Hello Everyone!

My name is Clara and I am an actor and director. I believe that in order for a show to resonate with the audience it needs to resonate with the actors and creative team. My work focuses a lot on identity and how exploring a character can also help explore and understand similar characteristics in oneself. Every show should be a learning opportunity for everyone involved. My shows cater to the actors’ strengths and specialties, using the full extent of the human body and soul to tell unique and dynamic stories.

One cannot stand out if they are not in a crowd, so I tend to produce ensemble-based entertainment to showcase the breadth of humanity and its diversity. My work is a celebration of how life imitates art.

Thank you for visiting my portfolio site. Please feel free to reach out!

Clara Holland (they/them)

contact@claraholland.com

Clara Holland (they/them) is a San Francisco Bay Area native who grew up surrounded by art, nature, and culture. They began exploring theater at age 5 and have since written, directed, designed, and performed in over 80 different productions and counting.

Clara works as lead teaching artist for various Bay Area theater camps such as Berkeley Playhouse, Town Hall Theatre, and the late California Shakespeare Company. They focused on Acting Technique, Fundamental Theater Etiquette for New Actors, as well as directing the final showcase performances that include Little Mermaid, Wicked, Grease, Annie, and many more. Clara has also written several original plays for local middle school drama productions.

They graduated summa cum laude from San Diego State University (SDSU) with a B.A. in Theatre Performance and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. They were on the Dean List for every semester and a proud member of the Weber Honors College. They spent a term abroad at the University of Kent in England, returning with a First Class in Shakespearean Studies.

Clara spent the first half of 2025 expanding their award winning sound and lighting portfolio in Canterbury, UK. They are now back in the Bay Area teaching classes and directing productions for all ages at Berkeley Playhouse.

Awards & Showcases


  • University of Kent, Canterbury UK

    Gaffer for “Renascence” by Layla Baba-Brown

    April 2025

  • Featured short film in San Luis Obispo's juried show and first annual Film Festival, themed “Isolation”

    Musical parody of The Little Mermaid’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls”

    September 2021

  • $250 Scholarship from Miramonte High School, Orinda CA

    Demonstrated commitment to theater by participating as an actor, writer, director, designer, videographer, and teacher’s assistant

    June 2021

  • Miramonte High School, Orinda CA

    6 or more arts classes taken throughout high school

    May 2021

  • Runner-up for state competition at Miramonte High School, Orinda CA

    Henry IV: Part 2 monologue

    January 2019

  • Photo of a classmate repelling down a 100ft waterfall in Costa Rica

    Donated the $300 prize money to Canyon Elementary School, Canyon CA

    January 2017