Deena Foley

dfoley@ci.brentwood.ca.us

Professional Background: I left New York for Brentwood in the fall of 2001, after the 9-11 terrorist attacks prompted a hold on our touring production of the musical Rent. With the exception of work related stays in New York and Florida, I have lived in the Bay Area my entire life. I started performing in grade school, when I was cast as Veruca Salt in a touring production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. After high school I went through a training program at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, which ultimately led to my acceptance into The Juilliard School of Performing Arts Drama program. I have been fortunate to perform in famous venues over the years including, The White House, The Kennedy Center and the National Cathedral, as well as partake in several exciting projects such as recording a Christmas music CD for the United Way Foundation. In 1998, an accident left me with a “dead” joint in my right ankle and I was forced to restructure my performance career. Today I only perform occasionally, as I search for a solution to my ankle injury. Two months after I arrived in Brentwood, I took a job teaching Drama and Music to the 5th 6th 7th and 8th grades at Wood Rose Academy in Concord. Recently I began looking into opening a performing arts school in Brentwood, which I hope to accomplish over the few months.

Personal Background: I am the mother of two children: Joshua 12, and Jordyn 4. We live in Brentwood, have two pet rabbits, and are avid hockey fans. As a family we love to perform. Joshua enjoys improvisation and story telling, and by the age of 3, Jordyn had already given her first solo performance at Great America singing “Tomorrow” for Annie. Outside of my love for the performing arts, I am a volunteer and the Co-director of the Brentwood office of Birthright, and a lector at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

My Vision: I strongly feel that it is essential for every community to have performance opportunities available to its residents. Not only is it a positive outlet for our children, it is a healthy and fulfilling experience for both youth and adults. A good performing arts program (educational or theatrical,) fosters creativity and learning, promotes analytical skills, and discipline, self confidence, focus/concentration skills, problem solving, communication skills, strengthens personal drive and sensitivity to the world around us. My goal is to help Brentwood build a stronger performing arts educational foundation, by strengthening programs in schools, and by cultivating training programs outside of school. I would also like to see state of the art theatrical productions become a staple of Brentwood’s entertainment viewing options. I look to the city of Walnut Creek, with their thriving performing arts community, as an excellent example of what I’d love to see Brentwood become one day.