STAFF
Nicole LaBella
DIRECTOR
Nicole LaBella, a native San Diegan, and has taught for 27 years at both the middle and high school level. She graduated Summa Cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Arts/emphasis in English, a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Preliminary Administrative Credential. At the age of 5, she began taking classical ballet classes with California Ballet Company and continued her dance training for another 18 years. Her passion for theatre began in middle school where she participated in her first musical! She pursued both dance and theatre throughout high school and college. Her high school theatre teacher/director, Barry Bosworth, truly inspired her desire to become a teacher. His genuine kindness and passion for his work was infectious. He was a master at instilling confidence in his students, celebrating their unique qualities, and providing challenging opportunities for them to grow, and creating a place to call "home" within the theatre walls. She credits Mr. Bosworth for being the spark and inspiration that created a foundation for her career path.
Mrs. LaBella spent her first 23 years of teaching at the middle school where she held a variety of positions. Over the course of these years, she taught nearly every core subject; was a teacher on special assignment, taught dance and performing arts, directed 16 full scale musical theatre productions, was the school VAPA coordinator, and created and directed an arts integration program.
In 2015, Mrs. LaBella had the opportunity to come to Steele Canyon High School and teach/direct full time - a dream job! Since her arrival, the Steele Canyon Players have earned a variety of awards most recently being honored by National Youth Arts for Best Musical '19 with Les Miserables, and Broadway San Diego Award for Best Musical '18 withThe Sound of Music. Mrs. LaBella feels so fortunate to share her passion with the incredible students at Steele, and only hopes that she can provide an environment that emulates her high school theatre experience - one where students create cherished memories, celebrate their individuality, grow their passions, and develop their craft.
Beverly Claar
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Bev Claar joined the Steele Canyon Players Theatre Department in 2016. She has her AA in General Education and was working toward her Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education), when theatre became more enticing.
Bev started working in the tech industry at the East County Performing Arts Center right out of high school. There, she began working as a stage technician, made her way through all of the behind the scenes" jobs, working her way up to Assistant Production Manager and then Production Manager. She then moved onto 3-D Stage Lighting as an office manager which is when she started working with Valhalla High School's Theatre Department teaching students lighting and stage work.
Today, Bev shares her talents with the Performing Arts Departments at Valhalla High School, West Hills High School, El Capitan High School, and Steele Canyon High School. She is thrilled to share her passion for the technical side of the art of theatre and professional expertise with high school students. Additionally, Bev currently works for Flashback/Staudervision Lighting, a company that does corporate gigs.
"Without techies, actors would be jobless."
Brice Cloke
Performance Assistant & Choreographer
Brice is beyond thankful and excited to be a member of the performing arts staff at Steele Canyon! An alumni of Steele Canyon, Brice started performing at a very young age, and has trained in all styles of dance including tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical and contemporary. Some notable performing credits include Shrek in Shrek the Musical (SCHS), Adam in Freaky Friday (YAT), Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream (SCHS), Squidward in Spongebob the Musical (YAT), and his favorite being Marius in Les Miserables at Steele Canyon.
Additionally, Brice serves as a class instructor and choreographer at Young Actors' Theatre, as well as a Parade Dancer and Costume Performer at Sesame Place San Diego. Brice is currently studying Theatre Arts at Grossmont College, in hopes to one day be a theatre teacher. Mrs. LaBella had a tremendous impact on Brice's growth and journey during his time at Steele Canyon, and he would not be the person he is today without the love and support from Mrs. LaBella, Mrs. Luck, and the Steele Canyon Players family. He is so grateful to be sharing his passions here at Steele, and be that role model to students and help grow the next generation of theatre lovers!!