Krista Carson Elhai has been a Theatre Educator for 35 years and has directed 300+ productions. She has over 500 students in her program at Claremont HS, which produces 7-10 shows a year, with 11 sections of theatre, and an International Baccalaureate Theatre program. Her productions have performed mainstage at both the CA State Thespian Festival and the International Thespian Festival. Her program at Hemet HS and Claremont HS were both named an Outstanding School Theatre Program by the Educational Theatre Association.
Serving on the CA State Thespian board since 1993, Krista Carson Elhai was a three term California State Thespian Director where she oversaw the 350+ Thespian Troupes in CA. She is Past President of the California Educational Theatre Association. She has been selected to be lead teacher for the Model Curriculum Institute to develop new materials for Career and Technical Education courses in California. Krista is currently serving on the EdTA Governing Board, as well as the Pre-AP Arts Committee for The College Board. She still serves on both the CETA and CA State Thespian Board.
Krista has taught numerous workshops throughout California on fundraising, time management, marketing, developing a theatre program, and Theatre Advocacy, as well as a two day Theatre Teacher Bootcamp (co-taught with Gai Jones). A two-time Finalist for the LA Music Center Bravo Award, Krista was awarded a Chase Fellowship from the LA Music Center. She has received the CA Educational Theatre Association’s Theatre Teacher of the Year (2008), Claremont USD’s Teacher of the Year (2011), and was inducted into the EdTA’s (Educational Theatre Association) National Hall of Fame in 2009, and the CA State Thespian Hall of Fame in 2012.
She is the proud mom to Lindsey (Costumer at DisneyWorld), and twins Dylan (AEA Stage Manager & Light Designer), and Noah (Scenic Designer, Costumer).