Carina Morales
Artistic Director/Show Director
"...JStage's Director Carina Morales has brought the best out of her performers..."
-Chris Daniels, The Show Report
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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 starring in The Melody Lingers On under the direction of Broadway's Stephen Nachamie, 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 roles in productions that opened at New World Stages and The York Theatre), national tours ("Lucille" in Junie B. Jones the Musical), regional theatre (highlights include productions at South Coast Repertory, Downey Civic Light Opera, and Encore at the Point), web series, commercials, and cast album recordings. Carina has also worked extensively as a principal vocalist, portraying a beloved Disney princess in a mainstage musical 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 behind the table 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 accessible, inclusive, and high-quality arts experiences, and is honored to serve as the JStage Artistic Director.
Klarissa Messe
Resident Assistant Director
Read More About Klarissa
Klarissa 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 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, Makeup, Props and Choreography
Haven Hanson
Resident Production Designer
"Designer Haven Hanson's costume design is smorgasbord of delights..."
-Patrick Chavis, The Orange Curtain Review
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Haven is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist 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 serves as the sole costume designer 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 design experience include theatrical productions for Laguna Playhouse (costume design for The Winter of Oz, A Cinderella Christmas, Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish), The Chance Theater (wigs for Fancy Nancy Splendiforous Christmas, Emma the Musical, Fancy Nancy the Musical) Tustin's Broadway in the Park (costume design for The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Grease), The Music Room, and of course, JStage (costume and scenic design for Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Cinderella, Into the Woods, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, Shrek JR, Matilda JR, Disney's Newsies JR, Fiddler On The Roof JR, Annie JR, Disney's The Little Mermaid JR, Disney's High School Musical JR).
