About Us
At The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company, our focus is to help children build confidence and realize their full creative potential through the arts. Our holistic approach to children’s theater fosters confidence, creativity, artistic expression, self advocacy and a collaborative spirit. At The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company, children can explore and discover their artistic voices at their own pace in an encouraging, communal setting. Our goal is to create meaningful programming that helps build strong, vibrant communities where children thrive, helping to cast a bright future for our community.
Our Mission
The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company is a 501(c)(3) non profit creating equitable theater and music classes that are accessible and inclusive for all children in the greater Long Beach area.
Equity and Diversity
The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company is committed to fostering an environment of racial diversity, equity and inclusion. At The Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company everyone is invited to share their own unique stories, explore the rich tapestry of our city, and raise their voices together creating works of theater that reflect our diverse community. We believe that the arts have the power to ignite great change, build bridges, create positive relationships, enriching and empowering the community as a whole.
West Long Beach Studio
Our studio facility located at 2050 Santa Fe Ave is one of the only arts organizations serving residents in West Long Beach district 7.
Home School Vendor
Jewel Box is a vendor for Blue Ridge, iLead, Sun Coast and Excel Home School Charters. If you would like to inquire about Jewel Box becoming a vendor for another charter please contact us at info@jewelboxct.org or call (562) 551-8805
Long Beach Unified School District
Jewel Box is an approved vendor the Long Beach Unified School District. If you would like to inquire about Jewel Box coming to your school please email info@jewelboxct.org or call (562) 551-8805
Meet The Team
Anna Kate Mohler
Anna Kate’s theatrical journey began at the age of 6 when her mother signed her up for theater class to help her overcome her fears and shyness. Since then she has performed and worked behind the scenes at various local theaters but her passion has always been teaching! Anna Kate and her partner Andy founded the Jewel Box Children’s Theater Company in 2016, dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion in the arts through accessible, meaningful, community driven, multigenerational arts programing. In 2022 Anna Kate was recognized by Lena Gonzalez and the California State Senate for her dedication to arts equity and in 2024 she was named a 69th District Woman of Distinction for her work with Jewel Box. Anna Kate graduated Salutatorian from Leech Lake Tribal College in Northern Minnesota and credits her education there as a catalyst for expanding Jewel Box to include multigenrational and family programing along with strengthening her dedication to community driven theater.
Andrew Zacharias
Andrew Zacharias, is a multi instrumentalist, performer, educator and composer with a bachelors in music performance and a masters degree in composition. Andrew’s previous teaching experience includes USC’s Iovine and Young Academy, Cypress College, The Orange County School for the Arts, and The Segerstrom Center for the Arts Studio D, an inclusive, recreational Arts School for All Abilities. Andrew has been music director for many shows at The Long Beach Playhouse, STAGES Theater, and The Maverick and has performed with the Long Beach Symphony, The New Mexico Philharmonic and the Omaha Symphony.
Board of Directors
Patricia Maldonado McMaster
Patricia Maldonado McMaster is a very active community member. As director of community outreach for the Orange County School of the Arts, she represented the school to the Latino community and represented the school at different community organizations. Her past experience includes: President of the National Latina Business Association of Orange County, President of the Long Beach-Manta sister cities and President of the Sister Cities of Long Beach, Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Ana and Acacia Adult Day Services in Garden Grove.
Laura White
Laura White has established careers both in the performing arts and special education. She received her MFA from The London School of Performing Arts. Laura is currently a special education teacher with Long Beach Unified School District dedicated to teaching students with moderate to severe needs.
Brian Gibbs
Brian is a professional and disciplined medical device marketer with a reputation for precision and more than a decade of global experience in Class III medical device education and marketing. He has managed a vast range of clinical education and product marketing engagements for market-leading devices from design to launch. Brian spent most of his professional career at Edwards Lifesciences, the global leader in heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. He has additional experience working with non-profits, financial services, academia, and clinicians. Brian earned his MBA from The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine and his BA from the Department of Economics at UCLA.
Naomie Worrell-Tate
Naomie Worrell-Tate is a Long Beach, CA community member who has actively served for several years in various roles for the Parent Teacher Association advocating for a safe and positive school environment for every child. Naomie currently works for the Long Beach Unified School District as a Paraeducator supporting students with special needs.