Board Members

Lisa Costello began her involvement with San Carlos Children’s Theater in 2007 through her daughter’s participation in classes and productions.  She is often found on the sets crew with paper mache, chalk, or paint brush in her hands and a straight edge, tape measurer, or paper towels not far from sight.  Lisa joined the SCCT Board in September 2010 because of her appreciation for the life enhancing and social skills that are taught in the theater – confidence, teamwork, self expression, improvisation, etc.  SCCT truly is a place “Where character grows!”  Prior to joining the SCCT Board of Directors, Lisa served on the Executive Committee and Board of the San Carlos Educational Foundation and she served as Co-Chair of the San Carlos Spring Fling fundraiser from 2006 through 2010.  By day, Lisa is an attorney at Cholakian & Associates in South San Francisco.  

Eve Dutton just recently joined the SCCT Board as Publicity Director.

Debbie Fowler is President of the Board of Directors. She was drawn to SCCT when her own children expressed an interest in the theater and jumped right in as producer and costumer designer from her first show. She has a background in teaching music and directing performances for school and fondly remembers her days on stage as a budding actress. Her favorite part of being with SCCT is working with the great families and helping to select scripts for future shows.

Steve Kain is a Member of the Board of Directors and responsible for grant submissions. He has been involved with SCCT since 2010, and has enjoyed many hours of working on Sets and Props with his wife Kara and older son Brendan. His younger son Ryan has been in several SCCT performances. It’s all about the children for Steve, and he enjoys seeing their skills, confidence, and enjoyment build from show to show. In addition to SCCT he volunteers with the Healthy Cities Tutoring Program in San Carlos. He is trained as a Biochemist, and currently works as a marketer for a local biotech company.

Staff

Donna Avanzino has been taking care of the theater's day to day operations since January 2001. You might hear her voice when contacting SCCT voice mail or receive mailings from her. The Theater Managers job also includes attending to mail, press releases, assist SCCT instructors, produce calendars, schedule classes and rehearsal space, maintain production manuals for each show, procure scripts and royalty rights as well as many other tasks. She comes to SCCT with a background teaching and directing parent CLASSES/CAMPS. Her daughter has been an SCCT participant in years past as both an actor, an assistant teacher, camp assistant and assistant director. Donna loves theater and has been involved in Chickens’ Ball, Belmont Community Players and Kiwanis shows.

Eron Block has been working with San Carlos Children's Theater since 2000 and is now the Artistic Director, and primary drama instructor. Before working with SCCT, Eron ran his own theater company in Santa Fe, NM. Eron also works as a consulting artist for various performing arts groups inside and outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. With Eron's guidance the theater has grown to better serve the community. Eron is co-producer of the hit TV show Kid Bytes.

Guest Teachers and Directors

Theresa Ames has been a Music Director for several shows including Damn Yankees.

Jessica Avanzino has been an Assistant Teacher for the youngest actors, Camp Assistant and an Assistant Director for Get Smart, Sherlock Holmes and Damn Yankees. Jessica has been with SCCT since 2001. Jessica currently produces television shows.

Daina Block joined the theatre in 2007 as assistant choreographer for 'The Little Mermaid' and has since gone on to Choreograph 'Get Smart' (2008) and 'Yearbook Reflections' (2009). She currently teaches body movement classes with SCCT and can also be found teaching in San Francisco. Daina received both her BA in dance and Post Graduate of Choreography from The Victoria College of the Arts, Australia. Daina is co-producer of the hit TV show Kid Bytes.

Erin Cole has directed and choreographed shows such as The Wizard of Oz.

Jim Cole has worked as Technical Director for several SCCT productions including James and the Giant Peach and Legend of Sleepy Hollow and taught a technical theater class.

Melody Cole brings to her directing over thirty eight years experience in theater. She holds a BA in Theater Arts from San Francisco State and has taught theater and mime at Bowditch Middle School and Foster City Park and Recreation. She has directed numerous productions and has performed in over 45 productions in the Bay Area. Melody directed The Wizard of Oz with her daughters Erin and Amy, who like their mother bring with them experience and a love of performing. Melody has also directed Jack & the Magic Beans, Pinocchio and an SCCT Community Theater Production of Oliver!

Shelley Frost teaches classes for SCCT and has an extensive background in video film making.

David Hopper, Musical Director for Yearbook Reflections.

Sara and Joe Murphy, Musical Director and Musical Technician for SCCT and San Carlos School District's Tri-school productions.  Both are music teachers in the SCSD.

Larry Rice began his theater career in the 4th grade when he played one of Santa’s elves in a school play. He has been on stage with SCCT as Daddy Warbucks in Annie (1999) and as Fagin in Oliver! (2005). Most recently he played Geppetto in Disney’s My Son Pinocchio (2010) with Pied Piper Players. As Music Director, Larry has worked with SCCT, Central Middle School & Tierra Linda, Bowditch Middle School, Menlo School, San Mateo High, Sequoia High, and Carlmont High. He currently teaches Musical Theater at San Mateo High. In his spare time he is pastor of the MacArthur Community Baptist Church in San Pablo .

Elana Ron joined SCCT as an instructor in 2010.  Elana acted in many of SCCT's first 8 years of productions and went on to get a degree from Notre dame de Namur in Musical Theater.

Shauna Yelnick teaches acting classes and assistant directs for SCCT. Before joining SCCT, Shauna taught drama at the Wornick School in Foster City and drama and film appreciation for the College for Kids summer program. She recently graduated summa cum laude from San Jose State, with an M. A. in theater CLASSES/CAMPS and also holds a B. A. in theater from Sonoma State University.

Susie Jiminez participated in SCCT's Community Theater production of The Sound of Music.  Susie is a Music Director at SCCT camps.

Bill O'Neill teaches acting classes in SCCT after school acting class.  Bill directed music for Clifford School's Beauty and the Beast Jr.

Melissa Keith is assistant director for The Velveteen Rabbit.