen Rom from Pixabay

GUEST SPEAKERS

Monday, September 14 at 11:30am

Shay Garber

STAGE MANAGER
Shay Garber is a member of Actors' Equity Association and has worked regionally for theatres such as Musical Theatre West: Holiday Inn, Something Rotten!, Pioneers of Flight!, Oliver!, Bright Star, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sacramento Theatre Company: A Christmas Carol, Marina Summer Shows w/ Culver City Symphony: South Pacific, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Laguna Playhouse: The Graduate starring Melanie Griffith. She currently teaches stage management at Cypress College & mentors student stage managers at Saddleback College. Education: BFA in Stage Management from Syracuse University and MFA in Stage Management from University of California, Irvine. 

Friday, October 2 at 11:00am

Cricket S. Myers

SOUND DESIGNER
Cricket has worked on over 300 productions in the past 15 years, in dozen of theaters across Los Angeles. In 2015, Cricket won the LADCC Kinetic Award for Outstanding Acheivement in Theatrical Design and in 2003 the USITT Clear Com Award for achievement in Sound Design. Cricket was a finalist for the TCG/NEA Career Development Grant. Cricket was mentioned in Live Desgin Magazine as a "Young Designer to Watch" and was listed in LA Stage Magaizne as an "Arist to Watch." She is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts MFA program, and is a member of USA Local 829.
Cricket's Portfolio
More about cricket...
Cricket has worked on over 300 productions in the past 15 years, in dozen of theaters across Los Angeles. Some of her more memorable designs include: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo at the Richard Rogers Theater on Broadway; The Price, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Subject Was Roses, School of Night, and Nightingale at the Mark Taper Forum; Marvelous Wonderettes at the Westside Arts, NYC and The El Portal Forum Theater; Nightingale and Sideways at La Jolla Playhouse; Second City's Christmas Carol, The Wake, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Ovation Nomintion 2009),Two Unrelated Play, The Little Dog Laughed (Ovation Nomintion 2009), and Come Back Little Sheba at The Kirk Douglas Theater; Wrecks, Some Girl(s), and Emergency (Ovation Nomination, NAACP Nomination 2008) at the Geffen Playhouse; Life Could be A Dream at the Hudson Theater, Mainstage; Mary's Wedding (Ovation Nomintion 2009), Trying (Ovation Nomniation 2007), Stage Struck, Master Harold and the Boys (NAACP Nomination), I Have Before me a Remarkable Document Given to me by a Young Lady from Rwanda, and Clutter at the Colony Theater; Hunters Gatherers, Back of the Throat and Impending Rupture of the Belly with the Furious Theater Company; Battle Hymn (Ovation Nomination) with Circle X Theater; The Bacchae (Ovation Nomination 2007), Beautiful Thing, Four, and Judy at the Stonewall Inn at Celebration Theater; Big, Assassins, Floyd Collins (LA Drama Critics Award) and Zanna Don't at West Coast Ensemble.

In 2015, Cricket won the LADCC Kinetic Award for Outstanding Acheivement in Theatrical Design and in 2003 the USITT Clear Com Award for achievement in Sound Design. Cricket was a finalist for the TCG/NEA Career Development Grant. Cricket was mentioned in Live Desgin Magazine as a "Young Designer to Watch" and was listed in LA Stage Magaizne as an "Arist to Watch." She is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts MFA program, and is a member of USA Local 829.
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Besides work, Cricket has many other interests. Cricket is a runner, having finished 1 full marathon and a whole lot of shorter races. She was a member of the National Ski Patrol and used to patrol at June Mountain, CA, which is just north of (and owned by) Mammoth Mountain. She is also very active in animal rescue. She volunteers for Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue, as a foster home. Cricket is a world traveler, having seen 23 countries on 5 of the 7 continents.

Friday, October 9 at 11:00am

Cat Elrod

SPECIAL FX MAKEUP ARTIST
Cat Elrod is a Special FX Makeup Artist, Personal Celebrity Makeup Artist and Costume Designer from Long Beach, Ca. Her career began in theatre, designing and managing for The Long Beach Playhouse, International City Theatre, The Hudson Ave. Theatre and The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center. After receiving an Associate’s Degree and two Bachelor’s Degrees in Technical theatre, Directing for the Stage and Archaeology, respectively, she made the transition to film by returning to school. At Joe Blasco Makeup Center West she pursued certificates in Beauty, Glamour and Advanced Prosthetic makeup.  Cat's Portfolio

Monday, October 12 at 11:30am

Natalie Figaredo

STAGE MANAGER
Natalie is a freelance stage manager based in the Orange County and Los Angeles. Theatre credits include productions at South Coast Repertory, The Geffen Playhouse, The Echo theatre Company, The Boston Court, The Long Beach Playhouse, The Old Globe, The Garage Theatre, and The Royal Albert Hall. She has a BA in theatre from California State University of Long Beach and trained as a stage manager at The London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art.  She is also currently an Assistant Stage Manager at The Disneyland  Resort. 

MORE ABOUT NATALIE...
​Natalie is a freelance stage manager based in the OC/LA area. Theatre credits include productions at South Coast Repertory, The Geffen Playhouse, The Echo theatre Company, The Boston Court, The Long Beach Playhouse, The Old Globe, The Garage Theatre, and The Royal Albert Hall. She has a BA in theatre from CSULB and trained as a stage manager at The London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art.  She is also currently an Assistant Stage Manager at The Disneyland Resort.

PSM credits include: With Love and a Major Organ (The Boston Court), The Cake (The Geffen Playhouse), The Cake (Echo Theatre), Reasons to be Pretty, The Lieutenant of Inishmore (The Long Beach Playhouse) and Tender Napalm (Six01 Studio).  ASM/PA credits include: Poor Yella Rednecks, Amos and Boris, Little Black Shadows, Junie B Jones is Not A Crook, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Yoga Play, Orange, Mr. Poppers Penguins, Going To A Place Where You Already Are, A Year With Frog and Toad (South Coast Repertory), What You Are (The Old Globe) and Closer (The Macha Theatre).

Friday, October 16 at 11:00am

Cameron Watson​

DIRECTOR/WRITER/FILMMAKER
Cameron Watson was heralded by the Los Angeles Times as "one of our finest contemporary directors." His extensive and varied body of work garnered him the 2018 Distinguished Achievement in Directing Award from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. A multiple award-winning theatre director and filmmaker, Cameron has carved a unique career that crosses over many genres and formats.   Cameron's Portfolio
more about cameron...
Cameron Watson was heralded by the Los Angeles Times as "one of our finest contemporary directors." His extensive and varied body of work garnered him the 2018 Distinguished Achievement in Directing Award from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. A multiple award-winning theatre director and filmmaker, Cameron has carved a unique career that crosses over many genres and formats.   Cameron created, wrote and directed the comedy series BREAK A HIP, now streaming at www.breakahip.com. Christina Pickles won the 2018 Primetime Emmy Award for her work in the series. Cameron wrote and directed the Miramax feature film OUR VERY OWN, starring Allison Janney, Jason Ritter, Cheryl Hines and Keith Carradine. Ms. Janney received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her work in the film. 
 
A prolific and much sought after theatre director, Cameron has achieved widespread critical praise, with the Wall Street Journal citing his work as "the best in the country." He is known for his much lauded and box office hits at Antaeus Theatre Company (THE LITTLE FOXES, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, PICNIC and TOP GIRLS) as well as work at Rogue Machine Theatre (COCK), The Fountain Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, Ensemble Theatre Company, The Colony Theatre (the now legendary production of TRYING starring Alan Mandell and Rebecca Mozo), The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Road Theatre and The New American Theatre. Known as an "actor's director," Cameron has shepherded many actors to award wins. He has had five actors win the coveted Ovation Award in Los Angeles (Don Robb, Alan Mandell, Beth Grant, Rebecca Mozo and Harry Groener) in addition to numerous other awards. 
 
Current work while in quarantine includes LOVE LETTERS with Martin Sheen and Melissa Fitzgerald and a nationwide/virtual production of Caryl Churchill’s LOVE AND INFORMATION with the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. 
 
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Friday, October 23 at 11:00am

Kalinda Gray

ACTRESS/SINGER/ENTREPRENEUR
Kalinda’s credits include over 200 theatrical productions on Southern California's respected stages. In 2012, Kalinda decided to throw her love of impersonations, fairytales, playing multiple characters, puppetry, working with children, and event-planning into a new adventure called "Wishing Well Entertainment and Parties". To date, the company is the highest-rated company of its kind in Southern California and has planned over 5500 events. Featuring the largest collection of characters to choose from for parties, media events, business functions, and other occasions - Wishing Well Entertainment is now privately sought after by the entertainment industry, A-list celebrities, high-end events, and families planning their next soiree.   www.kalindagray.com/
More About kalinda...
Kalinda’s credits include over 200 theatrical productions on Southern California's respected stages. World premiere credits include "Goodbye, Marilyn" at the Working Stage Theater (Marilyn Monroe), Jon Jory's "Candide" at Sacred Fools Theater (Cunegonde/Woman #1), "The Hobbit" (Storyteller/Galadriel), "The Don Juan Project" (Elvira), "Variete Risque" at SCR (Lili White), “Big Shot” under the direction of television writer Stan Zimmerman (Gilmore Girls, Golden Girls, Roseanne, etc.), and the productions of "Hamlet Has No Legs" and "Frankenstein No Legs" as a lead puppeteer with the nationally famous All Puppet Players troupe, of which Kalinda is a founding member.  
In addition to originating and playing characters for Universal Studios Hollywood's "Grinchmas", her regional theatrical premiere credits include "Reefer Madness" (Mary Lane), "The Producers" (Ulla), "Return To The Forbidden Planet (Miranda), "Treasure Island" (Anne Bonney), and the west coast regional premiere of "Avenue Q" (Kate Monster - Best Actress 2012, Broadway World). Kalinda also played the role of Sally Bowles for the multi-award winning Los Angeles run of "Cabaret" at the MET Theater, directed by Judy Norton Taylor, the role of Eva Peron in “Evita” under the direction of original Broadway cast member Marie Ramm, and was a featured performer and singer at Segerstrom Hall with the legendary Bernadette Peters and Men Alive for their production of "New York City Rhythm". 
In 2012, Kalinda decided to throw her love of impersonations, fairytales, playing multiple characters, puppetry, working with children, and event-planning into a new adventure called "Wishing Well Entertainment and Parties". To date, the company is the highest-rated company of its kind in Southern California and has planned over 5500 events. Featuring the largest collection of characters to choose from for parties, media events, business functions, and other occasions - Wishing Well Entertainment is now privately sought after by the entertainment industry, A-list celebrities, high-end events, and families planning their next soiree. 
After taking a break to build her entertainment company and tending to family, Kalinda started pursuing acting for the screen. Not long after, she found a beloved mentor in famous American character actor and screenwriter Cliff Osmond, a fixture of Billy Wilder's films and of the Broadway stage. She was cast as lead Diane Tate in "BXX: Haunted", a new interactive multimedia project by Daniel Knauf (creator of HBO's "Carnivale", writer for "Dracula" and "Blacklist" for NBC) and in several short films, trailers, and webseries projects (including the role of Luna Lovegood for the "Battle Of Hogwarts" film series). 
Over the past year, she has been featured in several national commercials as a spokesperson, as well as a puppeteer/"Sam I Am" for Netflix's "Green Eggs and Ham" series, as Marilyn Monroe for a new music video with singer Nick White, the “Queen” for the Beyond Wonderland series, “The Clapper" on Netflix (with Ed Helms and Tracy Morgan), and onstage for the world premiere of “King Kong: Eighth Wonder Of The World” (Ann Darrow), the OC premieres of “Fellowship! The Musical” (Legolas/Arwen) and “Silence! The Musical” (Clarice Starling), the premiere of “American Ant Motel” at the Blank (dir. Stan Zimmerman), and the return hit run of “LOST: The Musical” (Juliet/Shannon) at the Whitefire Theater of Los Angeles. She also was nominated for a 2019 Audie Award for her voiceover work for "Magus Elgar", a new sci-fi podcast series, and will be featured as Marilyn Monroe in a new attraction on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, set to debut when the ship reopens.
Kalinda currently resides in Los Angeles with her cat, Scarlett O'Hairball. When not performing, she is an avid history buff and spends time researching in New England and traveling to unique locations and events around the world. She is currently represented by Firestarter Entertainment.






Friday, October 30 at 11:00am

Michael Houston ​

ACTOR
Michael Houston is a Brooklyn, NY native who recently earned his BFA in acting from Academy of Art University. He credits his growing success to all of his teachers with whom he is grateful for. His production credits include, Six Degrees of Separation (Paul), In the Heights (Benny), Death &The Artist (St. Peter and others), SF Olympians and more. He was also a part of an award winning short film "All About Frank Avenue".
He is happy to share his experience thus far as a young up and coming actor while helping others along the way.

Friday, November 6 at 11:00am

Matt Robertson

LIGHTING DESIGNER/ENTREPRENEUR
Matt got his start in technical theatre in middle school where he ran the audio tracks for the school’s musical.  From this point on he was captivated by the technical aspects of theatre production!  It was the next year that he found his true passion in theatrical lighting which continued at James C. Enochs High School.  He has done lighting designs in theatres all around the central valley.  While attending MJC, he worked in the theatre and assisted with many productions.  He continued growing in his skills until graduating with his associate’s degree in theatre from MJC, in 2016.   After graduation, that led him to work with Carnival Cruise Line as a Lighting and Pyrotechnics technician on board their ships bringing their captivating performances to life with high-tech LED staging and special effects to an audience of thousands of cruisers weekly.  Matt's Portfolio
MORE ABOUT MATT...
Matt got his start in technical theatre in middle school where he ran the audio tracks for the school’s musical.  From this point on he was captivated by the technical aspects of theatre production!  It was the next year that he found his true passion in theatrical lighting which continued at James C. Enochs High School.  He has done lighting designs in theatres all around the central valley.  While attending MJC, he worked in the theatre and assisted with many productions.  He continued growing in his skills until graduating with his associate’s degree in theatre from MJC, in 2016.   After graduation, that led him to work with Carnival Cruise Line as a Lighting and Pyrotechnics technician on board their ships bringing their captivating performances to life with high-tech LED staging and special effects to an audience of thousands of cruisers weekly.  This was a great time of professional growth in lounges worth millions of dollars in technical equipment.  During his time, he completed over 700 shows aboard Carnival’s fleet of ships.  Matt currently works for the City of Tracy at their historic theatre, the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts.  This is a 37,000 square foot multi-disciplinary arts education and performing arts facility.  He takes care of the day-to-day operations of the center’s technical requirements overseeing a variety of theatre productions.  He is the lighting director there and works on over 50 shows a year.  Floodjay Productions, is Matt’s business that he founded to assist organizations in the producing of theatre, dance and concert productions.  He offers lighting, audio, video, special effects, stage/production management and consulting services to clients.  His clients range from houses of worship, schools, community groups and local theatres. 


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Monday, November 16 at 11:30am 

** NEW DATE **

Cindy Hennon Marino

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

RSVP HERE
Cindy originally hails from Southern California where she and her twin sister first started working in theatre. After 4 years in Northern California (BA in Theatre from the University of the Pacific in Stockton) and 2 years in Cincinnati, Ohio (MFA in Stage Management from the College-Conservatory of Music on a full ride scholarship), she packed her bags and moved to NYC.
Within a week of landing, Cindy was hired to be the Production Assistant for Equus on Broadway (with Daniel Radcliff and the late Richard Griffiths). She then worked as the Production Stage Manager for the original Dear Edwina Off-Broadway for 6 months before her 1st contract with Long Beach Opera as the SM on Nixon in China (a show she has done twice and loves).  Cindy's Portfolio 

Bethany Deal 

** NEW DATE **

Friday, November 13 at 11:00am

COSTUME DESIGNER
Bethany is the Costume Production Supervisor at Academy of Art University. She has her MFA in Costume Design/Hair & Make-Up design from Utah State University and her B.A. from California State University, Long Beach.​
MORE ABOUT BETHANY...
Bethany Deal is the Costume Production Supervisor at Academy of Art University. She has her MFA in Costume Design/Hair & Make-Up design from Utah State University. You may have seen her costume designs in the greater bay area including A Christmas Carol-Center Rep, Caroline, or Change-Ray of Light Theater, Ain't Misbehavin (Bay Area Theater Critic's Circle nomination for Best in the Bay overall production), 110 in the Shade, Saturday Night, New Girl In Town
42nd Street Moon, Joseph..., Sister Act-Broadway By the Bay, Dream Girls, Sister Act  and Annie-Berkeley Playhouse, Cymbeline-Theater of the Others. Her other work includes Mr. Marmalade-Garage Theatre, Legally Blonde the Musical-USU, Talk Radio, The Fantasticks-OMG, Blues in the Night-Stage 3, Beehive!: the 60's Musical, and Trailer Park-Sierra Rep.
​Another skill she has is Hair & Make-up Design – recent projects include Wig Design for Vanya Sonia Masha & Spike, Rock Of Ages and Freaky Friday  at Rep, as well as Beehive!:the 60’s Musical at Sierra Rep. Other collaborations include CMT- Music Circus, Town Hall Theater, and Marin Shakespeare Company. In addition to the stage, Ms. Deal has worked in film and television including Costume Designer for “Not Your Year” and “North Beach” both currently in the festival circuit. She did costumes for Salt Lake 48 Hour Film Project Winners in 2013.  


 These are FREE forums - please be sure to RSVP as space is limited.   Zoom links will be made available 48 hours before event. 
Questions? Please contact Jacquelin Wingett at wingettj@mjc.edu 
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Modesto Junior College Theatre Department ~ 435 College Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 ~ 209.575.6081
mjc.edu/arts