Executive & Artistic Director
Laura Grissom
Ms. Grissom has been involved in children's community theatre in the San Fernando Valley for several years. As the Children's Musical Theatre Director at a local dance studio from 2008 - 2011, Ms. Grissom produced and directed four productions a year, including two shows each summer for the studio's summer camp program. Previous shows include Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Footloose, Bugsy Malone, Aladdin and Grease. Since starting Kismet Kids in 2011, Ms. Grissom has directed over 50 productions including Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, 101 Dalmatians, Snow White, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, The Jungle Book, Seussical the Musical, Annie, The AristoCats, Hairspray!, Mulan Jr, Shrek the Musical!, Disney's Sleeping Beauty, High School Musical!, Mary Poppins, The Lion King, The Addams Family, Into the Woods, Hercules, Matilda, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (Online) and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Online)!
Ms. Grissom is currently the director of the award winning competition Dance Core, at California Dance Academy. In addition to directing and producing 4 shows a year at KKMT, Ms. Grissom also directs children's musical theatre programs at elementary schools in Chatsworth, Reseda, and Simi Valley.
Ms. Grissom is currently the director of the award winning competition Dance Core, at California Dance Academy. In addition to directing and producing 4 shows a year at KKMT, Ms. Grissom also directs children's musical theatre programs at elementary schools in Chatsworth, Reseda, and Simi Valley.
On-Camera Workshops Director
Jacob Ockwood
Jacob is an actor with over 10 years of teaching experience. He has his BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University and has studied with NYU and AADA in acting, music, dance and stunts. He has created and run children's programs for Discovery Cube and Mad Science, passionately leading with his mission to get kids excited about learning. Jacob is thrilled to join the Kismet Kids family and launch our new On-Camera Workshops division!
Jacob Ockwood
Jacob is an actor with over 10 years of teaching experience. He has his BFA in Acting from Oklahoma City University and has studied with NYU and AADA in acting, music, dance and stunts. He has created and run children's programs for Discovery Cube and Mad Science, passionately leading with his mission to get kids excited about learning. Jacob is thrilled to join the Kismet Kids family and launch our new On-Camera Workshops division!
Musical Director
Katie McTyre
Originally from Santa Ana, California, Miss Katie now considers the Los Angeles area her home, after over a decade on the East coast. Holding both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in music she has had extensive training in both classical repertoire and contemporary music theatre. A lover of cabarets and standards, Katie is also well versed in oldies, jazz, and popular music. We were thrilled to have Katie join our Kismet Kids family in 2015. She has since been the music director for Mary Poppins, Aladdin Jr, Cinderella, Willy Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, Snow White, Peter Pan, The Lion King, Sound of Music, The Addams Family, Into the Woods, Shrek the Musical, The Little Mermaid, Seussical, The Jungle Book, Annie, Hercules, Hairspray, Matilda, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley (Online), and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Online)!
Choreographers
Nicole Turner
Nicole began her dance training at local studios at the age of three. Growing up she trained in Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, and attended numerous competitions and conventions throughout the years. At age 16 she decided to continue her training at some of the top studios in Los Angeles, such as, Movement Lifestyle, Edge PAC, and Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Since then, Nicole strives to be a triple threat in the dance, acting, and modeling industries. She has been in commercials for companies such as Apple, danced in a variety of music videos, and appeared on Disney channel. Although she continues to grow her professional career, she has found a passion for choreography. She has choreographed over 35 musical theatre productions for Kismet Kids since the age of 17, and began teaching and coaching. She is currently teaching at California Dance academy, and is a coach for their competition team, Dance Core. She is a firm believer that proper technique and body awareness are key to succeed as a dancer and pushes herself to become a better teacher every day. Her main goal is to give her students a positive outlet to express themselves through movement and to make a difference in their lives. She truly loves her profession and is always excited to continue working with Kismet Kids!
Mariah Grissom
Mariah began her dance journey at a young age and is trained in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, tap, musical theatre, and pointe. She started teaching when she was fourteen and in addition, Mariah is also a coach for a competitive dance team at California Dance Academy, where she began teaching in 2020. Her choreography has achieved several Judge's Choice, high point placements, and choreography awards over the years as well. Mariah began choreographing for Kismet Kids Musical Theatre in 2014 as well as musical theatre programs at local elementary schools. Mariah's main goal is to help people of all ages express their passion for dance, and to use the art as a creative and progressive outlet! Since joining Kismet Kids, Mariah has choreographed for Shrek the Musical, Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins, Aladdin Jr, Beauty and the Beast, Grease, The Lion King, The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, Annie, Hercules, and Matilda. Mariah is excited to return each summer to Kismet Kids.
Staff Director
Zack Grissom
Zack is the only other staff member who has been with the program since the beginning. He began performing in numerous Kismet Kids productions at a young age, before becoming the Head Production Assistant in 2018, and eventually the Staff Director. Zack's goal is to make sure that every Kismet Kid has an amazing experience. He looks forward to meeting and working with every Kismet Kid each show. Zack currently attends CSUN and works fulltime as a teacher in early childhood education during the school year.
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