The program
Studio 81 is home to El Dorado High School’s Award Winning Drama Department. Chaired by the EDHS Drama Department’s Paul Tomei, Studio 81 produces plays and theatre events that are student driven and provide a wide and culturally diverse variety of performances.
At El Dorado High School, a visual or performing arts classes is mandatory for high school graduation. Studio 81 offers three classes: Beginning, Advanced, and Production Drama. All classes can be taken for elective credit and the highest level repeated as a requirement for a fourth year of English. For students interested in Behind the Scenes work, we also offer a Theatre Tech class for students who want to help build sets, costumes, and advertise for shows!
About the Director
Paul Tomei
Paul Tomei has been a full time Drama Teacher at El Dorado High School in Placerville, California for the past 19 years. He received a B.A in Theater from C.S.U Sacramento, and studied Acting at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, Ca. Paul received his Teaching Credential from Chapman University and most recently went back to school to receive an M.A in Directing from The Chicago College of Performing Arts. Paul currently teaches two sections of Beginning Drama, one section of Advanced Drama, a Theater Technology course and a Play Production class.
In his almost two decades of teaching and directing, Paul has received many honors and awards. In 2006 Paul was one of 6 recipients in the State of California to receive The Carlston Famiy Foundation Outstanding Teachers of America Award. In addition, Paul is continually nominated by the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance for Direction and Overall Production for his plays, and has received the prestigious Elly Award 15 times. Paul’s students have gone on to perform on Broadway, Regional Theatre, TV and Film and have started their own professional theatre companies.
