Dear Evan Hansen

Joey Dippel (Director) is a director, choreographer, educator, and producer who believes in the power of musical theatre to grow artists, build community, and shape excellent human beings. 

He got his start at CMT San Jose at the age of six — performing in shows, attending summer camps, and rising through the ranks of the organization. A proud graduate of Archbishop Mitty High School, Joey went on to earn his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he directed and choreographed Mainstage productions including Little Shop of Horrors,  Street Scene,  Into a Lamplit Room, and his graduating class’s New York City showcase. He also self-produced original choreographic work and was honored with the Lehman Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre Dance. 

After college, Joey was based in New York City, where he worked as a performer, teaching artist, and creative producer. His professional performance credits include regional work at Starlight Theatre (Kansas City), Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Bucks County Playhouse, Weston Theatre Company, and the Nashville Symphony. As a choreographer, his work has been seen at Little Theatre on the Square, Broadway Dreams Foundation, New York Theatre Barn, and Musical Theatre Factory. He also created ”Combo & a Cocktail” — a dance class meets night-out series aimed at making movement and video footage more accessible and fun. 

Now based in the Bay Area, Joey serves as Donor Relations Manager at CMT San Jose, while continuing to direct, choreograph, and teach across the region. Recent credits include Annie,  School of Rock (Palo Alto Players), The Wizard of Oz, The Lightning Thief  (CMT San Jose). 

Thanks to Kikau for the opportunity and trust, and to Lauren for being the kind of collaborator (and friend) every director hopes for.  Joey is honored to be directing Dear Evan Hansen at the place where his love of theatre began. 

Lauren F Bevilacqua (She/Her) is a Bay Area native from Gilroy. She earned a Bachelor’s in Music, Music Therapy from Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts and a Master’s of Music, Music Therapy from Colorado State University. She became a board certified music therapist through the Certification Board for Music Therapists, Inc. in 2010 and worked as a music therapist serving mainly autistic students throughout the Bay Area. For the last ten years, she has been a part of the Performing Arts faculty at Archbishop Mitty High School and is the director of their liturgical rock band, Exodus. When not in rehearsal, “Ms. B” is also the Dean of Students, a role in which she cares deeply about mental health, student growth, and community well-being. In addition to her work as a music therapist and educator, Lauren has served as music director for children’s and professional theater companies including Palo Alto Players, The Tabard Theatre, San Jose Stage Company, Los Altos Stage, and West Valley Youth Theater. Her first paying gig as an orchestra pit musician was with a CMTSJ production back in 2005. Twenty years later, she is thrilled to be at the piano to tackle and care for a great score and powerful story.