Stephanie is a professional actor, who has worked in New York and regionally for over 20 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theatre from San Diego State University a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Brandeis University. In 2014, she was one of 16 artists in the country to receive the National Artist Teacher Fellowship Award, a national grant that supported the development and performance of her one-person play, Above Water, under the mentorship of critically acclaimed actress and playwright, Anna Deavere Smith. The play premiered in 2015 and she continues to perform the piece in performance, educational, and advocacy capacities. 

Mr. Donald Amerson has attempted to change the world paradigm through the arts and public policy. He achieved a Master of Fine Arts in drama/theatre for young audiences from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Mr. Amerson has worked with the Mayor's Office of Detroit, Community-Oriented Policing Services through the U.S. Department of Justice, and Budget Management through the Executive Office of the President of the United States. His artistic career started in New York as an actor, writer and director of fringe projects. Mr. Amerson currently teaches at OCSA where he is the passionate Thespian Troupe Director. He teaches acting, improvisation, experimental theatre, and theatre for social justice. Mr. Amerson is very proud to have had a play produced in London, studied Commedia Dell'Arte in Italy, created theatre curricula for several schools, and privately coached many successful students.

Mr. Michael Baker holds a Bachelor of Arts in acting from California State University, Fullerton’s theatre program and a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Temple University in Philadelphia. He continues to work in television and film productions for HBO, Showtime, Apple+, Netflix, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Warner Bros. Mr. Baker has also performed on various stages around Southern California including The Groundlings Theater and School, Pasadena Playhouse, Five Star Theatrical, and the Hyperion Theater at Disney’s California Adventure. He has taught acting workshops for UCLA, Pepperdine, California State University, Fullerton, and OCSA. Mr. Baker is also the director of the OCSA Industry Showcase. He serves on the union committee for the American Guild of Variety Artists, and has been a member of The Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for over ten years, as well as Actor’s Equity Association for 18 years.

Ms. Shannon Cutler graduated from American Musical and Dramatics Academy in New York. In addition to teaching in the Acting Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts, she continues to train and perform.

Ms. Barbara "B.J." Dodge is a semi-retired teaching artist. She worked at California Institute of the Arts, from 1984-2017, in the School of Theater, and with Community Arts Partnership at Plaza de la Raza, making original plays and adaptations of plays with youth from Lincoln Heights, CalArts students and alumni, and artists from Los Angeles and beyond. In the past 30 years, Ms. Dodge has worked for South Coast Repertory Theatre’s Youth Conservatory, Center Theatre Group Education, and Shakespeare Los Angeles. She got her Bachelor of Arts in theatre arts from CSULB, and her Master of Fine Arts in speech and dramatic arts from the University of Iowa. In addition to working with Musical Theatre and Acting conservatories at OCSA, Ms. Dodge teaches and directs occasionally as an adjunct for Cal Poly Pomona, CSULB, and at Plaza. She also serves as the Theater Chair of California State Summer School for the Arts, an immersive, multi-discipline residential program.

Mr. Abel Garcia (Playreading/Voice and Diction. Acting II) was born and raised in El Paso, Texas where he also received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre performance. Since moving to California in 2016, he has worked professionally as an actor in Orange County, Texas, and West Virginia. In 2021, Mr. Garcia earned his Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of California, Irvine.

Mrs. Cynthia Karim has worked as a professional makeup artist and licensed Aesthetician since 1975 and began her tenure at the Orange County School of the Arts as a designer and teacher in Special Effects Makeup, Hair, and Wig Design in 2001. She also works at the university level and in the industry, including SNL and MadTV. Mrs. Karim also earned her special effects makeup certification from Paramount Studios, Hollywood.

Mr. Richard Kinsey performed on Broadway for several years as Javert in Les Miserables and is the recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award. Mr. Kinsey continues to work professionally as an actor and singer, along with his teaching at the Orange County School of the Arts.

Ms. Stephanie Shelfer Lopez is a professional actor, director, and theatre maker. She received her Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Kennesaw State University. Ms. Lopez moved to Los Angeles in 2001 to continue to pursue her dream of working as a professional actor in theatre, television, and film. While taking a hiatus from the business of acting to focus on her family, she felt a calling to be a teacher. Ms. Lopez went back to school to complete her Master of Fine Arts in acting and performance pedagogy from California State University, Long Beach in 2001 where she still teaches an Introduction to Acting class.

Ms. Jenny Moon Shaw started performing professionally from the age of six. She holds a bachelor's degree in drama and theatre arts from Birmingham University, England and trained to teach theatre at the London Central School of Speech and Drama. She was Director of Performing Arts and Head of Drama at a high school for nine years, and was twice nominated for National Teacher of the Year. Ms. Shaw’s excellent skills in the art of teaching earned her the county position of Advanced Skills Teacher. She moved to America in 2012 where she began performing professionally in regional theatre. Ms. Shaw became a resident teaching artist for Segerstrom Center for the Arts and has been there for eight years. She also works as a freelance director and choreographer.

Mr. Wyn Moreno is an actor, singer, dancer, fight choreographer, dialect coach, playwright, director, and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Science in art education from Utah State University, and a Master of Fine Arts in acting from California State University, Fullerton. In addition to OCSA, Mr. Moreno is an Associate Visiting Professor of theatre at Riverside City College, Orange Coast College, and Santa Ana College. He serves as board president and founding resident artist of the Wayward Artist Theatre Company in Santa Ana, and is a member of The Orange County Theatre Guild and The Orange County Playwright’s Association.

Mr. Bodie Newcomb studied at California State University, Fullerton and has been working professionally in theatre, film, television, and commercials for over 30 years.

Mr. Christopher Sullivan is an actor, director, writer and improviser. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he has performed everywhere from street corners to large theaters, and film and television. He is the former Artistic Director of Modjeska Playhouse, and Mr. Sullivan is the current Creative Director of and performer with Modjeska Unscripted Theater. He specializes in devised theatre where his works are often created within a collaborative and improvisatory environment. Using everything from traditional theatre styles to puppetry and improvisation, Mr. Sullivan’s objective is to bring laughter and heart to the stage. Alongside his performing and writing projects, Mr. Sullivan teaches at South Coast Repertory Theater and Orange County School of the Arts.

Ms. Duck Soon Walcutt is a certified dance instructor and a yoga master, and gymnast. She specializes in yoga therapy and its application to voice and movement.

Mr. Jay Wallace is an actor, director, and educator originally from Kansas City, now based in Long Beach. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts in acting from California State University, Long Beach. In his nearly 20-year tenure with the organization, Mr. Wallace has served in many capacities – including the founding of the Acting and Musical Theatre Conservatories at OCSA’s sister school, California School of the Arts-SGV.  In addition, he has served as adjunct professor and guest director at Santa Ana College. Beyond the numerous productions he has directed and produced for both programs and beyond, Mr. Wallace has performed professionally both on stage and screen throughout the past two decades.