Staff

In his 29th season as Artistic Director at CMT, Kevin has led the nation’s premier theater company for youth in taking on increasingly challenging and professional-quality productions. His innovative approach to productions includes incorporating modern techniques and technology, culminating in recognition of artistic excellence from the National Endowment for the Arts in the form of ten grants. Kevin was an Honorable Mention for the 2016 Tony Award for Excellence in Theatre Education, an honor given to only twenty educators throughout the entire nation. A recipient of the prestigious Lin Wright Special Recognition Award by the American Alliance for Theater and Education, he’s been the guest speaker at the International Association of Theater Educators Conference in Washington D.C., and the Education and Technology conference in New York City. Kevin has collaborated on productions in a variety of venues all over the world. He’s staged ice shows, magic shows, musical revues, industrial shows, corporate parties, television specials and book musicals for a variety of companies, including Tropworld (Atlantic City), Harrah’s (Reno), Six Flags Parks (nationwide), and Royal Viking Cruise Lines (worldwide). Some of the unique productions Kevin has worked on include You’re in the Movies (MGM Grand) in Las Vegas, World of Wonders (Everland) in Seoul, South Korea, and a special Easter Celebration (The White House) in Washington D.C. Kevin has appeared several times as a guest artist with the San Jose Symphony, and has served on the Exhibits Committee at the Tech Museum of Innovation.

Dana is a CMT San Jose alumna and is thrilled to be back in the CMT family. As Managing Director she brings with her more than fifteen years of theatrical management and marketing experience.

Previous clients include the Broadway touring production of Wicked, Disney Theatrical Productions (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aida), Broadway touring productions of Hairspray and Contact, The Roundabout Theatre Company, and the Vineyard Theatre. She also served as Marketing Director for CMT from 2003 to 2005.

Dana holds a BA in Communications from University of California, San Diego and an MFA in Theater Management from Brooklyn College.

Lakshmi Parige has been working with CMT San Jose since September of 2008. She has over ten years of experience working with nonprofit organizations.

Lakshmi holds a Master’s degree in Commerce and has a strong background in office management. As the Finance Director of the organization, Lakshmi is in charge of Financial Operations and Human Resources of CMT San Jose.

Morgan is excited to be joining the CMT family!  An award-winning educator with a decade of experience in theatre and dance education–Morgan is very passionate about arts education and loves working with students of all ages. Morgan holds an MFA in Musical Theatre Acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and most recently was the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre and Acting at MSU Texas. Morgan is a trained intimacy choreographer and works to empower student artists in rehearsal spaces. Morgan also started the drama and dance programs at Eastside College Preparatory School in 2013.  She is super excited to be back in the Bay! Favorite directing and choreography projects include Nelly Don the Musical at the Crown Center in Kansas City, My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening, Peter and the Starcatcher, and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. As an actor, Morgan has played Rita in White Christmas at CMTSJ, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Morticia in The Addams Family, rambled about butterflies as April in Company at SF Playhouse, and learned American Sign Language (ASL) to play Sylvia in Tribes. Morgan performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC as Circe in The Odyssey in 2013.  Keep up with her adventures at www.morgandayley.com.

Joel obtained a BFA from the University of Wyoming.

After college he worked at TheaterWorks in Palo Alto for five years and then made the transition to CMT San Jose. He greatly enjoys his colleagues and his work. In his off time he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Jack Bloome started at CMT in 2011 as The Cat In the Hat in Seussical after relocating from south Florida. Throughout his time at CMT, Jack participated in over 30 productions throughout Rising Stars, Mainstage, and Marquee including American Idiot, Rent, and Hairspray. After the 2019 production of Legally Blonde, Jack relocated to finish school and lived all over the country including Pittsburgh, Orlando, and Los Angeles. Last year while participating in the Studio 54 gala the opportunity arose for him to return to CMT to participate in Kinky Boots as Charlie Price. Throughout the time being back in the Bay Area, Jack realized how much he missed being home, both at CMT and in the Bay. When the marketing role opened up at CMT he knew it was the perfect opportunity. Jack is so grateful to be back home and be participating in CMT shows as well whether it be performing in Marquee or assistant directing. 

Joey Dippel started his journey with CMT at six years old, when he stopped the 1998 production of Cinderella with his one line (or at least, that’s how he remembers it). During his childhood, Joey participated in over thirty CMT productions, has worn many hats for CMT’s Summer Camp, and has been on eight creative teams for shows like Cats, The Who’s Tommy, The Lightning Thief, and The Wizard of Oz. After graduating from Archbishop Mitty High School, Joey earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from the prestigious University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, where he choreographed the college’s productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Street Scene, and Into A Lamplit Room, in addition to producing original works and benefit concerts. Joey has spent the majority of the last decade based in New York City, working professionally as a performer, educator, and choreographer at such places like Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, Alabama Shakespeare Company, Pioneer Theatre Company, Weston Playhouse, Bucks County Playhouse, and the Nashville Symphony. On his pursuit towards artistic leadership, Joey is fortunate enough to return home as CMT’s Donor Relations Manager, where he gets to become re-immersed in the community and advocate for an organization that has aided him in being the individual that he is today.

Ryan is a So Cal Native with an extensive background in Musical Theatre. He is so excited to be joining the CMT family!

He got his start at a young age in Bill Edwards ‘On Stage Kids’ with Dance Instructor and Choreographer Patsy Swayze. He continued his education in dance and theatre at Santa Susana Performing Arts Magnet HS where he developed his passion for Choreography, Lighting Design and Leadership. He went on to Moorpark College where he majored in Dance. He received the Jennifer k. Prouty scholarship as well as the TANE award for Outstanding Student-Dance-Choreographer from Moorpark College Dance Department. While at Moorpark he took on leadership roles as President of the Dance Club and Student Producer for their Summer Dance Concerts ‘Undressed’.

Ryan worked for the Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts and Third Street Theatre as a Director, Choreographer, Lighting Designer and Technical Director from 2007-2015. He then went on to pursue his passion on stage and spent a few years performing professionally as well as making magic down Main Street! Ryan worked as a Box Office assistant for Pomona College and is thrilled to be continuing his work in the Box Office at CMT!

He looks forward to meeting everyone at the window and helping you have a wonderful theatre experience!

Originally from St. Louis—Sean joined CMT in November 2016 as the Philanthropic Engagement Manager. His favorite part of the job is meeting new people and hearing their stories.

Prior to this position he worked with several other arts organizations, including Opera Theatre St. Louis, St. Louis Black Repertory, California Repertory and the Arts Council for Long Beach.

Sean holds a BA in Theatre and a BS in Business Management from St. Louis University, and an MBA/MFA in Theatre Management from California State University—Long Beach.

Emily Pennington is thrilled to be a part of the CMT family. Her loves of theater started when she was in her first play at 6 years old and has never stopped. She earned her BA in Theater Arts, emphasis in Directing and Acting, from SJSU.

She has been working at varies theater companies around the South Bay ever since (including AMTSJ, TSJ Ticketing, Starting Arts, Silicon Valley Shakespeare).  She also directs and choreographs for Children’s Playhouse and Playful People Productions and recently help start an after- school theater program at her children’s school.