Alex Robert Holmes, Theatrical Director
This is my first year and second production at St. Monica Catholic High School. I have been teaching and directing high school for the past four years at The Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), and I’m very excited to be at St. Monica working with this amazing community and its students. I have obtained a B.A. in theatre from Southwest Minnesota State University (yes, I’m from Minnesota and yes, I say “Oh, you betcha”), and I received an M.F.A. in performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I am also in the process of getting my single subject teaching credential in theatre through CSU East Bay. This is the first time this credential is being offered in over forty years. My experience in theatre goes back to when I was 10 years old and performed in my very first musical. Since then, I have traveled the country performing in plays and musicals, new and old, from Los Angeles to New York and everywhere in between. I would like to thank the parents who helped on this production, the faculty and administration who supported me and the students for putting up with my craziness every rehearsal. Most importantly I would like to thank my fiancée for putting up with the late-night rehearsals and being with me every step of the way.
Jessica D. Clark, Producer and VPA Academy Dean, is excited to produce another production as Dean of the Visual & Performing Arts Academy and her 14th show at SMCHS. Before working throughout LAUSD and in the Archdioceses of Los Angeles for ten years, Jessica held positions both on stage and behind the scenes. Her latest credits are dancer on stage for Tale of Two Sisters: Honoring Phylicia Rashad and Debbie Allen. She also choreographed for Lionsgate movie The Honor List. She has directed and choreographed several musicals and her favorite acting credits are musicals Brother of the Knight, Pearl and Dreams. She trained at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and was chosen for the first Tour Ensemble. She has also trained with Alvin Ailey Dance Company in New York City. She has performed at the NAACP Image Awards, Laker games, Battle of the Bands and has done background dancing for Chris Brown and Stevie Wonder tributes. Jessica completed a master's degree at Loyola Marymount University. She is an advocate for keeping performing arts alive in schools and lives by the philosophy to educate, inspire and enlighten youth through the arts. Jessica wants to thank the artistic staff, the PA association and her family for all the support!
Arielle Phan ‘14, Musical Director, is so grateful to return to SMCHS for her thirteenth production, fifth time as Music Director. Arielle studied Music Education and Musical Theatre at Berklee College of Music. In the past she has music directed productions for various schools across Los Angeles including CSUN, St. Mel’s Catholic School, and Music West Inc. Arielle also serves as a Ministry Associate for Music & Media at St. Monica Catholic Community. She would like to thank Alex & Jess, for being incredible directors and dream team members; Jeffrey and David, for all the things including but not limited to being great friends; and the students, it brings so much joy to be making live music with you again.
