Krista Carson Elhai: Director
Mrs. Elhai has taught theatre for 28 years, at both Hemet and Claremont High Schools, where she has directed over 300 productions. She has a BS in Speech, Theatre and English as well as an MS in School Counseling.
Serving on the CA State Thespian board since 1993, Krista is in her second term as the Educational Theatre Association’s CA State Chapter Director. She also serves on the board of the California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) as Co-Chair of the New Teacher Committee, and as the Region I (Western United States) Representative on the EdTA Educational Policy Working Group to study issues and help promote national policies that impact K-12 Theatre Education.
A two-time Finalist for the LA Music Center Bravo Award, Krista was recently awarded a Chase Fellowship from the Los Angeles Music Center which will send her to the Broadway Teacher’s Workshop in July to study with Stephen Sondheim.
Krista is looking forward to taking Starmites to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NB in June since she hasn’t taken 50 kids and a show to this festival since 1997. She’s the proud mom to upcoming costume designer Lindsey, and seniors Dylan and Taylor (CHS class of 2011).
Serving on the CA State Thespian board since 1993, Krista is in her second term as the Educational Theatre Association’s CA State Chapter Director. She also serves on the board of the California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) as Co-Chair of the New Teacher Committee, and as the Region I (Western United States) Representative on the EdTA Educational Policy Working Group to study issues and help promote national policies that impact K-12 Theatre Education.
A two-time Finalist for the LA Music Center Bravo Award, Krista was recently awarded a Chase Fellowship from the Los Angeles Music Center which will send her to the Broadway Teacher’s Workshop in July to study with Stephen Sondheim.
Krista is looking forward to taking Starmites to the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, NB in June since she hasn’t taken 50 kids and a show to this festival since 1997. She’s the proud mom to upcoming costume designer Lindsey, and seniors Dylan and Taylor (CHS class of 2011).
Tom Evans: ROP Stage Technology
Mr. Evans joins the CHS Theater this Fall after a 30 year career in the film
and television industry. He is a graduate of UCLA, with a BA in Film and
Theater Arts. His experience covers virtually every position on a crew, for
both large and small productions. Growing up in the Bay Area, Tom made his
first film at the urging of his high school English teacher.
Although never having received an Oscar nomination, surviving three decades in a
freelance career was an achievement in itself. His work has aired on the major
networks as well as TBS, PBS, Comedy Central, Discover, MTV, Lifetime, and
Speed. His corporate clients include Kaiser, AT&T, and NASA.
Tom is hoping to share his enthusiasm for the entertainment industry and the
opportunities presented by living in Los Angles with the students at CHS.
Daniel Smith: Choreographer
Performance credits include The Producers, All Shook Up (US Regional
Premiere) and Never Gonna Dance (West Coast Premiere) with Musical
Theatre West of Long Beach, A Little Nigh Music and Evita with
Performance Riverside, CATS with both Cabrillo Music Theatre and
Moonlight Stage Productions and other promotional events and productions
with San Diego Musical Theatre, the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium, The
Candlelight Pavilion, the Lewis Family Playhouse, The Huntington Beach
Playhouse, the MSAC Repertory Dance Company, and the annual S.T.A.G.E.
Benefit. Credits as a choreographer and instructor include
collaborations with Inland Pacific Ballet, The Musical Theatre Ensemble,
McCoy/Rigby Dance Academy, The Music Room of Orange County, Bishop Amat
High School, Centre Stage Dance Academy, Notre Dame High School, and
The California State Thespians.
Joel Wilson: Musical Director
Mr. Wilson marked his 18th show as musical director at CHS with the 2011 production of 42nd Street. In addition to his responsibilities for Musical Theatre and Children's Theatre classes, Wilson also cunducts the CHS Treble Ensemble, Concert Choir, Jazz Pack, and Chamber Singers. Under his direction, his choirs have been consistently ranked in the top ten percent of High School choirs nationwide with Chamber Singers being placed in the top 5% of high school choirs. Wilson is also in his 9th year as director of the CHS Summer Theatre program. Wilson received his B.A. in Music Education from Cal Poly Pomona, his M.M. in Choral Conducting at Claremont Graduate University. He resides in Rancho Cucamonga with his beautiful wife, Darci, and wonderful children, Jackson and Jenna.
