Drama

Eric started his career here at MPC. From Monterey he traveled to Las Vegas to work at the MGM Grand, among other venues, before landing a gig with the Cirque du Soleil. With the Cirque he helped install and run Alegria in Biloxi, Mississippi (or as he so fondly refers to it, the Redneck Riviera). We are grateful to have his experience and enthusiasm back while he continues his education. In 2005 Eric began his most ambitious project ever, when he and his wife, Olga, had their first child, Ivan. Currently he is serving as interim Shop Foreman.

Mr. Retsky has been with MPC since 1989, currently he is an Instructional Specialist, Master Electrician, Lighting Lab Instructor, a carpenter, a Lighting Designer, a sometimes Sound Designer and/or Engineer, and a whole bunch of other things. Steve prepared for his multi-faceted role by earning his B.A. degree from Temple University and then freelancing in Southern California for 6 years. There he worked in legit Theatre, Movies, Music Videos, and all of the major Amusement Parks, ending up as the Master Electrician at South Coast Repertory Theatre. From there he went into educational theatre; first at Western Stage, then at the University of South Carolina, and finally here at MPC. In 2001 Steve became a proud member of the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 611. In 2006 he earned his Masters of Arts in Education.

Ms. Akard, a Peninsula native, has extensive experience teaching dance and theater here in Monterey County as well as throughout California and Nevada. She has choreographed numerous productions for MPC including Follies, The Rocky Horror Show, It’s a Grand Night for Singing, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Grease and Annie among others. In addition to her directing and choreography, Laura teaches courses in Movement for Actors and Audition Techniques for the Theater. Along with her assignments at MPC she teaches privately throughout the community. She recently finished working as choreographer on the 25th anniversary tour of Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit as well as the local production of Zoot Suit at El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista. In 2004 Laura’s original, full length ballet, “Treasures, Gifts and Dreams,” with an original score by Dr. Bruce Lee, was produced by Dance Kids of Monterey County at the Sunset Center in Carmel.

Boes holds a B.A. in Creative Writing and a M.F.A. in Film and Screenwriting from UCLA. Having written and produced two seasons of a National Endowment and Student Emmy award winning television magazine program for UCLA in addition to her commercial music video credit. Boes has worked as a script doctor on several independent projects, including the recently released April Moon. Boes is a recipient of the Samuel Goldwyn Writing Award for her screenplay, Sacramento; in addition to receiving the Bridget and Bob Colleary Award for Best Romantic Comedy, as well as the Stephen Gershenson and a Screenwriting Diversity Award for the screenplay, White Trash Cooking.

Mr. Selvig began his theatrical career here at MPC in the mid 60's, then moved on to get his Bachelor of Arts Degree at UC Davis. His interest focused on directing and set design. From there Conrad went to the Professional Acting program at ACT (American Conservatory Theatre). His fascination with innovative forms of theatre grew while directing new pieces in college and while working in London "on the Fringe", and throughout Holland. He returned to Monterey, and ultimately to MPC in 1980. Since his return Conrad estimates that he has directed around 70 shows including Story Theatre, Fantastic's, Jumpers, Revenge of the Space Pandas, On Golden Pond at venues around the peninsula, and Buried Child and Six Degrees of Separation on the Morgan Stock Stage. Currently he teaches our off-site classes producing and directing most of our Outreach Productions at Cherry Hall, a space where he has initiated several renovations of the theatre.