Staff

This marks Kevin’s 30th Anniversary as Artistic Director at CMT. Under his leadership, 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.

Season 57 marks Dana’s 10th year as Managing Director of CMT. Under her leadership alongside Kevin Hauge, Dana proudly led a successful capital campaign which allowed the organization to renovate and open its first state-of-the-art Creative Arts Center in 2021 to serve its community for years to come.

Dana is a proud alumna of the organization and has had a rewarding career in the arts. Prior to becoming Managing Director in 2016, Dana spent over 15 years in theatrical management and broadway marketing.

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. She has participated in a leadership forum through Georgetown University and serves on the Board of Directors for Team San Jose.

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.

Hilary is thrilled to be at CMT. She had the pleasure of directing Freaky Friday and Sound of Music with CMT and loves teaching classes with all these amazingly talented young artists. A graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory/University, she holds a B.F.A. in Theatre for Youth with a minor in Voice. Hilary started her directing career at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida and Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Florida. She has helped theatres all over the country with building their theatre curriculum and education programs. Hilary moved to California to tour with CTC and has since worked with various theatres in the Bay Area as an actress, director, and teaching artist. When not found in the theatre she’s mom to two amazing kiddos Brooks & Hadley. 

Joel earned a BFA from the University of Wyoming and launched his career as a Scenic Carpenter and Assistant Technical Director at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In 2006, he joined Children’s Musical Theater San Jose, where he spent over a decade as Technical Director before taking on the role of Production Manager in 2022. Today, he expertly oversees the production of 11 shows a year, along with a variety of special events, ensuring each performance shines. Joel’s dedication to the craft and his team is evident in every project he undertakes. Outside the theater, he enjoys quality time with his wife and their two teenage children, who are often found onstage at CMTSJ, continuing the family’s passion for the arts.

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.