The Department of Theatre Arts at Saddleback College presents First Lady Suite on December 2-11th in the Studio Theatre at Saddleback College. Directed by Mark McQuown and Musically Directed by Cathy Tibbitts, this quirky musical features guest artist Daebreon Poiema, who is currently starring in Sister Act the Musical at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont. First Lady Suite will give audiences an inside peek, in four separate segments, into the lives of four of the First Ladies of the United States of America and the people surrounding them. They are: Eleanor Roosevelt, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
Daebreon Poiema is a Southern California native, who attended The Orange County School of the Arts (OSCHA) where she pursued her love of acting playing Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Deidre in Runaways, Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels, and Erzulie in Once on this Island. While at OCHSA, she was a member of the performance group Kids Next Door. Daebreon received a BA in Theater Performance, with a concentration in Theater for Children, from The University of Texas at Austin. Starring as Lillly in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, she toured elementary schools throughout Texas. As Akela the Wolf in Jungalbook, Daebreon had the privilege of performing for children from Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Texas School for the Deaf. These experiences shaped her passion for the art of acting, and created a desire within her to move people through sincere expression. She continued to further her education and training by completing the Master’s program of The Actors Studio Drama School in New York. Daebreon Poiema has been performing professionally for over 15 years. As a gifted actress and singer, she feels extremely blessed to have graced stages in Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, Japan, and throughout the United States. She is excited about the doors opening for her in commercials, film, and television.”Poiema may bell possess the most glorious soprano since Audra McDonald first sang Your Daddy’s Son on Broadway…simply sublime, as is her acting.”—Steven Stanley, Stagescene LA
First Lady Suite takes place in the Studio Theatre at Saddleback College on December 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 at 7:30 p.m. and December 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling (949) 582-4656 (noon-4:00 p.m., Tuesday-Friday) and online at www.saddleback.edu/arts. Prices are $15 general; $12 seniors; $10 students.
The Department of Theatre Arts program at Saddleback College produces several fully-staged shows each year. All students are given the opportunity to audition for every production yet Theatre Arts students are given priority in the casting process. In addition there are numerous opportunities for students to contribute in backstage activities through the Entertainment and Theater Technology program.
Saddleback College is located at 28000 Marguerite Pkwy in Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit. Free parking is available in Lot 12. Take Avery Parkway to Marguerite Parkway turn left to the third traffic light, which is Saddleback’s Marguerite entrance. Turn right into the campus and take the third left to Theatre Circle, turning right into Lot 12.
Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community. Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers over 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals. For more information, please visit www.saddleback.edu and for Fine Arts information, please visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.
Photo Credit: Marisa Lowey-Ball
(left to right) Devon Watson, Daebreon Poiema, Jude Schrimp
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Nina Welch
Fine Arts Public Information Officer