At DVC Drama we are dedicated to creating avenues for aspiring theatre professionals to explore and hone their skills and talents, while sharing their passion for live theatre through programs that entertain, engage and inspire our community.

	Beth McBrien—Performing Arts Chair Beth McBrien is a native of the San Francisco East Bay. Raised in Martinez, she attended Alhambra High School and then St. Mary's College in Moraga, where she graduated with honors in Art and Drama. After working as an actress in the Bay Area, and studying Drama at Diablo Valley College, she attended San Francisco State where she received her Masters degree in Drama. She was hired at Diablo Valley College as a part-time instructor in 1996, and has been a full-time Drama teacher and director since 2003.
	Ed Trujillo—Drama Department Chair Ed’s education consisted with a BA from St. Mary's College-English and a MA from the University of Washington-Theatre and additional work at the University of Massachusetts–in Post Graduate Theatre. He has varied experiences in Directing, Acting, and Lecturing with such professional companies as Seattle Group Theatre, Black Arts West, Creede Repertory Theatre and Sonoma Valley Shakespeare, Renegade Theatre and California Shakespeare Festival. He is the Faculty Sponsor of the Latino Student Alliance and the Faculty co-sponsor of the Dramatic Society Club. His professional organizations have included the California Educational Theatre Association Board Member: Chair of the Diversity Forum and Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Adjudicator. His community services have included work with the Latino Leadership Council Education ˆChair, the Monument Crisis Center and a Not In Our Town Facilitator. He teaches a variety of courses such as: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Acting, Movement for Actors, Playwriting, History of Theatre, Shakespeare, Multicultural Perspectives in American Theatre and Auditioning Techniques.
	Nicole Hess-Diestler—Associate Professor / Marketing Director Nicole joined the faculty of Diablo Valley College in 2006; she obtained tenure in May 2010. Before joining the faculty of DVC: Drama, Nicole was residing in Los Angeles where she worked regularly on stage, film and screen. Nicole began her teaching career in 2003, as an adjunct faculty member, at Grossmont College and at San Diego State University. Nicole holds several theatrical degrees and certificates, among them a BA in Theatre Performance (SDSU), and an MFA in Acting (FSU/Asolo Conservatory). Nicole currently co-advises the DVC Dramatic Society, serves on several campus committees and Faculty Senate, provides internship opportunities for DVC Drama students in pursuit of their Technical Theatre AA degrees, and is the Marketing Director for DVC Drama. Nicole is also active in the community at large and currently serves as the theatre columnist for Pleasant Hill Community Focus Newspaper and Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Willow Spring Church in Moraga.
	Scott Heiden—Production Manager / Technical Director Mom knew from early on when Scott started re-designing the Lego sets that a technical career of some sort was in his future. He walked onto the stage for the first time as a student here at DVC , and told the professor "I want to do theatre!" After schooling here, at summer stock at Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and Cal State Long Beach (great place for theatre!), he's worked (played) all over in So Cal, Boston, and now is thrilled to be back here at DVC Drama where the magic began!
	Tara Maginnis—Resident Costumer Tara Maginnis (Costume Design) is best known for her web site The Costumer's Manifesto www.costumes.org and her DVD series Theatrical Makeup Design Interactive. Dr. Maginnis originally comes from the Bay Area and has recently returned from an 18 years exile in Fairbanks where she was a professor at the University of Alaska. She is enjoying the absence of snow and the presence of daylight to no end.
	Ken Hein—Emeritus Adjunct Faculty Ken is a director, technical director, and lighting designer. Ken holds several theatrical degrees including a BA in Acting, Directing, and Technical Theatre as well as a Secondary Teaching Credential from SFSU. He has been teaching at DVC since 1977 and has acted in, directed, designed or built over 200+ plays and musicals. His awards include the title of Best Lighting Designer in 2007 in the Arty Awards in Solano County. Including being an original member of The Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble, Ken’s resumes list credits including The Acting Company at PCPA, Production Manager for the opening season of the Concord Pavilion, Production Manager of The Willows Theatre in Concord, and serving as a staff member of the now Center Repertory Theatre. His hobbies are building furniture, bass & fly fishing, raising over 300+ game birds, and the practicing of the art of falconry since the age of 7. Together with his wife, he owns an award winning winery in Northern California which produces over 1,000 bottles a year. His daughter is in attendance at SDSU. His wife works for the Vacaville Unified School District as a computer tech.
	Doug Dildine—Adjunct Faculty Award winning director and actor has performed improvisation with Paul Sills’ Story Theatre Co., The Committee and The Wing, and was a founding member of Now Appearing. He was also a street performer at The Cannery and Fisherman’s Wharf with The San Francisco City Clowns. Locally, Douglas worked with A.C.T., Berkeley Repertory, Berkeley Stage Co., Eureka Theatre, Magic Theatre, and The Willows Theater Co. He is the former artistic director of Town Hall Theatre Co, Martinez Repertory Co, DEO Ireland, and production business manager of Center Rep. His screenwriting credits include penning several films most notably Black-Eyed Dogs and Hand of God. Douglas is currently on the drama department faculty at DVC and LMC.
	Lisa Drummond—Adjunct Faculty Originally from the Bay Area, Lisa has worked extensively in Southern California as a teacher, actor, director and acting coach for the last 12 years. During this time, she taught at San Diego State University (2004 & 2005 Teacher Excellence Award), Grossmont Community College (2007 Teacher Excellence Award) and Saddleback Community College, as well as taught numerous master-classes and workshops. As an actress, her credits include productions with San Diego Repertory Theatre, Starlight Musical Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Sierra Repertory Theatre, and PCPA Theatrefest, to name a few. In addition to performing, Lisa has directed at: North Coast Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, San Diego Actors Festival, as well as SDSU, Grossmont College, Saddleback College, and Belvoir Center for the Performing Arts in Lenox, Massachusetts. Lisa received her BA in Theatre Arts from SFSU and an MFA in Musical Theatre from SDSU. She is married to actor Ryan Drummond, and together they run a professional acting-coaching business. She is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association.
	Will Springhorn Jr.—Adjunct Faculty Will Springhorn Jr. received his BA in Theatre from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and his MFA from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Will has worked as a professional actor with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, The Magic, Marin Theatre Company, SF Playhouse, San Jose Stage Company, Theatre Rhinoceros and Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis. Will is an actor and producer for the upcoming feature film Blood Run Free, a coming of age story set in the South Bronx. Will has appeared in regional advertisements for radio and television, and is a member of Actor's Equity Association. More information is available at www.willspringhornjr.com.
	Ryan Mark Weible—Adjunct Faculty Ryan was born and raised in Walnut Creek and attended Northgate High School. After attending Diablo Valley College, Ryan transferred to San Diego State University where he received his BA in Performance Studies. He also holds a Masters in Theatre Education from New York University. Ryan is currently the drama instructor at San Ramon Valley High School. Ryan has several Broadway and Regional credits to his name and locally his works have been seen in a variety of venues. Most recently, Ryan directed The Producers for Diablo Theater Company (for which he, the cast, and company have received 6 Shellie Award nominations). Ryan is the most recent addition to the adjunct faculty of DVC Drama; in Fall 2009 he taught Theatre for Social Change.
	Trevor Moppin–Student Director Trevor Moppin is a 22-year-old bay area native who has been performing for people since he could walk. He has been at DVC for 3 years now and hopes to transfer by the end of the year. Trevor started his stage career at DVC with the student directed production of “What the Butler Saw”, and is happy that one of his last projects will be the Student Directed show. He is extremely excited to be directing “Fuddy Meers” and can't wait to show off the amazing training and skills he has learned at DVC. While he is not directing, Trevor works at Starbucks and the Campbell Theater ad server for the Willows, as well as donating his free time to Peter Pan Foundation. He would like to thank his teachers, friends and family for their support. Without them he wouldn't be here today.