CREATIVE TEAM
Director - Thomas Johnston
Director - James
Johnston
Major/Minor: Senior Theatre Business Major
Thomas (He/Him/His) is from Simi Valley, California, which is located on land stolen from the Chumash People. He is very excited to share with you this amazing piece of theatre they have had the pleasure of co-directing these past several months. He has been at the university for the past four years, where he studied everything from acting and directing, to stage management and lighting design. Last semester, Thomas had the opportunity to study abroad at the London Academy of the Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), where he honed his skills in classical acting and made connections in the theatrical world he hopes to pursue after graduation. He is delighted to conclude his senior year at the university directing this piece alongside his twin brother James. For the future, Thomas plans on jumping directly into the professional acting pool while utilizing the skills, techniques, and methods he acquired during his time abroad and here at Redlands. He hopes you enjoy the show!
James (He/Him/His) is from Simi Valley California, which is stolen land from the Chumash people. He is incredibly excited to share his co-directorial debut of The Thanksgiving Play with all of you. James most recently studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, LAMDA, learning and expanding his knowledge of classical acting, and making connections with multiple people in the international theatre community. He is thrilled to finish off his senior year co-directing a piece for the University of Redlands, with his twin brother, Thomas Johnston. For future endeavors after graduation, James is hoping to hop into the professional theatre space, be it here or abroad, and is going to use all the skills he gathered here at Redlands and in London, to continue theatre as his profession. He hopes you enjoy this wonderful satire of The Thanksgiving Play!
Major/Minor: Senior Theatre Business Major
Stage Manager - Kayleigh Stelling
Kayleigh Stelling (she/her/hers) is from Alta Loma, California which is the land of the Kizh Nation and the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe. Previously at the University of Redlands, Kayleigh has done lighting design for several shows and acted in several shows. Later this semester she will be working on the Spring Play Festival for her capstone project. After graduation, Kayleigh hopes to work in theme park entertainment.
Major/Minor: Senior Theatre Arts Major with a Psychology Minor
Lighting Designer - Trevor Norton
Director of Production at University of Redlands. Born in a house designed and built by his father on land of the Tongva People in Eagle Rock, California. Regional credits include Lighting Designs with The Old Globe Theatre, San Jose Rep, San Diego Rep, Shakespeare Festival LA, Pasadena Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, A Noise Within, Lobero Theatre, Bottom’s Dream, Wheeler Opera House, Mark Taper New Works Festival, LA Theatre Works, and many more. Trevor teaches Design and Stage Management and is proud of the work of his students past and present
Assistant Stage Manager - Jay Arroyo
Major/Minor: Theatre Arts Major
Jay (They/Them) is a sophomore here at the University of Redlands and is thrilled to be a part of another show in the Redlands Theatre Arts Department. Jay is from Lake Elsinore, California which belonged to the Payómkawichum and Acjachemen tribes. Jay stage-managed last semester's production of Native Gardens and has been a part of theatre for as long as they remember. Jay hopes to one day be creating theatre and film as a part of their career, or to possibly be a stage manager for productions at amusement parks!
Costume Designer - Anathea Woirhaye
Major/Minor: Johnston Student with an emphasis in History and Media
Anathea (She/Her) is a second-year student from Whittier, CA. Anathea is a member of the Gabrielino/Tongva Tribe. This will be her first in-person show at the University of Redlands.
Props Master -
Perla Barajas
Major/Minor: Theatre Business Major
Perla (She/Her/Hers) is a sophomore, and this will be her third show here at UoR. She is from San Fernando, California originally home to the Passenga, Tujunga, Achoicominga Tribes. Most recently she's performed as Tania in Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias. However, this is her first-time working as a Prop Master. She looks forward to future projects in the theatre world. Oh! And enjoy the show!
Scenic Designer -
Snezana Petrovic
I want to acknowledge that we, in Redlands, are on the traditional territory of Maara'yam (Serrano) and Cahuilla people. The native American word “yaamava” from Maara’yam indigenous people language means the spring season. My wish is for rebirth and renewal in the future, for all the people sharing this land.
Snezana Saraswati Petrovic is a multi-media artist and an award-winning set and costume designer. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Singapore, Tokyo, Prague, and Belgrade, at venues in Los Angeles including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. She worked under Judi Chicago on the project "Envisioning the Future" at Pomona Arts Colony (2002) which solidified her focus on environmental issues. Her MFA thesis in theater set design process was the first in the USA done as an interactive CD_ROM format as a predecessor to the DVD format now widely spread.
Snezana is the recipient of numerous awards in USA and Europe including the “Golden Arena” for Production Design in feature movie “Harms Case” and “Ovation 2010, Los Angeles” for the costume design in the Large Theater category. Snezana was also awarded UC Regents Grant, Center for Cultural Innovation Quick Grant, and National Endowment for the Arts project grant.
She holds a Professor Emerita in Arts title from Crafton Hills College. She served as art, art history, and theater design professor with California State University, Los Angeles (1997-2002) and the University of Redlands, Redlands, CA (2004-present). She also served as Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Professional Development Coordinator, and Professor at Crafton Hills College, Yucaipa, CA (2002-2019)