Meet Jimmy Hippenstiel | Executive Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Hippenstiel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
As the Executive Artistic Director for the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County, I find strength and the drive to continue on and on, year after year, by observing the passion my students have for all things Musical Theater. I have now been running the Academy, with like minded help of course, for the last 21 years. Under my watch, I have seen firsthand this Company grow leaps and bounds from the humble beginning stages it was in when I first joined in on the fun. The shows have gotten bigger and better, and the quality of student that comes to us has evolved from kids who mainly did theater for fun into kids who want to, dare I say NEED to, pursue this as a career. I have lived my entire life happily working in this field, and for me to be able to pass on my love for musical theater to these kids and young adults, who absorb everything taught to them like an over-eager sponge, brings me a special joy that keeps me going even when the going gets tough. We have become one of the most esteemed Musical Theatre Studios in the area, and we are always trying to raise the bar to maintain that respected reputation. We succeed by caring about the product, the quality of teaching, and by preparing these students for a successful career in Musical Theater. For one student to come back and say MTAOC had “changed their lives,” even if they did not end up in a performing career, is the reason we do what we do.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I performed professionally from the ages of 18 to 39 full time, and still do when I can at 62. All along the way, I have had an interest in staging things, which began doing neighborhood musicals in my garage as a kid, and even using my Yogi Bear Characters to stage a full length coffee table version of “The Sound of Music,” (Yogi Bear made a dapper Captain von Trapp, in case you are curious!) From there, I helped choreograph for my Madrigals Group in High School before joining the Young Americans at the age of 16. After working consistently as a dancer and musical theater performer until I was nearly 40, I took over the reins at the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County in Newport Beach, California. I also teach at many of the Orange County High Schools and Junior High Schools when I can. As a teacher, my excitement for what I do is never greater that when I see the students improve and nurture their love for performing right before my eyes. I have never been one to baby kids when I teach, I tend to treat them more the way I would expect a professional to be taught. This pushes them to keep up and grow. Has it been easy to get where I am at? I truly have never struggled to find the work, but I also have been a bit of a workaholic throughout my career, and I am just now starting to realize that the work ethic made me successful, but it is also ok to slow down once in a while and enjoy the outcome. That being said, I am currently working on seven musicals this Spring, so perhaps I may be a slow learner! (LOL) My “Brand” is teaching quality material that is not watered down too much, and my “Story” is that I love doing what I do so much that I have never sought out a higher paying career to make things more comfortable on a surface level.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love to go Whale Watching! I have always been happiest out on the water, perhaps this is the reason I worked on Cruise Ships for 10-years! I also love to go watch Sports in an upbeat fun Sports bar environment, where you can meet people to talk about the game and the standings. If it were Baseball Season, I am an avid Angels Fan, having moved directly across from the Stadium so that I could walk to the games. We would definitely be taking in a Game or Two if the timing was right. Also, the options for attending a professional or even community live theater event in California are great, so I know we would be supporting those who do what I do by attending a few shows. A day at Disneyland is never a bad thing, a dining experience near the beach is always relaxing, and a game night and some social drinking with friends is always memorable!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
These are the primary places where I developed MY passion and love for theater…

From my mother, Patricia Hippenstiel, and her staged PTA Productions
Junior University, a Summer Youth Program that produced original musicals in San Bernardino, California
The Young Americans
The Citrus Singers from Citrus College in Azusa, California
Disneyland Entertainment
Princess Cruise Lines as a Guest Entertainer and Dancer
The Curtain Call Dinner Theater in Tustin
California State University Fullerton Musical Theater Program
From my students who amaze me every day at the Musical Theatre Academy of Orange County  Website: www.mtaoc.org

Image Credits
Not Necessary…all taken by me or by volunteer parents at a rehearsal.