About CVDAA
The goal of the Academy is to use the study and practice of dramatic theater as an opportunity to encourage and promote the
development of creative thinking in young people and in doing so transform the way they think about themselves and the world.
CVDAA offers programs for students ages 8 to 21 year round.
The academy has already transformed the lives of numerous young people through the encouragement of creative expression and
the development of self confidence and self reliance.
Training for Actors
CVDAA is committed to providing expert training in the art of acting. Students are educated in a myriad of different acting
techniques and we love to specialize in performance-based learning.
Training for Writers
Many of CVDAA's productions are developed and written by the students in collaboration with an instructor. This creates
opportunities for young writers to grow in their craft. Students are encouraged to write and when they do they have the opportunity
to see the result of their work realized in performances. All students in our programs are encouraged
to think about their work from the writer's perspective and to approach performance creatively and collaboratively.
Training for Designers
Each production is built from the ground up, so we encourage our participants to get involved with the technical side of
performance. In the past our students have designed and operated the lighting, the sound, the set, and even the costumes.
Training for Directors
CVDAA exists to encourage artistic theatrical expression by young people. With that in mind, we have sponsored many student
directed and produced pieces. We desire to create an environment that facilitates the artist. Many of our former participants have
come back to direct and perform their own shows!
Who Is CVDAA?
Michael Lushington
A long time ago, Mr. Lushington worked as an actor and director in New York City. He has an MFA in directing from Brooklyn College and has been an
editor for the International Bibliography of Theatre. Since 2003 Mr. Lushington has been running theatre programs for young people in Castro Valley. He
has developed over 20 original plays including one published work, "I'm Alright" and a collaborative work, "No Harm, No Foul" (about a high school
lockdown) with award winning playwright, Gino DiIorio.
Chris Hixon
Chris Hixon is the Drama teacher at Canyon Middle School. Before he decided to become a teacher he worked professionally as an actor for 15 years, in
Pittsburgh, Detroit, Stockton, Seattle, San Diego, and Oregon. He has written, directed, and acted in his own production company along with his wife. He
has been involved with CVDAA for 4 years.
Laurie Brown (Choreographer/Movement Instructor and Development Director for CVDAA) Laurie earned an M.F.A. in Dance from Connecticut
College and a B.A. in Dramatic Art from U.C. Berkeley. She taught dance and movement for actors in the professional training programs at the University
of North Carolina, Penn State, Carnegie-Mellon, and Cal State Fresno. She has also had extensive experience as a choreographer/dancer/actor in
professional theatre, working with the PlayMaker’s Rep (N.C.), the Alcazar Theatre (San Francisco), and the Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mass.)
among others. Laurie also has 16 years of teaching experience in California Public Schools and has raised two lovely daughters.
CVDAA is an equal opportunity organization:
Castro Valley Dramatic Arts Academy is an equal opportunity institution with respect to both education and employment. CVDAA does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission, or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities as
required by federal (Title VI, Title IX, Section 504) and state laws and regulations.
The goal of the Academy is to use the study and practice of dramatic theater as an opportunity to encourage and promote the
development of creative thinking in young people and in doing so transform the way they think about themselves and the world.
CVDAA offers programs for students ages 8 to 21 year round.
The academy has already transformed the lives of numerous young people through the encouragement of creative expression and
the development of self confidence and self reliance.
Training for Actors
CVDAA is committed to providing expert training in the art of acting. Students are educated in a myriad of different acting
techniques and we love to specialize in performance-based learning.
Training for Writers
Many of CVDAA's productions are developed and written by the students in collaboration with an instructor. This creates
opportunities for young writers to grow in their craft. Students are encouraged to write and when they do they have the opportunity
to see the result of their work realized in performances. All students in our programs are encouraged
to think about their work from the writer's perspective and to approach performance creatively and collaboratively.
Training for Designers
Each production is built from the ground up, so we encourage our participants to get involved with the technical side of
performance. In the past our students have designed and operated the lighting, the sound, the set, and even the costumes.
Training for Directors
CVDAA exists to encourage artistic theatrical expression by young people. With that in mind, we have sponsored many student
directed and produced pieces. We desire to create an environment that facilitates the artist. Many of our former participants have
come back to direct and perform their own shows!
Who Is CVDAA?
Michael Lushington
A long time ago, Mr. Lushington worked as an actor and director in New York City. He has an MFA in directing from Brooklyn College and has been an
editor for the International Bibliography of Theatre. Since 2003 Mr. Lushington has been running theatre programs for young people in Castro Valley. He
has developed over 20 original plays including one published work, "I'm Alright" and a collaborative work, "No Harm, No Foul" (about a high school
lockdown) with award winning playwright, Gino DiIorio.
Chris Hixon
Chris Hixon is the Drama teacher at Canyon Middle School. Before he decided to become a teacher he worked professionally as an actor for 15 years, in
Pittsburgh, Detroit, Stockton, Seattle, San Diego, and Oregon. He has written, directed, and acted in his own production company along with his wife. He
has been involved with CVDAA for 4 years.
Laurie Brown (Choreographer/Movement Instructor and Development Director for CVDAA) Laurie earned an M.F.A. in Dance from Connecticut
College and a B.A. in Dramatic Art from U.C. Berkeley. She taught dance and movement for actors in the professional training programs at the University
of North Carolina, Penn State, Carnegie-Mellon, and Cal State Fresno. She has also had extensive experience as a choreographer/dancer/actor in
professional theatre, working with the PlayMaker’s Rep (N.C.), the Alcazar Theatre (San Francisco), and the Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mass.)
among others. Laurie also has 16 years of teaching experience in California Public Schools and has raised two lovely daughters.
CVDAA is an equal opportunity organization:
Castro Valley Dramatic Arts Academy is an equal opportunity institution with respect to both education and employment. CVDAA does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or handicap in admission, or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities as
required by federal (Title VI, Title IX, Section 504) and state laws and regulations.
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