About Us

About Us

ALEJANDRA FLORES

I studied acting and theatre with some of
the best teachers/directors in Mexico
City . I graduated from the Conservatory
of Theatre of the National University of
Mexico. I have lived in California for 20
years and I’m interested in establishing
in my own community a theatre group that
will perform continuously. My
understanding is that actors and
directors that love this art form are the
ones that have the duty to carry on this
wonderful art. Theatre in this city is
mainly used to showcase actors for film,
when it should be an essential part of our
lives. Members of the Academy should
be able to take classes, create their own
pieces, and perform them for their
friends and family. Art is key to creating a
healthy and peaceful society.

LA THEATRE ACADEMY

MEET SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

AZALIA CORREA

She was born in México.
She earned her degrees
at Instituto Arte Escénico
(acting), the Nacional
Autonomous University of
México (directing) and
Theatre of Arts TOA
(performing arts),
Hollywood; alongside
teachers like Oscar
Ledesma, Jorge Acosta,
Luis Tavira, Ludwik
Margules, José Luis
Ibáñez, Lech Gorzynski-
Hellwig, to name a few..
Her jobs on screen as a
TV host include "¿Cómo
hacer excursionismo?"
and "Te Toca". Several
soap operas including
"Los años perdidos” and
“La última esperanza”. On
stage she has performed
in more than 30 plays like
"Lubidulia", "El Quijote de
la Mancha " and "Salon
Mexico”. Today, in
addition to theater and
television, she applies her
skills as a makeup artist,
costume designer,
choreographer, floor
manager, voice over (e.g.,
Desperate Housewives,
Grey’s Anatomy). She has
been teaching for over 20
years, hoping to pass
along her passion to
others.

BRADY DANDINO
is a talented
singer/songwriter who
was born and raised in
Toledo, OH, He studied
Musical Theater at Kent
State University and
received his BA of
Performing Arts from
The University Of
Toledo. His background
in live performance
gives him the tools to
provide exciting and
excellent instruction for
aspiring performers.
Brady is also the
Musical Director for The
Science Of Mind
Spiritual Center of Los
Angeles and an active
performing artist.

Charles "Chuck"
Maa

graduated Chapman
University with a BFA in
dance. Chuck has been
active with his dance
crew (Instant Noodles) in
the Bboy (Break
dancing) community for
over 7 years. The past 3
years Chuck has been
pursuing his dance
career in Hollywood,
being represented by
DDO artist agency. His
work ranges from music
videos and television
commercials to stage
shows and competitions.

TED OWENS

Artist and musician.
Award winning
watercolorist and
instructor for more
than 30 years. A third
generation artist,Ted
started painting at the
age of 7, later creating
and designing CD
artwork, packaging for
a national food
product as well as
artwork on print.

ALEJANDRA FLORES has appeared in almost 40
theatrical productions, mostly in lead roles. She has
worked with the Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper
Forum, Cornerstone Theatre Company, Bilingual
Foundation of the Arts and Cal State University to name a
few. She received a Drama –Logue Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Theater and a Cesar Award for supporting
actress. Her most important film credits include: Friends
with Money, Fun with Dick and Jane, El Salvador and A
Walk in the Clouds. Her television credits include 24, ER,
Nip/Tuck, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Brothers
and Sisters, The Shield, Justice, Summerland, The
Guardian and a recurring role in The Bold and the
Beautiful on CBS (2002-2004). Alejandra has directed
many major theatrical productions such as the Christmas
play Too Many Tamales for The Bilingual Foundation of
the Arts (11 consecutive years). Blood Wedding for Cal
State LA and Aguila Real at Occidental College. Alejandra
also hosted and produced the Community Affairs show
Foro 22 on KWHY-TV, a show that ran for 12 years. She
has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Conservatory of
Theatre (CUT) at the National University of Mexico, UNAM.
Alejandra is proud to be the recipient of the Artist-in-
Residence (AIR) Program and the prestigious City of Los
Angeles (COLA) Individual Artist Fellowship grant from the
Department of Cultural Affairs 2008-2009. She is the
founder of The Los Angeles Theatre Academy, a non profit
theatrical / educational organization for all ages.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Our core focus is to facilitate a multilingual exchange between
the various cultures, economies and ethnicities of the Los
Angeles River Basin.

Our programs provide opportunities for cross-generational artist
exchange that transcends cultural boundaries and comparatively
explores the histories that connect a complex modern world. We
are committed to realizing self-generated productions and
facilitating guest artist workshops that promote excellence in the
fields of acting, directing, design, music, painting, photography
and creative writing.

We are interested in promoting artistic research into the areas of
shared history and common ground between cultural traditions
and mythologies. Our programs provide training and exposure to
artistic craft for students of all ages while generating
productions that address the contemporary, historical and
pre-historical nature of the community we serve.

Past programming has included research into the myths and
legends of Los Angeles residents by comparing the mythologies
of the Asian-American community and those of the Aztec people.
Other programs have documented and presented the history of
the Tongva people who were the original inhabitants of the Los
Angeles River Basin and once lived in our communities.

Current projects include a research project and theatrical
presentation of the stories and events concerning the internment
of Japanese Americans from Los Angeles who were relocated to
the concentration camp of Manzanar, California. The project is
produced in cooperation with Solano Ave School and the
Manzanar National Historic Site and features research conducted
by students in Los Angeles and at the actual site of the camp
itself.

Jessen Noviello

Jessen began his martial
arts training at the age of
six. He has dedicated his
life to this art form. Jessen
has six different black belts
and his highest rank is a
master rank of fifth degree
in Karate. In 2004 Jessen
graduated from the
University of North Carolina
at Wilmington with a BA in
theater and right after
graduation moved to Los
Angeles. Currently, he is
working as a stunt artist for
film and TV. He is very
excited to be back teaching
at the LA Theater program
for a second year! "I hope
some of my kids from last
year will be back and look
forward to meeting the new
ones!"

CARLOS BROWN

is an award winning wardrobe designer. Mr Brown has worked in many major
motion picture films, TV series and commercials. He also has extensive
credits and awards in theatre. .
He received an "Ariel" (Mexico's version of the "Oscar") for the movie "Like
Water for Chocolate" . He just finished the 2011 season of Law & Order LA.
Welcome back Charlie!