Meet The Team

Dr. Turner is the Assistant Director of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University, where she teaches acting, history, and literature courses. She won the Outstanding Faculty Award at SDSU in 2020, 2023, and 2024. Katie is a Designated Meisner Teacher (Meisner Institute) and a graduate of the MCIAT Comprehensive Training course. She is a Theatre Generalist, but her passion is working with actors, both as an acting teacher and as a director. Aside from the Meisner and Chekhov techniques, Katie is a also a specialist in Improvisational Acting, Devised Theatre, Script Analysis, Standard Patient Acting, Theatre History, and Dramaturgy.  Katie is also a playwright and producer. In addition to dozens of productions and company affiliations over the years, Katie ran her own theatre company, Turnkey Theatre, from 2020-2022, which specialized in original interactive plays. Her choose-your-own-adventure Gothic Melodrama Iris and the Axe won the "Outside the Box" award at the 2022 San Diego International Fringe Festival. Find Turnkey Theatre's work on YouTube.

Natalie McClure is an educator, actor, director and writer. She holds an MFA from San Diego State University and a BFA from Western Michigan University.  Natalie has performed in the Broadway sit-down of Mamma Mia! in Las Vegas; multiple roles in New York, Chicago, and regional theaters across the US; in television and films; and in various national commercials. Natalie co-founded an all female production team called Trick Candle Productions in New York City where she created, produced, and starred in an award winning web series called Kid Friendly*. Kid Friendly*  was featured at Catalyst, Brooklyn Web Fest, Miami Web Fest, Lancaster International Short Film, and Top Shot film festivals. Most notably, Kid Friendly* was one of three finalists to be chosen for the Storycentral LABS/CBS Interactive Accelerator Challenge in which Natalie and team presented a new pitch in front of a live audience and for esteemed judges. Natalie and the team won the challenge and they were awarded with a CBS Network Interactive development prize.  Natalie is an educator who values teaching the realities of the industry to her students to help them create their own sustainable practices for a lifelong career in performance. She helped to start the Education wing of the Portland Area Theatre Alliance (PATA) as the Education Chair of the organization. Natalie has since coached voice, acting, self tape techniques, and "The Business of Acting" courses and workshops at San Diego State University, Portland State University, PATA, San Diego Musical Theatre, MCIAT, and in her own studio.  www.nataliemcclure.net ig: @natalie.actor.teacher

Lisa Berger is a Meisner Teacher, Professor of Theatre and Freelance Director. In her 30 year career, she has directed over 60 productions. Theaters include: The New York Fringe Festival, LaJolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Diversionary Theatre, Backyard Renaissance, Cygnet Theatre, New Village Arts, Compass Theatre, Mira Costa College and the University of San Diego. She began her teaching career as a teaching artist for Walt Disney’s The Lion King, The Metropolitan Opera Guild, Camp Broadway and the LaJolla Playhouse. She received her MFA from the University of Montana and is a graduate of The William Esper Studio in New York City where she studied with Maggie Flanigan. Lisa currently teaches The Meisner Technique at The Actor’s Academy at Mira Costa and the University of San Diego.

Liz is a specialist in psychophysical actor training. Her work integrates the theories and practices of Michael Chekhov, Rudolph Laban and Arthur Lessac voice work. Liz was Co-Founder/Artistic Director for the Kings County Shakespeare Company (KCSC) in NYC from 1983-2001, where she was involved in over 50 productions. She has directed and/or choreographed for New Avenue Theatre Project (NYC), Utah Shakespearean Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Old Globe Theatre, Playwrights Project, New Village Arts, OUT ON A LIMB New Plays Festival and lots of little loft-type theatres throughout NYC. She has directed, choreographed and taught movement and acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Technique for the Whole Actor Studio, T. Schreiber Studio, Manhattan Marymount College, The Atlantic Theatre Company, Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts, USD’s Theatre Arts Program and The Old Globe/USD Graduate Acting Program. Favorite projects include Genet/Hamlet, Winter’s Tale, Rough Crossing, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Midsommer Night’s Dreame, Taming of the Shrew Aphra Behn's The Rover, Blood Wedding, On The Verge, Lysistrata, Fifth of July, On Air and The Creation Project. LizMoves.weebly.com

Synai (They/He) is in his last semester at SDSU majoring in graphic design with a minor in theater. They are very excited to be a part of this team and they look forward to bringing you more cool Actor’s Place content!

Ina Lelevier is a bilingual and bicultural student, performer, and aspiring PR practitioner entering her senior year at San Diego State University, where she is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations and minoring in Theatre Arts. She holds two associate degrees, one in Communication Studies and the other in Theatre Arts. She has performed lead roles in several musical theatre productions during her time at university and regionally. She is also an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) at SDSU.

Kay De (they/them) is a Mexican theatre practitioner in love with all facets of theatre. They acquired their B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Minor in Creative Writing, a Minor in Humanities and a Certificate in Leadership at SDSU, where they are finishing up their Masters. Dramaturgy is their focus, with special interest in Experimental, Queer and Gothic works.

Jenna Pekny has trained with MCIAT since fall 2024. She trained four days a week for ten months under the one-year certification track. Due to scheduling conflicts, she could not complete it within the one-year mark, nor did she want to move on from the studio just yet, so she will be completing her certification this year in both Chekhov and Meisner. She has served as programming assistant intern over this period helping to manage technique class enrollment and inquiries, and on-going programming such as seminars, workshops, and intensives. She is so grateful to fill this role and help support the success of the studio. She will be auditioning for MFA programs this winter. You can see her in Swing State at OnStage Playhouse this January!