Leilani Kalb, a UC Irvine alumna, is directing a high school theater program in Sacramento County, applying her academic background to cultivate community and artistic expression among students. In May 2025, Kalb chaperoned students from Elk Grove High School to San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre for a rehearsal of their musical, *Be More Chill*, which had earned award nominations.
Kalb's path to becoming an educator was not direct. Growing up in Rancho Santa Margarita, she developed an early love for Broadway musicals, but her initial career led her away from the arts. She enrolled at UC Irvine in 2011, choosing Asian American studies to explore her Filipino identity and broaden her perspective. Her undergraduate studies emphasized understanding diverse histories and cultures, a daily routine that she credits with teaching her "what it really looks like to help people, to be on someone’s side and care about them."
After graduating from UCI in 2015, Kalb worked first as an operator at Montage Hotels & Resorts, then at the recruiting agency Aerotek. While she achieved professional milestones, she found herself seeking avenues for creativity in the corporate environment. The shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a reevaluation of her career direction. Listening to her then-boyfriend, now husband, teach his students over Zoom, Kalb observed the sustained relationships and thoughtful conversations he fostered, contrasting it with the short-term, cyclical nature of recruitment that lacked opportunities for mentorship. This realization prompted her to pursue the sense of community and connection she had valued during her time at UCI.
Motivated by a renewed passion for helping people through a different means, Kalb returned to UC Irvine to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching. She now teaches theater courses at Elk Grove High School and directs the Elk Grove Little Theatre Company (EGLTC), a program she established for the Sacramento County school. The EGLTC welcomes all students, regardless of class enrollment or background, reflecting Kalb's belief in creating inclusive spaces, a value she developed from her diverse humanities studies.
Working with a student-led Theatre Club council, Kalb aims to stage two productions annually. Her past directorial works include *Legally Blonde The Musical* and *Fly By Night*, and the EGLTC recently concluded a production of *Dogfight*. Kalb emphasizes the intelligence, resilience, and determination of her students, whom she considers the highlight of her job. She practices what she calls "community-based leading," focusing on mentorship, pivoting, and reflection, hoping to instill responsibility and initiative in her students.
Kalb describes theater as a powerful medium for expression and empathy, stating that it helps people "see new perspectives in fun ways. It opens our minds up and makes us more empathetic people." Under her direction, and with the support of a technical director and student participants, the EGLTC has flourished since Kalb took control of the program after the pandemic threatened its continuation. She notes that her current focus is on her students and their development, believing that their potential is often underestimated. For Kalb, seeing her students pursue musical theater, regular theater, or simply develop confidence in speaking publicly is an impactful enough reward.
