Charna Lopez was born and raised in Southern California and attended Chapman University, where she graduated magna cum laude and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in film and television broadcast journalism. She went on to earn her master’s degree in cross cultural education from National University. A dedicated member of the Orange County School of the Arts team since 2006, Ms. Lopez has focused much of her professional career on the arts and enjoys sharing her passion with the next generation of artists.

Ms. Lopez has extensive experience teaching dance, theatre, voice, and broadcast journalism, among other art forms. Ms. Lopez is the artistic director for Yorba Linda Spotlight Theater Company and has choreographed and directed more than 50 productions at various performing arts companies throughout Orange County. A few of her recent shows include Side Show, The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, School of Rock, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Little Shop of Horrors, and more. She is also an award-winning performing artist who has appeared throughout Southern California at theatres including Moonlight Amphitheater, Performance Riverside, Candlelight Pavilion, and Saddleback Civic Light Opera. Among her favorite roles are the title role in Peter Pan, Rizzo in Grease, The Witch in Into The Woods, DeLee in Smokey Joes Café (Theater League Award, Patte Award nomination), The Waitress in Working, Joan in Dames at Sea, and Patsy in Crazy For You.