Drama School Diaries Podcast (DSD) -

In Episode 10 of Drama School Diaries , we sit down with Victor Barreiro , LACHSA ’99 alum and the TV producer behind some of the most iconic red‑carpet broadcasts at the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys . Victor’s journey is a powerful reminder of how arts education shapes more than talent — it shapes identity, discipline, and the courage to pursue a creative life . Growing up in Montebello, Victor fou...

From Arts High gospel choir to Grammy-nominated jazz sensation 🎙️✨ This week on Drama School Diaries, we sit down with the incredible Gretchen Parlato for an honest and inspiring conversation about artistry, curiosity, resilience, and finding your voice. Growing up in a musical family in the Valley, Gretchen shares how her journey through LACHSA, UCLA, and the Thelonious Monk Institute shaped not...

In this episode of Drama School Diaries, we sit down with the incomparable Ulises Bella — multi‑instrumentalist, culture‑shaper, and founding member of the Grammy‑winning band Ozomatli. Ulises takes us on a journey through the soundtrack of his life: 🎵 Growing up surrounded by music 🎵 His early days at LACHSA 🎵 The wild, unpredictable path of the music industry 🎵 The cultural impact of Ozomatl...

Episode 7: April Showers – From April Showers to Unicorn Powers In this episode, we sit down with the incredible April Showers , the powerhouse behind Afro Unicorn® and the first Black woman to own a major licensed character brand featured in major retailers nationwide . But this conversation goes far beyond her business success. April opens up about her time at LACHSA (Los Angeles County High Sch...

What does it really take to find your voice as an artist? 🎭✨ In this episode, John Constantine from The Hound joins Drama School Diaries to talk about the evolution of his creative identity—from training to real-world artistry. We listen to his track “Can’t Let You Go” 🎧 and get into the story behind it—from the bold, provocative visual choices in the music video 🔥 to the deeper artistic insti...

In this inspiring episode of Drama School Diaries, Michael Longoria shares his journey from arts education at LACHSA to success on Broadway—and how that foundation shaped both his career and identity as an artist. Michael opens up about overcoming challenges, the power of mentorship, and how arts training builds empathy, discipline, and resilience. He also dives into diversity in theater, creating...

In this engaging interview, Evelyn Yamauchi shares her journey from an untrained high school student to a successful realtor and performer, highlighting how arts education shapes resilience, structure, and confidence. Discover how her experiences at LACHSA and in opera influenced her career and life, offering valuable insights for aspiring artists and students. Keywords: arts education, LACHSA, pe...

What does 65+ years of shaping artists actually look like? In this episode of Drama School Diaries , we sit down with legendary arts educator Jerry Freedman to explore his extraordinary career at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and beyond. From the earliest days of the school to decades of teaching, mentorship, and advocacy, Mr. Freedman shares stories that span generations of stud...

What happens when your acting dream takes an unexpected turn—and leads you into the world of movie magic? In this episode of Drama School Diaries , we sit down with Daniel Sukara, a former student of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, to explore his unconventional path from performing arts student to professional special makeup effects artist. Daniel reflects on growing up in Pasaden...

What really happens after drama school ends? In the premiere episode of Drama School Diaries , hosts Kenny Ricci, Marivic Guevara, and Tenelle Cadogan sit down with Ronnie Kimble to revisit their time at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts—and everything that came after. From ambition and jealousy to unexpected career pivots, they unpack how arts training shapes who you become long aft...