Bio

From her years involved in high school theatre, track, and scouting, earning a Texas District One Act AAAA Best Actress Award, track metals, and Girl Scout badges, was always on the move. Dea went on to receive degrees in Speech/Drama and Physical Education/Dance at Texas State. While there, she had the honor of stage-managing a command performance of “A Raisin in the Sun” for President Lyndon Baines Johnson at his Texas ranch. This was followed by additional studies and a Master of Arts degree in directing with an emphasis in Black Theatre from the University of Texas, El Paso and more post-graduate work in theatre and film at the University of California Los Angeles. All the while working as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines, doing PR and participating in theatre throughout the world while traveling.

Throughout her career, Dea McAllister has shared the set and stage with leading actors as a thespian, director and producer. She produced mass events nationwide featuring stars and directed plays for The Los Angeles Children’s Theatre. Dea worked with celebrities for these productions on behalf of numerous children’s charities. Over the years Dea taught k-12 in inner city schools and college speech classes. She directed three youth arena events for the Lutheran Church in Texas, Georgia and Colorado. For five years she also chaired the script committee for the television series “This is the Life”; as well as performing in the series. Originally coming on board as consultant for the refitting of the Maryott Theatre, Dea was asked to oversee the $1.5 million annual budget for the facility staying on as Cultural Arts/Theatre Manager, booking professional performances. She also created and developed several youth and adult community performance groups, orchestras, choirs, dance companies, an art gallery, writers’ workshop, and a children’s theatre camp; she established the annual Cultural Historical Education productions that focused on social topics; Wars, Right to Life and Abortion, Breast Cancer, Racism and the annual Harvest Moon Festival celebrating Americana, One Act Festivals, a 5-day Shakespeare Festival and a Speaker and Travelogue Series as well as teaching and participating in many of these programs, producing over 200 productions. Dea also initiated and produced yearly commemorative events honoring Martin Luther King, jr., Cesar Chavez, Holocaust Remembrance, Veterans programs, Gospel Jubilee, Christmas and holiday shows, as well as (3) acclaimed Michael Martin Murphy’s Cowboy Christmas Balls.

In addition to her work as an actress, Dea has been recognized for her many additional achievements: from doing proclaimed PR as a Continental Airlines Flight Attendant, was honored with a Special Commendation by the Mayor of Los Angeles for work in the Arts, receiving honors for her appearances on Chuck’s Country as on-camera host from California Country Music Academy, for Best Host and for Best TV host for KPAL Good Morning Antelope Valley. Received publication design award for theatre brochures 5 years running, the CAPIO AWARD; to accomplishments in television production documentary “To Russia with Love’, The ANGEL AWARD, for Excellence in Media. Dea also received recognition as one of the 300 Outstanding Women in 100 years of Texas State University history. Her hometown in Texas honored her with the KEY to the city as one of their Outstanding Alumni. A most special professional award from the Western Arts Alliance (WWA) for Excellence in programing, producing, presenting, performing in Theatre was given to her for her years of work in the arts at a national level.

Among her accomplishments, Dea constructed a scale replica of the Old Globe Theatre for her annual Shakespeare Festival 15 seasons presenting the Los Angeles-based Equity troupe Will & Co. and she was featured in the Los Angeles Times, winning her the humerus “Willy Award”. Dea was honored and overjoyed to have had the opportunity to perform with an ensemble under the baton of John Rutter in his “Requiem” at Carnegie Hall. She even took her place as a representative for the City of Palmdale on their Past President’s Award-winning float in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

Without a doubt, one of her most cherished accomplishments has continued honoring America’s servicemen and women by twice producing and acting in the award-winning play receiving an Ensemble Award in “A Piece of My Heart,” about women who served in the Vietnam War, which raised $25,000 for the Lancaster Veterans Home. Dea undertook the chairmanship of the 27-member committee that raised the $110,000 needed to emplace The Mobile Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall at Joe Davies Airpark, dedicated to all Vietnam Veterans. The mayor presented Dea with a Commendation from the city of Palmdale for the outstanding production, bringing 600 hundred students who studied and attended, Vietnam Veterans panel and funds raised for a Veterans Home and was made Mayor for a day. Dea continues to serve as the VFW Aux Chaplain for her Post and hospital bed visits in VA hospitals in Los Angeles and Long beach with years of caregiving service. And was honored and humbled to have received The Four Chaplains Award for service.

She is a passionate gardener and loves working with her champion of a husband on all projects, especially their avocado ranch and critters. A world traveler and art photographer. All these activities have important roles in her life. She also continues biking, hiking, swimming and leading her talents directing, and performing in chancellery church dramas and choirs. While acting and working on voice overs, Dea participates on SAG/AFTRA committees and directs old time radio shows for SAG/AFTRA. Dolores ElbeAguirre McAllister, the daughter of a wise and kind native Texan father, a proud WWll veteran of Mexican American heritage, and a loving and strong German-born mother, is fully committed to the world of arts and having a proven record of accomplishment in related areas, the limelight always beckons her back to her work acting and directing; storytelling in the most compelling manner…giving the breath of life to vivid characters through truth in thought, word and deed.
Life is blest!