JStage

JStage is a proud member of the Orange County Theatre Guild

 
Critical Buzz
JStage's 2024 production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast was the Orange Curtain Review's #1 Recommended Show of the Week!
 
"Halfway through Act 1, we felt like giving a standing ovation... JStage's director Carina Morales has brought the best out of her performers...choreography that is always breathlessly vivacious, the costumes intricately stunning, the props magical, and the music as acclaimed and glorious as any musical anywhere" - Chris Daniels, The Show Report
 
"...this show succeeds on multiple levels, from the dance-heavy showstoppers to the subtle technical details. Each cast member plays to their unique strengths, and is perfectly grounded in their role." - Zach Johnston, The Orange Curtain Review
 
Congratulations to Claire Manson, winner of The Orange Curtain Review's Best Young Actress award for her performance as Marian Paroo in JStage's 2023 production of The Music Man!
 
Community Buzz
"Exceptional artistic team. Truly world class! Bringing Broadway caliber direction and design to community theatre in OC!" - JStage Cast Member
 
"They do amazing work. As close to a professional level show as I have ever seen." -Audience Member
 
"The costumes were exceptional. The set design worked flawlessly with the show. Like a storybook, the sets transitioned seamlessly as the action happened."- Audience Member
 
"Carina Morales is brilliant and simply amazing with these kiddos. We are so lucky to be part of the JStage community."  - JStage Junior Parent
 
"You learn so much and you make great friends that will last a lifetime! JStage makes everyone feel comfortable, loved, and respected. JStage, thank you for everything!"- JStage Junior Participant
 
"The acting was great, the singing exceptional, and the sets and costumes were beautifully perfect." - Audience Member
 
 

Be on the look out for summer programming

 

 

Spring 2025 Community Production


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Spring 2025 Junior Production


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Fall 2025 Junior Production

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"Bop to the Top" Cast - Sunday/Wednesday Rehearsals

        "Breaking Free" Cast - Tuesday/Thursday Rehearsals

 

JStage Junior FAQ      View Here

MEET THE TEAM

Carina Morales

Artistic Director/Show Director
Carina graduated Cum Laude from the University of California, Irvine, with a B.A. in Drama and Honors in Musical Theatre. She has been a professional actress and vocalist for over 15 years, and a member of Actors Equity Association since 2011. Her performance experience includes New York City theatre (highlights include originating the starring role of "Claire" in the workshop run of Natural Life at T. Schreiber Studio & Theatre opposite Emmy winning actress Anna Holbrook, and starring in The Melody Lingers On under the direction of Broadway's Stephen Nachamie), national tours (Junie B. Jones The Musical), regional theatre (highlights include originating the role of "Minden" in Sofia Alvarez's Amos & BorisA New Musical at South Coast Repertory), web series, commercials, and cast album recordings. Carina has also worked extensively as a principal vocalist, portraying a beloved princess in a main stage theatrical show at Hong Kong Disneyland, originating the role of "The Mummy" in the opening cast of Monster Rock at Universal Studios Singapore, and singing around the world on 5 star global itineraries in theatrical shows for Silversea, Seabourn, and Holland America cruise lines.
 
Carina is also a seasoned show director and prolific teaching artist. Highlights of her experience include working as a musical theatre teacher at the acclaimed Atlantic Acting School in New York City, and directing professional singers and dancers in theatrical shows for Holland America. Since relocating home to Southern California, she has directed dozens of plays and musicals for artists of all ages. Carina firmly believes in the value of arts experiences and creative education, and is honored to serve as the JStage Artistic Director.

Klarissa Mesee

Assistant Director

Is a native of Southern California and a proud OCSA Alumni.  She studied Theater, Film and Television at UCLA where she earned her BA in Musical Theater.  Since then she has been working professionally as an Equity member, regionally, all over California. Credits include South Coast Repertory, East West Players, The Chance, McCoy/Rigby Ent. and the Disneyland Resort to name a few.  During her 8 years  performing for Disney, she was selected to join the Entertainment Leadership program where she learned the skills and techniques to become a leader in the industry.  She is happy to be implementing those valuable lessons here at Jstage as she steps into her most exciting role to date: Assistant Director.  She is thrilled to be on the other side of the table guiding young artists and sharing the joys of theater.  Although her experience has mainly been on the stage, she is heavily involved working in all parts of the theater.  Her background includes: Costumes, Make up, Props and Choreography.

 

Haven Hanson

Production Designer


Haven is a multi-hyphenate production designer whose scenic, costume, hair, and makeup designs have graced stages all over Southern California. He was trained in the Production and Design Conservatory at the prestigious Orange County High School of the Arts, and is currently pursuing a theatre degree as a presidential scholar at CSU Fullerton's College of the Arts. He served as the sole costume design adjudicator for aspiring artists from across the United States while working with Musical Theatre Competitions of America, and was named Musical Theatre West's Costume Design Scholar of 2022. Highlights of Haven's professional costume and scenic design experience include theatrical productions for Laguna Playhouse (The Winter of OzA Cinderella Christmas), Tustin's Broadway in the Park (The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella), The Music Room, and, of course, JStage (The Music Man, Into The Woods, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, Shrek Jr., Matilda Jr., Newsies Jr., Fiddler on the Roof Jr.). 

 

Special funding for JCC Arts & Culture provided by the Doris H. and Milton J. Chasin Cultural Arts Program Endowment and for our theatre by The Isidore & Penny Myers Foundation.

For more information, contact Nicole Rosenson at [email protected] or 949.435.3400 x161.

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