Company members
What brings us together is our dedication to keeping the arts alive in our schools. We believe in the ability of art and performance to foster an enthusiasm for learning, and by cultivating an appreciation for the arts we are able to enhance the student's overall school experience.
Meet the team
Rachel Baumsten: Producing Artistic Director
Rachel is proud to be the founder and Producing Artistic Director for The Collaboratory. It has been an incredible journey watching this company grow from the ground up. She earned her degree in Theatre Arts from California State University Fullerton. Outside of the company she wears many hats including Office Manager for Camp Bravo, and founder of HOT TIP Improv in Torrance. It's an honor to share her love of theatre and use it as a tool to teach and motivate the next generation.
Rachel is proud to be the founder and Producing Artistic Director for The Collaboratory. It has been an incredible journey watching this company grow from the ground up. She earned her degree in Theatre Arts from California State University Fullerton. Outside of the company she wears many hats including Office Manager for Camp Bravo, and founder of HOT TIP Improv in Torrance. It's an honor to share her love of theatre and use it as a tool to teach and motivate the next generation.
Josh Aguilar: Lead Content Developer
Writer of Hero's Journey, Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, and Story Keepers, Josh is proud to bring his creativity, ideas, and skills to The Collaboratory. Josh is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton's Theatre Department, and is also an accomplished martial artist and sculptor. An avid reader and lover of fairy tales, Josh hopes to help create a work that inspires children (and adults) to follow their dreams.
Writer of Hero's Journey, Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss, and Story Keepers, Josh is proud to bring his creativity, ideas, and skills to The Collaboratory. Josh is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton's Theatre Department, and is also an accomplished martial artist and sculptor. An avid reader and lover of fairy tales, Josh hopes to help create a work that inspires children (and adults) to follow their dreams.
Elizabeth Griswold: Performer
Elizabeth has worked as an educator in theatre since 2009, both on stage and behind the scenes. She is grateful for what she has learned through her experiences, and appreciates the opportunity to bring foundational material to students everywhere with the empowering art of theatre. She hopes to provide students with a strong sense of self worth and to convey the importance of effective communication, while simultaneously showing them how fun it can be to tell stories.
Elizabeth has worked as an educator in theatre since 2009, both on stage and behind the scenes. She is grateful for what she has learned through her experiences, and appreciates the opportunity to bring foundational material to students everywhere with the empowering art of theatre. She hopes to provide students with a strong sense of self worth and to convey the importance of effective communication, while simultaneously showing them how fun it can be to tell stories.
Nick Bradfield: Improv Instructor, Performer
Nick has been teaching improv at elementary and high schools since 2021. He loves the energy and creativity kids bring to improvisation. You should never grow out of being silly and having fun!
Nick has been teaching improv at elementary and high schools since 2021. He loves the energy and creativity kids bring to improvisation. You should never grow out of being silly and having fun!
Interested in becoming a member of The Collaboratory? Click the button to enter your info and we'll be in touch!