About Us

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Sarah Francis has been a lifelong lover of stories and theatre, whether participating from the audience, on stage, or behind the scenes.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Truman State University.  Since then she has gone on to work in professional and educational theatre at La Jolla Playhouse, UCSD's Department of Theatre and Dance, Riverside Community College, and in other small theatre companies.  Sarah has worked with children of all ages in public school districts throughout San Diego County as a classroom teacher and substitute teacher and as a leader in the local homeschooling community.  Sarah founded Toy Chest Youth Theatre to fill a need she saw in the homeschool community and has taken great joy in giving kids the opportunity to play and create together. She currently homeschools her two younger children, and is watching her two older children spread their wings as young adults.  She is excited to explore acting, design, and stagecraft with a new group of students this year.

As a sophomore in high school Michael Francis missed his school's soccer tryouts due to a family vacation.  That is when he turned from sports to theatre.  He hasn't looked back since.  Michael received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater at Truman State University where he excelled both onstage and off.  His career in theatre has included working for La Jolla Playhouse, Lamb's Players Theatre, The San Diego Rep, and 20+ years at UCSD's Department of Theatre and Dance.  Michael and Sarah have worked as a team to create theatre together since they met in their college theatre program in 1997.  They once played opposite each other in a production of The Princess And The Pea, and are now happy to share their expertise teaching the next generation.