Julia starting a new chapter @ La Jolla Playhouse

This last August, I began a new chapter in my career. This chapter began as a I started a new position as the Associate Director of Education & Outreach at the Tony winning theatre La Jolla Playhouse. These first three months have brought many new and wonderful people into my life. The Director of Education, Steve McCormick is an expert in the Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) world and I learn a lot from observing how he leads the department and the Educational Coordinator, Paola Kubelis, has the resiliency and know for all that helps keep us all on track. I enjoy working with this team and we have already bonded over our love for great storytelling by going to Hogsmeade at Universal Studios. It was truly magical. In this new role, I am responsible for managing the many partnerships that the Playhouse has with local school districts, teachers, and other arts organizations. I design curriculum used in schools that help prepare students to see our shows, train teaching artists on current trends in education, and help to create new programs that serve our community. Over the summer, I look forward to leading the summer program called Young Performers Workshop. This program accepts around 200 students to explore all that theatre can provide from Acting to Technical Theatre. The amazing teaching artists that help teach these classes are some of the best in the country and I feel honored to lead and learn from them. As another perk to my position, I am able to absorb the methods of some of the best artists in the country. During the world premiere musical Miss You Like Hell, I worked with Pulitzer prize winner and writer Quiara Hudes (In the Heights, Water by the Spoonful) and her collaborator Erin McKeown. Watching their process was a masterclass in itself! Inspiring to my director self, I am currently observing the rehearsal process of the new musical Freaky Friday directed by our amazing Artistic Director Christopher Ashley. He has welcomed me into the rehearsal room and I get to watch the process unfold which validates some of my own thoughts regarding directing and allows insight into the brilliant minds that produce some of the best theatre in our country. Seizing the day is my motto for the moment and learning as much as possible is my goal. Carpe Diem!