Meet the Collective
Julia Cuppy
(Co-Founder/Producer/Director/Actor/Educator) discovered her passion for supporting artists and new work during her tenure at La Jolla Playhouse where she was the Director of Education and Outreach responsible for multiple programs that served over 30,000 students, teachers, and patrons. In addition, she commissioned a new play for young audiences written by some of America’s most exciting playwrights such as Idris Goodwin, Gregg Mozgala and A.A. Brenner through the POP Tour program. She also served on the senior leadership team that produced Ike Holter’s PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER, Melissa Ross’ THE LUCKIEST, Keith Bunin’s THE COAST STARLIGHT, John Lequizamo, Ben Velez, and David Kamp’s KISS MY AZTEC, Lauren Yee’s CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND, and Rajiv Joseph, Bill Sherman, and Kirsten Childs’s FLY Directed by Jeffrey Seller. That defining time motivated her to further the Playhouse’s mission of being a safe harbor for the unsafe and surprising in her own way by establishing intentional and equitable spaces for artists from all backgrounds to refresh and revive themselves and their work. Thus, the idea of Aggregate Collective was born. As an educator, she holds space for students to be brave and discover their voice as artists. She has taught at high schools and universities in Oregon and California and is a member of the Educational Theatre Association and Musical Theatre Educators Alliance. As a theatremaker, she loves the creative process shaping a character and a story through collaborative rehearsal practices, either as an actor, director, dramaturg or producer. Select favorite projects include: La Jolla Playhouse’s HOME OF THE BRAVE and BD Wong and Wayne Barker’s MISTER DOCTOR. MEMBER OF AEA. Education: MFA Musical Theatre - San Diego State University. MAT Theatre Education - Southern Oregon University.
Jaese Lecuyer
(Co-Founder and Director) is a multi-disciplinary artist and facilitator based in Medford, OR. Before returning to finish his bachelor’s degree in both theatre and dance studies at Cal Poly Humboldt (Arcata, CA), he worked professionally as a director, choreographer and theater arts educator. Jaese feels extremely fortunate to have collaborated with various high schools and arts organizations including, Teen Musical Theatre of Oregon (Medford, OR) and La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, CA). He’s performed as both a dancer and vocalist throughout North America, and from 2006-2009 was on faculty at Cal Poly Humboldt, where he taught dance for the School of Dance, Music and Theatre program. He believes the arts are an integral part of education and enhance skills such as communication, co-operation, problem solving and empathy which he feels are fundamental to an inclusive, healthy and just society. In addition, he is fascinated by the intersections between anthropology, theatre and dance and believes we all share a rich and fascinating legacy largely based upon collaboration, imagination and survival. Jaese is excited to be participating as a co-founder of Aggregate Collective and is passionate about discovering the various ways the organization may best support artists in the development of their new works.
Anthony Zelig
(Production Manager) began his theatre life as an actor, studying and performing in Montreal and New York, before transitioning to life behind-the-scenes. Some notable shows he has worked on, in various capacities, include the original productions of Full Gallop; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; The Vagina Monologues; Hedwig & The Angry Inch; tick…tick…Boom! and others. Anthony also worked on the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Hedwig. While living in NYC, Anthony devoted many hours during 18 years as a volunteer for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars and participating in over 50 fundraising events. Since moving to San Diego nearly 6 years ago, Anthony spent 5 years at Coronado Playhouse as a lighting and sound designer, resident producer, production manager, marketing associate and member of the Board of Directors. In addition, he was instrumental in creating San Diego’s Theatre Alliance and served for two years as an Administrator and Co-Chair. Currently, Anthony is the Patron Services & Marketing Manager at San Diego Junior Theatre and in June will be joining the board of the San Diego Performing Arts League.
Leo Yu-Ning Chang
(Collaborating Artist) is a bilingual performer and educator committed to being a strong advocate for International and BIPOC artists. Born and raised in Taiwan, Chang is a co-founder of an award-winning A Cappella Band- Guess what. Their first album, “ONE,” was nominated for the 28th Annual Golden Melody Award, the equivalent of the Grammy Award in the Mandarin-speaking world.
Chang is one of the only two Taiwanese who have earned an M.F.A. degree in musical theatre. Upon graduating from San Diego State University, Leo moved to NYC and soon made his Off-Broadway debut within the first six months in Revelation: The Musical.
Leo’s performing career includes musical theatre, plays, films, commercials, street dance, a cappella, and event hosting. He is honored to be the host of the Taiwanese Waves Concert at SummerStage in Central Park for three consecutive years.
Meanwhile, Leo has worked on many creative projects and new musical developments. His selecting performing credits include Tropical Angels, Monkey King, Bubble Boy, Farewell My Concubine (Reading), Mr. Holland’s Opus (Reading), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Company, The Full Monty, and Enchanted April.
As a teaching artist, Chang has taught various workshops and masterclasses both in the U.S. and in Taiwan. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty at Marymount Manhattan College and a teaching artist at New York City Center. His selecting teaching credits include La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego State University, Grossmont College, National Taiwan University, International Thespian Festival, Texas Thespian Festival, the Georgia Thespian Festival, and the Oregon Thespian Festival.
Estrella Cervantes
(Production Assistant) is a 1st generation immigrant born and raised in Southern Oregon. She is currently the Operation Manager at SoHumane where she helps improve the lives of people and animals through sustainable programs. Estrella was a committed high school theatre student and member of the International Thespian Society. As an adult, she knew that keeping theatre in her life was essential. This love for theater and non-profit work is what led her to the Aggregate Collective. In her free time enjoys reading and playing with her two dogs!
Bradley J. Behrmann
(Collaborating Artist) is an actor, educator, and writer who splits his time between New York City, San Diego, St. Louis, and Amarillo. Hailing from Belleville, IL, he earned a B.Mus. in Music Education from Lawrence University and a MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.
Musicals—along with Shakespearean and classical works—are Bradley’s bread and butter. He brings an unparalleled diversity of skills as an actor, music director, director, lyricist, composer, teacher, coach, and scholar.
As an actor, Bradley made his Off-Broadway debut in March 2018 as Le Bret in Cyrano de Bergerac. Regional favorites include Charles Clark in Titanic (Moonlight), Brit Craig in Parade (R-S Theatrics), Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden (Overdue), and Sebastian in The Tempest (St. Louis Shakespeare).
Behind the table, Bradley has music directed for a variety of regional and educational productions. He has directed for Youth Sing Praise, a week-long program for high school students combining theatre within a faith-based retreat, and most recently at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX, where he has served as Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre since 2018. Creative credits there include Musical of Musicals: The Musical, Spring Awakening, Songs For a New World, and The Theory of Relativity.
An activist for fine arts education at all levels, Bradley is a teaching artist at La Jolla Playhouse and has taught at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, San Diego State University, Southwest Illinois College, and Missouri Baptist University. He served as Director of Music at Notre Dame High School in St. Louis 2005-2014.
Andrea Lara
(Collaborating Artist) Andrea Lara is a singer, actress, and fashion enthusiast who just received her BFA in musical theatre from AMDA College of The Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Recent credits include her role as Lily in the short film “Don’t Open The Door”, Anza in the short film “Ansiedad”, Miss Anderssen in Knotts Free production of “A Little Night Music” and Gynecia in Polluted Theatre production of “Head Over Heels.” She has also had the opportunity to perform jazz standards twice at AMDA’s raise the bar café. She’s so excited to get to collaborate with other inspiring artist on this new musical!
Janeen McGinnis
(Collaborating Artist) is the Costume Fundamentals educator at Southern Oregon University, graduate of SOU with a bachelor in Costume Construction and Shakespeare Studies. Theatre credits include Fanny Brice in Funny Girl, Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, Scuttle in Little Mermaid, Sylvia in Sylvia, and many more. She is also a professional vocalist for “Lady & the Tramp Duo” band, “Janeen & the MVP’s” band, and “Sound Stage Revue” band.
Alayna Riley
Alayna Riley has a BA in Theatre Design from Willamette University. She has been involved in dozens of productions as a technician, designer, and performer. Her main interest is costume design, which she has been doing for five years. Some of her costume design credits include: Pippin, Evil Dead (Randall Theatre), All Shook Up (Camelot Theatre), It's A Wonderful Life, Clue, Hound Of The Baskervilles, Bill W and Dr Bob (Barnstormers Theatre), Symbolic Interactions: Dance Concert, and Future Voices: Dance Concert (Willamette University). Lately she has also been getting into acting, appearing in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe at Collaborative Theatre Project and Honeymoon In Vegas at Camelot Theatre. Alayna is also a local burlesque performer.
Levi Kaplan
Levi is a graduate of the MFA Directing Program at The Theatre School-DePaul University. He is also a Teaching Artist with La Jolla Playhouse, and Arts for Learning San Diego. Recently Mr. Kaplan was the Director of Theatre at Woodward Academy in Atlanta, GA, and a board member of Curtain Call Youth Players in Marietta GA. Additionally, for the past 20 years Mr. Kaplan has worked as a director and lighting designer for a variety of companies in Chicago, Atlanta, and across Florida, and served as the Artistic Director of The Acorn Theatre in Tampa Fl.
Wilfred Paloma
Wilfred is an Actors’ Equity Association member with an M.A. in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University and a B.A. in Theatre Performance; graduate of the MCIT Acting Studio. San Diego State University Graduate Program in Musical Theatre candidate come fall of 2022. Past credits include: Light Years Away (La Jolla Playhouse), O Wondrous Night (SeaWorld), Full Monty (SDSU), and A Semicolon is a Double (Scripps Ranch Theatre). Directing credits include: Kasama (Southwestern College), Potion (Moxie Theatre), and School of Rock (Junior Theatre). Choreographer credits include: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Junior Theatre), Lion King Jr. (Young Actor’s Theatre), Shrek (Our Lady of Peace Academy), and Hall Pass (Blindspot Collective). Wilfred is an Adjunct Professor at Grossmont College and Southwestern College. In addition to this, Wilfred directs & facilitates Devised Theatre projects centering LGBTQIA+ issues, racial justice, and youth advocacy. Listen to Wilfred on Spotify featured in the original cast recording of The Things We Never Say written by Thomas Hodges. Instagram @wilfred_paloma; wilfredpaloma.com
Heather Lundy Kahl
Artistic Director and Lead Teacher for Acting 101 with HeatherK and Downstage Center Productions
I am a trained actor from Portland Oregon who found out that the secret to a happy life is giving students of all ages and backgrounds superpowers. Theatre is storytelling and making great theatre is a superpower. I believe in the magic of the actor’s voice. I believe that when we teach our children that their voices matter, that their thoughts have power and that their ears are their most important body part, we build more empathetic and intelligent communities. Teaching students how to use their bodies, voices and imaginations onstage is the best gig there is. I hope you’ll join me.
Heather received her BFA in performance from Southern Oregon University in Ashland Oregon where she also worked for ArtAttack Theatre. She moved to Portland in 2004 where she worked with Mt. Hood Rep, Theatre Vertigo and others. She and a band of life-long artist pals formed Lunacy Stageworks in 2008 where she served as an Artistic Director and performer. Life has taken Heather to Florida and back and she is now happily settled in Vancouver where she had the great gift of working as the Theatre Director for Riverside Performing Arts for 4 years. These days, she is excited to be teaching, directing and shaping productions that change hearts and minds. The grand, Oprah-size goal? We’re going to revolutionize theatre in SW Washington.
Kristen Fogle
(Dramaturg) is the executive director of San Diego Writers, Ink, an educational non-profit for writers at all stages, and has been since 2013. She is also a performer, theater director, producer, writing instructor, and teaching artist, currently for the La Jolla Playhouse and Wounded Warriors. She is the former co-artistic director of the Ocean Beach Playhouse, former president of the Association of Community Theaters in San Diego, and has served on boards/teams for the San Diego Fringe Festival, Lamplighters Theater, and Rising Arts Leaders, who named her their Person of the Year in 2018. Her third and fourth prompt-based writing books (with Rockridge Press) were released in early 2022.