MEET THE PHANTOM PHAMILY
Steve Cisneros (Founder, Producing Artistic Director) created Phantom Projects Theatre Group as a senior in high school, at the age of 17. He has produced over 300 plays, musicals, concerts and special events, and has directed nearly 150. The Covid closures stopped two national tours he produced and directed which had performed at sold out venues (including the Smithsonian Institute) in 5 states.
At the age of 19, Cisneros spearheaded a proposal that sparked a partnership with Phantom Projects and the City of La Mirada to bridge the gap in their annual programing. The new partnership created the “Theatre for a Teen Audience” series, and allowed the troupe to become a resident presenting group at the 1,300 seat La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The annual season, with a focus on arts education, has included World Premieres, West Coast Premieres, and California Premieres of shows such as Wonder, The Giver, The Watsons go to Birmingham, #TheSociaMediaPlay, Through These Eyes and many more. The unique partnership has been covered by CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, KCAL and dozens more media outlets.
He’s had the pleasure of managing various theatres along the way including Nederlander’s Hollywood Pantages Theatre, South Coast Repertory, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, and Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
In 2021, The City of La Habra chose Phantom Projects to take over the management and operations of the historic La Habra Depot. After 6 months of renovations, the venue reopened with a Gala featuring Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter, under the new name, The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot.
Before turning to producing, he booked a variety of pilots and commercials as a young actor, and performed on stages all over Southern California before “retiring” at the age of 15 after an extended run in Los Angeles with the West Coast Premiere of “The Boiler Room” with Ivonne Coll (Directed by Alex Colon). His role in American Me with Edward James Olmos has him often appearing at various fan events with other actors from the cult-favorite.
Phantom wouldn’t be possible without his parents and their allowing of him to rehearse the earlier years in their driveway (and their living room when it rained). He’s incredibly thankful for every member of the Phantom Phamily who has ever provided their time, talents, and energy to the dream. Theatre matters. You matter.
Zoe Wilber (General Manager) graduated from Chapman University in 2021 with a BFA in Theatre Performance. She has been the general manger for Phantom Projects since Fall 2023, prop master/set dresser since Fall 2024 and resident costume designer for Phantom Projects Theatre productions since Fall 2022.
Via Forman (Education Department) is a Los Angeles based Actress, singer and educator. You may have recently seen her in Phantom Projects’ James and The Giant Peach as Spider. After working in Theatre throughout her youth, Via found she had a passion for mentoring and coaching young actors and has now been teaching a multitude of subjects for 4+ years! In 2023 she was able to help Act Out Theatre Co., a non-profit Theater in Long Beach, build their very own Arts Workshop series as well as an after-school Theatre program. She then went on to teach at the Aquarium of the Pacific and now works as a Wildlife Educator in Los Angeles. Via is so happy to be working with Phantom Projects and cannot wait to bring her Theatre knowledge and experience to La Habra’s young actors!
Alan M-L Wager (Resident Director) was born and raised in Fullerton, and has established a national reputation as both a director and actor.
As the Artistic Director of the Sharon Playhouse in Connecticut for four years, Alan and his partner in life and business, Robert Levinstein, saved the historic theatre from closure. Under their tenure, they brought the summer theatre to a whole new level of success and national recognition. Their parting triumph was a star studded gala created and directed by Alan saluting musical orchestrator and composer Jonathan Tunick with a 25 piece orchestra which featured performances from many Broadway luminaries. The Gala also welcomed Stephen Sondheim (shortly before his passing) and Richard Maltby, Jr. as guests.
He has directed and musically staged many productions including Phantom’s production of James And The Giant Peach, as well as Always…Patsy Cline, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes and Fiddler On The Roof.
As a performer he’s appeared on Broadway, National Tours and in many Regional theatres throughout the country and is a much sought after singer for theatre studio recordings. He started at the Fullerton Civic Light Opera at age 15 and hasn’t stopped since, performing at such regional theatres including Sacramento Music Circus, Opera Pacific and Musical Theatre West.
Alan played Santa Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Chicago. He stood-by for three principal roles in the Broadway company of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast after returning to New York (where he has resided for over 25 years) from the national tour. While on the tour, Alan appeared in a variety of roles, including Lumiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Alan has also appeared as a featured singer with the New York Pops, and the Delaware and Lancaster Symphony Orchestras. Additionally, he is a well respected vocal coach and has given master classes at Cal State Fullerton.
Miguel Cardenas (Resident Director) is a Southern California based director, choreographer, educator, and every so often performer. He is currently the Head of Theatre at The School of Arts and Enterprise in Pomona, CA. Miguel is committed to creating a much more safe, diverse, and inclusive culture in every space he works. He is thrilled to be continuing his tenure at Phantom Projects after his most recent project with them, “The Wiz”” You may also remember his work with Phantom in “The Marvelous Wonderettes”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and others. Other credits include: Green Day’s American Idiot(OCTG award winner), Next to Normal(OCTG Nominee), In the Heights, Rocky Horror, Guys and Dolls, and many more. Thank you to his friends and family who keep him grounded and motivate him. Thank you to everyone who continues to watch and support his work as this inspires him to continue to push for excellence in every production.
Jennifer Kornswiet (Resident Choreographer) is an award-winning choreographer and dance teacher from Orange County, California, and is thrilled to be a part of The Phantom Projects family. Her work with the company includes choreographing Be More Chill and its revival in 2025, as well as A Winnie-the-Pooh Christmas Tail for the holiday season. Jen made her Off-Broadway debut choreographing Waiting In The Wings: The Musical at The Theatre at St. Clement’s in New York City in Spring 2023, and won the BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Award for Best Original Choreography for her work. Jen also won the 2024 Orange County Theatre Guild Award for Outstanding Choreography for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Wayward Artist. She has choreographed a variety of musical theatre productions including Cabaret, Six, Newsies, Legally Blonde, The Addams Family, Elf, Mary Poppins, Wonderland, and Into The Woods. Jen holds dual Bachelor of Arts Degrees from The Ohio State University in Film Studies and Strategic Communications, and was one of the emerging choreographers selected to be part of the 2019 Broadway Choreography Intensive through Dance Lab New York. She is currently choreographing multiple shows throughout Orange County, and is a dancer/performer in Disneyland parades.
Jenny Formica (Administrative Assistant) is a multidisciplinary theatre and film/TV artist with experience as an actor, director, and stage manager. She has performed in stage productions such as She Loves Me, Into the Woods, Music Man, and Phantom’s production of James and the Giant Peach. She has also been featured in various films and digital series. Beyond acting, Jenny has directed and stage-managed productions at Take the Stage Productions and Merage JCC JStage as well as created and sourced props for multiple productions. She has also trained professionally in film and television acting, with extensive study in on-camera technique, scene work, sitcom performance, audition technique, voiceover and improvisation at institutions including AMAW, Scott Sedita, G. Charles Wright, UCB, and Second City Conservatory. In addition to performing with Phantom Projects, Jenny is enjoying her time as part of the behind the scenes team as well, especially on Saturdays when she gets to greet all of the acting class students.
Jacob Antisdel (Audio Engineer) has been working with Phantom since February 2025. He graduated this year from Cal State Dominguez hills with a BA in Audio Engineering. Jacob is thankful with the opportunity to work with such incredible talent and creatives. He would like to thank his family and his girlfriend Jennifer for their continued support.
Gabrielle Maldonado (Resident Music Director) An accomplished educator, composer, music director, performer, and USC alumna, she has been active in Southern California’s musical theatre scene here at Phantom Projects and at other local theatres while teaching at local colleges. Her credits include music directing a variety of shows at Phantom Projects such as- The Marvelous Wonderettes, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and the Wiz. She has also had the privilege of performing in productions with Phantom Projects including Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street as the Beggar Woman. Other notable shows include the OCTG award-winning production of the Chance Theater’s “American Idiot,” performing in the NAACP Theatre Award winning production of TNH/CASA0101’s “Beauty and the Beast,” music directing the collegiate premiere of “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” and acting as Vocal Supervisor for “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” at McCoy Rigby Entertainment. Gabrielle also works on a multitude of creative projects and original pieces, some of which recently include the Broadway World nominated, “Arena: A House Musical” as a composer and lyricist and Music Director of “The Ride,” highlighting important stories surrounding The AIDS crisis and the annual AIDS/LifeCycle bike ride through California. Arena premiered initially at Casa0101 in Boyle Heights and later at the Renberg Theatre. Other music direction credits include Legally Blonde, Prince of Egypt, Hairspray, The Secret Garden, RENT, Ride the Cyclone, Sister Act, Carrie, Songs for a New World, and many others. Gabrielle continues to serve the musical theatre community in a variety of ways and seeks to keep expanding her knowledge of performing and supporting actors and musicians by working on the most collaborative art there is- live theatre. Having worked on nearly 70 productions as Music Director, Gabrielle is passionate about inspiring fellow artists and sharing her love of live theatre.
Matthew Martinez (Guest Director) A lifelong passion for theatre and performance has shaped Matthew Martinez’s creative path from the very beginning, guiding his artistic voice and life aspirations. With an acting career spanning more than 20 years, Matthew has performed on stages across Southern California, building an extensive list of credits in both musical theater and plays. Most recently, he appeared in Amy and the Orphans with Phantom Projects, a production that reaffirmed his deep love for the craft.
Outside the theatre, Matthew works as a television executive for CBS and teaches in the Film and Television Department at Orange Coast College. He holds a B.A. in Film and Television Production and an M.F.A. in Screenwriting from California State University, Fullerton. A devoted supporter of the arts and an avid theatergoer, he believes deeply in the power of live performance to inspire, uplift, and unite.
Hope Peralta (House Manager) was introduced to Phantom Projects as a member of Happy to Be Here shadow cast where she fell in love with the Phantom Projects theatre and it’s mission to bring quality theatre to all ages and the special needs community.
Mandy Puga (Lead Usher) is thrilled to be a part of The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot, she is the first face you see waiting to scan your ticket and welcome you into the theatre. Mandy has performed in Phantom Projects’ Through These Eyes (2025) and was an active member, both cast and crew, in her high school theater productions. Her favorites include the Sound of Music (2022) Cinderella (2023), Blithe Spirit (2024) and Hello Dolly (2024). She is excited to continue her theater journey with Phantom Projects.