Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

In his 24th 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.

Claire Alexander grew up dancing at her mother’s studio in southern California. After moving north to attend SJSU and receiving her BA in modern dance, she began teaching and choreographing for many Bay Area studios and schools. Claire fell in love with musical theater shortly after college when she had the opportunity to perform in\Hairspray\(2010) with CMT Marquee Productions; she’s directed, choreographed and performed in many CMT shows since. It’s here that Claire has met some of her dearest friends and collaborators. She loves that CMT feels like a second home, and enjoys working and making connections with all of the families involved. She has attended the National Dance Institute’s teacher training program, and continues to find opportunities to further her education and training in dance and theater. When she’s not choreographing, Claire is a full-time real estate agent with Keller Williams and loves to help people achieve their home buying and selling goals. She’s an active leader in the San Jose arts community, and is a graduate of the San Jose Leadership Council’s Community Leadership Program.

Mason Kimont is a long-time bay area resident, having grown up in San Jose, and is a graduate of San Jose State University. At SJSU, Mason was an active member of the Orchestra, Concert Choir, and the Choraliers, and was honored to study conducting with Dr. Charlene Archibeque. Mason began his life at CMTSJ at the age of 16 as a rehearsal accompanist, and after much prodding from friends decided to leap from the pit to the stage. Favorite roles include Nicely Nicely (Guys and Dolls), Rocky (Damn Yankees), and Sir Robin in the 2014 Marquee production of Spamalot. Vocal and Musical Directing collaborations at CMTSJ include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Who’s Tommy, West Side Story, Sideshow, Spamalot, and the non-equity West Coast premieres of Aida and Miss Saigon. Mason has also worked with many local theater companies including TheatreWorks, City Lights, and San Jose Stage. In the fall of 1999, Mason was hired at Archbishop Mitty and became the Director of Performing Arts in 2002. Under his leadership, the Department of Performing Arts grew from one Concert Band and one Jazz Band into five different instrumental groups, three choirs, three levels of dance, four drama classes and an AP Music Theory class. For fifteen years, “Mr. K” was proud to oversee what many consider to be the top performing arts department in the Bay, having been recognized both locally and nationally in all disciplines. In the spring of 2017, Mason was recognized by the National Youth Arts Organization with an Outstanding Direction Award for his work on Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, a show that was also recognized with an Outstanding Production Award. Previously, Mason also received San Jose Stage Top Honors for Musical Direction in 2013 (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and in 2010 (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Mason’s true pride and joy reside with his beautiful family – wonderful wife, Sharon; thoroughly entertaining twelve-year-old Riley; and the little “peanut” of the family, ten-year-old Ainsley.

Amie Jan graduated from Rice University with a Computer Science degree, and briefly worked as a software programmer and IT consultant before she decided that she simply needed to have more music in her life! She moved to California, and began her second undergraduate degree at San Jose State University, double majoring in Violin Performance and Music Education, subsequently earning her teaching credential in Music. In her spare time, Amie performed as a freelance violinist/violist all over the Bay Area, which led her to discover another passion: musical theater. Since moving to California in 2003, she has played in over fifty pit orchestras all over the Bay Area, and has musical directed over fifty more – most of them here at CMTSJ. Amie is currently Orchestra Director at Lincoln HS, and is also a certified Suzuki violin instructor with a small private studio of young violinists and violists. Among her exciting gigs as a freelance musician, Amie has performed in concerts with Josh Groban, Kanye West, and Smokey Robinson.