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Creative Kids Playhouse

Quality Theater Education in Orange County

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You are here: Home / About Creative Kids Playhouse Theatre / Staff

Staff

Photo of Michele Sheehy Bowren

Michele Sheehy Bowren

Artistic Director, Executive Director, Co-Founder

Michele co-founded Creative Kids Playhouse in 2011.  There, she is passionate about delivering excellent theatre education in a supportive and inspiring environment.  “I have tried to stay true to CKP’s founding mission of allowing children the opportunity to be creative, experience the exhilaration of performance, and grow from the many benefits of participating in a performance acting troupe.”  

Michele has worked in musical theatre for over 30 years.…

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Photo of Rachael Gafner

Rachael Gafner

Business Director

Rachael is a Renaissance Woman immersed in the business of CKP from directing productions, to stage managing, set-design and “the everything else person.”  Lucky for CKP she is skilled in so very many aspects of running a theatre.   “Theatre for me is a journey I get to share with my students and fellow crew.…

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Photo of Jennifer Beaver Estrada

Jennifer Beaver Estrada

Creative Team, Tom Thumb Players Programing Director

A native and current resident of Lake Forest, California, Jennifer comes to us with an expertise in vocals, with a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State in music, and over twenty years of experience performing in community theatres and choirs throughout Southern California. Jennifer’s earliest childhood memories involve singing and performing for any willing audience. Jennifer has extensive experience in performing, and working with young children, and is the creative force and instructional talent behind our Tom Thumb Players Productions.…

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Photo of Maureen Russell

Maureen Russell

Senior Member, Creative Team

Maureen co-founded our own Excalibur Players in 2014 after joining CKP in 2012.   She takes great pride in directing and choreographing the troupes’ shows year after year.  Maureen has a very passionate and energetic style of teaching, and knows that many of her students learn in different ways.  She takes a very individualized approach with each young actor.…

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Deva Marie Gregory

Creative Team

Deva Marie appreciates young actors’ creative spirits and the courage it takes to be on stage.  She takes a whole hearted approach in her teaching style, taking time to get to know her actors and how to make them shine and connect with their audience.  “Theatre is transformative.  I help actors discover that magic spark between themselves and their audience, to tell a story that reaches hearts and minds.”

Deva Marie has an accomplished professional career with 15 years experience in stage screen and voiceover.…

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Photo of Lisa Baker

Lisa Baker

Creative Team

For the past 13 years, Lisa has been using and expanding her education, teaching Music and Theatre to children in the private school system.  “Children have the ability to see and create from an unencumbered perspective.   When they are excited about a theatre project, on or off stage, their energy is contagious.…

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Photo of Hannah Cole

Hannah Cole

Creative Team

Hannah is a student teacher working at CKP over the summer of 2020. She graduated high school one short year ago with the rank of Honor Thespian, having completed over 600 hours of Theatre.  For the past few years she transitioned from student to teacher in the acting, dance, and choreography disciplines. “I work to connect my students to the collaboration of each production and I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to pass on my passion for theatre and dance.”

Hannah is very familiar with the CKP process having performed in both the Mainstage and Excalibur Troupes.…

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Photo of Melissa Green

Melissa Green

Creative Team

Melissa is a working actor, playwright and teacher.  She specializes in classical theatre and is looking to expand roles for women on and back stage.  As an instructor, Melissa encourages making big choices.  “I’m a firm believer in the rehearsal process as a place to try new things and ‘swing for the fences’; dare to be silly!”

In 2019 Melissa joined CKP and we are excited to have her!…

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Photo of Lindsey Lau

Lindsey Lau

Summer Creative Team

When teaching, Lindsey likes to prioritize comfort, learning and fun!  She wants to share her passion for theatre with other actors and be a part of their learning and discovery process.  “Watching young actors smiles while they learn new skills and expand their creativity makes teaching exciting.  CKP’s environment, combined with my love for theatre, and kids, makes it one of my favorite places to be.”

Lindsey is a CKP student veteran having been involved and acting with our troops for the past four years.…

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Photo of Emma Van Heeringen

Emma Van Heeringen

Summer Creative Team

Emma focuses on positivity, creativity, and an eagerness to learn in her teaching.  She loves working with actors to see how much progress and confidence they gain in such a supportive atmosphere.  “It is inspiring to get to pass on my love for theatre to actors who enthusiastically take on new roles and learn about different aspects of theatre”.…

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Kiersten Bierly

Creative Team

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Photo of Maryclare Ramirez

Maryclare Ramirez

Social Media Manager

Maryclare is a proud Creative Kids Playhouse alumnus pursuing her BFA in Theatre from Texas Christian University. When not in Texas, she jumps at the opportunity to be inspired by the students at CKP. Maryclare loves to watch her students discover the same love for the theatre as she has, helping guide them to making important discoveries and choices in their characterization.…

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What our community is saying about us…

Grateful Alumni

I am grateful to have gotten exposed to musical theatre through CKP at a young age and for the friendly and supportive environment that they provided. Everyone at CKP continues to support me and cheer me on with my theatrical endeavors and achievements and I am forever appreciative of their support

Gaby Garcia, alumni December 12, 2022

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Patrons

The Mecklenburg Family
The Presby Family
The Schmidt Family
Jerry and Erica Sheehy
The Diller Family
Wendy and Dave Bartels
The Kinney-Callaghan Family
Michele Sheehy-Bowren
Elizabeth Ramirez

View more of our sponsors

Copyright © 2023 Creative Kids Playhouse

Creative Kids Playhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization

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