Caitlin Arndt is a multifaceted theatre artist with a passion for Arts Education. A theatre educator since 2013, her focus is on empowering youth to use their voices, embrace creativity, and take pride in their work. An Actor, Director, and Improvisor who grew up in the Greater Los Angeles area, Caitlin believes in the power of theatre. Her pedagogy is rooted in access to the Arts for all, equity, community, and joy. She has a BA in Performing Arts from Saint Mary's College of California and an MFA in International Theatre Practice and Performance from Rose Bruford College, London UK.

City Hearts team member since 2013

Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, and Producer, Calvin Banks has collaborated, performed, and recorded with notable Artists such as Stevie Wonder, Roy Ayers, and Big Mountain. In addition to his Artistic endeavors, Calvin is a passionate Teaching Artist sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of musicians by connecting rich grassroots and traditional musical history with powerful social and literary context.

Calvin has established himself as a universal and dynamic performer within the industry. Calvin has released several albums that showcase his unique style and musical prowess, captivating audiences with his soulful melodies and intricate guitar work. Not limited to the music scene, Calvin has also ventured into film, lending his musical expertise to movie credits. His compositions and performances have added depth and emotion to cinematic experiences, further highlighting his Artistic versatility.

A standout in the L.A. comedy scene and nationally recognized performer, Ron brings exceptional talent, heart, and experience to City Hearts as our first-ever Resident Teaching Artist (a milestone in our 40-year history).

A “Paid Regular” at The Comedy Store and host of Chocolate Sundaes at the Laugh Factory, Ron is a fixture at two of the most iconic comedy stages in the world. His credits include Insecure, Key & Peele, Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, and series regular roles on Nickelodeon’s Cousins for Life and ALLBLK’s Partners in Rhyme. He also earned an Emmy for his work on Season 2 of CNN’s United Shades of America.

Beginning this 25-26 school year, Ron will lead limited-time workshops and Masterclasses mainly through our Wilson ’n William Theatre Program, including City Hearts’ first-ever Stand-Up Comedy training, plus comedic acting and multi-cam performance.

City Hearts team member since 2023

Ayda is an Iranian-American Painter and Photographer. Her work explores the notions of displacement and impermanence in relation to the urban landscape. Aside from her Art practice, which has been exhibited internationally, Ayda has worked as an Art educator at LACMA and the Hammer Museum, mentoring Art teachers and young students across underserved communities in Los Angeles. She received her B.A. from California State University, Northridge, and her M.F.A. from the University of Oxford.

City Hearts team member since 2001

A triple threat, Gwendolyn Oliver has extensive training and teaching experience in Dance, Acting, and Choir. As a Dancer, Gwendolyn trained with numerous noted Dance teachers, such as Yahuda Moar of the San Francisco Ballet and Ehud Krauss of the Zohar School of Dance. Her previous teaching experience includes being a Master Teacher/Choreographer at the San Jose High School for the Performing Arts, a Ballet/Jazz instructor at the "Dance Etc. and Dance Affair" dance studios in the Bay Area, and choreographing numerous Musical Theatre productions for children and adults including West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Wizard of Oz, and Music Man. Gwendolyn's singing talent (mezzo-soprano) was nurtured at home, in church, in high school and community Musical Theatre productions, and by her voice coach, Dan Saunders. As a working Actress, Gwendolyn has appeared in numerous television shows, feature films, and commercials. Her City Hearts drama classes have performed improv, short plays, and full-length productions such as Twelve Angry Men, Oliver, and The Wizard of Oz.

City Hearts team member since 2022

Lester Purry is one of the country's most highly respected stage Actors. He has performed in regional theatres across the country, including a national tour as Othello in Othello at the world-famous Guthrie Theatre. He is a company member of Penumbra Theatre and has performed all across the country with other prestigious Theatre companies such as Baltimore Center Stage, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arizona Theatre Company, Portland Playhouse, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Los Angeles Performing Arts Center, and the South Coast Repertory Theatre. Lester also has taught Acting and Theatre for nearly four decades at Pierce College, the Penumbra Theatre Company, Illusion Theatre, and the Freedom Theatre. His wide range of subjects taught include Voice, Improv, Character Analysis, Monologue, and Scene Study. He was recently seen in a riveting one-man show as Thurgood Marshall in the play, Thurgood, at the Portland Playhouse

A multi-hyphenate, Lydia Robinson is an acclaimed stand-up comedian, coach, writer, and producer. Her first stand-up performance was at the renowned Flappers Comedy Club with the all-women comedy troupe Pretty Funny Women, performing alongside comics Lisa Sundstedt and Felicia Michaels. As a result, she was invited to perform at the Improv, which helped propel her career, leading to an appearance on BET’s Comic View and earning her one of ten slots in the inaugural American Black Film Festival Comedy Wings Competition (where she competed for a talent holding deal with HBO). Her stand-up has also been featured on Netflix Is a Joke Radio on SiriusXM.

Also a creative behind the camera, Lydia has worked in TV and film business affairs at major studios including NBCUniversal, BET, Fox Searchlight, and currently Netflix.

City Hearts team member since 2022

Angélica Ruiz (she/her) is a Visual Artist, Educator, and Digital Content Producer born and raised in the Greater Los Angeles area. As the daughter of working-class immigrant parents, she is passionate about working with youth from similar communities and fostering their creative skills. Her various Art disciplines include Drawing, Painting, Digital Art, and Printmaking. She currently works in Digital Media and Production when not devoting her time to Arts and STEAM education and outreach. Angélica holds degrees and certificates from Mt. San Antonio College, UCLA, and Cal State Fullerton, having studied Fine Art, Art History, and Art Education.

City Hearts team member since 2023

Roy is an accomplished Actor, Writer, and Director who has worked on successful Film, Television, and Theatre projects. Upon graduation, he studied Acting at Truthful Acting Studios, Orlando's top Acting Conservatory for Film and Theatre, where he received a certificate in the Meisner Acting Technique. He has over 35 film and television credits, including work on N.B.C., A.B.C., C.B.S., Netflix, Hulu, and B.E.T. A firm believer in passion projects, Roy has produced his own short films and has also appeared in many shorts and independent films to support up-and-coming Filmmakers. Roy received his degree from Full Sail University in Orlando, FL.