NAME
Hayley Reese
CAMPUS
CJHS/CHS
TITLE
Drama Teacher
SUBJECTS TAUGHT
Drama II; Drama I; 8th Grade Drama; On Your Own; Financial Peace
LIFE VERSE
Psalm 23
WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO WORK FOR CHRISTIAN UNIFIED?
God called me to CHS/CJHS in an amazing way. The safe and creative outlet that theater provides is incredibly special. I love the way theatre encourages us to put ourselves in another person’s shoes and see what life is like from their point of view. It builds so much empathy for humankind, and our world needs that right now. I have always been passionate about building relationships with youth–a lot of who I am was first shaped by the mentors I had in my life when I was a teen. If I can be that person or create that space for a student, I’ll know I am doing what I was meant to do.
INTERESTING FACTS
Hayley Reese is the director and drama teacher at Christian Jr/Sr High School in El Cajon, California. You may have seen her previous directing work for the CETA award-winning show, To See The Stars (2018), receiving Best Ensemble and 2nd overall in its category. In addition, she directed Beauty and the Beast (2020), EAT (It’s Not About Food) (2019), It Happens Every Summer (2019), A Tree With Arms (2020), The Tale of Snow White (2019), The Great High School Whodunit (2020), Murder at the Malt Shop (2019), Paper or Plastic (2019), and Fairy Tale Courtroom (2018). An International Honor Thespian, Hayley’s foundational journey to directing began with 5+ years of acting on stage and 7+ years of costume design. She brings with her 8 years of dance experience, specializing in tap, hip hop, and musical theatre dance. She has continued her work as a dancer with 7 years of choreographing for various productions and dance groups in southern California and 2 years of teaching dance classes. She also dabbles in occasional voice over acting work in San Diego, California. Hayley is continually inspired by storytelling through the medium of theatre, as actor, audience member, and director. She believes wholeheartedly the power theatre has for actors and audience members to step into the shoes of another and build empathy for the complexity of humankind. Love and kindness to all!
Fun Stuff:
1. Hayley Reese LOVES to travel. She’s been to 16 countries so far across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America and can’t wait to add to keep adding to her list!
2. She can solve a Rubik’s cube!
3. She hate PB&Js, please never give her one.
HOMETOWN
San Diego
EDUCATION
Biola University – Bachelor’s Degree in Rhetoric & Interpersonal Communication; Minor in Biblical Studies
EXPERIENCE
Since 2018
WHAT YEAR DID YOU BEGIN TEACHING AT CHRISTIAN UNIFIED?
2018