Meet the leaders dedicated to our mission.
The organization’s leaders are devoted to serving our members and fulfilling our mission to shape lives through theatre education.
Executive Director
The chief executive leads all mission work across the association and foundation, setting strategy with the boards and guiding operations at all levels.
EdTA Board of Directors
The governing board sets direction, oversees policy, protects the organization, and acts as ambassadors.
Richard Frazier-Sostillio
President
Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2027
Educator, Director, Choreographer
Warner Robins, GA
Dr. Patricia Santanello
Vice President
Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2027
Theatre Director
Dublin, OH
Nick Ginsberg
Treasurer
Term: 7/1/2023-6/30/2027
General Manager, Foresight Theatrical
New York, NY
Felicia Latoya Brown
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2027
Trenton Central High School
Trenton, NJ
Randy Cohen
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2027
Americans for the Arts
Washington, D.C.
Desirée Dabney
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2028
Theatre Educator
Glen Allen, VA
Irene Imboden
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2025-6/30/2028
Theatre Educator
Tipp City, OH
Briana Navarro
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2024-6/30/2027
Clover Park School District
Lakewood, WA
Tricia Patrick
Board Director
Term: 12/1/2022-6/30/2029
Director of Education, Ford’s Theatre
Washington, D.C.
Jayla Pollock
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2026-6/30/2029
Company Manager, Foresight Theatrical
New York, NY
Dr. Tyler TerMeer
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2026-6/30/2029
CEO, San Francisco AIDS Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Cheryl Williams
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2023-6/30/2029
Director/Designer
Smithfield, VA
Staff
Our friendly staff is passionate about delivering member programs and services.
Kate Andrews
Member Relations Coordinator
Get to know Kate!
Kate Andrews serves as Member Relations Coordinator at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where they connect the members and the organization through phone and email communication, advocate for member needs, and help ensure that members have a positive and meaningful experience. Their work centers on understanding the member perspective, clarifying processes, and supporting EdTA’s commitment to theatre educators and students.
With a background in education and customer service in the printing industry, Kate brings a strong foundation in project management, personalized support, and active listening. Before joining EdTA, they developed these skills through teaching in early childhood classrooms and managing complex print projects for large-scale events, festivals, and a major grocery chain.
Kate earned a degree in business with a focus on Sports Management before pursuing an Early Childhood teaching license. Their combined experiences in education and sports management have reinforced their belief in the many ways people learn and grow beyond the traditional classroom, the importance of creating safe spaces for self-expression, and the value of embracing one’s authentic self.
Kate’s connection to theatre began at home, inspired by their parents and older siblings, particularly their father’s love of The Phantom of the Opera. That early influence continues to shape their belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to find their voice, express themselves, and make a meaningful difference. Outside of work, Kate enjoys spending time with her four boys, supporting youth theatre and youth sports, and learning new skills like teaching swim to people of all ages and American Sign Language.
Get in touch with Kate: KAndrews@schooltheatre.org
Cheyenne Asahina
Foundation Coordinator
Modal Box Title
Cheyenne Asahina serves as Impact Coordinator for the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association. She coordinates the Foundation’s grants, scholarships, and awards from application through adjudication and delivery, helping ensure that information is clear, accessible, and organized at every stage. She also compiles year-end grant reports to support the Foundation’s annual Impact Report, helping document the difference these investments make in theatre education.
An organizer at heart, Cheyenne brings curiosity, adaptability, and a love of building practical systems to her work. Her professional experience spans fields ranging from acupuncture to interior design, with a consistent focus on making everyday processes more seamless. At the Foundation, she designed and implemented a custom project management system to track projects and provide a shared reference for the team. She has also refined the application process to better support the Foundation’s programs and applicants.
Before joining EdTA, Cheyenne served as an administrative assistant in the Performing Arts Department at Emerson College. There, she helped plan and coordinate auditions for incoming students and supported compliance requirements for theatre education students pursuing state educator licensure. Managing overlapping timelines and the needs of multiple groups provided valuable preparation for her work supporting the Foundation’s programs.
Cheyenne holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Emerson College, where she discovered her connection to theatre and its educational possibilities. She values the combination of play, collaboration, and constructive conflict that theatre classrooms offer, along with the social and emotional learning that grows from those experiences. Her own theatre education taught her to bring seemingly unrelated skills and perspectives together, an approach that continues to inform her work. She believes every student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow through theatre.
Raised in Hawaii, Cheyenne enjoys reading fantasy, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with her three cats. She also recently completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training.
Cammy Bihl Laughman
Director of Membership & Chapter Relations
Get to Know Cammy!
Cammy Bihl Laughman serves as Director of Membership & Chapter Relations at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for membership, chapter support, and national event registration. Her responsibilities include leading the Membership Service Center, coordinating membership benefit fulfillment, providing year-round support to chapters, overseeing national event registration, and helping ensure that EdTA and its chapters fulfill their respective responsibilities under established chapter agreements.
Cammy’s work centers on a commitment to delivering an exceptional member experience. She strives to ensure that every interaction with EdTA is positive, solution-oriented, and welcoming for individual members, chapter leaders, and national event attendees. She helps connect members, chapters, and attendees with the resources, information, and support they need to fully engage with the organization and its programs. Cammy is committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence. She continually evaluates processes and procedures to streamline operations, strengthen service, and improve efficiency for both members and staff.
Since joining EdTA in 2018 as a Membership Service Specialist, Cammy has developed a deep understanding of the organization through firsthand experience in several of the roles she now oversees. That experience informs her approach to leadership, giving her practical insight into her team’s work and the needs of the members they serve. Her earlier customer service experience helped establish the foundation for her career in member support and engagement.
Cammy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts with a focus in Photography and a minor in Organizational Leadership from Northern Kentucky University. She also earned both a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University.
A proud alum of Thespian Troupe 6043, Cammy’s connection to theatre began in elementary and middle school productions. In high school, she took every theatre class her school offered and worked on production crews. Although she pursued visual art in college, she found herself drawn back to theatre, a connection that ultimately brought her to EdTA. Having experienced the organization’s mission firsthand, she believes deeply in theatre education’s ability to shape lives, and she values working alongside people driven by passion and purpose.
Outside of work, Cammy loves spending time outside and traveling. She usually has a next trip planned with her husband or their families.
Get in touch with Cammy: cbihl@schooltheatre.org
Taylor Davis
Member Engagement Manager
Get to Know Taylor!
Taylor serves as the Engagement Manager for EdTA. She manages national event registration processes and chapter operations in an effort to provide a supportive and seamless experience for chapter leaders and event attendees. Her work focuses on refining standard operating practices and providing exemplary service to build strong relationships between our members, their chapter leaders, and EdTA’s national events.
Taylor is no stranger to EdTA and its mission. While most of her professional career has been with this organization, she is also a Thespian alum (Troupe 3161), a former State Thespian Officer, and a former Kentucky Thespians board member. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in theatre from Murray State University and has been involved in theatre since her middle school years.
Her formative years as a Thespian have had a lasting impact, and it is an honor to return the favor. She takes great pride in supporting the students, educators, and other professionals that keep theatre education thriving.
Taylor lives in Cincinnati, OH. In her free time, she enjoys live music, movies, and running. Cincinnati has also turned her into a bit of a sports fan – Who Dey!
Get in touch with Taylor: tdavis@schooltheatre.org
Christine DeGraide
Executive Assistant
Get to Know Christine!
As Executive Assistant at EdTA, she partners with the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors to support the organization’s daily operations and strategic priorities. Her responsibilities include calendar and meeting management, preparation of meeting materials, travel coordination, communications, and special projects. A proud career Executive Assistant, she believes that exceptional support goes beyond managing schedules and logistics. Her strength lies in anticipating needs, building trust, and being someone others can consistently count on. She takes pride in being a dependable partner who helps make things easier for leadership, staff, Board members, and the broader EdTA community, allowing others to focus on the work that matters most.
She is also excited to take on new responsibilities in Sponsorships, Partnerships & Advertising, where she looks forward to building meaningful relationships with sponsors and exhibitors, fostering collaboration, and helping strengthen the connections that support EdTA’s mission and growth.
Before joining EdTA, she was part of the University Advancement team at Bryant University, supporting the Vice President. Earlier in her career, she served as Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Nachtmann USA and the International Crystal Federation. Nachtmann USA was the U.S. arm of a Germany-based company specializing in the design and manufacture of crystal products for leading brands.
She received her degree in Business Administration at Bryant University as well as an AS degree in the Executive Assistant program at the Community College of Rhode Island.
Although she did not grow up as a theatre student, she discovered a love for theatre through backstage work in local productions alongside her husband. She valued not only the creative process but also the sense of community and shared purpose that brought everyone together. That experience makes her connection to EdTA especially meaningful. She is proud to be part of an organization that champions theatre education and supports the educators and students whose lives are enriched by the arts. In many ways, she sees a familiar thread between her work and EdTA’s mission: meaningful things happen when people feel supported, valued, and empowered to do their best.
Outside of work, she lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Jay, and enjoys spending time with her two sons and daughter-in-law.
Get in touch with Christine: cdegraide@schooltheatre.org
Deborah Diggs
Executive Vice-President, Finance & Operations
Get to Know Deborah
Deborah Diggs serves as Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations at the Educational Theatre Association. She oversees finance, human resources, technology, and the administrative systems that keep the organization running smoothly. As a member of EdTA’s executive leadership team and a strategic advisor to the Executive Director, she turns the organization’s priorities into sustainable financial and operational plans. That work helps direct resources where they can do the most for theatre educators and students. She focuses on sound financial stewardship, efficient processes, careful risk management, and reliable systems that support every part of EdTA, including membership, programs, events, fundraising, and communications.
Much of Deborah’s work happens behind the scenes, but members feel its effects. It shows when programs are well supported and thoughtfully staffed, when systems work reliably, and when EdTA can plan confidently for the future. Deborah leads the annual financial audit and regulatory filings. She prepares clear, actionable financial reports for the Board of Directors and its committees. She also works with staff and vendors to make sure EdTA’s tools serve both employees and the members who depend on them.
Deborah has more than 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and nonprofit leadership. Her expertise includes budgeting, grants management, audit preparation, human resources, and financial systems.
Deborah holds a B.S from Ithaca College, a B.S from Granite State College, and an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire. Her educational background in accounting, psychology and project management informs her people-centered approach to operations. She builds processes that are clear, collaborative, and easy for colleagues to use, so staff can spend more of their time serving.
Deborah lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire with her husband, and together they spend as much time as they can outdoors with their extended family. She is also a dedicated student of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and her long-term goal is to become a certified NVC trainer. Its emphasis on empathy and honest dialogue shapes how she collaborates with colleagues every day.
Get in touch with Deborah: ddiggs@schooltheatre.org
Zach Dulli
Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, & Event Production
Get to Know Zach!
Zach Dulli serves as the Senior Director of Marketing, Communications, and Event Productions at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where he oversees marketing and communications for EdTA, the Educational Theatre Foundation, and the International Thespian Society. He also collaborates with the events team to produce the annual International Thespian Festival, overseeing its opening and closing showcases.
His work focuses on keeping members informed, connected, and engaged with the programs, resources, and opportunities available through EdTA. Through communications and live events, he helps tell the organization’s story and advance its commitment to theatre education, theatre educators, and student achievement.
With a background in theatre, nonprofit management, and theatrical licensing, Zach brings experience in organizational leadership, education, and community engagement to his role. Before joining EdTA, he served as Director of Education and Community Initiatives for Broadway Licensing Global/Dramatists Play Service. During his time there, he created and served as editor-in-chief of The Scene, the largest newsletter for theatre educators in the country, now owned and operated by Concord Theatricals. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the National Council for Geographic Education, the national association of K-12 geography teachers. Earlier in his career, Zach worked as a SAG-AFTRA professional actor, appearing in numerous national commercials, films, and television shows.
Zach holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre from West Virginia University. He also studied with the Atlantic Theater Company in New York City and earned a professional postgraduate certificate from the Moscow Art Theatre School at Harvard University.
A second-generation Thespian, Zach first discovered his connection to theatre through middle school productions. He later served as a Maryland State Thespian Officer and graduated as an Honor Thespian and a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts. Those formative experiences continue to shape his commitment to theatre education and his understanding of the lasting influence educators can have on their students. His work at EdTA brings that connection full circle, allowing him to support the community that helped shape his own path.
Zach lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey, with his wife, Stephanie, a high school theatre director, and their three children, Max, Huck, and Piper.
Get in touch with Zach: zdulli@schooltheatre.org
Brannon Evans
Member Relations Coordinator
Get to know Brannon!
Brannon Evans serves as a Member Relations Coordinator at the Educational Theatre Association, where they are a frontline resource for members, ensuring members feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Their work includes answering member inquiries, troubleshooting account issues, processing membership applications and renewals, and maintaining accurate member records. Their focus on accessible, member-centered service supports EdTA’s commitment to theatre educators and students.
Brannon graduated with distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln May of 2023 with a BA in Theatre Performance and minors in African American Studies and Musical Theatre. During their time in school, they held leadership positions in a multitude of student organizations, including serving as president and co-founder of the Johnny Carson’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee and Vice President of Programming and Co-Founder of the Combs Honor Scholars. They were named the 2023 Region 5 Representative of the National ASPIRE Arts Leadership Cohort through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Since joining EdTA, Brannon has served in several roles across the organization, beginning as Project Service Specialist, moving into the role of Events & Content Specialist followed by Chapter Support Associate, before transitioning to the Membership team in 2025. This experience across departments has given them a broad understanding of EdTA’s work and the many ways it supports theatre educators and students.
Brannon is a proud alum of Troupe 5483 in Omaha, Nebraska. Now based in Los Angeles, Brannon continues to work as a teaching artist and actor alongside their role at EdTA. Their experience as a performer, educator and former student leader informs their belief in theatre’s power to build community, encourage self-expression, and create opportunities for young people. They bring that perspective to their work every day, helping ensure that the educators and students who make theatre education possible feel supported.
Get in touch with Brannon: bevans@schooltheatre.org
Jay Gerlach
Executive Director
Get to Know Jay
Jay Gerlach serves as Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association and President of the Educational Theatre Foundation. A lifelong Thespian, Jay joined the International Thespian Society at age 14 and credits his theatre teachers with inspiring his career in education.
Before joining EdTA’s executive leadership team, Jay spent 18 years as a theatre educator in New York and Connecticut and later served in school and district leadership roles overseeing the visual and performing arts, grants, and strategic initiatives. He holds a master’s degree in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University.
Jay is committed to building an EdTA that is responsive, transparent, and accessible—one that listens closely to educators, centers student voices, and ensures more young people experience the confidence, creativity, and belonging that theatre provides.
Get in touch with Jay: jgerlach@schooltheatre.org
Bridget Holmes
Marketing Manager
Get to know Bridget!
Bridget Holmes serves as the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)’s Marketing Manager, where she plans and executes marketing campaigns across email, social media, and other communications channels. Her work helps connect theatre educators and students with programs, resources, events, and opportunities, ensuring members stay informed, engaged, and supported.
With a background in performing arts organizations, arts education, and association marketing, Bridget brings a multifaceted perspective to her work. Her interest in arts education began while studying art history and visual arts at Fordham University, after which she spent a year working at an international elementary school in Atlanta. Before joining EdTA, Bridget served as Director of Marketing and Events at the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston, six years as Marketing and Communications Manager at the Joffrey Ballet’s Academy of Dance (now the Grainger Academy), House Manager at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Audience Services Associate at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Bridget’s career has been shaped by a commitment to helping arts organizations connect with their communities, and she draws on that experience in her current work.
Outside of work, Bridget enjoys spending time outdoors, rock climbing, and taking coastal road trips throughout New England, where she currently resides.
Get in touch with Bridget: bholmes@schooltheatre.org
Tim Maynes
Director of Education & Programs
Get to Know Tim!
Tim Maynes serves as Director of Education and Programs for the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where he leads programs and initiatives that support theatre educators and expand access to high-quality theatre education for students. His work includes oversight of the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys), curriculum and educational resource development, and other programs that connect EdTA members with meaningful learning opportunities and resources.
Tim brings more than 15 years of experience designing educational programs, supporting educators, and building partnerships. His work is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and care for the people doing the work every day. He is particularly energized by creating programs that center educators, celebrate student voice, and continually evolve in response to the needs of the communities they serve.
Tim began his career as a classroom teacher before moving into arts education and program leadership, eventually holding leadership roles at several major arts organizations. At the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, he designed and managed arts education initiatives in partnership with Broward County Public Schools and other community partners, supporting programming that reached more than 200,000 students annually. He previously led arts education operations at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and supported education and audience engagement initiatives at Disney Theatrical Group, including Disney Musicals in Schools, student workshops, and teaching artist programs. Across these roles, Tim has developed expertise in program design, partnerships, operations, and building the systems that help ambitious educational programs succeed.
Theatre education has been a consistent thread throughout Tim’s career. He spent nearly a decade as a classroom teacher while also directing and producing youth and community theatre, including musicals, theatre camps, and workshops. His experience working with students continues to shape his belief in theatre as a powerful catalyst for creativity, collaboration, confidence, and empathy – and as an essential part of a well-rounded and equitable education.
Tim holds an M.A. in Arts Leadership from Syracuse University and a B.A. in Drama from Ithaca College. At EdTA, he brings together his experience as an educator, theatre practitioner, arts education leader, program designer, and partner to strengthen the programs and resources that help theatre educators do their best work and create transformative experiences for young people.
Get in touch with Tim: tmaynes@schooltheatre.org
Wil Pho
Director of User Experience & Platforms
Get to Know Wil!
Wil Pho serves as Director of User Experience and Platforms at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). He works across every department, looking after the shared systems the whole organization depends on, with a focus on user experience, systems integration, single sign-on, and data analytics.
At the heart of his work is a relentless pursuit of making things easier to use, for members and staff alike, in every part of EdTA’s technology. Most of that work happens behind the scenes: listening to the people who use these systems, finding where things get confusing, and simplifying them one step at a time.
A big part of that effort is getting EdTA’s many systems to talk to each other, so information is shared instead of pieced together by hand. Connected systems also make the data more useful. He brings EdTA’s information together in one place and works to keep it accurate, with the hope that data will become a centerpiece of how the organization makes decisions.
When the technology works well, theatre educators can spend less time on paperwork and more time with their students.
Helen Rhodes
Education Coordinator
Get to Know Helen!
Helen Rhodes serves as the Education Coordinator at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where she supports the planning, coordination, and implementation of educational programs that provide meaningful opportunities for theatre students and educators nationwide. Her work focuses primarily on the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys), helping ensure that students, educators, and chapters have the resources and support they need to participate successfully.
In her role, Helen coordinates administrative operations for the Thespys program, including managing program communications, collecting and organizing Superior-rated student qualifications from chapters across the country, and supporting the registration and adjudication processes for the International Thespian Festival (ITF). She works closely with chapters to establish and maintain their Thespys programs through the OpenWater platform and helps coordinate the planning and execution of Thespys activities at ITF. Helen also provides administrative and logistical support for other EdTA educational initiatives, including the Premier Communities program.
Helen earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theatre and her Master of Arts in Theatre Making from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, where her postgraduate studies focused on applied theatre and children’s theatre. During her studies, she developed a passion for using theatre to foster creativity, confidence, and connection among young people from diverse backgrounds.
Among her most meaningful experiences was helping found a children’s theatre company that delivered weekly performances at a school serving students with profound and multiple learning difficulties. She also co-coordinated a weekly drama program for young people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds in the UK, culminating in a performance celebrating the students’ creativity, voices, and collaborative work.
Before joining EdTA, Helen spent several years working in childcare and youth development, including managing the before- and after-school program at Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts.
Helen’s connection to EdTA began long before she joined the organization professionally. As a high school student, she was a member of Thespian Troupe 3161 in Owensboro, Kentucky, and participated in the Thespys program herself. Having experienced firsthand the opportunities that theatre education and the International Thespian Society provide, she finds it especially meaningful to now support the same program that played a role in her own theatrical journey. She is passionate about helping the next generation of theatre students celebrate their achievements, discover their potential, and find a sense of belonging through the arts.
Get in touch with Helen: hrhodes@schooltheatre.org
Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson
Executive Vice-President,
Education
Get to Know Lisanne!
Lisanne Shaffer-Dickerson is a theatre educator, director, and arts education leader whose work centers on educational theatre, Theatre for Young Audiences, and advancing access, belonging, and inclusion in the field. As Executive Vice President of Education at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), she provides strategic leadership for the organization’s educational initiatives, helping shape priorities that advance its mission and strengthen its service to theatre educators and students nationwide.
In collaboration with organizational leadership and the Education team, Lisanne helps translate EdTA’s strategic goals into programs, resources, and experiences that support members throughout their professional journeys. She provides leadership across educational programming at EdTA events, the Thespy awards, curriculum development, the Learning Center, and student engagement through the International Thespian Student Leadership Council (ITSLC). Her work focuses on ensuring these initiatives remain relevant, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of theatre educators and their students. By connecting strategy with implementation, she helps advance professional learning, strengthen educational resources, celebrate student achievement, and create meaningful opportunities for student leadership and engagement within the broader theatre education community.
Lisanne also contributes to organizational strategy by bringing an educational perspective to long-term planning, program development, and decisions about how EdTA can best serve its members. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, professor, director, and arts education advocate, she works to connect the needs of educators and students with the organization’s broader goals, helping position theatre education as an essential part of a well-rounded education and supporting a vibrant, sustainable future for the field.
Lisanne spent more than a decade as a theatre teacher in the New York City public school system before transitioning to higher education, where she served as an Assistant Professor of Educational Theatre and Theatre for Young Audiences at East Carolina University and as an adjunct professor in the Educational Theatre graduate program at The City College of New York. She also worked as a professional development facilitator with the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects and taught speech and communication at The City College of New York’s Center for Worker Education.
From 2021 to 2023, Lisanne served as a fellow with the Apollo Theater’s inaugural Apollo Stories program, helping launch a national curriculum for high school teachers. Her professional experience also includes serving as a drama director at Camp Wicosuta, working as a teaching artist at Town Hall, and performing as a touring children’s theatre actress with Virginia Repertory Theatre, formerly Theatre IV.
In 2020, Lisanne received the Excellence in Arts Education Award from the Arthur Miller Foundation in recognition of her contributions to arts education. She holds an MFA in Theatre from Randolph College, awarded in 2026; an MS in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York, earned in 2014; and a BFA in Musical Theatre from East Carolina University, earned in 2003.
Throughout her career, Lisanne has championed the transformative power of theatre education and the importance of creating learning experiences that empower students, support educators, and expand whose stories are told onstage.
Get in touch with Lisanne: lsdickerson@schooltheatre.org
Janie Wallace Slavens
Interim Executive Vice-President, Educational Theatre Foundation
Get to Know Janie!
Janie Slavens serves as Executive Vice President of the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association. She leads efforts to fund underserved theatre programs, support theatre educators, and advance research that demonstrates the impact of theatre education.
An artist, educator, and nonprofit leader, Janie has dedicated her career to connecting young people with the transformative power of theatre. As Connecticut Program Manager for the Arthur Miller Foundation, Arts Education Director for St. Nicks Alliance, and a regular collaborator with the NYC Public Schools Arts Office, she has led arts education programs serving students and communities across the region. She has also directed initiatives and worked as a teaching artist with Stagedoor Manor, the Helen Hayes Youth Theatre, and InnovateEDU.
A proud Thespian alum, Janie began her own theatre journey in Shawnee, Kansas, where she served as president of Thespian Troupe #888. She earned a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Gender Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University before performing in regional productions and two national tours, then working as a director in regional theatres. She subsequently spent ten years teaching drama and dance, including four years as department chair of a K–12 performing arts program. After earning her MSEd in Educational Theater from the City College of New York in 2020, she transitioned to nonprofit leadership and consulting. She joined ETF in 2024.
Janie believes the best part of any rehearsal room is the unbridled joy of theatre kids, and she has built her career around ensuring more young people have the opportunity to experience it. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two young children, who are currently at the age where every living room is a stage.
Get in touch with Janie: JSlavens@schooltheatre.org
Katie Stone
Events Director
Get to Know Katie!
Katie Stone serves as Events Director at the Educational Theatre Association, where she oversees the planning and execution of EdTA’s signature events – the International Thespian Festival, Theatre Education Conference and annual Leadership Summit. Her work focuses on member experience at events, supporting EdTA’s commitment to theatre educators and students.
Katie is an accomplished event professional with nearly 30 years of experience managing the full lifecycle of hundreds of live, virtual, and hybrid events. With a strong foundation in theatre and stage management, she brings extensive expertise in event logistics, production planning, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership.
Throughout her career, Katie has managed a diverse range of events and programs, including theatrical productions, membership conferences, educational workshops, arts festivals, fundraising events, and outdoor community gatherings. Having served as Operations Manager for the Roanoke Island Historical Association (producers of The Lost Colony outdoor drama) and as Managing Director of The Hurrah Players (VA) for 15 years, she has led organizational operations, managed staff and volunteer teams, developed strategic initiatives, and overseen major fundraising campaigns, facility expansions, and countless arts education programs.
Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from James Madison University and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Tidewater Community College’s Academy for Nonprofit Excellence.
A proud theatre kid raised by a 2nd generation educator, Katie is committed to bringing people together through meaningful events that support education, strengthen communities, and celebrate the transformative power of the arts.
Get in touch with Katie: kstone@schooltheatre.org
José Triana
Director of Educational Content & Storytelling
Get to Know José
José Triana serves as Director of Educational Content & Storytelling at the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), where he leads editorial strategy and content production across EdTA’s educational resources, websites, and publications. He also plays a key role in EdTA’s digital innovation and strategic initiatives, contributing to website projects that make it easier for members to find and use the resources they need, including helping build the Learning Center.
At the heart of his role is storytelling. Through features, videos, and educator resources, he works to amplify member stories, so educators feel seen, students feel inspired, and the value of theatre education is clear to the wider world. That work ranges from profiling alumni whose lives were shaped by their high school troupes to producing impact stories for the Educational Theatre Foundation. He also supports EdTA’s educator-facing communications, including the Sunday Scaries Survival Guide email series.
For José, the connection to arts education is personal. His wife teaches photography in Miami, and seeing her dedication to her students up close shows him every day how much access to the arts matters. That perspective shapes everything he creates at EdTA, where every story is a chance to show the mission in action and support educators like her.
With extensive experience as a content marketer and editorial strategist, he brings expertise in editorial planning, brand storytelling, and digital content. After starting his career in agency settings, he has spent nearly a decade in the nonprofit and association world, building content programs that help members get more value from the organizations they belong to. He first joined EdTA in 2023 and, after a stint leading marketing for a national pharmacy association, returned in 2026 to the mission and community that first drew him in, with a goal of helping lead the next chapter of Dramatics Magazine.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Florida International University, and also volunteers with Association Latinos, a professional network for Latino association and nonprofit professionals, where he supports content and communications.
José lives in Miami with his wife and their son, Nicolas. Outside of work, he can usually be found on the tennis court or at the grill.
Get in touch with José: jtriana@schooltheatre.org
Megan Wilmot
Finance & HR Administrator
Get to Know Megan!
Megan Wilmot serves as the Finance & HR Administrator at the Educational Theatre Association, where she provides support to the Finance and Operations teams and helps with the financial stewardship of the various departments in the organization, including membership, programs, events, and fundraising. Their work focuses on assisting the EVP of Finance with the accounting processes, maintaining compliance for the states we have chapters in, and managing insurance needs internally and externally, as well as being the main point of contact for all human resource needs.
Megan holds a B.A. from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Before joining EdTA, they worked at Boston College in University Advancement as a Development Administrator, providing behind the scenes support to the gift planning department and the Executive Director of Planned Giving. Megan managed a wide variety of processes for the department such as maintaining the CRM systems and donor information, collaborating on cross-functional team projects, and developing a training manual for the planned giving team, as well as volunteering her time to support key events such as Commencement, Reunion, and Pops on the Heights.
Megan’s connection to theatre began in the seventh grade with a snap of bubblegum and a sassy wave to a fake camera in the stage production of Willy Wonka. Her somewhat surreal experience of attending a middle school where the vast majority of students participated in the annual musical in some way, shape or form continues to shape her love of theatre, from the art it produces to the community it creates. Outside of work, Megan enjoys reading and hiking, and is forever in pursuit of the perfect blueberry muffin recipe.
Get in touch with Megan: mwilmot@schooltheatre.org
Angel Wuellner
Director of Partnerships & Engagement
Get to know Angel!
Angel joined EdTA in 2014 and serves as Director of Partnership Engagement at the Educational Theatre Association, where they oversee sponsorships, exhibitors, advertising, and college participation at ITF. Their work focuses on fostering strong relationships with partner organizations and growing supplemental revenue in support of EdTA’s commitment to theatre educators and students.
Once a stage manager, always a stage manager – Angel’s first career included stage managing multiple traveling TYA productions as well as regional and community theatre. Before joining EdTA, they served as Managing Director of an equity theatre in upstate New York, worked as the Auditions Associate at Actors Equity Association in NYC, and taught high school drama at an independent high school in Knoxville, TN.
Angel has an M.A. in Performing Arts Administration from New York University and a B.F.A. in Theatre (Generalist/Management) from Northern Kentucky University. Angel resides in Cincinnati, OH where they recently worked with 1001 Colors, a non-profit youth workforce development art organization, and served on the board of American Legacy Theatre, a social justice and empathy-driven theatre company.
Get in touch with Angel: awuellner@schooltheatre.org