Today we’d like to introduce you to April Ibarra.
Hi April, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My Career Journey in Theatre, Education, and Film
My love for theatre and the arts began at a very young age when my brother introduced me to plays and musicals. I grew up watching A Chorus Line, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Misérables, but seeing Annie when I was a little girl was a pivotal moment for me — I was hooked! I watched the movie and listened to the cassette in the car every chance I got. I’m sure my mom and brother were sick of hearing it, but I couldn’t get enough. There was something so special about seeing young people express themselves and the feeling of wanting to belong.
I didn’t know where this passion would lead me, but I knew how it made me feel. Something inside me lit up — I was happy, inspired, and my imagination ran wild. I was so immersed that I became convinced I was an adopted orphan. I even remember sneaking into my mom’s room, searching through her things, and breaking into her safe to find that locket! Eventually, I accepted that I was not Annie — but the desire to understand that magic that made me feel so alive inside continued to grow.
Early Roots: Highland Park and Franklin High School
I was born and raised in Highland Park, California, and attended Franklin High School, where I was able to live out some of my dreams performing on stage. Our drama department was truly unique — it was led by the students, for the students and the community.
I’ll never forget the time we were working on The Rocky Horror Picture Show. On opening day, the school administration told us they were pulling the show and that we couldn’t perform, after months of rehearsing, because of the “suggestive” nature of the show. We were devastated. The principal, meanwhile, was attending a basketball game at a nearby college. Outraged that he would support sports but not theatre, we drama kids piled into our cars, found him at the basketball game, and demanded that we be allowed to perform. We weren’t taking “no” for an answer.
That evening, when I arrived at the theatre, we got the news — the show was back on! That was the first time I realized that anything is possible when you fight for what you believe in. The arts matter, they are healing, and I will always fight for the arts, theatre and self expression.
College: Building a Foundation
I went on to earn my B.A. in Theatre at California State University Northridge, where I built my foundation as both an actor and director. I was fortunate to be part of a department that valued multicultural theatre. As a Latina, I had the opportunity to study and perform material that was culturally relevant to me, including participating in Teatro Sin Fronteras (Theatre Without Borders), a student-led group that used theatre to explore the Chicano experience.
One of my most pivotal experiences was being cast as Ana in Real Women Have Curves by Josefina López. That role opened my eyes to the possibility that I could play leading characters — not just maids or servants — and it propelled me to seek out Chicano/Latino-based theatres in Los Angeles.
Representation and Empowerment Through Theatre
As an actor, I’ve performed in many multicultural and bilingual theatres across Los Angeles, including Casa 0101, the Frida Kahlo Theatre, Breath of Fire, and East LA Rep.
As an actor and director, I became part of a Latina sketch comedy group founded by Josefina López called PMS (Pinche Mentirosa Sisters), which aimed to empower Latina women with a performance style similar to Culture Clash. Our shows were often sold out, with audiences made up mostly of Latina women who would approach us afterward to say, “Thank you for representing us up there — our struggles, our joys, our community.” Those moments reinforced how vital representation is — and how much more of it we need.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has not been easy; it takes hard work, determination, and a constant commitment to learning and growing as an artist. Breaking into an industry that can often be ruthless, where it’s easy to feel disposable, is no small feat. I’ve faced many challenges, particularly as a Latina woman, with people trying to box me into a specific role. It’s a daily battle against feelings of insecurity and questioning whether I’m “good enough.”
But I was fortunate to grow up with an incredible role model: my mother. A single mom of three, she faced many challenges, including language barriers, but was always determined to give us the opportunities to succeed. She instilled in me a strong work ethic, taught me to know my worth, and always led with love and kindness. She has been my biggest cheerleader, and whenever I doubt myself or things don’t go as planned, I think of her strength. It’s that reminder that keeps me going, pushing me to keep pursuing what I love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Power of Arts Education
After completing my M.F.A. at California State University Fullerton, I was hired by Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre, a job that truly changed my life and deepened my understanding of the power of arts education.
For nearly 40 years, Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre program has used storytelling to promote health and wellness to communities across Southern California. We created theatre-based programs for all ages — from shows about literacy, healthy eating/active living and conflict resolution for elementary students, to cyberbullying prevention for middle schoolers, and STD/HIV prevention and mental health and resiliency for high schoolers. We even offered Spanish-language workshops for parents.
I worked with this incredible company for 18 years, starting as an actor in The Amazing Food Detective — my dream job! Every day I visited a different school, performing for students and seeing that same spark in their eyes and the joy that I felt as a little girl watching Annie.
Over time, I was given opportunities to direct, plays such as What Goes Around (STD/HIV prevention program) written by Molly Jackson and Ghosted (Mental Health and Resiliency program) written by Candida Rodriguez. High school students hold a special place in my heart. They often walk into assemblies disengaged — on their phones, some expecting to nap during the assembly — but 30 seconds into the show, they would sit up, pay attention, and were fully engaged. For many this would be their first experience watching live theatre. Afterward, the students would rush to talk to the actors, take photos, and ask questions. Something lit up inside of them, many expressing their desires to go into theatre, dance and other art forms. There’s truly nothing like live theatre.
In addition to directing, I developed follow-up workshops and webisodes that earned four Telly Awards, five Digital Health Awards and three Communicator Awards. We also launched an Instagram account where students could ask questions and we could provide resources. But the best part of the job was the people — my colleagues became my friends, my community, my family. The impact we made together is immeasurable, and that experience shaped me as both an artist and a person.
Coming Full Circle: Highland Park Independent Film Festival
I am currently the Artistic Director of the Highland Park Independent Film Festival (HPIFF), and we just wrapped our 12th annual festival — a full-circle moment for me.
Growing up in Highland Park, it was a different time — before gentrification, before the coffee shops and record stores. There weren’t many places my mom would let me go, but there was one: the Historic Highland Theatre on Figueroa Street. It was the heart of our neighborhood — affordable, family-friendly, and full of community spirit.
HPIFF was founded in 2013 by Marita De La Torre, Mark Reitman, and Alessandro Gentile as the first film festival of its kind in Highland Park — a grassroots organization dedicated to showcasing the most unique and captivating independent cinema from around the world.
Today, HPIFF has grown to include:
• The Annual Film Festival (held every October)
• The HPIFilmFest Series, a year-round slate of screenings and community film programs
• The HPIFF Mentorship Program, which offers film education in schools throughout Northeast Los Angeles
There’s nothing more rewarding than mentoring young filmmakers from my alma mater — many of whom have gone on to build promising film careers. What I love most about this festival is its community spirit: by the end of the weekend, filmmakers know each other, collaborate, and often begin new projects together.
Continuing the Journey: Educational Theatre Today
Today, I am completely focused on directing, theatre, film, and webisodes. I continually look for ways to reach all audiences and have a social responsibility to bring theatre to underserved communities.
Most recently, I directed Empathy Quest written by Candida Rodriguez, a social-emotional wellness play for young audiences through Imagination Stage and Kaiser Permanente, currently touring both on the West and East Coast. This play delivers messages of empathy, asking for help, finding a trusted adult while providing regulation tools such as breathing exercises when having a “big feeling.” Currently I am directing Dr. Ellen Ochoa: A Spark In Our Sky with Enrichment Works, written by Marta Mendez Cross — a play about the first Latina astronaut, which will tour schools across Los Angeles County.
This piece is especially meaningful to me. I hope it inspires young students — especially young girls — to believe they can excel in math and science, reach for the stars and perhaps even dream of becoming astronauts themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Creating and collaborating with fellow artists brings me so much joy. I especially love coaching actors—whether it’s preparing an audition piece, refining a monologue, or developing a role. I enjoy working beat by beat with actors to uncover the nuances of a character and to highlight each actor’s unique strengths and individuality.
It would be easy to say that fame and fortune define success, but that’s not what it means to me. Success, for me, is knowing I’ve made an impact—by inspiring students, creating spaces where artists can thrive, and directing projects that carry meaning. I want to amplify stories and voices that haven’t been heard but deserve to be.
If I can make a living doing what I love, support animal charities, and travel from time to time, that would be success in my eyes. What truly matters to me are community, collaboration, courage, y corazón.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hpifilmfest.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hpifilmfest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/april.ibarra.56
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-ibarra-4a0785198/
