YAS Staff / Teachers
ARGO THOMPSON (CEO- Chief Eternal Optimist)
Argo is the artistic director of The California Theatre, Left Edge Theatre, and Young Actors Studio. He is a fourth generation Santa Rosa who loves all things Sonoma County. He has directed and produced over 100 shows locally. Favorites include A Steady Rain, Drumming with Anubis, Angels in America, The Realistic Joneses, Good People, Hamiltunes, The Princess Bride, Elf, and Fully Committed.
ANTHONY MARTINEZ (Education Director. Voice and Singing Grades 3-12, Private Coaching)
Anthony Martinez is a Sonoma County-based professional actor, singer, and musician. Anthony has been with YAS since 2017 and during that time has served as Music Director and/or Director on 20 Young Actors Studio productions, including Aladdin Jr., Disney's The Descendants, Willy Wonka, Jr., Moana Jr., The Princess Bride, Alice@Wonderland, The Enchanted Bookshop, The Little Mermaid Jr., and Finding Nemo Jr and more. Anthony trained as an actor and singer with some of the finest teachers and studios in the country, and has appeared on film, television, onstage, and in commercials for over 25 years. A member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, in addition to his work with the Young Actors Studio program Anthony also maintains a private voice and acting studio, providing individual attention to young performers in a supportive, one-on-one environment.
JESS HEADINGTON (Acting Grades 6-7, 8-12)
Jess Headington (she/her) teaches Advanced Acting for grades 6-12. Her approach is actor-centered and respectful of each student’s own lived experiences. She combines technique and passion for the craft of storytelling to guide students toward their own discoveries. Jess has a BFA in Theatre Arts from Stephens College and has been working as an actor, director, and teaching artist in Sonoma County since 2010. During her undergraduate years, she served as Artistic Director & Dramaturge of the student-run Warehouse Theatre Company. She spent a year with the Vienna Theatre Project in Vienna, Austria working as an actor & directing apprentice. Jess taught scene study classes for tweens, teens, and adults at the 6th Street Playhouse School of Drama from 2014 to 2019. Her most onstage appearances include Dancing Lessons at Cinnabar Theater, Barbecue Apocalypse at Spreckels Theater Company, and the one-woman holiday comedy The Twelve Dates of Christmas at 6th Street Playhouse. Her recent film The Deep End won Best Comedy at the 2021 Hollyshorts Film Festival.
KATALINA MOTLEY (Production and Camp Assistant, Improv and Theatre Games instructor)
Katalina Motley has been working professionally with youth since she was 18, and has been an instructor with YAS since 2018. Kat has a unique, fun and nurturing relationship with her students which allows them to open up, explore, and have fun in the theatre. Whether it's assisting with a full production or a summer camp or leading her own Acting and Improvisation classes, Kat always looks forward to watching her students grow and helping creative kids cultivate their talent, while building an environment where they can feel safe, welcome, and happy.
LULU THOMPSON (Acting Grades K-5)
Lulu Thompson is a director, actor & musician who has taught theatre classes in the north bay for over five years - to all ages, from kindergarteners to college students. In addition to after-school classes & summer camps, she is also a recurring guest teacher in Santa Rosa High School's ArtQuest theatre program.Informed by music & contemporary dance, Lulu focuses on helping students develop physicality, group movement & an ensemble-based creative process. As a devised-theatre artist, she facilitates classes in the creation of new plays - allowing each student to share their unique creative voice, while developing listening skills & group awareness.