Susan K. Berkompas Producing Artistic Director / Founder
Susan has been a producing artistic director since 1998 and is the Department Chair of the Vanguard University theatre arts program. She received her B.F.A. in acting/directing from the University of Montana and her M.F.A. in acting/directing from the California Repertory Company. She has studied Shakespeare in Oxford with the British American Drama Academy where she worked with renowned Shakespeare teacher and scholar, John Barton.
Susan is an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and AFTRA. She is the recipiant of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival "Excellence in Education" award and the Gold Medallion Award, and she is also an alumnus of Directors Lab West.
She has directed plays such as: The Glass Menagerie; Othello (The Daily Pilot's top college pick for 2006); The Boys Next Door; Macbeth; A Midsummer Night's Dream; Charley's Aunt; and Pump Boys and Dinettes. Her favorite roles are: Velma Kelly (Chicago); Frau Schneider (Cabaret); Eleanor (Lion in Winter); Desdemona (Othello); Queen Elizabeth (Richard III); Queen Hecuba (Agamemnon); The Witch (Into the Woods); Mona (Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean); and Blanche (A Streetcar Named Desire).
Paul Eggington Scenic Designer/Ensemble Paul's credits include The Rivals with Marion Ross and Too True To Be Good with Kelsey Grammar. He recently played Nigel Harrison in the upcoming TV series Fashion House as well as the role of Iago on the Lyceum Stage for Vanguard University. Paul is a full-time staff/faculty member at Vanguard University in the Theater Arts Department where he is also the scenic designer and technical director.
Vanda Eggington Founding Member/Director
Vanda was on staff at Lamb's Players Theatre in San Diego for the past 25 years as a performer and the resident Musical Director. She has written numerous arrangements and original compositions for a variety of productions. She is co-creator of the critically acclaimed hit shows Boomers and American Rhythm, two of San Diego's longest running musicals.
She has directed The Secret Garden, She Loves Me, Godspell, and Tintypes and has performed in Boomers, Smoke on the Mountain and Godspell. Vanda is a graduate of California Lutheran University and the Sherwood Music Academy.
She is also an adjunct professor at Vanguard University where she directs and teaches musical theatre. Vanda has directed the Orange County premieres, Oklahoma Riggs and Cleopatra's Wake, both written by David McFadzean who is the co-creator of ABC's Home Improvement.
Lia M. Hansen Costume Designer
Lia Hansen has been active in the Orange County theatre scene for over 20 years. She has designed operas, musicals, and straight plays for such local venues as the Newport Theatre Arts Center, the Harlequin Dinner Theater, Orange Coast College, Golden West College, Vanguard University, and consulted for other educational institutions.
Lia received her M.F.A. from San Diego State University. She has designed for the Old Towne Opera House in San Diego and assisted in preparing the costume exhibit “An Elegant Art” at LACMA. Lia's most recent designs have been seen on the Lyceum Stage including: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; The Glass Menagerie; Othello; Saint Joan; Side By Side By Sondheim; Macbeth; Three Sisters and Into The Woods to name a few.
Marianne Savell Founding Member
Marianne was Producing Director of Actors Co-op theatre company in Hollywood from 2002 to 2005. Her professional directing credits include: Gulf View Drive; Someone Who'll Watch Over Me; Angel Street, Translations; As It Is In Heaven; It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play; God & Shakespeare; and Molly Sweeny. Her professional acting credits include: The Seagull; The Voice of the Prairie; The Hasty Heart; As You Like It; All My Sons; Uncle Vanya; Twelfth Night; Bullshot Crummond; and Henry V. She received her MFA in Acting at the Professional Actor Training Program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and also studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Marianne is an adjunct professor at Vanguard University where she directed the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival regional finalists The Lion In Winter and As It Is In Heaven. She is an alumnus and participant in the Lincoln Center Directors Lab West and is an associate artist with Taproot Theatre Company. She is also on the advisory Board of Provision Theater Company in Chicago.
Deborah
is a classically trained actor, director, and choreographer. Acting credits include her role is Boys Chase Girls as Karen,Viola inTwelfth Night, Helena in Midsummer Night's Dream, Raina in Arms and the Man, Sabrina in Skin of Our Teeth, and Juliet inRomeo and Juliet. Deb has also written a book titled The Bard in Brief on teaching and directing Shakespeare.Thank you Bean, Boo, and Belle, lovies!
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