Mohammed Mangrio
Director
Mohammed Mangrio is the Theatre Director at Claremont High School. He is an alum of Thespian Troupe #4015 and an Honorary Thespian of Troupe #2129. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from UC San Diego and a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. He was a founding member of Theatre Unlocked, a found-space theatre company in Seattle, and a member of Paper Trail Productions, the resident company at Northwest Actor’s Studio. He is a proud member of the Educational Theatre Association and serves on the state board for California Thespians. Mr. Mangrio comes to us from San Leandro, CA where he developed the current theatre program at John Muir Middle School and chartered Jr. Thespian Troupe #81538. Directing credits include, Cabaret (UC San Diego), Interference (Theatre Unlocked), Bash: Latterday Plays (Paper Trail Productions), The Bard’s Collage (IES La Senda), The Addams Family Musical (John Muir Middle School), Speak Up! (San Leandro High School) and others.
Kim Negrete
Technical Director
Kim Negrete has been serving as Claremont High School’s Stage Technology and Audio Production Instructor since 2022. Prior to returning to her home in Southern California to raise her young daughter, she toured the world as a Theatrical Operations Manager for Norwegian Cruise Lines and Stage Manager for Disney Cruise Lines. She toured 49 of the 50 states as Production Stage Manager for Riverdance, CATS, West Side Story, and Mamma Mia. She is an award‐winning lighting designer and a founding member of Idyllwild Actors Theatre. A dedicated youth mentor, she is a member of the California State Board for the International Thespian Society.
Jay Pielke-Santos
Choreographer
Jay Pielke Santos is the Choreographer for the Theatre Department at Claremont High School. They are an alum of Thespian Troupe #2129 and are currently attending college to pursue a career in Theatre Arts and Dance. Jay has always had a passion for the performing arts and began dancing at the age of 3 and later on, started performing in musicals at 12.
