Walking into the San Juan Hills High School theater, it is easy to see the students on stage, but less obvious that some of the adults directing them were once in their place.
Within the San Juan Hills Theatre Arts Program, the students of acting, backstage crews, and stage-managing are not only taught by their main advisor Cambria Graff, but also previous alumni and now teachers.
Former students Thomas Pike, Jaymes Macabale, and Jordyn Tagle have taken the advising roles that include guest directing, technical directing, and any other student teaching positions that they can partake in.
On behalf of these alumni, coming back is not just about teaching, but also legacy, mentorship, and giving current students the high school theatre experience they once felt.
For instance, Technical Director Thomas Pike, graduated circa 2014, and was previously a stagecraft student working on shows during class and after school. He later received an AA in technical theatre, a theatrical teaching degree, and is now in charge of most of San Juan Hills’ technical areas.
Now in his eleventh year working in the department, Pike loves his role as an advisor for many reasons. Whether it’s benefiting a student to find their purpose, or pushing them and their shows to be as professional and prideful as they can be, he thinks San Juan Hills is special in that aspect.
He not only guides during class, but also helps run most of the technical aspects of putting on a production after school. Almost like a sports coach, Pike does the same for the departments of technical theatre.
Alongside Pike, a fellow handler of productions also resides as a student teacher. Jordyn Tagle, alumni circa 2020, who serves as an instructional assistant for students.
She was a past stagecraft student herself, and stage-managed productions like Little Women, Newsies, and Lord of the Flies. Following high school, she received an AA in technical theatre, and returned to San Juan Hills in 2025 to advise students in her old program.
“Mrs. Graff contacted me about if I’m interested in helping out with the department and the technical aspect…because I have so much respect for her and this community that helped me find out what I want to do with my life, I decided that I can help and teach kids the wonderful world of technical theater,” said Tagle.
Not only does she help coordinate activities during class, but she really loves to help kids realize how creative they can be with their designs, help them put their ideas into work, and shape and experience something that they haven’t had yet.
In addition to these tech-crew alumni, a past actor and performer teaches among them as well.
Jaymes Macabale, graduated circa 2018, holds the role of a guest director and intructional arts assistant in the program.
As a student, Macabale was in many productions including Les Miserables, pursued a BA in theatre performance, eventually gained a job in his old theatre program – and never looked back since!
“The biggest thing I enjoy is that I get to do what I love and give back to the program that gave me so much while I was here…Mrs. Graff has worked so hard to build an amazing program and I’m glad that I not only was a product of it, but I get to be a part of sharing that with new classes every year!” said Macabale.
Since he is an alumni, he also has had the opportunity to now teach and experience theatre with his younger siblings Mady Macabale (11) and Jaycob Macabale (9). He advises his sister Mady during rehearsals after school, as well as his brother Jaycob during his stagecraft basic class.
A fellow student in his brother’s stagecraft period also has a lot to say on the impact of his advisement, as well as the other alumni teachers in the program.
“I love Mr. Macabale. He can be a little goofy sometimes, but he’s honestly a good teacher because he already has so much experience within the theatre world, but also our school’s theatre department too,” said Maddan Cook (10).
This cycle of mentorship defines the program, with their presence highlighting the lasting impact of the department, and the role it plays in shaping students long after they graduate.
For all of these advisors, the stage hasn’t changed, but their role has.
By helping future generations find their place under the lights, whether it’s guiding vocals and projection, teaching an easy way to build a flat, or how to run backstage, they are continuing a story that they once started themselves.
