Be APA

Andrea Taylor

Interim Special Programs Administrator

A native of Huntington Beach, Andrea has returned to her community to share her knowledge and love of the arts with others. After leaving Orange County, Andrea entered the dance program at the California Institute for the Arts where she received her BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography. After completing her BFA, she was accepted into the MFA program at UCLA as a student, performer, and instructor. Following UCLA, Andrea taught at El Camino College, Long Beach City College, Chapman University, and Cypress College as well as local community institutions such as Golden West College, Fountain Valley High School, and the Southland Ballet Academy. In 2018, Andrea received her Administrative Credential in Education from CSULB, in 2019 she was awarded the “Outstanding Arts Achievement” Award in Education from the Allied Arts Board, and in 2020 was selected as the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Teacher of the Year.

Jenny McClintock

Interim APA Artistic Director & Acting Director

Jenny McClintock has been singing, dancing, and acting since the age of three, with many of her early performances taking place in the HBUHSD Auditorium with the Southland Ballet Academy and Fountain Valley High School Choir. Ms. McClintock earned a BFA in Theater Performance from Chapman University, where she graduated with honors. Following graduation, she pursued an acting career in Hollywood with roles on General Hospital, Nickelodeon's Victorious, and a short film that won top honors at the LA Comedy Shorts festival. While in Los Angeles, Ms. McClintock trained with acclaimed master teacher Ivana Chubbuck. Using the Chubbuck Technique, she began teaching private acting lessons, which led to the formation of a children’s theater in South Orange County with friends. It was during the next eleven years that she honed her skills as a teacher and developed a passion for educational theater. Ms. McClintock returned to school to earn her teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton. She currently resides in Seal Beach with her family and is a mother of three.

Susan West

Supervisor, APA Council Advisor

Susan West excels in business but has also studied comedy/improv at UCLA and performed with OCC’s Original Broadway cast and an assortment of bands. Before coming to APA, Susan was the National Alternative Marketing Manager for Capitol Records. Susan was the HBUHSD 2011-2012 Classified Employee of the Year and was honored to be a part of the HBUHSD leadership program. Susan also serves as the staff adviser for the APA Student Council.

Christina Biardi

Special Projects Technician

Christina holds a BS in business from California State University of Long Beach with an international marketing emphasis. She has been part of the theatre world since her children began performing at a young age, both in the management sphere and backstage. Christina was also familiar with the education system as a records clerk for the Garden Grove school district on several elementary campuses. She volunteered for APA while her daughter attended and was then hired into the costume department. From there she gained her current position in the APA office.

April Sharp

Public Relations and Audience Building

People have often described April as a "constant creator" since the age of 2 when she first received instruction in drawing and painting from her mother, Ginny. Her favorite art forms are acrylic painting along with mixed-medium sculpture and she has a passion for scenic design. Graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from California Lutheran University, her academic focus encompassed History of Art and Fine Art. After working for years as a marketing-graphic designer in the real estate/restaurant sectors, April decided to also utilize her skills to help spread the word about APA's excellent opportunities. She enjoys assisting students in exploring and refining their artistic abilities to truly flourish as artists. Along with serving as the Public Relations and Audience Building representative in the APA Office, you will also find her in the MMET Building coordinating projects and film festivals alongside the MEDIA Students. April, accompanied by her husband Quinten, is a proud parent to two sons who are graduates of APA and actively engaged in the Film Industry.

Jacob Menke

Dramatic Production Artist Teacher

Jacob Menke is a director, playwright, and sound designer working throughout Southern California. He is a graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater Film and Television. Jacob has designed numerous stage productions, podcasts, and radio plays for a variety of companies and institutions throughout California. Over the years, he has directed several shows at APA, most recently the 2021 Dinner Theater Fundraiser, “Play On!” He has been the playwriting artist teacher in APA’s Dramatic Production department since 2020 and is a proud alumnus of APA’s Acting and Dramatic Production programs.

Rhonda Choat

Costume Design Faculty

Rhonda found her love for sewing in middle school. Her passion evolved into the creation of a successful custom costume company that has costumed thousands of performers in Southern California and across the country. Rhonda has built costumes for productions of Shrek, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Wicked, Hamilton, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oklahoma and many, many more. She also is the costume designer for several local dance studios and sends hundreds of costumes into competition yearly. Rhonda has also taught performing arts at high schools across Southern California and is currently the colorguard director here at Huntington Beach HS, and led the team to a Gold Medal win.

Josh Behrens

Auditorium Director

Josh Behrens specializes in lighting design and audio engineering, and actively works in the entertainment industry throughout Southern California. Josh holds a CTE Credential in Arts, Media and Entertainment, and earned an Associates' Degree in Mathematics from Golden West College. Mr. Behrens is an HB APA alumnus who graduated from the Technical Theatre Department in 2016. He has worked as the APA Studio Theater Technical Director for over five years, and will now enter his first year as APA Auditorium Technician. Mr. Behrens is currently completing his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Management from Arizona State University. He is thrilled to succeed Joe Batte as Auditorium Technician and is excited to continue educating APA’s Technical Theatre students.

Chris Henderson

Auditorium Director

Brande Dunn

Ballet Ensemble Director

Brande attended UCLA where she earned a BA in French and dance, followed by an MA in education from UCI. She studied at Boston Ballet and Le Centre de Danse du Marais in Paris, France, and was a soloist for Festival Ballet Theatre. Brande is the director of APA’s Ballet Ensemble.

Christy Hernandez

Tap Ensemble Director

Christy is a graduate of San Jose State University with a BA in creative arts and dance. Christy danced professionally with Rhapsody in Taps and Jazz Tap Ensemble MCOT series. She founded Sound Effects/Collision, APA’s Tap Ensemble and is the producer of Northern California Tap Workshop and the Rhythm on Tap Performance Series.

Marie Hoffman

Company Ensemble Director

Marie holds a BFA in dance from Radford University and an MFA in choreography and performance from University of North Carolina. Marie is an accomplished choreographer with national and international accolades, including the grand prize in the Palm Desert and New Prague dance festivals. She is founder of the Accidental Dance Company, the ENCORE Dance Company and APA’s Repertory Dance Ensemble. In 2013 she was named a Distinguished Educator in Dance by the Orange County Department of Education.

Claire Zabaneh

Jazz Ensemble Director

Claire Zabaneh comes to APA after instructing dance at El Modena High School in Orange Unified School District. Claire has earned a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University, and holds a master’s degree and physical education credential from National University. Claire has additionally earned a certification in Career Technical Education through the Orange County Department of Education, where she taught dance, choreographed performances, and organized booster clubs. With an extensive background in ballet, Claire provides her students with a foundational dance education while utilizing a wide range of industry and teaching experience. As a company member of Akomi Dance, she has performed in numerous collectives, festivals, and invitationals throughout Southern California. She has also danced professionally with the Anaheim Ballet at LA Fashion Week, MUSEO, Downtown Disney, and the Grove.

Jennifer Simpson-Matthews

Musical Theatre Artist Teacher

Jennifer holds a BA from Dominguez Hills and an MA from Walden University. In addition to her assignment at APA, Jennifer is also a teacher in the ABC School District. A former child actress and Disney performer, Jennifer is an accomplished musical theatre choreographer with credits in New York and California.