Our Mission
At Light of the World Productions, we strive to bring love and light to our community, as we embrace diversity, promote positive body image and a deep appreciation for the performing arts.
All students are deserving of a safe, positive environment to learn and grow and to achieve their own personal best!
We take pride in our faith, love and light!
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
Artistic Director, Co-Owner
Joanna Weiland
“Bay Area Native Joanna Weiland began dancing and acting at what is considered ‘late’, age 13. She immediately jumped into the performing arts world, training five days a week in various styles of dance such as ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, contemporary, praise and tap, at Ray of Light Performing Arts. Under the tutelage of her mentor, Reagan Griffith Aragones, she took every opportunity to grow and learn.
Joanna, also having a love and passion for musical theater, has thoroughly enjoyed performing in many musicals with Ray of Light throughout the years. She has played leading roles such as Ariel in LITTLE MERMAID, Little Red Ridinghood in INTO THE WOODS, and Sharpay in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!
Joanna is known for her bubbly, kind personality and her gift with children. Her love for teaching children has always been evident, as she assisted in church, children’s choir, and summer camps throughout her teen years. She grew to teach all ages of children and adults 5 days week, and co-directed Mary Poppins soon after highschool. Over the years, Joanna has graduated from student, TA, Teacher, to now.. Artistic Director of her own studio, Light of the World Productions! Directing, producing, and choreographing musicals such as The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan JR with her own school has filled her heart with creative passion and love.
Joanna is a working actress performing as princesses and popular characters at birthday parties and other local events. Children are always engaged and enchanted by our lovely Joanna. Birthday parties are just a bit more magical when the princesses arrive!
Ms. Joanna loves dancing and teaching in the community and, most recently, has enjoyed her time teaching memory care patients at senior centers in Alameda and Oakland, as well as the students of Kimber Hills Preschool in Fremont.
Currently, Joanna is a senior apprentice company dancer with Anastasis Ballet Company, a faith based professional ballet company based in Dublin, CA. Company dancer with Open City Dance, based in San Leandro CA. As well as a volunteer Praise Warrior dancer on the Love Never Fails dance team, in Hayward CA.”
Co-Owner, Master Teacher
Reagan Griffith-Aragones
Originally from Denver Co, Reagan began dancing at 7 years old, training in the Vaganova method at Colorado Ballet.
Under the tutelage of Artistic Director Martin Friedman, Reagan was awarded a full merit scholarship and began to dance “en pointe” at the very young age of 8 years. Her rigorous training over the course of a decade was pointing her in the direction of becoming a prima ballerina. She has danced in numerous classical ballets over the years, such as The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphide, And many more.
Reagan also attended both Middle and High Schools for the Performing Arts in Denver CO. and was already stepping into the role of choreographer as she was asked to choreograph for all of her school’s musicals.
Her very first being “The Wiz.” Reagan has been blessed to train with some of the best at Colorado Ballet, City Ballet San Francisco, Boston Ballet, and with the world-renown Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in Denver, CO adding modern, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and West African to her dance repertoire. Reagan, also trying her hand in the competition world, competed in The Denver Ballet Guild, Young Dancers Competition several times and took 1st place. Well on her way into her professional career, a devastating ankle injury pointed her on a new journey as a young adult. After doctors told her she’d never dance “en pointe” again, a broken hearted Reagan began soul searching and found creating, choreographing and praise dance would soon become part of her healing process. Soon after stepping into that position, Reagan was being sought after by local performing artists and directors all over Colorado and California. She had found her creative niche. Once Reagan discovered her love and passion for teaching, it was an easy switch from center stage to an instructor. A new dream had just been unlocked! Reagan has been teaching and choreographing all styles of dance and directing musical theater in the Bay Area for over 15 + years. Reagan is known for her unique ability to bring the very best out of all her students and her students can attest to that. One of Reagan’s greatest achievements in her career is owning her own performing arts studio, Ray of Light Performing Arts for the last 7 years.
Reagan is over the moon to be locking elbows with Light of World Productions to continue to bring love, light, and the performing arts to the community!
Musical Theater Instructor, Vocal Director
Kendall Hays
“Originally from Akron, OH, Kendall Hays started her dance journey at the age of five. She began by taking ballet, tap, and jazz at the local civic center. Her family moved to Illinois when she was six resulting in a two year break from dance while took every opportunity to sing and act. After her break she would attend dance and musical theater classes through her school and the community center.
At the age of ten, Kendall auditioned for her first musical at Christian Youth Theater Chicago. While at Christian Youth Theater she performed in Annie, SchoolHouse Rock Live, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Little Mermaid as chorus member and featured dancer.
When Kendall was twelve she moved once again to Fremont, CA and found ROLPA. During her time there she took tap, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theater. When she auditioned for Mary Poppins through the studio, she got the opportunity to be the leading lady.
Kendall is a task driven person but always tries to keep her teaching light and adaptable. She has been working with kids as a young age from volunteering for summer camps and teaching regularly at Sunday school. As she has grown and transitioned from assistant to instructor, she continues to be thankful for all the wonderful teachers in her life that have shown so much kindness and understanding. Her goal is to emulate their values as well as the love of Jesus to her students.
With Light of the World Productions, Kendall was the Vocal Director of The Little Mermaid, and is Vocal Directing our current show, Peter Pan JR! Most recently, Kendall has sung and performed with Nightingale Youth Theater, she has participated in their shows Godspell, The Wizard of Oz, and currently is in Mary Poppins.”