Meet The Team

Anna Kate Mohler

Executive and Artistic Director

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Andy Zacharias

Operations and Music Director

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Board of Directors

Patricia Maldonado McMaster, president

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.

Anna Kate Mohler

Executive and Artistic Director

 

How long have you been involved in theater?

FOREVERRRRRRR!!!

What brought you to theater?

When I was six my mom signed me up for my first theater class because I had really bad social anxiety. Theater class became this special place where I learned to communicate in a social setting that was also really fun and creative and inspiring. After that experience I was hooked and theater has been a huge part of my life ever since.

How did you get involved in children’s theater?

I had been performing forever and I had worked as a nanny for years so it was a natural transition. As an adult Jewel Box is actually the one and only Children’s Theater experience that I have had. I always knew that I wanted to start a theater company for kids, I had experience working with children and families and I had spent time on the business side of the theater world so it just made sense.

Why did you decide to found Jewel Box Children’s Theater?

Jewel Box was founded on the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to experience quality arts programing regardless of their socioeconomic status. I knew that there was a gap when it came to easily accessible music and theater programing and I wanted to fill that gap. I believe whole heartedly that the arts can ignite great change within ourselves as individuals as well as within our communities. I am driven to create opportunities and experiences that facilitate a sense of purpose and community.

What would you tell a student who is nervous about starting classes at Jewel Box CT?

I would let them know first that it’s okay to be nervous. Then I would tell them that theater and music are great ways to practice being brave. The big plus is that you get to work in a supportive group setting and you only ever do what is best for your comfort level.

What is the most rewarding part of what you do?

Watching the kids work together to figure things out in imaginative and creative ways is one of the most inspiring and rewarding experiences. My best childhood memories are of working on theater productions and every single one of my lifelong friends I met through theater. Facilitating that same positive communal experience for our students is something that I find a lot of joy in.

Andy Zacharias

Operations and Music Director


What brought you to music?

I loved building and tinkering with things as a kid and playing instruments was a kind of extension of that. I have always been interested in puzzles and math too. When I first started learning about music I was fascinated by how it all fit together like a big math puzzle. I started to see that the more you learn about music the more there is to love. There is really no end to the possibilities when it comes to music. 

How did you get involved in Children’s theater

My first experience in children’s theater was as a kid in a production of Peter Pan at Sacramento Children’s Theater, I got to play one of the lost boys and even say a line! After graduating from CSULB, I landed a summer job music directing at a musical theater summer camp for kids and realized that I really enjoyed music directing and teaching .

Why did you decide to found Jewel Box CT?

Jewel Box CT was founded to give every kid a chance to take part in music and theater. I was especially interested in helping kids get experience in writing their own songs and creating their own musical theater shows from the ground up. 

What is your background in teaching music?

I began teaching music in Long Beach back in 2000 while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at CSULB. I have a masters degree in music and have taught at various institutions including USC, Cypress College and The Orange County School of the Arts. As a music director I have worked throughout Orange County and Long Beach.

What is your teacher super power?

Being able to hear any melody that someone sings and be able to add chords and arrange it on the spot.

Why is music important important for children?

It helps us learn how to express ourselves, and get our emotions out.