Our Team

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Michael Lopez

Artistic Director

Michael Lopez

Artistic Director

Michael is the Producing Artistic Director at the Cabrillo Playhouse, and his goal is to help this theater continue to grow, create great theatrical experiences, and to be a great entertainment venue in Orange County. Michael has been directing and choreographing in Orange County for over 40 years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from CSU Fullerton where he has also been on faculty. Some of his professional credits include-National Tour Director for DanceMakers, Inc., assistant choreographer for Elvira’s Halloween Haunt at Knott’s Berry Farm, and he was the General Manager and Artistic Director of the Curtain Call Dinner Theater where he directed and choreographed.

Hillary Pearson

President

Hillary Pearson

President

Hillary has served on the Cabrillo Playhouse board since 2021. She holds a BA from the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television and spent 15 years as the Executive Artistic Director of Tri-School Theatre in Anaheim. Currently, she teaches for The Laguna Playhouse Conservatory, serves as the administrator for Orange County Women’s Chorus, and both performs and directs for various community theatres in Orange County. She lives with her husband Ryan and their three kids in San Clemente.

Holly Jones

Vice President

Holly Jones

Vice President

Holly has served on the Cabrillo Playhouse Board of Directors for two years and is now entering her third year of service, while also taking on the role of Office Manager since February 2025. With a background as a performer, director, and vocal coach, Holly brings a wealth of theatrical experience and a passion for storytelling to her work. She continues to champion and develop women-focused stories on stage, helping ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are celebrated in the theatre community.

Asta Gersovitz

Secretary

Asta Gersovitz

Secretary

Asta grew up in southern California and attended UCLA and USC. She spent 30+ years in Minnesota, working in market research consulting, and raising a family. Over the years, she served as a President of a parent association, on a school Board of Directors, and volunteered at a number of non-profits, as a Board member and as a volunteer. She started volunteering at the Cabrillo as a Box and House volunteer five years ago, and for the past four years has served as the Board Secretary and House Manager. She believes that serving the Cabrillo is a way to support and promote the joy live community theatre provides both actors and audiences.

Kathi Koehler

Treasurer

Kathi Koehler

Treasurer

Kathi has always had a passion for theater since she was a young girl - she met her husband doing Community Theater in high school over 50 years ago. Both of her children were raised doing theater projects and she has been on the Board of Directors for a few other theaters including Broadway on Tour Children's Theatre, Maple Hill Productions and Walnut/Diamond Bar Community Theatre. She credits her children's success in life for their background in performing arts. As Treasurer at the Cabrillo Playhouse, she brings together her passion for Performing Arts and for working out the puzzle of making the numbers balance.

Dirk Rogers

Technical Advisor

Dirk Rogers

Technical Advisor

Dirk has been affiliated with the playhouse for nearly 15 years now. From performer to set design/master carpenter. After building the sets for a while, Michael Lopez, the artistic director at The Cabrillo, invited Dirk to join the board. He is very happy that he did. He has been extremely involved with the “Raise The Roof” project- instrumental in finding the general contractor and keeping the other board members apprised of the progress of the project. Here’s to a great new season on a new stage.

Tom Marshall

Community Relations

Tom Marshall

Community Relations

Tom has enjoyed attending plays at the Cabrillo for over 10 years. His background is in news media (radio, television, and print news reporter) and public relations (Press Secretary for California State Controller and Deputy Secretary for Communications for the state’s Business, Transportation & Housing Agency), and he enjoys advocating for the Cabrillo by engaging with various local groups.

Will Minton

Advancement

Will Minton

Advancement

Will is a longtime San Clemente resident and arts advocate with three decades of marketing experience, including leadership roles at Taco Bell and Advantage Solutions. He recently returned to acting with roles in OC Theatre Guild productions and performs locally as a singer-songwriter. He looks forward to contributing his marketing and nonprofit experience to the Cabrillo Playhouse Board.

Carissa Mace

Volunteer Coordinator

Carissa Mace

Volunteer Coordinator

Carissa is a resident of San Clemente, serves as Executive Director for the San Diego Chapter of the Community Association Institute, a trade association for the HOA industry. A graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Carissa has extensive experience in theater productions throughout Orange County.

Aaron Carlow

Technology

Aaron Carlow

Technology

Aaron grew up in Irvine, CA, and then spent time as a music major at Cal State Long Beach before entering the US Navy as a Corpsman and then the US Marine Corps as an infantryman and Platoon Sergeant at Camp Pendleton. After his military service of around ten years, he entered the private sector in the Information Technology space where he still is today. An enthusiastic supporter of the theater and musical arts, Aaron is proud to be a member of the Cabrillo Playhouse board and given the privilege to play a small part in the big future of one of San Clemente's amazing cultural and artistic venues."

Our Team

Hover and Click for Bios

Michael Lopez

Hillary Pearson

Holly Jones

Asta Gersovitz

Kathi Koehler

Dirk Rogers

Tom Marshall

Will Minton

Carissa Mace

Aaron Carlow

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