Our People

 Don Amerson has a demonstrated long term passion for education and the arts.  He began his journey by earning a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University, majoring in Social Science. He earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, specializing in forming and managing non-profit organizations. Cementing his artistic commitment, he obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University.

In California, Don Amerson has helped shape young minds and nurture talent across different institutions and communities. As an Adjunct Professor at Santa Ana College, he teaches Theatre Arts, instilling in students a deep appreciation for dramatic literature and acting methodologies. He has been a stalwart educator at the Orange County School of the Arts, teaching a myriad of subjects ranging from Acting to Mask to Theater History, fostering creativity and critical thinking among his students. His illustrious career at South Coast Repertory began in 2012. He is proud to teach a high level of skills while keeping the environment fun and light.

Not content with traditional classroom settings, Don has extended his reach far and wide. From serving as an Executive Board Member of the California State Thespians to coaching aspiring actors at the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, Don has left an indelible mark on many local and state programs. His dedication to using theater as a tool for social justice is evident in his work, whether it's facilitating workshops on political theater or directing productions addressing issues of intolerance and discrimination.

Beyond teaching, Don Amerson has excelled in theater management and directing, bringing to life countless devised productions that resonate with audiences on a profound level. As the President/CEO of Drama In Action, he spearheads initiatives aimed at fostering artistic expression and community engagement. His directorial ventures, such as "Enemy/Flint" and "Sadako and a Thousand Cranes," showcase his commitment to using theater as a vehicle for social change and empowerment. 

Lydia Filippini has been involved in Theater Arts for over two decades, beginning with her first starring role at five years old. With more than 35 productions to her credit, she is deeply passionate about storytelling and immersive theater. Lydia holds both a BA and an MA in Theatre Arts and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education from Purdue University, with a concentration in Leadership and Innovation. Her interests in the performing arts include improv, Shakespeare, and script analysis. She believes that every student should have access to a creative outlet while growing up and has worked with multiple nonprofits in Orange County to support their efforts in reaching underserved communities. Lydia has developed curricula for over 20 campuses across four districts in Orange County and looks forward to further exploration in curriculum development. Inspired by Don's commitment to fostering a positive and educational environment for all students he encounters, she is eager to contribute to the success and growth of DIA.

Michael Baker holds a BA in Acting from California State University of Fullerton’s theatre program, and an MFA in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He continues to work on TV/Film productions for HBO, Showtime, Apple+, Netflix, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, and Warner Bros. He has also performed on various stages around Southern California including The Groundlings Theater and School, Pasadena Playhouse, Five Star Theatrical, and the Hyperion Theater at Disney’s California Adventure. Michael has taught acting workshops for UCLA, Pepperdine, California State University of Fullerton, and is currently and instructor in the Acting Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts. He is also the director of the OCSA Industry Showcase. Michael serves on the union committee for the American Guild of Variety Artists and has been a member of SAG-AFTRA for fifteen years, as well as Actors Equity Association for over twenty years.

Theatre: Assassins! (Berkshire Theatre Festival), Crazy For You (Ogunquit Playhouse), Shel’s Shorts (Project: Theatre), 1776 (Five Star Theatrical), Dangerous Beauty (Pasadena Playhouse), Company (Five Star Theatrical) and Frozen (Hyperion Theater at Disney’s California Adventure). TV/Film: “Oppenheimer”, “King Richard”, “The Perfect Guy”, “Barry”, “This Is Us”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Griselda”, “High Desert”, “Super Pumped”, “S.W.A.T”, “Clipped”, “The Fugitive”, “How To Get Away With Murder”, and “911”.

Cynthia Karim has been a Production, Design and Special Effects Makeup teacher for 23

years at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). She and her crew (students)

design and work most of the productions in the Music and Theater, Classical Voice, Ballet

Folklorico, Acting and Integrated Arts conservatories. Her art experience includes being

an Art Docent Coordinator for Placentia/Yorba Linda Unified School District for 15 years

where she wrote and planned the Art History lessons for The Renaissance, Impressionist,

and Japanese and Modern Art periods. She has taught numerous Special f/x workshops

to Girl Scouts of Orange County for the past 20 years. She has worked as a professional

makeup artist as a licensed Esthetician since 1975. She attended Westminster College

and the University of Utah, and earned her Special effects Makeup Certification from

Paramount Studios, Hollywood. From 1990-2000 she worked in Children’s Theatre

focusing on stage makeup and hair, costume design, scenic design, props, and stage

management. She has worked in various design capacities for Fullerton Civic Light

Opera, Claremont College, Whittier College, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and various L.A.

and Orange County High Schools. She has also done photo shoots and PSAs with the cast

of Saturday Night Live and MadTV

Penelope Pauley inspires fun and play in kids of all ages through theatre and Shakespeare. Over the years she has created student-led productions including: A Comedy of So Cal Errors, Three Week Macbeth, Greek Myths Reimagined, and Hamlet: To Be or Not to Be a Zombie. She continues to hold after school acting classes, improv workshops and individual audition coaching. 

As an actor, she has performed in Eli Daughdrill’s Faith (now streaming on Amazon), Sharri Hefner’s Barriers and Rachel Carey’s Good Thoughts. Penelope wrote, coached and spoke publicly in the personal development field for over a decade. 

Penelope creates imaginative, inclusive and collaborative spaces for kids because connected, self-assured people make a kinder and brighter world. 

Cora Riley, an Orange County native, grew up in the City of Orange where she attended The Orange County High School of the Arts. With a passion for Shakespeare Cora decided to further her acting training in England at the prestigious Royal Central School Of Speech and Drama in London. After making her West End debut Cora Riley returned to the United States where she appeared in several professional Shakespeare productions at Shakespeare Orange County. “Miss Riley” ,as she is affectionately known now, has been teaching for the last 8 years at her alma mater- OCSA. In addition to Shakespeare classes Cora Riley also is a dialect coach, movement instructor and acting technique teacher.