Our Staff

Kyle Vasquez - Artistic Director/CEO

Kyle is the proud founder and Artistic Director of Renegade Theater Co.! Kyle has been performing theater since the age of three, directing since age 16 and has worked extensively in many theater realms including costume design, stage makeup, stage managing, prop fabrication and more. She is deeply passionate about the performing arts and is specifically dedicated to building systems that prioritize mental health within the often stressful art form that is theater.

Kyle has been working with children for over twenty years in a wide variety of formats including: Art teacher, nature educator, dance instructor and mindfulness instructor. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education with specialization certificates in Anti-Bias Education, Literacy Development, Working with Children with Special Needs & Curriculum Development. Kyle is also the Owner/Director of Seven Directions Creative Learning Center which regularly partners with Renegade, offering acting classes and artistic collaboration on many levels.

Ana Bogren - Production Manager/ Director

Ana grew up in Santa Cruz doing local theatre, choir, and dance. She has been involved with theatre since she was five years old, and performed and worked for theatre companies all over Santa Cruz including West Performing Arts, All About Theatre, Cabrillo Stage, and Mountain Community Theatre. She was most recently seen onstage in MCT's production of Something Rotten! as Bea Bottom.

Ana has extensive vocal training from voice teachers Stephanie Raugust, Laura Lorber, Lori Rivera, and has performed with the Central Coast Honor Choir (2016). Ana's specific theatre interest is in musical theatre and vocal performance. Ana is passionate about bringing unique and extraordinary theatre for young performers and adults to the community, and is ecstatic to be part of Renegade Theater Co.'s legacy!

Mara Frey - Choreographer

A native to Santa Cruz, Mara Frey grew up dancing and taking classes of all styles around town. At age 6 she started with tap and ballet until she found Synergy Studios at age 11 and began to train with Joy Smith in Hip Hop and Street Jazz. Mara found her love for choreography during her involvement with Harbor High's dance team, Escapades.

She began to focus more on contemporary jazz and choreographed several numbers for the team. Today she continues her involvement in dance over at Motion Pacific taking either Hip Hop or Contemporary Jazz. She currently lives in Santa Cruz with her husband Chris and their 2 year old son James.

Jorge Torrez - Music Director

Jorge Torrez grew up in Salinas where he attended Salinas High School. After graduating, he studied Choral Directing and Vocal Performance under Cheryl Anderson at Cabrillo College. He graduated from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music with a bachelor of music in Vocal Performance where he specialized in Baroque and Classical performance.

He is currently the director of choral activities at both Soquel High School and Santa Cruz High School where he directs the Jazz Singers, Mixed Chorus, Concert Choirs and Mariachi Ensemble. He has music directed Seussical and Little Shop of Horrors for Harbor/Soquel High, Mean Girls for Santa Cruz High, and Be More Chill for Renegade Theatre Co.

Scottie Tsubota - Director

Scottie is an actor and educator born and raised in the East Bay Area with experience in both for over a decade. He began his involvement in theater in middle school as a squirrel in Willy Wonka Jr and hasn't looked back since.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater from Southern Oregon University and a Master of Arts in Theater from UC Santa Cruz.His area of study includes: Musical Theater, Children's Theater, Shakespeare, and conservatory-based Acting, Voice, and Movement. Scottie is currently a one-to-one behavioral and medical aide at Westlake Elementary School, passionate about working with students of all ages.

Jessalynn Levine - Musical Director

Jessalynn is a vocal performer and choral music educator from Houston, TX. She received her bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Houston in 2015 where she performed roles in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Menotti's The Consul, and Offenbach's Tales of Hoffman. Jessalynn served as a choir director for five years at Spring High School in Spring, TX, where she was the music director for the school's annual musicals.

In 2022, Jessalynn received her masters degree in choral conducting from San José State University, after which she conducted the choirs and the vocal jazz ensemble at Las Positas College in Livermore. She is now serving as the choir director at Aptos High School and Aptos Junior High School. Jessalynn also co-directs the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ (Trans, Intersex, and Genderqueer) Chorus in San Francisco and sings in 21V, a treble choir of professional singers.

Kira Lanoue - Director

Kira is an awctor and educator from San Francisco. Theater and the arts that go with it have always brought her joy. She has a passion for Shakespeare, Special Education, and trying new things! Kira received her BFA in Theater from Southern Oregon University in 2021 and is currently working to get her MA in Special Education while also employed as a paraeducator in Santa Cruz.

Her passion for Shakespeare and theater started at age 7, when she was enrolled in a Shakespeare summer camp near her house. Her love of teaching began when she was old enough to teach at the very same summer camp as a Teaching Artist.

Star Weisner - Choreographer

Star grew up dancing at Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center for 13 years. They were trained in many styles but their favorites include Modern, Ballet, Contemporary and Hip Hop.

Star continues their dance training and is currently attending San Diego State University with a major in dance. Learning new styles such as Dancemaking, Musical Theatre Dance, West African, Pedagogy, Horton Technique, Breaking, and more! Star is thrilled to be back choreographing for musicals after choreographing Into the Woods in 2022.

Kara Dorsey - Mental Health Consultant

Kara is currently a registered and practicing associate therapist, but prior to that spent nearly a decade working with/teaching children and teens in various capacities. She taught theatre for 8 years, working on all aspects from directing, stage managing, makeup/costumes, and vocal coaching. She performed in her early childhood all the way up until the collegiate level, stopping to continue pursuing her masters in Clinical Counseling. Kara is thrilled to be involved with Seven Directions' wonderful staff and the incredible community that has been created.