Founders/owners, Lamorinda Theatre Academy
Ages: Both 32
Live: Oakland, Walnut Creek
Work: Lafayette
Three years ago, best friends Renee DeWeese and Rena Wilson opened a Lafayette studio to teach young people how to perform onstage. Today, the Lamorinda Theatre Academy trains more than 350 children and teens in voice, acting, and dance at the studio during the school year, as well as at summer classes, camps, and after-school programs at local schools. performingacademy.com. —Rachelle Cihonski