DEPARTMENT: Geffen Academy at UCLAAs the Events and Alumni Manager at Geffen Academy UCLA, my primary role is to plan, organize, and execute a wide range of events within the school community. These events include parent engagement events, graduation and promotion ceremonies, back-to-school nights, Giving Tuesday, homecoming, and alumni events. I am responsible for overseeing every aspect of event management, including budgeting, venue selection, staffing, and coordination with vendors and sponsors. In addition, I am entrusted with the crucial task of creating and managing the alumni program. This program, still in its infancy, will aim to maintain strong connections with former students by organizing networking events, alumni receptions, and other initiatives. By fostering a sense of community among alumni, we strive to encourage their contributions to the school. To excel in this role, I possess exceptional organizational skills, a keen eye for detail, and effective communication and interpersonal abilities. By effectively collaborating with various stakeholders, I ensure the success and impactful nature of each event and the sustained engagement of our school's alumni.

DEPARTMENT: Theatre at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and TelevisionAs the Production Services Manager at UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, I had a wide range of responsibilities that covered various aspects of the department. One of my main duties was acting as the venue rental coordinator, making sure that facility rentals ran smoothly and handling tasks such as creating estimates and writing contracts. I also served as the dedicated purchaser for the production department, taking care of administrative needs and procuring supplies and materials for the costume shop in a timely manner. Additionally, I assisted the Designer Showcase West event lead by organizing and editing speaker presentation footage as requested. I also played a vital role in overseeing administrative operations for the theatre production area, including budget tracking and office management. In summary, my role was multi-faceted and involved extensive administrative duties, all aimed at ensuring the efficient functioning of the theatre production department.

DEPARTMENT: Theatre at UCLA School of Theater, Film, and TelevisionManaged office operations, marketing campaigns, and social media for the Department of Theatre, ensuring smooth daily operations. Coordinated student and faculty newsletters, enhancing communication and engagement within the department's community. Assisted with facility management, basic accounting, and expense management, contributing to efficient resource allocation.

501c3 Nonprofit Theatre Company As a Company Manager for the Lower Depth Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company, my duties encompass a diverse range of responsibilities. Primarily, I ensure the smooth operation and coordination of the company's day-to-day activities. This involves overseeing administrative tasks, managing budgets, maintaining financial records, and overseeing payroll and contracts. I am responsible for fostering and maintaining relationships with artists, staff members, and external stakeholders, such as donors and sponsors, to support the company's artistic vision and financial sustainability. I play a crucial role in talent acquisition, facilitating auditions and casting processes, hiring and supervising production teams, and coordinating performance schedules. I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity by working with Lower Depth to actively seek and provide platforms for BIPOC artists, creating a safe and inclusive working environment, and collaborating with community organizations to ensure the representation and accurate portrayal of BIPOC stories on stage. In essence, my role as a Company Manager for this nonprofit theatre company involves merging efficient operational management with a passionate commitment to supporting BIPOC narratives in the performing arts.

501c3 Nonprofit Theatre CompanyAs the managing director for The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company, I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and overall success of the organization. One of my main duties is to establish and maintain productive relationships with our board of directors, staff members, and artists, ensuring everyone is aligned with the company's vision and goals. I also play a key role in the financial management of the company, including budgeting, fundraising, payroll management, and strategic planning. Additionally, I am responsible for overseeing the production of our theatrical performances, working closely with our creative team to ensure a high-quality and engaging experience for our audience. Through effective leadership and management, I work diligently to promote the growth and sustainability of The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Company.

As an Events Specialist, my role revolved around ensuring the seamless execution of various event-related tasks. One of my primary responsibilities was stage management, encompassing the coordination of all activities happening on-stage during an event. From managing backstage schedules and ensuring the smooth flow of performances, I was dedicated to creating a flawless experience for both performers and attendees. I was responsible for talent briefing, ensuring that all performers and presenters had a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities, and schedules during the event. In line with this, I was in charge of managing pop-up events, primarily COVID-19 vaccine events for AltaMed. I oversaw all logistical aspects, delegating tasks among the team, and resolving any potential issues that would arise, ultimately ensuring a memorable and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Directing and showcalling live events require meticulous planning and seamless execution to create a memorable experience for the audience. As director/show caller, I assume the responsibility of supervising the overall production, making critical decisions, and overseeing the crew. My job is to bring the vision of the event to life by ensuring the proper placement of cameras, lighting, and set design. My duties also include cueing various elements such as graphics, audio cues, and camera cuts. It requires quick thinking, impeccable timing, and the ability to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Both directing and show calling demand a deep understanding of the event's objectives, technical expertise, and excellent communication skills to deliver a seamless and captivating experience for attendees.EVENTS:The Humanitas Prizes Toast (2023)14th Annual Young Literati Toast (2023)Western Justice Center Gala (2022)Western Justice Center Gala (2022)The 46th Annual Humanitas Prizes (2022)AltaMed 2022 Nurses Retreat

As the Events Guest Relations and Operations Lead, I was responsible for overseeing various tasks to ensure smooth operations and exceptional guest experiences. One of my key duties included serving as the Registration/Check-In Lead, where I oversaw the registration and check-in process, ensuring that guests were efficiently checked in and provided with all necessary information. I handled database management, ensuring accurate and up-to-date guest information for all events. Income reporting and seating arrangements were also part of my responsibilities, where I collaborated with clients to report event revenues and manage seating plans for optimal guest satisfaction. I was also in charge of managing the registration volunteer staff, ensuring adequate staffing and efficient training. I also handled supplies, both office and event-related, to ensure all necessary materials were available. Internally, I managed operations and maintained the inventory of essential supplies. Moreover, I assist in vendor relations as directed, coordinating with vendors for necessary services upon event set-up. Lastly, I was responsible for stage management as directed, ensuring smooth transitions and seamless cuing during event programs

Theatrical Director: As a theatrical director, I am responsible for overseeing the creative vision of a production from concept to performance I work closely with actors, designers, and technicians to bring a script to life on stage. This includes casting actors, developing blocking and staging, collaborating with designers on set and costume choices, and providing guidance and feedback to the creative team throughout rehearsals. When applicable, I also work closely with the playwright or script writer to ensure the integrity of the original vision is maintained. Ultimately, my goal is to create a cohesive and compelling theatrical experience for audiences.Theatrical Producer: As a theatrical producer, I am responsible for overseeing the financial and logistical aspects of a production. This includes securing funding, managing budgets, hiring and managing a production team, securing performance rights, and marketing the production to attract audiences. I work closely with the director to ensure the artistic vision is supported and brought to fruition within budget constraints. In addition, I am responsible for negotiating contracts with vendors, managing ticket sales, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the production. My primary goal is to ensure a successful and profitable run of the show.See www.drinadurazo.com for entertainment credits.

See www.drinadurazo.com for entertainment credits.

In my role as the Art Director for the Tavis Smiley show, I undertook the responsibility of ensuring the consistent and high-quality presentation of artistic elements throughout each episode of the television talk show. Day in and day out, I diligently supervised and managed the artistic components, including set design, graphics, and overall visual aesthetics. By collaborating closely with the production team, I ensured that the artistic vision aligned with the show's objectives and maintained a cohesive theme. Successful execution of these tasks played a vital role in contributing to the show's captivating and professional appearance.

Production Designer for the 2014 pitch pilot.Set Dresser and Art Department Assistant 2013.Art Department Assistant 2011-2012.

As a member of IATSE Local 33, I worked with teams to offer a range of staging services including props, carpentry, special effects, lighting, video screen installation, and sound setup for various live events in the Greater Los Angeles Area. IATSE Local 33's services cater to television, theatre, and other live events. I proudly serviced renowned venues such as Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center), Pantages Theatre, Nokia LIVE (formerly), The Dolby Theatre, and The Forum, among many others. My expertise also extended to providing staging solutions for prestigious live TV events like The Academy Awards, The Emmys, The Grammys, The X-Games, American Idol, Wrestlemania, and numerous others.

At NBC Burbank, I worked with the Special FX team behind "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" which had the exciting task of creating captivating experiences for the viewers. We skillfully crafted props and executed mechanical effects, incorporating a multitude of practical effects to enhance the show's visual appeal. Additionally, we expertly controlled atmospheric smoke to add a touch of mystique and ambiance for the esteemed musical guests. Occasionally, we even dazzled the audience with well-coordinated pyrotechnics. Working in close collaboration with Production Designers, Art Directors, Writers, and Directors, we ensured that each effect seamlessly integrated with the show's overall vision, thereby making "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" an unforgettable and immersive viewing experience for all.

In my previous positions working as an apprentice on the television soap operas "General Hospital" and "Night Shift," I gained extensive knowledge and skills in various trades such as carpentry, welding, special effects, props, stock control, light rigging, light board operation, and forklift operation. These skills allowed me to contribute significantly to the overall production process by providing top-notch sets and set dressing. I collaborated closely with Production Designers, Art Directors, Directors, and Producers to ensure that the visual aspects of the shows were impeccably executed. Through my dedication and expertise, I played a vital role in creating the captivating and immersive world of these soap operas.

Fresh out of high school, I began my career at the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hotel as a front desk agent, where I quickly made an impact with my exceptional customer service skills. Recognizing my potential, I was promoted to the role of Front Desk Supervisor, assuming additional responsibilities and leading a team of dedicated staff. Building on this success, I then transitioned into the role of Assistant to the Director of Sales & Catering, where I gained valuable insights into the dynamic world of sales and event planning. My expertise and dedication were further recognized, prompting me to take on the challenging position of Room Sales Coordinator & Revenue Manager. In this role, I successfully implemented strategic revenue management techniques, maximizing hotel profitability while ensuring the highest levels of guest satisfaction. Throughout my journey at the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hotel, I consistently demonstrated my commitment to excellence and continuous growth, gaining great advancement in my former work in the hospitality industry.