About
Granite Hills Eagle Theatre (aka Granite Hills Acting Workshop/GHAW) has proudly served San Diego's East County since 1960.
This theatre program established a reputation for quality productions and professional trainings. Many professional theatre actors and technicians began their careers in this theatre program!
We honor past Theatre teachers and students and look forward to many exciting seasons to come.
Artistic Staff
Julie Benitez
Director/Teacher
Welcome, Ms. Benitez!
Julie Benitez has taught Theatre in the Grossmont Union High School district since 1996–the last 27 years at Monte Vista High. Ms. Benitez received her undergraduate degree in Theatre and Education from Iowa State University and her Master of Fine Arts from Arizona State's prestigious Theatre for Youth and Community program. She is a co-founder of Teach Tech Theatre and has taught numerous workshops and conferences over the last 15 years to other theatre teachers in the country about how to teach safety, the basics of technical theatre, and how to make your sets stand out. Ms. Benitez has been a Teaching Artist at La Jolla Playhouse since 2015 focusing on teaching technical theatre to incarcerated youth and to adults and students in the general public. She was honored as Teacher of the Year at Monte Vista High in 2018.
Dustin Holum
Technical Director
Dustin is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego with a BA in Theatre with an emphasis in Theatrical Design. He has worked in TV, film, theatre, concerts and corporate live events.
Some of his projects include Walt Disney Animation Studios, Disneyland, NFL Superbowl, Qualcomm, DirecTV, Callaway Golf & Pyro Spectaculars.
Dustin served as Technical Director for Valhalla High School from 2004 to 2014 and has been on several district committees regarding theatre spaces and equipment.
Dustin is the industry professional for Teach Tech Theatre and assists in keeping the technical theatre instruction current and relevant on the world of work.
Claudia Dyson-Hightower
Choreographer
Claudia Dyson-Hightower is a certified dance-aholic! Dance isn’t her problem, it is her answer. You dance the way you live your life and life is an audition to the big dance floor in the sky.
She’s professionally invested her entire soul in all arenas of art nationally and internationally.
If what you love is what you do best, then you truly truly have been blessed.
Thanks to God, her parents and her six major mentors.
Beverly Claar
Technical Director
Beverly Claar has been involved in theatre production for over 30 years.
She served as Production Manager at East County Performing Arts Center as well as working at 3D Stage and Lighting.
Currently, she is Technical Director for West Hills, Valhalla and Steele Canyon High Schools.
She was Resident Lighting Designer for Pickwick Players Community Theatre in Santee.