Diane Feldman Turen
(Founder/Artistic Director/Musical Director)
Diane founded Children’s Civic Light Opera in 1987, and has directed, musical directed and produced all productions for the company since its inception. Prior to receiving her Masters Degree in Educational Theatre from NYU, Diane studied theatre at UCLA’s School Of Theatre, Film and Television for four years and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from CSUN. Diane has been teaching acting, voice and musical theatre classes for more than 20 years, and has directed/musical directed several youth theatre projects in Los Angeles and New York. In 1987, she founded the Drama Camp at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center in Los Angeles, and in 1996 she founded Shining Star Musical Theatre, (PS87’s after-school musical theatre program) in Manhattan; both programs remain in operation today. In 2000, along with Kelly Todd Robinson, Diane co-founded and launched CCLO’s sister company, Young Adult Civic Light Opera; a one-of-a-kind professional training program designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of young adults ages 18 - 25 who wish to refine and enhance their theatrical skills and practice their theatrical passions. In 2004, with the belief that learning and growing through theatre can be invaluable at any age, Diane was inspired to create Just Kidding; CCLO’s unique theatre program designed specifically for kids ages 3 – 6. Diane is an Educational Theatre specialist and has designed and implemented a variety of topic-specific theatre workshops for various organizations in both Los Angeles and Manhattan. Additionally, she is a private vocal coach/teacher and piano instructor, and was a drama and musical theatre teacher and director/musical director at the Hamilton High School Academy Of Music in Los Angeles for two years where she directed Bye, Bye Birdie and Babes In Arms, and musical directed Promises, Promises and Some Like It Hot. Diane has been performing since the age of six, and became a member of the Actor’s Equity Association after completing two national tours. Some favorite roles include Princess Winnifred (Once Upon A Mattress), Diana Morales (A Chorus Line), Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes), Anybodys (West Side Story), Carmella the Cat (Pinocchio) with National Theatre for Children; Irving, the Big Bad Wolf's son (Wolftales) with Golden State Children's Theatre, and The Mouse with Serendipity Theatre Company’s Theatre-For-Young-Audiences National Tour of If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Diane feels beyond lucky to have the opportunity to work so closely with so many dedicated, enthusiastic and sensationally skillful young people and their phenomenal and unbelievably supportive families each and every year, and she always looks forward to welcoming new members into the CCLO family! Diane has no doubt that the CCLO kids, parents, staff and crew are the most devoted, hard-working, multi-talented, fun, compassionate, capable and creative ensemble of colleagues in the world and wishes to thank them for EVERYTHING they have done and continue to do! diane@cclo.org
Kelly Todd Robinson
(Resident Choreographer)
Kelly has been the resident choreographer for Children’s Civic Light Opera since 1992 and has loved every production. In addition to being a performer throughout her life, she graduated from UCLA’s school of Theatre, Film, and Television and went on to complete her Master’s of Education in Teaching at UCLA. She taught mathematics, dance, and drama at Washington Preparatory High School in South Central Los Angeles for three years where she choreographed nearly 200 pieces including Guys and Dolls, and Dreamgirls and was the technical director of numerous productions. She has also been teaching dance privately throughout Los Angeles studios since 1994. In 2001, together with Diane Feldman Turen, Kelly co-founded and launched CCLO’s sister company, Young Adult Civic Light Opera; a one-of-a-kind professional training program designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of young adults ages 18 - 25 who wish to refine and enhance their theatrical skills and practice their theatrical passions. Kelly was the lighting designer for A Shrine to Junior at the Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood for which she received a 2002 NAACP theatre award nomination. In New York City, she performed with and choreographed for The Village Light Opera and had the opportunity to train at the Broadway Dance Center. She choreographed Keep Movin’ On, an original musical featuring the music of Sam Cooke, written by director Mark Swinton and she is currently the Managing Director and Choreographer for The Chance Theatre in Anaheim where she has choreographed Cabaret and Into The Woods, and choreographed/directed And The World Goes ‘Round and It’s A Grand Night For Singing. Some favorite roles include Cassie in A Chorus Line and Country Girl in Most Happy Fella. She thanks the CCLO kids, staff, crew and parents for being such amazing people and is tremendously proud of everyone! kelly@cclo.org
Andrea Sommers
(Set and Costume Design)
Andrea is CCLO’s original set and costume designer. She moved to Georgia in 1995, and after a hiatus, returned to design for the company in 2006. Andrea graduated from UCLA's School of Theatre, Film and Television with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre. For CCLO, Andrea has designed FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (2006), ONCE UPON A MATTRESS (1997), JOSEPH….(1995), BIG RIVER (1994), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1993), THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1993), DAMN YANKEES (1992) ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1992) Andrea likes to design sets that provide many involvement opportunities for program participants and she enjoys teaching young people about "how" and "why" design decisions are made for productions. Andrea currently lives in Georgia with her husband Rob and her son Everett. She has her own Home Staging business and has done set design for her local community center. Andrea is thrilled to be back with CCLO. andrea@cclo.org
Allison Weintraub
(Acting Coach/Vocal Assistant)
Allison, a graduate of Northwestern University with a B.S. in Theatre/Musical Theatre Performance and Communications, is a CCLO alumnus! Allison spent 9 years with CCLO where she skillfully played roles such as Cassie in A CHORUS LINE, Gloria Thorpe in DAMN YANKEES, Brigitta in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Alice in ALICE IN WONDERLAND. In addition to training and performing with CCLO, Allison is a graduate of the Hamilton High School Academy of Music in Los Angeles where she performed in musicals such as SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING and JOSEPH…. .Other musical productions include 42ND ST and FOOTLOOSE. At Northwestern, Allison turned to more dramatic material and starred in productions such as BASH, KING LEAR, and SUBURBIA. More recently, she has worked with actors such as Cheryl Hines, and Lacy Chabert in an independent film, and pilot, respectively. She can also be seen in a national commercial for Sam’s Club/Mastercard. She is thrilled with the opportunity to return to the home she knows as CCLO and join the staff as an Assistant Director and Acting Coach with the mainstage company and Instructor with CCLO’s JUST KIDDING theatre program for children ages 3 - 6. She loves spending time with the children and staff at CCLO, and hopes to continue coaching here for years to come. allison@cclo.org
Rebecca Eissler
(Assistant Costume Design)
Rebecca, a recent graduate of Hamilton High School’s Academy Of Music, is thrilled to be joining CCLO for her thirteenth year (her second as a staff member). She performed in nine shows with CCLO including DAMN YANKEES (Meg), ANNIE (Lily St. Regis), CRAZY FOR YOU (Irene), and many others. Prior to becoming a staff member, Rebecca volunteered as a costume and sound assistant during Summer Theatre Workshop tech week and worked backstage during the performances. Though Rebecca enjoyed being on stage, she has had a wonderful experience working behind the scenes, and will continue to do so when she attends college to study theatre and costume design in September.
Teresa Louise White
(Guest Choreographer)
This is Teresa's first year with CCLO and she is excited to be part of such an awesome family! Teresa is a Seattle native with a B.A. in Dance from the University of Washington and an M.Ed. from Harvard University. You can see her dancing on MTV's "My Own" and several videos, including Will Smith's latest video "Party Starter." Teresa's choreography has been seen on MTV, BET and several stages across the nation. Her musical theater credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella and Oklahoma! She loves working with kids and plans on opening a Christian performing arts high school in the future.
Melissa M. Becker
(Guest Director/Acting Coach)
