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Our Team
Meet the Staff
The Opening Act staff is made up of dedicated educators, artists, and leaders who believe in the power of young people and the transformative potential of theater. Follow the links below to connect with them directly.
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Interim Executive Director
Leah Day VanHorn
A cultural leader and longtime Opening Act advocate with expertise in nonprofit strategy, public programming, and mission-driven partnerships.
Director of Development
Yvonne Roen
An experienced fundraiser fueled by a deep commitment to arts education and equity, working to ensure access for all students.
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications
Matthew Greene
A strategic storyteller with a passion for connecting artists to social impact, committed to expanding our reach.
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Financial Management Consultants
"In an increasingly divided world, Opening Act’s mission to close the arts education gap by centering students’ voices through inclusive theater education is more vital than ever."
Alexander Santiago-Jirau - Executive Director
Artistic Advisory Board
We are immensely honored by the support of the esteemed individuals who make up our Artistic Advisory Board. These artists and advocates from every corner of the entertainment industry help us fulfill our mission.
Uzo Aduba
Emmy-Winning Actor
Kristen Bell
Emmy-Winning Actor
Rachel Chavkin
Tony-Winning Director
Dominique Fishback
Emmy-Nominated Actor
Alexa L. Fogel
Emmy-Winning Casting Director
Marcus Gardley
Playwright & Screenwriter
Jared Gertner
Actor
Caleb Grandoit
Actor & Opening Act Alum
Richard Hester
Director & Producer
Matt Hoverman
Writer
Odley Jean
Actor & Opening Act Alum
Aja Naomi King
Emmy Nominated Actor
Kwame Kwei-Armah
Playwright, Director, & Actor
Kenny Leon
Tony-Winning Director
Kobi Libii
Actor
Donald Margulies
Pulitzer-Winning Playwright
Michael Mastro
Actor & Director
Andrew McCarthy
Director, Writer, & Actor
Susan Mufson
Activist & Philanthropist
Lizabeth Newman
Investor & Philanthropist
Christopher Oscar Peña
Writer
Anthony Ramos
Actor
Jean Smart
Emmy-Winning Actor
Cecily Strong
Emmy-Nominated Actor
Patrick Vassel
Director & Playwright
Michelle Williams
Oscar-Nominated Actor
Tracey Scott Wilson
Writer & Producer
"Opening Act remains an inspiration to us all. I had the honor of being a teaching artist over a decade ago, and not only did it encourage me as an artist, but it also fostered my love for teaching young people and giving back to my community."
Marcus Gardley - Artistic Advisory Board
Board of Directors
Jamie Trowbridge, Chair
Tierra Innovation
Iliana Guibert, Vice Chair
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Pam Hacker, Vice Chair
Kyndryl
Chris Wilkens, Treasurer
MUFG-US Bank
Ashia Johnson, Secretary
Amazon
Brittany Adebumola
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Gregg Arst
Tanna, Inc.
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Kym Blanchard
The New Republic
Carolyn Cantor
Leah Day VanHorn
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Michael Fleming
Halliday Financial
Drew Garrison
Ali Kamin
Nicole Kwan
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Annie Parisse
Anastasia Pronin
Roku
Jonathan Schorr
Tjong & Hsia LLP
Ira Schreck
Schreck, Rose, Dapello, Adams,
Berlin, & Dunham LLP
Chen Shao
Marsh McLellan
Junior Board
Shayna Jast, Co-Chair
Lan Lyga, Co-Chair
Shelley Ortega, Social/PR
Naz Shams, Finance
Maura Cassidy
Sophie Cianfarani
Jackie Eustis
Sarah Frankel
Lucas Gilbride
Shelly Grinshpun
Hunter Johnson
Alana Koenig
Josh Krehe
Andres Martinez
Johnny Mickens
Liza Miller