JCompany Youth Theatre Directors & Teaching Artists

Joey Landwehr

is the proud Artistic Director for J Company Youth Theatre, he moved to San Diego after being a professional actor and director in New York City working on and off Broadway, national tours, regional theatre and directing and soloing at Carnegie Hall. Joey received his MFA in acting and directing from The Ohio State University and has studied under such instructors as Betty Buckley, Marcel Marceau, Francis Sternhagen, F. Murry Abraham, Twila Tharpe and has had the great privilege of working with such greats as Phyllis Diller, Sam Harris, Kristin Chenoweth, Victoria Mallory, Joel Grey, Kaye Ballard, Michael Feinstein and the late, great Howard Keel. Joey has worked in all medias of entertainment and is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the Actors Alliance of San Diego (AASD), and Americans for the Arts (AFTA). Since moving to San Diego Joey worked for the San Diego Performing Arts League as Membership and Community Development Director; in 2007 he received the “40 Under 40” Award from San Diego Metropolitan Magazine for outstanding leadership in the arts. In San Diego Joey has worked with Diversionary Theatre, the San Diego Shakespeare Society, La Jolla Playhouse WAM Project, The Old Globe, Lipinsky Family Jewish Arts Festival, San Diego Junior Theatre, Orchestra Nova San Diego (Formally the San Diego Chamber Orchestra.) and The Actors Alliance Festival winning five different excellence awards. At J Company he has had the privilege of directing RUMPELSTILTSKIN IS MY NAME, OLIVER!, YOURS, ANNE, DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE STORY OF HANSEL AND GRETEL, DISNEY’S THE JUNGLE BOOK, ELTON JOHN AND TIM RICE’S AIDA and DISNEY’S 101 DALMATIANS, POCAHONTAS (Sand Diego Premiere), INTO THE WOODS, FIREFLIES: THE STORY OF THE ARTISTS OF TEREZIN - FEATURING THE ORIGINAL CHILDREN’S OPERA BRUNDIBAR (World Premiere). ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S SOUTH PACIFIC, ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S THE KING AND I, ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S THE SOUND OF MUSIC & ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA.

EMAIL:  joeyl@lfjcc.com 

Nan Pace

is the Managing Director at J*Company. Nan Pace has been a part of San Diego’s landscape for more than a decade.  Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, she moved to San Diego in 1994 and began her career in television (Fox 6) and radio (760KFMB). With 13 years of experience in marketing, media relations and events management, combined with seven years in non-profit public relations/communications and project management, she has established herself as a committed and respected professional.  Past projects include the San Diego County Fair (2000-2003), 2001 Buick Invitational, WalkAmerica (2001-2003) and Charger Backers annual Celebrity Golf Tournament (2003-2006).  Nan’s work in the arts, and at the Lawrence Family JCC, includes the San Diego Jewish Film Festival (2006 & 2007) and the 2008 JCC Maccabi Games®. Nan is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA -San Diego Chapter).  Aunt to three nephews, one niece and another on the way, she has a passion for arts programming and looks forward to working with J*Company’s talented kids.

EMAIL:  nanp@lfjcc.com

Dan Shapiro, Ph.D.

is the JCC’s and CJC’s very own Marketing Director and is responsible for all aspects of marketing the various programs for the programs at the center.  This includes responsibility for the website, electronic and print advertising, public relations, collateral creation, direct mail campaigns, and management of creative staff.  In his prior role as Director of Marketing Communications at Captiva Software (CPTV on NASDAQ), Dr. Shapiro was responsible for a Marketing budget of over three million dollars, managed staff in four different geographic locations including two European offices, and helped the company grow rapidly through three mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Captiva, he taught public speaking along with other undergraduate communication courses for six years at Illinois State University and Ohio University where he consistently earned accolades for this knowledge and enthusiasm. Dan has ten years of higher education and has earned a B.A. from San Diego State University, an M.S. from Illinois State University, and a Ph.D. from Ohio University, all in the field of Communication. 

EMAIL:  dans@lfjcc.com

Deven P Brawley

performance and choreographic career spans over 12 years. He has danced and toured with the companies of Faith Jensen-Ismay, Patricia Rincon, Michael Mizerany, and Walt Disney World Co, in addition to special projects with various companies including The San Diego Opera, The PGK Project, San Diego based pianist Peter Gach, Colette Harding Contemporary Dance Company, and Malashock Dance. Brawley has performed at festivals worldwide including the American Dance Festival, USA; Tanz in Olten, Switzerland; and SOLA, USA. Choreographic highlights include Wireless City Version 2.0 with Eveoke Dance Theatre and The Palomar College Foundation, Tortured Soul at Copley Symphony Hall, The Encinitas Garden Festival in conjunction with Patricia Rincon Dance Collective, and The Shel Suite a project for the City of Del Mar. In 2007 Deven began d'shire dance, San Diego's First All-Male Dance Company. Since its inception Brawley and the company have received critical acclaim. In his spare time Deven enjoys quiet nights at home with his 3 cats.

For More Info Visit: www.dshiredance.org

Emily Calabrese

is one of San Diego's finest teachers for very young children. She earned her BFA in acting at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has taught and performed in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, CA. In Charlotte, North Carolina she co-founded a theatre company in which she produced, directed, and performed in original works with adults and young performers. Her teaching style specializes in Commedia dell' Arte, circus skills, musical theatre, and movement. Her greatest joy is helping children of all ages transform their natural play into theatrical expression.

emilycalabrese.com

Sherri Allen

is a San Diego-based actor, director, and teacher with extensive credits in both local and regional theatre. She holds a BA in Drama from San Diego State University, studied Shakespeare and British Theatre in London, interned as an actor at PCPA Theaterfest, and did graduate work in theatre on a full scholarship at Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Sherri also holds a teaching credential in English from California State University, San Marcos, and is a member of the San Diego Actor's Alliance. She has worked with the La Jolla Playhouse, Asolo Theatre Company, PCPA Theaterfest, Moonlight Stages, North Coast Repertory Theatre, the Old Globe Theatre's Education Department, Lamb's Players Touring Company, and Summer Repertory Theatre, among others, and was a performer and show captain at Legoland California for over three years. Sherri has taught English and Drama to students in grades K-12, and Voice/Speech and Movement for Theatre at J Company. Sherri is pleased to be back teaching Acting I and II to all of the wonderful students at J Company.

Judy Grant

Judy grew up in the San Francisco where she started playing piano at age 4.  She went to UCLA graduating with a degree in Business/Economics and a minor in Music.  Judy worked in television for CBS and Fox Television in San Francisco and for ABC News in Los Angeles.  Judy’s love for Musical Theatre began after playing dozens of shows for Peninsula Civic Light Opera in the Bay Area, which her husband co-founded. After having children, Judy retired from her TV career and returned to her music.  She began teaching for the Las Virgines School District in Los Angeles as a Music Specialist for K – 6th graders, where she built a music program emphasizing performance.  While teaching, Judy found time to perform regularly in Woodland Hills, and for both Temple Judea in Tarzana and Temple Ahavat Shalom in Northridge and is now known as the “lounge lizard” because of her performances in venues across San Diego.  Currently Judy teaches music to Kindergarten-3rd graders for Temple Solel, and directs the Temple’s Junior Choir.  She also teaches private piano lessons in the Encinitas area, where she lives with her husband Hal, daughters Rachel and Lindsey, and labs Buddy and Bocca.

Lorea Herald

is one of San Diego's premiere accompanists, vocalists and vocal coaches. She received her BA in Vocal Music Education from San Diego State University. Lorea has worked with such organizations as JCompany, Coast Kids, San Diego Junior Theatre, The National Children's Theatre and the San Diego Puppet Guild. Lorea's passion and musical emphasis is teaching and accompanying performers of all ages, assisting with group and individual music education and being instrumental in the awakening of artistic and creative expression in each of her students.

Rayme Sciaroni

pulled up his roots in New York City where he directed, musical directed and choreographed several off-off-Broadway shows as well as several large scale children's productions. Since landing in San Diego he has had a close relationship with J*Company, has he directed and choreographed Guys and Dolls, musical directed Joseph, SUDS, Guys and Dolls, Pippi Longstocking, OLIVER!, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and composed a variety of songs for Pippi Longstocking and Rumplestiltskin. Rayme is currently writing music/lyrics for "The Corporate Circus" which debuted at the Lyceum Theater and will premier at the Shanghai Theater Academy in China in 2008. He is also busy writing music/lyrics for a family musical, "The Daddy Machine" to be performed at the Diversionary Theatre in January of 2008. He will be co-directing the production as well.

Jason Chase

Jason has served as the Musical Director for numerous National tours in North and South America as well as across Europe.   He has worked on The King and I, starring Stephanie Powers, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starring Ted Neeley, Ragtime, Grease, 42nd Street, On the Town, Kiss Me Kate, Damn Yankees, Into the Woods, Big River, Cabaret, The Goodbye Girl, The Music Man, Evita, Cinderella, Annie Warbucks, Forever Plaid, The Wiz and Pacific Overtures. He also was the Assoc. Musical Director and Conductor for the U.S. National tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Patrick Cassidy and American Idol‘s Amy Adams. Jason is an accomplished composer of film, song and stage.  He composed the film score to the movie The Runaway; the score, lyrics and book for Jehanne, the Musical as well as the North American Debut of the musical, A Christmas Carol. He has served as the vocal coach and accompanist for the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Lyric Opera, NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts and the Missouri State Opera. Jason was the choral director and arranger for 2 years with the national tour of The Colors of Christmas, starring Peabo Bryson, James Ingram, En vogue, John Secada, Oleda Adams, Jody Watley and Marilyn McCoo and was on the original artistic staff for Bravo Televisions “On with the Show” serving as Musical Director and Arranger.  He was also the Musical Director for 4 years with Camp Broadway in New York.