2006 Staff (left to right): Debórah Eliezer, Mia Rovegno, Jessikah Thompson,
Stephen Bass (standing), Takami Craddock, Leila Baradaran

Stephen Bass, Instructor/Director, has been a professional improvisor and physical actor for 10 years. He has taught for Young Audiences of the BayArea, The French American School and Kids on Camera. He is a member of Pacific Playback Theater, and the Director or All-Star Stilts and Comedy. Stephen has just completed his teaching credential for elementary education from New College of California. Congratulations, Stephen! For more info go to: www. allstarstilts.com On staff for 6 years.

Takami Craddock, Dance Instructor, is the Director of DancEsteem, and has been teaching her original method combining Creative Movement, Ballet and Modern Dance in the Bay Area since 1995. She also teaches as an artist in residence for SF public schools. She has been professionally teaching and performing in the U.S. and Japan for 20 years. On staff for 4 years.

Téa David , Movement & Gymnastics Instructor, is an actor, voice-over, teacher and filmmaker. Téa grew up in Victoria, Canada and holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with an emphasis in movement from The Boston Conservatory. She has taught Voice and Movement to children at the San Fransisco and Napa Valley Shakespeare Festivals, and has led physical theatre workshops at schools and synagogues throughout California with Traveling Jewish Theater's Educational Touring and Outreach Program. She has also facilitated in-school Pre and Post show discussions for California Shakespeare Theatre. Currently she is on staff at Kids On Camera where she teaches film and T.V. acting to 4-6 yr. olds and at Kids In Motion Gymnastics where she teaches gymnastics to children ages 20 months - 6 yrs. She is also a member of foolsFURY Theater. Welcome, Téa, to our staff!

Debórah Eliezer, Founder & Director of Swivel Arts, is also a member and the Youth Education Director of foolsFURY Theater Co. An actor, puppeteer, dancer and voiceover, she has taught and performed in the Bay Area for over 12 years. She teaches voice, monologue, scene study, improvisation, Viewpoints, Suzuki, creative movement, salsa hip-hop and modern dance. Other current teaching programs include Kids on Camera and the SFJCC. Debórah teaches adults and kids, and is available for private coaching in her studio. As a pro voiceover, you can hear her voice in commercials, video games and more than 30 Leapfrog Toys. For more information, click on the Classes & Coaching link on the home page. " Giving students the opportunity to challenge themselves in a safe, non-threatening environment, to build new skills or expand the ones they have, this is my passion. That 'Aha!' moment when the student's face lights up and they literally brighten from within. That's life changing. That's what it's all about for me."-~Debórah

Portsha Jefferson, African-Haitian Dance Instructor, is Director of Tou Limen Afro-Haitian Dance Company is a professional performer of various styles from the African Diaspora. Portsha has taught Afro-Haitian folkloric movement in schools, community centers, and studios for the past 8 years. Currently, Portsha is an artist in residence for Oakland/SF public schools. In addition, she is a faculty instructor at City Dance Studios and at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts. She also serves as a Cultural Arts Specialist with Oakland Parks and Recreation. On staff 8 years.

Mia Rovegno, Dance-Theater Instructor, is a performer, director, a member of foolsFURY Theater Company and the Artistic Director of HummingbirdWORKS. She teaches children and adults creative drama, playwriting, Viewpoints, movement and puppetry throughout the Bay Area. She has taught with The San Francisco Mime Troupe, Performing Arts Workshop, New Conservatory Theater Center, SF ArtsEd Project, Each One Reach One, Shadowlight, foolsFURY,and its adjunct faculty at the Experimental Performance Institute at New College of California. On staff 2 years.

Vicki Virk, Bhangra Dance Instructor, was born and raised in Punjab, India, where Bhangra originated. She has been dancing to Bhangra all of her life. Though she became an attorney, her love and passion for dance inspired her to start her own company called Dholrhythms, that allows her to share her enthusiasm for Bhangra through classes, workshops, performances, and events all over the Bay Area. She currently teaches as many as 10-14 weekly classes at different studios, health clubs, organizations, after school programs, and kids camps. "I believe it's important to foster the development of the arts and expose the younger generation to other cultures because it will help teach them about the diversity of our world. I love teaching Bhangra because it is a celebration of life. It's done with energy, zest, passion, and that's exactly how life should be lived." ~Vicki
To learn more information about Vicki, please visit her website at: www.dholrhythms.com. Welcome, Vicki, to our staff!

Additional Specialist Staff Instructors:

  Tina Banchero
  Davina Cohen
  Judy Cohen
  Ben Eckstein
  Brian Livingston
  Kunal Prasad
  Jessikah Thompson

CIT/Intern Program: A free program designed for responsible teens ages 14 –18 who want to be exposed to the performing arts while gaining valuable work experience as a junior staff member. Spaces available for June and August programs. Call the office to apply. download the CIT application