Our Team
HEATHER LAFORGE, PH.D.
SHE/HER
FOUNDER / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Heather LaForge is thrilled to be a co-founder of Groundworks Theatre. In 2008, she received her Ph.D. in Theatre from UC San Diego, where she taught theatre history, theory, performance, film, and writing courses and won an Excellence in Teaching Award for her outstanding work. Additionally, she has published in the theatre field and has presented at conferences both in the US and Ireland. Heather has worked with multiple theatre organizations throughout her career as a National Director, Director, Dramaturg, Education Director, Teacher, and more. Her directing experience includes Radium Girls, The Laramie Project, The Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Matilda, Tuck Everlasting, All My Sons, The Freedom of the City, The Addams Family, A Piece of My Heart and many more. In 2023, she also served as the Dramaturg and Assistant Director on New Village Arts’ production of The Ferryman, which was the first production of the Tony Award Winning Show outside of Broadway and London. She is passionate about challenging students to grow in their craft as they aim to become strong theatre artists.
KATRINA DEROCHE
SHE/HER
FOUNDER / DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING
Katrina DeRoche is excited to be a co-founder of Groundworks Theatre. She uses her experience in both the business and education sectors to create a space for artists to sharpen their skills and connect with the world around them through storytelling. In addition to being named an Industry Expert by the Del Mar Unified School District for her work extending learning beyond the classroom walls, Katrina coordinated and curated theatre arts classes for the the nation’s largest youth theater company while producing over 25 musical productions with cast sizes ranging from 35-85 cast members. Katrina’s hallmark is her passion for facilitating expert instruction for her students and her high standards regarding production value. She is also known for her work as a Costume Designer and being a proud graduate of the University of San Diego. Go Toreros!
WENDY MAPLES
SHE/HER
GUEST ARTIST
Wendy Maples is thrilled to be joining the team at Groundworks Theatre! Stage credits include Proof (Craig Noel Nomination) and Steel Magnolias (Backyard Renaissance) The Roommate, Buddy (New Village Arts) For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (The Roustabouts Theatre Co.) Ms. CAST, ROE, Dance Nation and the world premiere of Orange Julius (MOXIE Theatre) PIPPIN, Fair Use (Diversionary Theatre) Dog Sees God (InnerMission Productions.) Additionally, she has directed & performed with Playwrights Project, InnerMission Productions and the Theatre Arts School of San Diego. In 2006, she was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Step UP Theatre, with the aim of providing children with an early exposure to the performing arts. Step UP Theatre ran for 9 seasons, proudly performing original works for elementary school audiences throughout San Diego. Currently, Wendy is a San Diego theatre teacher and playwright; her original writing has been featured in the Bocón! Festival of New Plays, La Jolla Playhouse's WithOut Walls (WOW) Festival, and in Palabras del Cielo- Volume II, to be published later this year by Dramatic Publishing.
SUMMER NEILSON MOSHY, PH.D.
SHE/HER
RESIDENT THEATRE / ACTING EDUCATOR
Having actively engaged in acting, dancing, cheerleading, and baton twirling throughout her youth, Dr. Summer Neilson Moshy earned her BA in Theatre (Acting) and Psychology from the University of Southern California. While at USC, she also performed for two years as a USC Song Girl (USC's premiere Dance/Cheer team). She went on to earn her Ph.D. in theatre from the University of California, at San Diego. Her areas of study & expertise include: Women in Comedy; Sarah Kane’s texts for performance; Ancient Greek drama and Attic comedy; theatre history and criticism; disabled-led theatre work; and youth/student-led theatre production. She has published & presented on these topics both nationally & internationally. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Moshy has directed, taught, performed, and choreographed for a number of theatre companies, university departments, and organizations throughout Southern California & Seattle, WA.
REIKO HUFFMAN
SHE/HER
TECHNICAL ARTS EDUCATOR/SCENIC DESIGNER
Reiko Huffman is a freelance Scenic Designer seeking to change and impact the field with emotionally propelled design. Reiko's designs break tradition by bringing in new and wider perspectives into the design process. She incorporates critical awareness into her design process in order to authentically interweave the emotions that motivate her design choices. She embraces unconventional design methods, pursues daring designs, and takes on challenging narratives in order to truly grasp what genuine visual storytelling means. She believes that when we're brave enough to try what may ultimately fail we discover more about who we are as artists and what makes us unique. In addition to her design work, Reiko researches and actively practices critical and emotional awareness in her design process, teaching, and any artistic collaboration. By educating emerging artists on using their emotions and personal stories as tools to make them better designers, she believes we can begin to rewrite the traditional scenic design process and become more inclusive as a field. She actively hosts free design workshops, using what she learns from those moments and applying them back into her own process. Reiko Huffman has a deep belief in collaboration and at times that involves wrestling with hard conversations. However, it's only when we begin that journey and embrace the mistakes that we can truly begin honest growth.
ALEX REDD
HE/HIM
GUEST ARTIST
Alex Redd is a graduate of California State University Northridge, where he studied film production with an emphasis in cinematography. Growing up, he noticed a lack of people who looked like him on screen and wanted to pursue directing as a means of providing representation to those who felt like they had none. While in school, he developed his directing skills by writing and directing several short films. He currently works as a professional voice over actor for film and gaming platforms and a professional improv performer in San Diego. Alex is incredibly interested in the power of storytelling across all mediums and is excited to begin developing his directing skills for the stage.
ROBIN KATE BAILEY
HE/HIM
GUEST ARTIST
Robin Bailey is a graduate of Vanguard University where he studied English with an emphasis in dramatic writing. During that time he produced several 10-minute original works and co-led his improv and sketch-comedy team. Since graduating he has worked as a professional improviser, educator, and writer in San Diego. Robin is passionate about exploring neurodiverse perspectives and voices in storytelling as well as developing the tools needed to share them.
SAM GINN
SHE/THEY
GUEST ARTIST
Samantha Ginn is an actress, director, writer, educator, and inclusion specialist who loves to combine all of her passions. Samantha graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting. She has performed in over 50 productions across San Diego stages. She has also worked in special education classes for over 10 years where she discovered that students with neurodiversity truly light up when music, theatre, or the arts are present. So in 2016 she decided to leave the school district and begin her journey of creating inclusive arts programs around San Diego. She has worked as a Teaching Artist with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, North Coast Rep Theatre School, and "Inclusion Films" with Options For All Film and Media. She was the Director of Education at New Village Arts Theatre where she created "Monday Night Live" (a sketch comedy and improv class geared for individuals with neurodiversity). That program has grown into producing fully staged summer productions, a Professional Acting Training Program, a school tour of Stellaluna, and “The Mainstage Players" where actors with neurodiversity get paid cameo roles in the mainstage productions. She also loves teaching improv to seniors and individuals with alzheimers and dementia. She is committed to bringing theatre and laughter to underserved communities.
JESSICA MASON
SHE/THEY
GUEST ARTIST
Jessica Mason is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine where she studied Drama and studied African American studies. While attending university, she performed in plays that grappled with the history and systemic structures put in place for Black people and other people of color. Having this historically rich background has helped her form and develop characters that are more rounded and full bodied. Jessica is a firm believer that learning never stops and is currently in the process of applying to grad school where she can pursue her doctorate in Black Studies with and emphasis in Theater and other performative works of story telling.
EY WASHINGTON
HE/HIM OR THEY/THEM
GUEST ARTIST
EY Washington received his B.A. in Theater Performance from San Diego State University. Since graduating, EY has performed for Moonlight Stage Productions, Cygnet Theatre, San Diego Musical Theater, the Candlelight Pavilion, the Welk Resort, North Coast Rep, and the Disneyland Resort. EY is known for his boisterous laugh and curiosity which drives his passion to explore text and music across genres. His approach to theatrical pedagogy empowers students to use critical thinking when fearlessly engaging with the craft.
“The work matters and the students matter even more at Groundworks. We commit to honor and develop the talent/gifts of each student in our program. We openly and actively affirm, love, and defend our students exactly as they choose to identify and express themselves. They are the gems and we work to help them shine even brighter.”