Dr. James Young Arts Legacy Award
Presented to Dr. Joe Arnold

Hosted by Kirsten Vangsness with Special Guests Marc Cherry and Kevin Symons

Kirsten Vangsness is best known for playing tech-kitten Penelope Garcia on the 15 seasons of the CBS crime drama “Criminal Minds” where she also co-wrote 5 episodes, including the series finale. She is on the Art Board at Theatre of NOTE where she has acted in and created many plays, including “Mess” (which author Neil Gaiman is quoted as saying is his “favorite one-person show”) and her feminist time-travel musical Cleo, Theo, & Wu. In 2019, Kirsten took both of these productions to the Edinburgh Fringe where her and her fellow NOTE actors played to sold out houses for a blissful month. Kirsten is the star and executive producer of the film-noir spoof “Kill Me, Deadly, she wrote, directed and starred in the animated, film festival darling “Curtains” and can be heard as “Nico” the lovable lesbian-fox-alien in the last two seasons of the improv podcast “Voyage to the Stars”. Kirsten has just started production on Season Three of “Kirsten’s Agenda” a YouTube series she creates about art and self actualization. She is the recipient of the HRC Visibility Award, the Open Fist Excellence in Arts Award, the L.A. Drama Critics Award for Best Actress and she has a monkey enclosure named after her at the Wildlife Learning Center. In her spare time she leads spirit tastings at Santa Ana’s Blinking Owl Distillery which she co-owns. You can learn more about her goings on at kirstenvangsness.com

Marc Cherry spent the early years of his childhood in Buena Park, California, a suburb of Orange  County. The family relocated several times to and from Orange County that included living on  his grandmother’s farm in Oklahoma, Hong Kong and Iran, finally settling in Fullerton, CA. Marc  majored in Theatre at Cal State Fullerton. In the late 1980’s Marc won $15,000 on the Dick Clark game show The $100,000 Pyramid, took his winnings and moved to Hollywood to pursue a  career in writing.  

Marc started in the entertainment industry as a personal assistant to Dixie Carter on the set of  Designing Women, and early success as a writer soon followed. Marc Cherry’s writer/producer  credits include The Golden Girls and the sequel The Golden Palace. Following a difficult three  year hiatus of unemployment, during which Marc’s long-time agent was arrested and charged  with embezzlement, Marc got his second big break in 2004 when ABC picked up Desperate  Housewives that proved to be a ground-breaking success and ratings powerhouse with a global  devoted fan base.  

Marc Cherry was Creator and Showrunner of ABC’s hit series Desperate Housewives for eight  successful seasons. Overall, the show totaled 7 Emmy and 3 Golden Globe wins, as well as 33  additional awards and 110 nominations that included a Golden Globe Award for Best Television  Series (Musical or Comedy) in 2005 and 2006, a People’s Choice Award as Favorite New  Television Drama, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in  a Comedy Series in 2005 and 2006, and 15 Emmy nominations in 2005 with six wins. 

Marc Cherry was Creator and Showrunner of Lifetime’s acclaimed drama Devious Maids,  inspired by the hit telenovela Ellas son la Alegría del Hogar. Executive Produced with Eva  Longoria, featured an ensemble all-star cast that included Ana Ortiz, Dania Ramirez, Roselyn  Sanchez, Judy Reyes and television icon Susan Lucci.  

In 2018 Marc Cherry joined forces with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment.  

As Creator and Showrunner, Marc produced the comedy-drama anthology original series Why  Women Kill with Imagine Television and CBS All Access, Executive Producing with Acme  Productions Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis. The first season explored the lives of three  women living in the same house over three different decades: a housewife in the ‘60s, a  socialite in the ‘80s and a lawyer in 2019, starring Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kirby Howell Baptiste, Jack Davenport, Sam Jaeger, and Reid Scott. Season two premiered June 2021 on  Paramount+ with an entirely new cast. Probing the exploits of housewife Alma Fillcot’s  desperation to join the local exclusive garden club in 1949, starring Allison Tolman, Lana  Parrilla, Nick Frost and Verónica Falcón. 

Cherry is currently producing additional projects under the banner Cherry Productions.

Kevin Symons is a veteran of Television, Film, Stage, Commercials and Voiceover. He is a proud graduate of CSU Fullerton's Department of Theatre and Dance with a major in Acting.

He is perhaps best known for playing Councilman Bill Dexhart on NBC's hit comedy "Parks & Recreation" for four seasons and played Norm Marcus on the Disney Channel series "Best Friends Whenever". He most recently completed work on the film "Babylon" opposite Brad Pitt. Other television credits include series regular, recurring and guest starring roles on "This Is Us", "Black-ish","Henry Danger", "NCIS", "Transparent", "Castle", "Teen Wolf", "Mad Men", "Jessie", "Wilfred", "Darcy's Wild Life", "Haunted Hathaways", "Weeds", "Desperate Housewives", "United States of Tara", "My Name is Earl" and numerous others. Other film credits include "Vice" starring Christian Bale and Amy Adams, "Alvin and the Chipmunks", "Miss India America", "Echo Park Blues" and "Terminator II". He has appeared in over 200 commercials including campaigns for Chevrolet and Southwest Airlines. On stage, he won the Ovation Award for Best Acting Ensemble (with his two fellow cast mates) for The Complete History of America (Abridged) at the Garry Marshall Theatre and has appeared in numerous theatrical productions in Los Angeles, New York and regional theaters.

Featured Performers:

Elissa Goldstein graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Cal State Fullerton in the year 2000. During her time in the program, Elissa was fortunate to work under the direction of the brilliant Dr. Joe in numerous school productions and applied her fabulous training to an exciting acting/singing career in NYC. Elissa worked professionally in film and theatre for 14 years before moving back to California & returning to Cal State Fullerton-this time to earn her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. And even though it had been 15 years since Elissa graduated, Dr. Joe, without hesitation, wrote a glowing and carefully thought-out letter of recommendation for Elissa’s master’s program application-another testament to his kindness, loyalty and generosity of spirit. Elissa recently became a mother to a beautiful baby girl and works as a psychotherapist at a private practice in Los Angeles.

Ann Ferreira Holbrook is a 1998 Graduate holding a BA In Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. While at CSUF she participated in productions such as Baby, Enemy of the People and Hair. She was also a proud performer in many University productions of variety shows like Visions and Visionaries and Front and Center. The CSUF theatre community has remained a constant in her life while she raises 2 beautiful theatre obsessed girls Mollie and Gracie with fellow alum Joe Holbrook. Spending the last 20 years developing and facilitating arts education programming at the Disneyland Resort and teaching theater whenever possible has kept her happily collaborating often with many alums. Ann truly adores Dr. Joe and is thrilled and honored to be here this evening.

Jennifer Hubilla

Jennifer’s theatre credits include: Kim in MISS SAIGON (US and UK Tours), Eponine in LES MISERABLES (Lambs Players Theatre), Mulan in Disney's MULAN (Tuacahn Center For the Arts), Princess Jasmine in ALADDIN (Brighton Theatre Royal, UK), Noi Noi in RAIN (The Old Globe), u/s Lea Salonga in ALLEGIANCE (The Old Globe), the female lead in MARRY ME A LITTLE (East West Players), Mindy in MISS YOU LIKE HELL (La Jolla Playhouse), Mulan in DISENCHANTED (El Portal Theatre), among others. She traveled the world as a guest entertainer for Princess Cruises where she originated the role of Lan in Stephen Schwartz’ and Jim Henson’s THE SECRET SILK. Jennifer is a proud BFA Alumni of Cal State Fullerton!

Matt Lara is a CSUF Musical Theatre B. F. A. alum who has performed as an actor, singer, and dancer on stages as large as the Hollywood Bowl to tiny cabaret venues. Most recently, he's been onstage with the Singers of Soul, a diverse gospel/pop/soul choir known as LA’s “wall of sound.” He has also worked in TV, commercials, music videos, and web-based media. Since 2015, he has worked with Deborah Rosen and Dancers, creating original contemporary dance theatre that also combines live music and storytelling. For nearly 20 years, he has mentored young arts students with a small non-profit, Camp Bravo, a summer camp for the performing arts.

Regina Levert

Cal State Fullerton holds a special and singular place in Regina’s heart because it’s where she discovered her lifelong passion for the arts. What she learned there equipped her for the adventurous life she’s been living...performing all over the U.S. and world!

Regina’s love of singing is in her blood...she is proud to count the late Gerald LeVert and his father Eddie LeVert of the Grammy winning R&B group, the O’Jays, as family who have inspired her.

Regina is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG-AFTRA, and has been featured in many plays and musicals. Favorites include: Rock of Ages (Hollywood), Hairspray (Kansas City Starlight), Chicago (Moonlight Amphitheater), The Bikinis (Goodspeed Opera House, Long Wharf Theatre), Jelly’s Last Jam (Mark Taper Forum), and her own show headlining for Princess Cruises.

You are profoundly loved, Dr Joe. What a gift you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Marlene Martinez most recently appeared in South Coast Repertory's production of She Loves Me as Ilona Ritter. She also workshoped a new musical rendition of Prelude to a Kiss at the Pacific Playwrights Festival. Her favorite credits include the Broadway national tour of Mamma Mia!, West Side Story (Anita, La Mirada Theatre) Native Gardens (Tania, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley) and Mrs. Popper in Mr. Popper’s Penguins (SCR). She has performed with the LA Phil doing Theatre for Young Audiences at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Broad Stage and Hollywood Bowl. Her film credits include Grandma and A Single Man.

Erin McNally

An accomplished vocalist, actor and educator, Erin is thrilled to be a part of this evening  honoring the incredible Dr. Joe Arnold! She recently co-directed Peter Pan at the Tony  Award-winning South Coast Repertory, where she continues to grow the musical theatre  program she created 14 years ago. Armed with a B.A. in Musical Theatre from CSUF, favorite theatre credits include Sweeney Todd with Amanda McBroom and On the Twentieth Century with Joanna Gleeson. Concert and cabaret credits include numerous  performances at The Hollywood Bowl, and her original show Do-Re-Mi, Sing and Dance  with Me, which enjoyed four sold-out performances at the Cerritos Center. Arts  education matters deeply to Ms. McNally. For the past 18 years, she has inspired young  artists at South Coast Repertory, Trinitas Arts Conservatory, and Disneyland. Erin  currently resides in Placentia, CA with her husband Jeffrey and their two pups Mr.  Bingley and Georgie, who make every day something to sing about.

Dana Meller (‘96) appeared on Broadway as Eponine in Les Miserables and as Estelle in the first national tour of The Full Monty. Her regional credits include performances at the Kennedy Center, North Shore Music Theatre, Santa Rosa Theatre, Utah Musical Theatre, The Directors Club (NYC), The New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre Unlimited (LA), Noho Arts Center (LA), El Portal Theater (LA) and North Carolina Theatre, where she appeared as Tzeitel opposite Paul Sorvino in Fiddler On the Roof.  Locally, Dana received rave reviews as Chantelle in the world premiere production of Canum Entertainment’s Pest Control and for portraying Katya in the world premiere workshop of The Thief at the El Portal Theatre. Dana also appeared in Door to America at the Zephyr Theater, and in Inside out at the Grove Theatre, as well as in a concert reading of MTG’s Promises Promises and Louisiana Purchase at Musical Theatre West. Dana can be heard on several recordings, including Our Heart Sings, Tim: The Musical, and Man Smarts. Television appearances include a recurring role on Days of Our Lives, The Lost Tapes, and The Today Show.

Emily Mitchell Lindbeck holds an MFA degree in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University and a BA in Musical Theatre from California State University, Fullerton.  She has performed in European Tours and Cruise Ship Productions, as well as on the Broadway Stage (Hairspray). In addition to her love for performance, she has a passion for teaching.  She has taught several theatre courses at the Orange County High School of the Arts (OCSA) and Crafton Hills College.  Emily has also directed stage productions at various elementary schools in the Orange County and Los Angeles area.  She is honored and grateful to perform alongside her fellow alumni to celebrate her dear professor, Dr. Joe.  Many thanks to her family for their love and support, and to God for His amazing blessings. 

Lauren Stevens Nearhoff received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from CSUF alongside husband and favorite dance partner, Ryan Nearhoff. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Joe’s amazing accomplishments. Regional credits include Moonlight Amphitheatre (Kiss Me Kate), Starlight Amphitheatre (The Sound of Music, Oliver!), and Performance Riverside (South Pacific). National Tours: Seussical the Musical and Junie B. Jones. Lauren was honored to portray some of her favorite Disney characters in the opening cast of Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy. She and Ryan went on to cruise the Caribbean for two more contracts before deciding to move back to California to start a family of future Titans. Her favorite role she has gotten to play thus far is Mother to Piper and Lucy.

Ryan Nearhoff is a teacher, musician, and performer currently residing in Claremont, CA. Before earning his BFA in Musical Theater at Cal State Fullerton, Ryan was a member of the Citrus College Singers under the direction of Ben Bollinger. In 2020, Ryan earned his masters degree in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University. Ryan spent seven years based in New York City and performed across the country and around the world in theatrical and corporate events. After working with Disney Cruise Line in 2014/2015, Ryan decided to move back to his native California with his wife in order to start a family.

Currently, Ryan serves as the music teacher and Assistant Principal at St. Dorothy School in Glendora in addition to his work as a musician and performer. His greatest accomplishment is as husband and father to his beautiful wife Lauren, and his two little bugs, Piper and Lucy. “A huge thank you to Dr. Joe for your contributions to the field of education and my own life! I’m honored to be here to celebrate your accomplishments!”

Trevor H Olsen received his MFA from California State University, Fullerton where he appeared in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, Pvt Wars, The Man Of Mode, HAiR and Easter. Regional theatre credits include HAiR (Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago); King Lear (Geary Theatre); The Foreigner (Old Lyric Repertory Theatre); A Doll’s House (Westminster Theatre); The 1940’s Radio Hour (Pioneer Theatre Company). Los Angeles theatre credits include Cabaret (Celebration Theatre), Dysnomia (The Lounge Theatre), Hello Stranger, Niagara Falls, Famine Plays (Theatre Of NOTE). Film: Shooting Blanks; What If?; Memorial Day; Backstage. Television: Castle; LAX; Days Of Our Lives. Education: AA - College Of Eastern Utah, BFA Actor Training Program - University Of Utah.

Trevor would like to thank his family and friends for their inspiration and their never-ending love and support. Thank you Grandma.

Welton Thomas Pitchford

A proud Southern California native and forever Titan, Welton Thomas Pitchford holds a BA in Theater Arts and is the proud recipient of LA Ovation Award, LA Drama Critics Circle Award, LA Weekly Award and NAACP Theatre Award trophies and nominations. He’s portrayed a cunning music mogul, sex-crazed nitwit, dancing fork, and nerdy romantic in national touring companies and on dozens of regional stages across the country, including the 17,000 seat Hollywood Bowl and the largest repertory opera house in the world, New York’s The Met. His film work has been featured at the Cannes Film Festival and his television performances continue to air on ABC, CBS, NBC and a host of cable networks. Spy him @weltonworks. Book him @ weltonworks.com.