Theatre and Film Central Campus

Luis Munoz

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Luis.Munoz@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. Southwest Texas State
B.A. Texas A&I University in Kingsville

Luis Munoz has been involved in Texas educational theatre for more than 25 years. He currently serves as the State Theatre Director and Director of the Focus Young Filmmakers Festival for the UIL. During his career he has taught at multiple schools, including Southwest Texas State University, the University of Texas-Pan American, and Douglas MacArthur High School. Among other accomplishments, he is a recipient of the TETA Founders Award and was named to the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame.

Elisa Diehl

Music Director, Guest Artist

Contact:
Elisa.Diehl@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa
B.A. University of Tulsa
Certificate in International Studies - University of Tulsa

Elisa Diehl is a working freelance actor in the Houston metropolitan area. An accomplished actor, she has traveled, studied, and worked overseas. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tulsa, where she also studied abroad twice. Once at Kanda University in Japan, and once at Goldsmiths University of London. Her thesis at the University of Hawaii studied Noh, Jingju (Beijing Opera), and Kabuki performance. Among many great achievements, she created, produced, and artistically directed the Black Box Black Blocks Theatre and Dance Festival of New Works.

Jamie Almeida

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Jamie.Almeida@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. The City College of New York
B.A. Marymount Manhattan College

Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jamie Almeida moved to New York City after high school. She lived there for 12 years, during which she earned two degrees and worked as an actor in plays and film. Almeida has six years of experience working as a drama teacher within the NYC Public School System. She has produced student productions as well as helped students to write and produce their own work. Almeida is more than thrilled to join the San Jac Department of Theatre and Film!

Dr. Jerry R Ivins

Artistic Director

Contact:
Jerry.Ivins@sjcd.edu
281-542-2039

Credentials:
Ph.D. Texas Tech University
B.A., M.A. University of Houston
A.A. Paris Junior College

Dr. Jerry Ivins has been with San Jac for nearly 30 years. In his career, he has directed and/or cast more than 500 films, commercials, and plays. He has served on many arts and theatre committees including the Texas Chair of the Kennedy Centre American College Theatre Festival. He is one of our many respected faculty members and was awarded Distinguished Faculty in 2014.

Jessica McCarroll

Senior Administrative Assistant

Contact:
Jessica.McCarroll@sjcd.edu
713-754-8412
Dean of Liberal Arts Suite Room C3.265

Credentials:
B.S. Oklahoma City University
M.Ed. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Jessica McCarrol is also the program’s dance choreographer and the Camp Director of KidSpot: Summer Musical Theatre Camp for Youth. She has been a vital member of the San Jac faculty since 2007 and was awarded as a 2022-2023 Excellence Award recipient. Throughout her career she strives to find ways to make theatre and dance accessible to all who have a desire to participate.

Richard Turner

Acting Professor, Costumer

Contact:
Richard.Turner@sjcd.edu
281-478-3646
Fine Arts Building Room C13.108

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Houston
B.F.A. Sam Houston State University
A.A.S, A.A. San Jacinto College

Richard Turner is a San Jac alum! In his career he has been able to work with recognized names in the industry, including Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Eward Albee and Tony winner Stewart Ostrow. He has performed professionally in Cape Cod, Mass., at the W.H.A.T. Theatre and his most recent films are “This is America” and “Walking Distance.”

Liz Feese

Professor, Technical Director

Contact:
Liz.Freese@sjcd.edu
281-998-6150
Fine Arts Building Room C13.118

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Missouri Kansas City
B.S. Butler University
Shakespeare and Modern British Drama, Oxford University

A professional set and costume designer, Liz Freese has designed for more than 120 Houston theatre and opera productions. These include companies such as Houston Grand Opera, Stages Repertory Theatre, Main Street Theater, and more. Her work has been produced internationally in London and Ukraine. It has also been featured in publications including the New York Times, Opera America, and Houston PBS. She was awarded best scenic design by the Houston Press in 2018.

Jordan West

Facility Coordinator

Contact:
Jordan.West@sjcd.edu
281-479-1829
Fine Arts Building Room C113.117

Credentials:
B.A. West Texas A&M

Jordan West is the Events and Facility Coordinator for the theatre and film department. His past work includes Augusta & Noble, Chicago, Jane Eyre, The Fantasticks, and Young Frankenstein. He has also had working contracts for Celebrity Cruises. When not working, he can be found playing golf, at CrossFit, or with his dog. West would like to dedicate this season to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Donna Taylor

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Donna.Taylor@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. Lamar University
Bachelor’s Degree - University of Houston

As a retired theatre teacher of 36 years, Donna Taylor is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach part-time at San Jac. After retirement in 2015, she began adjudicating UIL OAP contests as a member of the TTAO. As a current member of the TxETA organization, she works to promote theatre through workshops and professional development. In all of her work, Taylor strives to encourage an understanding of and a support for the Arts.

Renee van Nifterik

Professor, Part TIme Faculty

Contact:
Renee.vanNifterik@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.F.A Theatre Central Washington University
M.S. Library Science University of North Texas
B.A. English Western Michigan University

Renee van Nifterik is an actress, director, and artist. With her husband, she started the Pearl Theatre more than six years ago, which has grown tremendously. Since she began teaching, she has been honored to be the first theatre teacher for many elementary-school-aged students. She takes this responsibility seriously, as she strives to make the arts come alive; something she continues to do at San Jac. Van Nifterik is a National Michael Chekhov Certified Teacher Candidate, and she has studied the technique for several years. She says that style of training resonates absolutely with her.

Luis Munoz

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Luis.Munoz@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. Southwest Texas State
B.A. Texas A&I University in Kingsville

Luis Munoz has been involved in Texas educational theatre for more than 25 years. He currently serves as the State Theatre Director and Director of the Focus Young Filmmakers Festival for the UIL. During his career he has taught at multiple schools, including Southwest Texas State University, the University of Texas-Pan American, and Douglas MacArthur High School. Among other accomplishments, he is a recipient of the TETA Founders Award and was named to the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame.

Elisa Diehl

Music Director, Guest Artist

Contact:
Elisa.Diehl@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa
B.A. University of Tulsa
Certificate in International Studies - University of Tulsa

Elisa Diehl is a working freelance actor in the Houston metropolitan area. An accomplished actor, she has traveled, studied, and worked overseas. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tulsa, where she also studied abroad twice. Once at Kanda University in Japan, and once at Goldsmiths University of London. Her thesis at the University of Hawaii studied Noh, Jingju (Beijing Opera), and Kabuki performance. Among many great achievements, she created, produced, and artistically directed the Black Box Black Blocks Theatre and Dance Festival of New Works.

Jamie Almeida

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Jamie.Almeida@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. The City College of New York
B.A. Marymount Manhattan College

Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jamie Almeida moved to New York City after high school. She lived there for 12 years, during which she earned two degrees and worked as an actor in plays and film. Almeida has six years of experience working as a drama teacher within the NYC Public School System. She has produced student productions as well as helped students to write and produce their own work. Almeida is more than thrilled to join the San Jac Department of Theatre and Film!

Dr. Jerry R Ivins

Artistic Director

Contact:
Jerry.Ivins@sjcd.edu
281-542-2039

Credentials:
Ph.D. Texas Tech University
B.A., M.A. University of Houston
A.A. Paris Junior College

Dr. Jerry Ivins has been with San Jac for nearly 30 years. In his career, he has directed and/or cast more than 500 films, commercials, and plays. He has served on many arts and theatre committees including the Texas Chair of the Kennedy Centre American College Theatre Festival. He is one of our many respected faculty members and was awarded Distinguished Faculty in 2014.

Jessica McCarroll

Senior Administrative Assistant

Contact:
Jessica.McCarroll@sjcd.edu
713-754-8412
Dean of Liberal Arts Suite Room C3.265

Credentials:
B.S. Oklahoma City University
M.Ed. Southeastern Oklahoma State University

Jessica McCarrol is also the program’s dance choreographer and the Camp Director of KidSpot: Summer Musical Theatre Camp for Youth. She has been a vital member of the San Jac faculty since 2007 and was awarded as a 2022-2023 Excellence Award recipient. Throughout her career she strives to find ways to make theatre and dance accessible to all who have a desire to participate.

Richard Turner

Acting Professor, Costumer

Contact:
Richard.Turner@sjcd.edu
281-478-3646
Fine Arts Building Room C13.108

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Houston
B.F.A. Sam Houston State University
A.A.S, A.A. San Jacinto College

Richard Turner is a San Jac alum! In his career he has been able to work with recognized names in the industry, including Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Eward Albee and Tony winner Stewart Ostrow. He has performed professionally in Cape Cod, Mass., at the W.H.A.T. Theatre and his most recent films are “This is America” and “Walking Distance.”

Liz Feese

Professor, Technical Director

Contact:
Liz.Freese@sjcd.edu
281-998-6150
Fine Arts Building Room C13.118

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Missouri Kansas City
B.S. Butler University
Shakespeare and Modern British Drama, Oxford University

A professional set and costume designer, Liz Freese has designed for more than 120 Houston theatre and opera productions. These include companies such as Houston Grand Opera, Stages Repertory Theatre, Main Street Theater, and more. Her work has been produced internationally in London and Ukraine. It has also been featured in publications including the New York Times, Opera America, and Houston PBS. She was awarded best scenic design by the Houston Press in 2018.

Jordan West

Facility Coordinator

Contact:
Jordan.West@sjcd.edu
281-479-1829
Fine Arts Building Room C113.117

Credentials:
B.A. West Texas A&M

Jordan West is the Events and Facility Coordinator for the theatre and film department. His past work includes Augusta & Noble, Chicago, Jane Eyre, The Fantasticks, and Young Frankenstein. He has also had working contracts for Celebrity Cruises. When not working, he can be found playing golf, at CrossFit, or with his dog. West would like to dedicate this season to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Donna Taylor

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Donna.Taylor@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. Lamar University
Bachelor’s Degree - University of Houston

As a retired theatre teacher of 36 years, Donna Taylor is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach part-time at San Jac. After retirement in 2015, she began adjudicating UIL OAP contests as a member of the TTAO. As a current member of the TxETA organization, she works to promote theatre through workshops and professional development. In all of her work, Taylor strives to encourage an understanding of and a support for the Arts.

Renee van Nifterik

Professor, Part TIme Faculty

Contact:
Renee.vanNifterik@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.F.A Theatre Central Washington University
M.S. Library Science University of North Texas
B.A. English Western Michigan University

Renee van Nifterik is an actress, director, and artist. With her husband, she started the Pearl Theatre more than six years ago, which has grown tremendously. Since she began teaching, she has been honored to be the first theatre teacher for many elementary-school-aged students. She takes this responsibility seriously, as she strives to make the arts come alive; something she continues to do at San Jac. Van Nifterik is a National Michael Chekhov Certified Teacher Candidate, and she has studied the technique for several years. She says that style of training resonates absolutely with her.

Luis Munoz

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Luis.Munoz@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. Southwest Texas State
B.A. Texas A&I University in Kingsville

Luis Munoz has been involved in Texas educational theatre for more than 25 years. He currently serves as the State Theatre Director and Director of the Focus Young Filmmakers Festival for the UIL. During his career he has taught at multiple schools, including Southwest Texas State University, the University of Texas-Pan American, and Douglas MacArthur High School. Among other accomplishments, he is a recipient of the TETA Founders Award and was named to the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame.

Elisa Diehl

Music Director, Guest Artist

Contact:
Elisa.Diehl@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.F.A. University of Hawaii at Manoa
B.A. University of Tulsa
Certificate in International Studies - University of Tulsa

Elisa Diehl is a working freelance actor in the Houston metropolitan area. An accomplished actor, she has traveled, studied, and worked overseas. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Tulsa, where she also studied abroad twice. Once at Kanda University in Japan, and once at Goldsmiths University of London. Her thesis at the University of Hawaii studied Noh, Jingju (Beijing Opera), and Kabuki performance. Among many great achievements, she created, produced, and artistically directed the Black Box Black Blocks Theatre and Dance Festival of New Works.

Jamie Almeida

Professor, Part Time Faculty

Contact:
Jamie.Almeida@sjcd.edu

Credentials:
M.A. The City College of New York
B.A. Marymount Manhattan College

Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jamie Almeida moved to New York City after high school. She lived there for 12 years, during which she earned two degrees and worked as an actor in plays and film. Almeida has six years of experience working as a drama teacher within the NYC Public School System. She has produced student productions as well as helped students to write and produce their own work. Almeida is more than thrilled to join the San Jac Department of Theatre and Film!