about us
Reece Harmon
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION
* Director of Shrek Jr. *
Reece is an actor, director, and teacher of theater arts and English language arts. She received her BA in English Education with an emphasis in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University with a semester abroad studying Theatre Arts at University of Birmingham, England. She received teaching credentials in English and Social Studies from Cal State San Marcos.
She has taught for many years at institutions across south Orange County as well as in public schools in north San Diego County. She is currently an English Language Arts teacher for middle school students and a Theatre teacher for middle and elementary school students.
Reece hopes to get her Masters in Theatre Arts and continue teaching both English and Theatre at middle and high school levels. She enjoys reading and traveling and hopes to have more time and opportunities for both in the near future.
Sophie Matossian
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
* Music Director of Shrek Jr. *
Sophie Matossian is a versatile artist and educator from South Orange County, CA. She is a writer, performer, producer, choir teacher and children's theatre director. She is currently working towards a BA in English at Depaul University.
Sophie has built a diverse skill set over her ten years of teaching. She is trained in theatre tech, vocal techniques, music theory, ballet, tap, and musical theatre dance.
Beyond theatre, she has expanded her talents to include copywriting, editing, website development, photography, and barista training, turning hobbies into practical skills. Passionate about mentorship, Sophie aims to inspire aspiring performers, following the legacy of her mother and grandmother.
Zack Mallgrave
TEACHING ARTIST
* Director of Shrek Jr. *
Zack Mallgrave is an actor, director, commediante, and physical theatre artist from San Clemente. This spring, he received his BFA in Acting from Boston University. He has spent time studying his craft abroad at the Accademia dell’Arte in Tuscany, Italy and with Divaldo Continuo Theatre in the Czech Republic.
Zack is a co-founder of Speaking of Home and has starred in multiple short films. He has an extensive theatre and film resume, and is constantly looking for opportunities to broaden his knowledge and teach his findings. He is trained in movement, mask work, contact improv, clowning, stage combat, tumbling, juggling, and Vocal Combat Technique. He is interested in new devised works and creating stories that speak of home.
Abby Matossian
TEACHING ARTIST
* Choreographer of Shrek Jr. *
Abby Matossian is a full-time musical theatre performer and has been working throughout California since graduating high school in 2022. She is currently working towards a degree in Musical Theatre. Abby has training in acting, dance, and vocal performance from Baylor University, Saddleback College, and Irvine Valley College. She has been teaching kids for a little over 8 years now and loves to share her passion for the arts.
Recent credits include Pearl Crabs in SpongeBob the Musical (No Square Theatre), Rusty in Footloose! (No Square Theatre), Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray (Desert Theatricals), or Charlotte in Cinderella (Gem Theatre).
Ben Yawn
TECHNICAL PRODUCER
Ben is an actor, playwright, producer, editor, and theatrical designer. He is working towards his BA in Theater at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, with an emphasis in Acting. During his time at UCLA, Ben has trained in playwriting, sound design, and combat for stage and film, in addition to his major coursework in acting and theatrical studies. He also has training in Meisner and improv, with experience in photography, editing, and working with and leading young artists. He is a co-founder of Speaking of Home Productions and has had the opportunity to self-produce, direct, and manage projects such as The Midnight Dreary (2024), Letter of Resignation (2024), and Big Rock: The Rockumentary (2024).
Ben has an affinity for theater for social change, science, gaming with friends, world building, and their ties to immersive sensory theater. He hopes to continue devising projects with his friends and peers to bring more accessible and personal art into an open space, finding new and interesting ways to affect audiences of all kinds.
Rachael Valdez
PRODUCTION DESIGNER