OUR AMAZING STAFF
Here at Starbound theatre our staff is filled with phenomenal and highly skilled staff members! Every one of them has expertise knowledge in performing arts, take a read below so you KNOW your student is in good hands!
Academy Staff
Our academy staff is led by 5 AMAZING staff members who have all trained professionally in their discipline!
Brittany Finley
Academy Coordinator/Dance Instructor
Brittany Watson started doing theater when she was 12 years old and by the age of 15, she was choreographing her first show and directing in a young directors program at 16. After high school she pursued theater and dance at Diablo Valley College, during this time she also was in an apprenticeship program with Bay Area Children’s Theater and
worked with a few local children’s theater companies and high schools in the Concord/ Martinez Area. In the fall of 2016, she participated in a study abroad program in London, England where she studied art, traveled, joined a ballroom dance team, and saw as many shows as possible. After coming home, she went back to teaching, choreographing, and directing. In the summers of 2017 and 2019 she was given the opportunity to go to New York and do two teaching intensives with ITheatrics. In 2020, Brittany took a break from theater; got married to her best friend and finish cosmetology school and after a two-years, she joined the Starbound Team in 2022 working with them in their after-school programs, teaching dance in the Starbound Academy and choreographing shows. She is so grateful to have found such a wonderful group of people and looks forward to working with them in the future.
Vanessa Lovelady
Academy Coordinator
Vanessa Lovelady is thrilled to be part of the Starbound team, where she combines her love for theatre and her dedication to fostering a supportive community. With two wonderful children who have been part of Starbound for the last three years, Vanessa’s involvement in their theatre journey has sparked her own passion for performing arts. In her role as the
parent engagement coordinator, Vanessa is committed to organizing meaningful volunteer opportunities and facilitating clear, open communication between parents and the program. She believes that when parents are actively involved, it enhances the overall experience for everyone, creating a vibrant and connected theatre community.
Outside of Starbound, Vanessa brings her nurturing skills to her work as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) at a local emergency hospital for animals, a role she has proudly held for the last 15 years. In both her professional and personal life, Vanessa is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Vanessa is excited to help create memorable experiences for Starbound families and looks forward to working closely with parents to support their children’s theatrical journeys.
Evan Losoya
Music director/Instructor
A Vacaville native, Evan is a composer, pianist, and teaching artist. He is completing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts. Evan’s experience spans theatre, concert music, and film scoring. His music has been performed throughout the United States
and internationally. He has written original live scores for full-length silent films with the Grand Feature Film Orchestra and has also worked as an accompanist and vocal coach. At Starbound, Evan enjoys helping students grow as performers while occasionally getting schooled by them on the latest linguistic trends.
Cody Craven
Acting Instructor
Cody is a Winters native and career theatre actor / musician who spent the last 15 based in NYC. He has performed professionally around the globe including countless regional productions along with 4 years as a main stage performer with Disney Cruise Line. Over the last decade, Cody has developed a passion for sharing the knowledge, the techniques, and the
secrets of his journey with aspiring young minds both in age and spirit. Outside of the classroom, Cody can be found onstage in local theatre productions, performing his original music, and fronting the bay area David Bowie tribute StarmanSF. Let’s make-believe!
Makali Mates
Acting Instructor
Makali is thrilled to serve as Starbound Theatre's Program Manager, combining her passion for the arts with more than 15 years of experience in customer service, leadership, and operations. A graduate of Solano Community College's Theatre Arts program, she has worn many hats both on and off the stage, including actor, assistant stage manager, stage manager, assistant director, and director.
Her theatrical credits include performances in Peter and the Starcatcher, Getting Out, and A Midsummer Night's Dream; assistant stage management for Nice Work If You Can Get It; stage management for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Servant of Two Masters; assistant directing Pippin; and directing productions of Macbeth and Immaculate. Throughout her career, Makali has collaborated with theatre and production organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area and is proud to call Starbound home.
​
As Program Manager, Makali is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for students, families, artists, and audiences while supporting Starbound's mission to inspire creativity, confidence, and community through the performing arts.
​
When she's not at the theatre, Makali enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Brooklynn, who brings joy, laughter, and plenty of adventure to every day.
Production Staff
All of our productions are led by highly skilled and trained performers and technical theatre staff who have trained and worked professionally!
Brittany Finley
Academy Coordinator/Dance Instructor
Brittany Watson started doing theater when she was 12 years old and by the age of 15, she was choreographing her first show and directing in a young directors program at 16. After high school she pursued theater and dance at Diablo Valley College, during this time she also was in an apprenticeship program with Bay Area Children’s Theater and
worked with a few local children’s theater companies and high schools in the Concord/ Martinez Area. In the fall of 2016, she participated in a study abroad program in London, England where she studied art, traveled, joined a ballroom dance team, and saw as many shows as possible. After coming home, she went back to teaching, choreographing, and directing. In the summers of 2017 and 2019 she was given the opportunity to go to New York and do two teaching intensives with ITheatrics. In 2020, Brittany took a break from theater; got married to her best friend and finish cosmetology school and after a two-years, she joined the Starbound Team in 2022 working with them in their after-school programs, teaching dance in the Starbound Academy and choreographing shows. She is so grateful to have found such a wonderful group of people and looks forward to working with them in the future.
Vanessa Lovelady
Academy Coordinator
Vanessa Lovelady is thrilled to be part of the Starbound team, where she combines her love for theatre and her dedication to fostering a supportive community. With two wonderful children who have been part of Starbound for the last three years, Vanessa’s involvement in their theatre journey has sparked her own passion for performing arts. In her role as the
parent engagement coordinator, Vanessa is committed to organizing meaningful volunteer opportunities and facilitating clear, open communication between parents and the program. She believes that when parents are actively involved, it enhances the overall experience for everyone, creating a vibrant and connected theatre community.
Outside of Starbound, Vanessa brings her nurturing skills to her work as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) at a local emergency hospital for animals, a role she has proudly held for the last 15 years. In both her professional and personal life, Vanessa is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Vanessa is excited to help create memorable experiences for Starbound families and looks forward to working closely with parents to support their children’s theatrical journeys.
Evan Losoya
Music director/Instructor
A Vacaville native, Evan is a composer, pianist, and teaching artist. He is completing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts. Evan’s experience spans theatre, concert music, and film scoring. His music has been performed throughout the United States
and internationally. He has written original live scores for full-length silent films with the Grand Feature Film Orchestra and has also worked as an accompanist and vocal coach. At Starbound, Evan enjoys helping students grow as performers while occasionally getting schooled by them on the latest linguistic trends.
Cody Craven
Acting Instructor
Cody is a Winters native and career theatre actor / musician who spent the last 15 based in NYC. He has performed professionally around the globe including countless regional productions along with 4 years as a main stage performer with Disney Cruise Line. Over the last decade, Cody has developed a passion for sharing the knowledge, the techniques, and the
secrets of his journey with aspiring young minds both in age and spirit. Outside of the classroom, Cody can be found onstage in local theatre productions, performing his original music, and fronting the bay area David Bowie tribute StarmanSF. Let’s make-believe!
Makali Mates
Acting Instructor
Makali is thrilled to serve as Starbound Theatre's Program Manager, combining her passion for the arts with more than 15 years of experience in customer service, leadership, and operations. A graduate of Solano Community College's Theatre Arts program, she has worn many hats both on and off the stage, including actor, assistant stage manager, stage manager, assistant director, and director.
Her theatrical credits include performances in Peter and the Starcatcher, Getting Out, and A Midsummer Night's Dream; assistant stage management for Nice Work If You Can Get It; stage management for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Servant of Two Masters; assistant directing Pippin; and directing productions of Macbeth and Immaculate. Throughout her career, Makali has collaborated with theatre and production organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area and is proud to call Starbound home.
​
As Program Manager, Makali is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for students, families, artists, and audiences while supporting Starbound's mission to inspire creativity, confidence, and community through the performing arts.
​
When she's not at the theatre, Makali enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Brooklynn, who brings joy, laughter, and plenty of adventure to every day.
Admin Team
Our program is currently run and supported by 8 Admin team members who are responsible for keeping this program running smoothly and efficiently!
Brittany Finley
Academy Coordinator/Dance Instructor
Brittany Watson started doing theater when she was 12 years old and by the age of 15, she was choreographing her first show and directing in a young directors program at 16. After high school she pursued theater and dance at Diablo Valley College, during this time she also was in an apprenticeship program with Bay Area Children’s Theater and
worked with a few local children’s theater companies and high schools in the Concord/ Martinez Area. In the fall of 2016, she participated in a study abroad program in London, England where she studied art, traveled, joined a ballroom dance team, and saw as many shows as possible. After coming home, she went back to teaching, choreographing, and directing. In the summers of 2017 and 2019 she was given the opportunity to go to New York and do two teaching intensives with ITheatrics. In 2020, Brittany took a break from theater; got married to her best friend and finish cosmetology school and after a two-years, she joined the Starbound Team in 2022 working with them in their after-school programs, teaching dance in the Starbound Academy and choreographing shows. She is so grateful to have found such a wonderful group of people and looks forward to working with them in the future.
Vanessa Lovelady
Academy Coordinator
Vanessa Lovelady is thrilled to be part of the Starbound team, where she combines her love for theatre and her dedication to fostering a supportive community. With two wonderful children who have been part of Starbound for the last three years, Vanessa’s involvement in their theatre journey has sparked her own passion for performing arts. In her role as the
parent engagement coordinator, Vanessa is committed to organizing meaningful volunteer opportunities and facilitating clear, open communication between parents and the program. She believes that when parents are actively involved, it enhances the overall experience for everyone, creating a vibrant and connected theatre community.
Outside of Starbound, Vanessa brings her nurturing skills to her work as a registered veterinary technician (RVT) at a local emergency hospital for animals, a role she has proudly held for the last 15 years. In both her professional and personal life, Vanessa is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Vanessa is excited to help create memorable experiences for Starbound families and looks forward to working closely with parents to support their children’s theatrical journeys.
Evan Losoya
Music director/Instructor
A Vacaville native, Evan is a composer, pianist, and teaching artist. He is completing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University and holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts. Evan’s experience spans theatre, concert music, and film scoring. His music has been performed throughout the United States
and internationally. He has written original live scores for full-length silent films with the Grand Feature Film Orchestra and has also worked as an accompanist and vocal coach. At Starbound, Evan enjoys helping students grow as performers while occasionally getting schooled by them on the latest linguistic trends.
Cody Craven
Acting Instructor
Cody is a Winters native and career theatre actor / musician who spent the last 15 based in NYC. He has performed professionally around the globe including countless regional productions along with 4 years as a main stage performer with Disney Cruise Line. Over the last decade, Cody has developed a passion for sharing the knowledge, the techniques, and the
secrets of his journey with aspiring young minds both in age and spirit. Outside of the classroom, Cody can be found onstage in local theatre productions, performing his original music, and fronting the bay area David Bowie tribute StarmanSF. Let’s make-believe!
Makali Mates
Acting Instructor
Makali is thrilled to serve as Starbound Theatre's Program Manager, combining her passion for the arts with more than 15 years of experience in customer service, leadership, and operations. A graduate of Solano Community College's Theatre Arts program, she has worn many hats both on and off the stage, including actor, assistant stage manager, stage manager, assistant director, and director.
Her theatrical credits include performances in Peter and the Starcatcher, Getting Out, and A Midsummer Night's Dream; assistant stage management for Nice Work If You Can Get It; stage management for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and The Servant of Two Masters; assistant directing Pippin; and directing productions of Macbeth and Immaculate. Throughout her career, Makali has collaborated with theatre and production organizations across the San Francisco Bay Area and is proud to call Starbound home.
​
As Program Manager, Makali is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences for students, families, artists, and audiences while supporting Starbound's mission to inspire creativity, confidence, and community through the performing arts.
​
When she's not at the theatre, Makali enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Brooklynn, who brings joy, laughter, and plenty of adventure to every day.