SOHOnstage PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Sophie Matossian (she/her) is a versatile artist and educator from South Orange County, CA. She is a director, choreographer, playwright, and children's theatre teacher. After earning an AA in English from Saddleback College, she is now working towards a BA in Dramatic Literature.

Sophie has built a diverse skill set over her ten years of teaching. She started performing in her grandmother’s theatre company, Star PAK Theatre, at three years old and took on her first assistant directing role at thirteen. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, 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.

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

Reece (she/her) 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 high 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 a high school level. She enjoys reading and traveling and hopes to have more time and opportunities for both in the near future.

DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION

Ben (he/him) 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.

DIRECTOR OF LITERARY & DRAMATURGY

Elaina Lorenzo Marino (she/they) is a playwright, filmmaker, and researcher currently living in Los Angeles. This spring, she is finishing her B.A. in Theater (Integrated Studies) at UCLA, and has presented research at numerous academic conferences, including ASTR 2024, Q-Grad 2024, and Experiment in Trouble 2025. She is also the current Social Media Director and Undergrad Liaison for UCLA's Center for Performance Studies. 

As a founding member of Speaking of Home, she has co-written and directed six of the company's films, including the feature-length film Big Rock: The Rockumentary (2024). She is excited to continue creating with SOH, and to give summer camp members the same guidance, community, and acceptance that made theater her passion, and home, since high school. 

SOH COMPANY MANAGER

Zack Mallgrave (he/him) 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.

MEDIA DIRECTOR & TEACHING ARTIST

Rachael (she/her) is a deeply passionate, creative, and expressive actress and artist. She recently received two associate degrees from Saddleback College in Theater Arts and is currently working toward her BFA in Acting at the University of Michigan.

She is deeply interested in storytelling and believes that theatre plays a significant role in teaching compassion and creating a sense of community among people.

While she considers herself an actress first, she also has several other hobbies, including sewing, scrapbooking, painting, video production, and graphic design. She finds that the root of her love for each activity stems from a strong desire to create art that has a lasting impact and fulfills a part of her soul that desires to be seen.