PEAK THEATRE ARTS
A Youth Theatre Arts Education Company
Meet Our Founder
Jessica Alvarado, affectionately known as Ms. A, is an accomplished actress, director, writer, producer, and teaching artist. Her journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and a steadfast commitment to empowering young minds through the transformative power of theatre arts.
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From the age of 9, Jessica knew her heart belonged on stage. But the path wasn’t easy. Growing up, she faced a harsh reality—there were no accessible or affordable theatre arts programs in her school or community. Still, she pressed forward, fueled by passion and resilience.
At 17, she finally stepped into a theatre class—only to confront another glaring absence: Where were the classical works by Latinx or Black playwrights? Where were the teaching artists who looked like her? Where were the stories of hope, joy, and love within Black and Latinx communities? These questions didn’t discourage her—they ignited a fire. Determined to fill the void she once experienced, Jessica founded PEAK Theatre Arts in 2019—a platform born from over 20 years of experience in theatre and more than a decade of youth development work, dedicated to uplifting underrepresented voices and celebrating culture through the arts.
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Her impact reaches far beyond the stage. In 2013, as a Site Director for an after-school program, Jessica launched the After School All Stars Theatre Company, engaging over 60 youth ages 6–12 within the first year of inception, in a STEAM-based theatre arts curriculum. Her innovative approach immersed students in digital media, acting, set design, costume design, and sound design, culminating in an unforgettable production of Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat—a milestone moment for both her and her students.
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Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies with a minor in Theatre and Dance from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). Her work stands as a powerful reminder that when young people see themselves reflected in the arts, they not only find their voice—they learn to use it to change the world.
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Looking ahead, Jessica envisions PEAK Theatre Arts as more than a company—it’s a movement. She hopes to establish summer camps rooted in culturally responsive theatre education and to write original children’s plays full of hope, justice, and redemption, paired with custom curriculum that is easy for educators to implement in their classrooms. Her personal mission is to equip the next generation with the tools to perform, the confidence to lead, and the freedom to dream.