OC's Best Local Theater Directors

Take a look at some of Orange County's most accomplished theater directors highlighted below. From exquisite ballet performances and top-notch dance instruction, to family-friendly entertainment, renowned acting teachers and an unconventional, intimate take on the theater experience, these directors provide the Orange County theater scene with some of the best shows in the area.

Salwa Rizkalla
Festival Ballet Theatre
9527 Garfield Ave.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
(714) 962-5440
www.festivalballet.org

Dedicating more than 25 years to the performing arts community, Salwa Rizkalla provides Orange County with some of the finest ballet performances and dance instruction. She serves as Festival Ballet Theatre's artistic director and also teaches private lessons to students at the Southland Ballet Academy. Many of Rizkalla's students won several scholarships and awards at some of the most renowned ballet competitions and schools, as well as danced professionally for dance companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Ballet Austin and Washington Ballet. She has also been acknowledged by multiple organizations for her excellence in teaching. In addition to her successful career as an artistic director and ballet coach, Rizkalla was a professional dancer for many acclaimed ballets and contemporary performances. She received her training from internationally recognized choreographers, Leonid Lavrosky and Serge Lifar, and has a bachelor's degree in ballet pedagogy. Click here to view some of the upcoming Festival Ballet Theatre performances under Rizkalla's direction.

Related: Best Dance Studios In Orange County

Mark Torreso
The Gallery Theatre
3152 E. La Palma, Suite G
Anaheim, CA 92807
(714) 630-9870
www.thegallerytheatre.com

Actor, writer and director Mark Torreso is the artistic director at The Gallery Theatre, a show director for Disney Entertainment Productions and an acting coach. Torreso began studying acting seriously at a young age and received his high school education at the Performing Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He started his career at Connecticut Acting Ensemble where he served as the house director and since then, Torreso has devoted several years of service to the Orange County area, directing many entertaining works and coaching new talent. Check out some of the the classes and workshops offered here. Torreso emphasized, "I believe an actor needs to hone their craft and then test their skills in front of an audience," and he has done just that by enabling many to sharpen their acting skills on and off the stage at The Gallery Theatre.

Marla Ladd
Mysterium Theater
19211 Dodge Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 505-3454
www.mysteriumtheater.com

Marla Ladd, the owner and artistic director of the Mysterium Theater, produces thought-provoking, entertaining theater experiences in Orange County. Ladd has worked more than 30 years in performing arts serving as a director, producer and teacher, and she is credited in more than 200 shows. She opened the Mysterium Theater with her husband Robert (who serves as the technical director) in 2009 despite the economic downturn. The theater's motto is, "helping nurture the creative and spiritual soul," and the organization hosts a variety of intimate shows for kids and adults such as: "A Night of Burlesque with Candie Rox and the Sugar Lips," "Godspell," "Dancing at Lughnasa," "Freckleface Strawberry," "Mysterium Monthly Variety Show" and "Chris Williams' Concert Based on Pride and Prejudice." Click here to stay up-to-date on what exciting new shows are coming to the theater next.

Related: 2013 OC Spring Theater Preview

Stacy Brecht is a professional writer, dancer, marketer and model in the Los Angeles area. Brecht also enjoys traveling, wine, fitness training, volunteering, movies and trying new restaurants. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.