Welcome to coARTS
Change the Culture Amplify the Artist
Transform Theatre
About coARTS Group
coARTS Mission
coARTS is committed to upholding equitable practices throughout the Los Angeles theatre and arts community through inventive and quality theatrical productions, effective educational programs and classes, and examining humanity through all creative art forms.
coARTS brings together a community of artists and actors inspired by their craft to advocate for a better industry; not only for themselves, but for those within and around their community. Creating safe spaces for aspiring young artists to express their true authentic selves; building theatre arts classes that allow you to express your own individuality and artistic interpretations and advocating for better working environments for actors within the Los Angeles theatre industry. Together we can do better. Our programming includes theatre, arts education (for all levels of experience), and the visual arts.
Where are we heading? Glad you asked!
Theatre Arts: coARTS will produce a variety of theatrical productions, focusing on bringing Musical Theatre back to the Los Angeles area, giving opportunity to those all of all ages, to find their place on the stage, while helping to bridge the gap between the educational institution and the professional arena. This program is designed to help bring back theatre after the devastation our community has suffered due to the pandemic.
Arts Education: Our classes and masterclasses are being crafted for artists and actors of all kinds. This includes: Acting, Musical Theatre, Script Analysis, Movement, and many more. coARTS offers a myriad of classes taught by professionals trained in a wide range of specific skills. We are committed to giving every person a platform to expand their abilities, discover new avenues of growth, and find or reconnect with the artists within.
Arts Education should be made available to anyone who wants it. Therefore, coARTS Group will be launching a FREE program geared toward underserved communities who are looking to engage their creativity and pursue their passions.
coARTS was formed out of the growth and success of the The Actor's Establishment. Created at the height of the COVID19 pandemic, The Actor's Establishment was an online collaboration space that included a virtual acting studio, workshops and masterclasses, and served as a haven for actors and artists to harness their work, stay creatively active, and express their own artistic interpretations. Thank you to The Actor’s Establishment and its members’ incredible resilience and desire to “keep on working” during a devastating time for theatre. We, at coARTS, will continue to uphold the TAE mission as we cultivate our endeavors in this excitingly new step forward.
Core Values:
-
Celebrate Diverse Perspectives.
-
Practice Inclusive and Equitable Behavior.
-
Strive for Artistic Excellence.
-
Engage all Persons with Humanity and Compassion.
-
Uphold the Integrity of the Work.
-
Communicate and Collaborate with Humility.
Our Commitment:
-
Advocate for all artists when it comes to setting boundaries and standards for their personal and mental health.
-
Continue to be an equitable voice for theatre artists.
-
Support inclusive work and rehearsal environments.
-
Establish and Implement a Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility Committee.
-
Increase the representation of all BIPOC and other underrepresented artists.
-
Lift up BIPOC and other underrepresented voices, cultures, and art forms within our productions, exhibits, casting, education, and outreach.
What We Do
Venue Management
Produce Theatre and Theatrical Events
Cultivate Producing Partnerships
Build Educational Programming and Classes
Bring Artists and Communities Together for Sustainable Arts
Educate Artists and Theatre-Goers on Equitable and
Inclusive Theatre Practices
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusivity
coARTS is committed to building a creative and inclusive environment that celebrates individuality and diversity. Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, humanity, and respect. These values are true on our stage, within our audience, and within our leadership. coARTS does not and will not discriminate in our practices or employment on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religions, sex, age, gender, or sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. coARTS believes in creating and providing a safe space conducive not only to every artist’s exploration and discovery within the work surrounding their craft, but a space where our audiences and guests are able to learn, grow, and reflect on their own personal experiences through the arts.
Board of directors
Jason James
Producing Artistic Director/President
As an accomplished Actor, Producer, Director, and Acting Coach, Jason James has garnered himself a voice for the theatrical community and is a true creative force to be studied.
As a director Mr. James has been acclaimed for his creative staging and unique conceptual interpretations. Some of his directorial credits include: Jekyll and Hyde: The Thriller Musical, A Man of No Importance (Stage Scene LA Award), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Sylvia, The Best of Everything, Stephen Sondheim’s Company, Disney's Beauty and the Beast and his award winning re-imagination of A Christmas Carol.
Mr. James is the former Producing Artistic Directing of The Sturges Center for Fine Arts, where he was the first person to produce a fully mounted production under the Sturges Center’s name in 88 years. He worked closely with the City of San Bernardino, producing and directing entertainment events such as: The League of Cities Annual Fundraiser and San Bernardino’s Bicentennial Celebration and Gala.
Mr. James’ past teaching and lecturing credits help give him a unique perspective with meeting each artist where they are, while giving them a safe atmosphere to guide and equip them along their acting journey. Jason James is both L.A.’s best kept secret and a growing force to be reckoned with in teaching actors about their ever growing industry.
Mr. James holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA, College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts and an MFA in Performance Pedagogy from Loyola Marymount University.
Kara Masek
Executive Board/Secretary
Kara Masek is a Los Angeles based singer, actress, and educator. Regionally, Kara has been heard in recital as part of the “Classics at the Merc” concert series in Temecula, as a soprano soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana, Handel’s Messiah, and Opera in the Park’s Opera Sings Broadway. She has sung with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus as well as with the vocal group Modern Men.
Internationally, Kara has performed in a concert of opera classics in historical venues throughout Verona; and while in Italy, had the privilege of studying with world-renowned soprano June Anderson.
Some of Kara’s favorite opera roles include: The Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute), Amina (La Sonnambula), Adina (L’Elisir d’Amore), Despina (Così fan tutte), Laetitia (The Old Maid and the Thief).
She was a selected singer of The Opera Buffs organization in Los Angeles and a recipient of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions Encouragement Award. Some of Kara’s musical theatre roles include: Petra in A Little Night Music, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (DTL winner), Casilda in The Gondoliers, Princess Léonide in Triumph of Love (ITL winner), Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, and Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria.
Kara was on the music faculty at California State University Los Angeles for 7 years, and is currently on staff at CSULA’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning where she is part of a team that creates and facilitates faculty and curriculum development.
Kara holds a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a Masters Degree, in the same discipline, at San Diego State University.
Sabrina Man-Son-Hing
Executive Board Member
Sabrina Man-Son-Hing is an attorney at PB Law Group in Los Angeles, CA.
Justin Key
Executive Board/Treasurer
Justin Key is an actor, author, DEI Facilitator, and entrepreneur in Los Angeles, CA.
Originally from Rossville, TN, Key relocated to Memphis, TN, at 18. He trained professionally in acting at the Circuit Playhouse and then continued his education at LeMoyne-Owen College, where he received his bachelor's degree in Mathematics. Justin worked as a commercial actor, voiceover artist, and print model before relocating to the West Coast to further his education and training. He went on to study acting and graduate from AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. His features include Netflix, BET, Comedy Central, PBS, and Amazon Prime, with notable print campaigns for Walmart, Ross Stores, Burlington, and more.
After receiving his MBA in Entrepreneurship from Mount Saint Mary's University-Los Angeles, Justin taught entertainment entrepreneurship and designed curricula for universities nationwide. His expertise led him to consult privately for Fortune 500 companies in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and best communication practices for global audiences through his company Black Theorem. Key has become a highly sought-after speaker, nationally and internationally. In 2018, he published his first book, Mind Control. This self-help book centers around living a life without limits and not putting restrictions on ones' given talents, gifts, and personality, which quickly became a Top 10 bestseller.
He’s a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., serves on numerous boards, and created the Justin Key Scholarship Endowment at his high school alma mater, Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High School, in Somerville, TN.
Christopher Scott Murillo
Executive Board Member
Christopher Scott Murillo (he/him/his) is a scenic designer, artist, and educator based in Los Angeles, CA. Most recently, his work has been seen at Sierra Rep, Native Voices at the Autry, New Village Arts Theatre, and the Getty Villa. Christopher is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829. As a production designer, his work can be seen on Paramount+ on Halo the Series: Declassified, Peak of the Week, and The Ready Room with Wil Wheaton. Christopher is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at Loyola Marymount where he teaches courses in stagecraft, set design, and the collaborative process. He is a 2016 recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Theater Fellowship- Pierre Cardin Award.
Carlos Giron
Executive Board Member
Carols is an attorney at PB Law Group in Los Angeles, CA.