BIO
Carmen Maria Mitchell (she/her/hers) is a bicoastal Latina performing artist and producer, known for her work as an actress, singer-songwriter, and professional figure skater. Originally from Northern California, Carmen has found her artistic home in New York City.
With a background in competitive figure skating and ballet, Carmen's career has evolved to encompass leading roles in musicals, short films, commercials, and professional ice skating shows. Notably, she performed as a principal skater on a National Tour of Disney on Ice.
Some of Carmen’s favorite theatrical roles include: Louise in “Gypsy”, Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera”, Maria in “West Side Story”, Fantine in “Les Misérables”, Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot”, Juliet in “Romeo & Juliet”, Viola in “Illyria”, and Brooke Windham in “Legally Blonde The Musical”.
During her competitive ice skating career, Carmen became a US Figure Skating double gold medalist and was the Artistic National winner.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Carmen is the Founder and Executive Director of Redwood Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to bringing professional theatrical productions and educational programs to Sonoma County, CA. She also spearheads FTA (For The Art) Productions, working alongside a collective of passionate filmmakers & multimedia artists. Their mission is to produce meaningful art and share powerful stories that amplifying voices in the community.
Carmen studied Performing Arts and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco, where she cultivated her passion for arts outreach and activism. Carmen is the Co-Founder of the SOL Community Arts outreach organization, providing intentional programming and scholarships to vulnerable youth. This initiative aims to make performance and visual art more accessible to children in underserved communities as a form of violence prevention.
Carmen is passionate about using the arts as a tool for social change, fostering creativity, and nurturing resilience among young people. Her commitment to arts activism is reflected in her advocacy for inclusivity and community empowerment within her projects. She actively engages in social justice outreach initiatives, using her platform to uplift marginalized voices and advocate for meaningful change. Through partnerships with local organizations, Carmen leads projects that address issues of inequality and injustice, empowering individuals to tell their stories and advocate for their rights.
With a deep passion for the arts and activism, Carmen looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead, eager to continue collaborating with kindred artists and organizations to create impactful and meaningful work.
A Bit About Carmen's History
Documentary Series
SOL Community Arts
Ice Theatre Company
Social Justice Art Series
Production Company
National Tour
Musical Theatre
Full-Inclusion
Theatre Company
Professional Ice Shows
Training & Education
Lifeguarding
Competitive Figure Skating
Classical Ballet
Director & Producer of the FTA Productions Documentary Series. Showcasing inspirational projects and uplifting voices that address issues of inequality and injustice, empowering individuals to tell their stories and advocate for their rights.
Carmen is the Co-Founder of the SOL Community Arts outreach organization, providing intentional programming and scholarships to vulnerable youth. This initiative aims to make performance and visual art more accessible to children in underserved communities as a form of violence prevention.
Carmen co-founded the Redwood Ice Theatre Company as a new branch of RTC. This ice theatre features professional figure skaters and world competitors in both live and virtual productions.
Director of the FTA Social Justice Art Series: creating social awareness and community connections through art.
Carmen is the Founder & Director of the FTA (For The Art) Productions, working alongside a collective of passionate filmmakers & multimedia artists. Our mission is to produce meaningful art and share powerful stories that amplifying voices in the community.
Carmen performed as a principal skater on a National Tour of Disney on Ice, where she originating the debut role of the "Live Host”.
Some of Carmen’s favorite theatrical roles include: Louise in “Gypsy”, Christine Daae in “Phantom of the Opera”, Maria in “West Side Story”, Fantine in “Les Misérables”, Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot”, Juliet in “Romeo & Juliet”, Viola in “Illyria”, and Brooke Windham in “Legally Blonde The Musical”.
Carmen had the privilege of working as an instructor for Alchemia performing arts program for adults with developmental disabilities. Carmen now produces full-inclusion productions featuring performing artists with all different types of abilities.
Carmen is the Founder and Executive Director of Redwood Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to bringing professional Broadway productions and educational programs to Northern California. Featuring original projects and social justice pieces, youth performance camp, and full-inclusion opportunities.
Carmen skated in several professional ice shows including: Disney On Ice, Great America Theme Park Ice Show & Snoopy Home Ice Christmas Shows.
Carmen studied Performing Arts and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco. Carmen also attributes much of her training to the many workshops, masterclasses, and acting intensive programs she has attended including: Meisner Technique and Film Acting at the City Academy in London, Advanced Acting at the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) Studio, Advanced Stage and Film Acting at the Berkeley Repertory Theater, and an Advanced Shakespeare Workshop with the Shakespeare and Company (lead by Dennis Krausnick).
Fun Fact: Carmen worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor during high school & throughout college.
During her competitive ice skating career, Carmen became a US Figure Skating double gold medalist and was the Artistic National champion. She also won several artistic awards including "Most Artistic Freeskate" at Showcase competitions in the Bay Area.
Carmen began her training at Ballet California with Keith Martin (Principal dancer with England's Royal Ballet). She then studied with Tamara Statkoun (Principal dancer a the Michailovsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, Russia) & Gina Ness (Principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet) at Santa Rosa Dance Theatre where she performed as a guest soloist. Carmen then went on to train and dance at the San Francisco Academy of Ballet with Richard Gibson (Principal dancer with San Francisco Ballet).