Governing Board of Directors - North Texas Performing Arts

The North Texas Performing Arts prides itself as an organization “managed by professionals and made possible by volunteers” illustrated by the hard work and dedication of its volunteer Board of Directors.

The NTPA organization operates with the oversight of a Governing Board of Directors together with the advice, counsel and support of ten (10) Theatre Management Boards responsible for supporting the management and operations for each of our theatre troupes, creating a support structure of almost 200 hard-working and dedicated volunteer board members. Theatre Management Board Chairpersons are granted a Governing Board Seat during their term. All NTPA staff members and contractors report to the Chief Executive Officer who oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and reports to the Governing Board of Directors.

The Governing Board Officers make up the NTPA Executive Management Committee and are authorized for decision-making beyond the CEO’s daily authority when NTPA’s full Governing Board of Directors is not in session.

The NTPA Governing Board of Directors meet on the third Tuesday of every month in the Neiman Marcus Welcome Center at the Willow Bend Center of the Arts and its meetings are open to observation to the public. The Board Meeting reserves time each month for “Public Comment” and those interested in participating in the meeting or making comments may make their request via email to info@ntpa.org.

Governing Board of Director Monthly Meetings:

DATE: 3rd Tuesday of EVERY Month
TIME: CALL TO ORDER at 7:00pm
LOCATION: Neiman Marcus Welcome Center, Willow Bend Center of the Arts, Shops at Willow Bend

Emily JohnstonGoverning Board President

Emily has been a member of the Frisco Board since 2021, just after watching her youngest son take the stage with NTPA Frisco for the first time and seeing how the Ten Characters were truly imparted to each performer on that stage. Emily spent all of her formative years with her local children’s theater and believes firmly that every child should take the stage at least once in their lives. When not at the theater, Emily is a Product Manager for legal technology, and previously worked as an attorney at multiple AmLaw 100 law firms and Fortune 100 banks. She also enjoys traveling with her family, watching her two kids thrive on and off stage, and reading.

Sean ManningFirst Vice President & President-Elect

In his life outside NTPA, Sean Manning is an attorney whose primary role is to represent one of the largest youth serving organizations in the world. In his NTPA life, he has served as a volunteer since his son Ben performed his first show in 2017, and has filed numerous roles from show parent, promotions, concessions, and set build in Frisco, Plano and for Film Studios. Sean has also volunteered on the Film Studio’s Board since its inception and served as Chair of that Board during the 2024-2025 session. Sean now fills the role of Governing Board 1st Vice President. Sean also enjoys being on stage with NTPA and has performed in Frisco and Plano Community shows along with his wife Stephanie Manning who serves on the Frisco Board and his daughter Lizzie who, in addition to being an Academy student, has performed in over 50 NTPA Frisco, Plano, Studios, Academy and Community productions. He has also performed a cameo role in a Film Studios youth film opposite Lizzie. When not working or volunteering with NTPA, Sean enjoys traveling with his family and they often go to New York City to watch Broadway performances.

Rob WebsterSecond Vice President

Rob has spent 30 years working with ministries and non-profits, using his skills as a multidisciplinary creative force to help people and organizations tell their stories of transformation. His most memorable acting role came in the first grade, when he was an ear of corn in the Thanksgiving school play. He can still sing his song on cue if asked nicely. His wife Lauren and three kids have all benefited greatly from being involved in NTPA.

Abbi WreyfordThird Vice President

Abbi joined the NTPA Plano Management Board in 2020, but first came to Plano Children’s Theater in the summer of 2014 when her then six-year-old son, Noah, did a Wizard of Oz themed summer camp and promptly fell in love with theater. Since then, Abbi has been involved with volunteering for Noah’s productions and NTPA events including Cirque Du NTPA , Lucky Stars Casino Night, Senior & Plano AMPS. She joined her son on stage in NTPA productions of Scrooge and Sound of Music. She works in Richardson ISD as the Director of Salary and Compensation in the Human Resources Department. Abbi has a passion for party planning and enjoys turning even small affairs into fun, themed events. She looks forward to working with her theater family to support her family’s second home, NTPA – Plano.

Holly TrippSecretary

Holly Tripp has been actively involved with NTPA since 2016, when her daughter Sydney performed in her first show at NTPA – Fairview. She has volunteered in various roles for Sydney’s shows, including Show Manager, Costumes, Props, and Front of House/Ticketing. Holly has also served on the Fairview Management Board in the roles of Marketing Chair, Programming Chair, AMPs Chair and Board Chair. She then moved on to serve on the Governing Board of Directors.

Holly resides in McKinney with her husband, Dusty, two dogs and two cats. They are adapting to being empty nesters.

Sara AkersFounder, Plano Children's Theatre

Sara received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University with a major in Dance and a minor in Theatre and continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Children’s Theatre and Creative Drama. During her time at UTA, Sara received the Aurand Harris Playwriting Award and taught on the UTA faculty for two years. In 1981, Sara began teaching Creative Drama and Movement at The Lamplighter School in Dallas Texas, where she taught for 9 years. During this time, she also taught and directed at Dallas Theatre Center, Children’s Arts and Ideas Foundation, and the Junior Players Guild. Sara founded the Imagination Company underneath the umbrella of JPG.

In 1991, Sara founded Plano Children’s Theatre and has watched the company grow from a small theatre in Plano to a family of theatres covering the North Dallas area. Sara now works as the organization’s Vice President of Development and is responsible for NTPA’s fundraising, grant writing, and member development activities.

Melissa Hartman

Melissa Hartman was introduced to NTPA by her daughter, Olivia Elroz, in 2018 when they first relocated to north Dallas. After supporting her daughter in over 15 NTPA shows and participating in two community theater productions, Melissa joined the Plano Management Board. With Olivia now graduated from Academy and in her second year at Loyola University in Chicago, Melissa has renewed her dedication to NTPA by serving as Chairperson of the Plano Management Board.

Melissa’s professional background is in commercial real estate, and she has worked as a loan underwriter for KeyBank for 13 years, currently specializing in affordable housing communities. Prior to that, Melissa worked as VP in asset management and acquisitions/disposition for private real estate investment firms in Houston, Chicago, and Kansas City. Melissa has an MBA from George Washington University and a BA from University of Texas, Austin.

Fabian Gordon

Fabian Gordon, originally from Argentina, is a versatile figure with a lifelong passion for music, technology, and the arts. Recently serving as Chair of the City of Plano Cultural Arts Commission, he managed substantial arts and events grants. He’s also President of the Plano Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, providing volunteer support to the community. Starting music at age 5, he mastered various instruments and performed in diverse settings, from big bands to symphony orchestras. His technological expertise led him to develop cutting-edge platforms for major corporations, relocating to Dallas in 1992. He later became Chief Technology Officer for three companies, all eventually acquired or went public due to his innovations. In the mid-2000s, he pioneered holiday light shows synchronized to music, attracting crowds and raising funds for charity. After his software company was acquired, he returned full-time to arts and entertainment. For the past 12 years, he’s owned a production company specializing in lighting, sound, and custom equipment fabrication. Notably, his company partners with the State Fair of Texas, offering immersive audiovisual experiences uncommon at state fairs.

Elly Marsh

Elly has been actively involved with NTPA since 2009. She brings strong marketing and sales expertise to the board with 20+ years of career experience. Elly currently manages product marketing for Enterprise Cloud and Apps Services at DXC, a $8 billion/year business that holds the number two position in global market share. She is a Sunday school teacher and also volunteers with several organizations, including the National Charity League (NCL) and the Booker T Washington HSPVA Theatre Guild. In addition to her terms on the NTPA-Governing board , she served as Chair of the NTPA – Plano board. Elly has previous board experience with the Alliance Française of Dallas. In 2015, Elly received the Arts Volunteer of the Year award by the Arts Center of Plano. Elly has a son Ryan that began his involvement at NTPA in 2008 and a daughter Ria who performed her first show at NTPA in 2009.

Jamee Cutillo

Jamee Cutillo is one of NTPA’s longest serving Board Members, having served for almost fifteen years in various roles. She has been involved with NTPA since 2005 when daughter Tess took her first summer camp. She has chaired the Volunteer Committee, and for years led the the Program Committee which works closely with theatre management to ensure a well balanced schedule of programs is available to performers of all ages. She is currently the chair of the NTPA Alumni Committee.
Jamee is now a homemaker and office sub for PISD. Her past experience has been as a Research Director for the NBC and WB affiliates in Orlando, Florida for over 20 years.

Jamee’s husband Dennis Cutillo has also been heavily involved for almost two decades. He has co-chaired the Facilities Committee for years, programmed lights and ran the tech booth, and was the backstage manager for the AMP Awards.
Dennis Cutillo has over 30 years of experience as a telecommunications software-engineer with Seimens, TXP and iPhotonix.

Jeri Tidwell

Jeri Tidwell is a Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurse. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and holds a PhD in nursing. Jeri is a member of the Melrose Church of Christ and a mother member of North Suburban Dallas Jack and Jack of America. Ms. Tidwell is a huge fan of the Performing Arts and is a ‘theater mom”. NTPA (Plano Children’s Theater) has been the theater home for her children for almost a decade. Her role on the governing board is to promote the great work that NTPA is doing to develop character in our youth in diverse communities. Ms. Tidwell is a believer that the performing arts can build confidence and promote emotional health.

Felicia Lopes

Felicia Lopes, introduced to NTPA in 2015, served on the inaugural Dallas Management Board, then in 2016, she was asked to sit on the Governing Board. Felicia has more than 25 years of leadership experience in New York theatre as a producer and general manager (GM). She was the GM of the Drama Desk Awards for 10 years. Televised by PBS in 25 markets, she oversaw all production and administrative areas of the awards show and coordinated celebrity and presenter hospitality, arrivals, and logistics. Off and on Broadway as well as in the UK, she has produced and been part of the management teams of over 40 productions including Judah Ben-Hur, C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce, Shades of Harlem: The Cotton Club Musical, Angels The Musical, A Tale of Two Cities, King David The Musical, Temptations and Betrayals, Chicago The Musical and Disney’s Lion King. She began her theatrical career at Actors Equity Association. Felicia is an MFA graduate of Columbia University’s School of the Arts. In 2014 she came back to Dallas her hometown, to care for her elderly mother, and today, she is the owner of BusyGal, founded to provide a business coaching and entrepreneurial ecosystem for Women Over 40 globally to authentically re-invent themselves through business ownership.

Chris Moseley

Chris Moseley, enjoys seeing his daughter Saxon, skipping and smiling after every rehearsal and production. The confidence-building opportunities are what impresses Chris most about North Texas Performing Arts. He enjoys taking his daughters to all kinds of theater performances. When not at the theater, you can probably find Chris watching his daughter Samantha’s play field hockey, soccer and pole vaulting.

Chris is a consultant at TexCap Insurance, helping businesses navigate the complexities of their employee benefit plans.

A native of Marshall, Texas, he is a fifth-generation Texan and a proud alumnus of Baylor University. Chris serves on the investment committee at Good Shepherd Episcopal School and is a volunteer at The Hockaday School.

Chris favorite things are traveling with his daughters, cheering for the Baylor Bears and eating Texas barbecue.

JoAnn Rodriguez

JoAnn Rodriguez is dedicated to building stronger communities through both housing and the arts. Her first affordable-housing leadership role in Plano’s historic Douglass Community sparked a lifelong passion for amplifying marginalized voices. She has held executive roles in housing authorities, development firms, and nonprofit organizations, and currently serves as Senior Asset Manager for a national nonprofit specializing in affordable housing advocacy, training, and development.

Since 2014, JoAnn has been active with North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA), creating its scholarship program, chairing the inaugural DEI Task Force—which helped launch the first Deaf Theatre—and expanding access to the Starcatchers program. She also hosts the monthly Diversity in Artistry series at the Neiman Marcus Welcome Center, showcasing local artists.

Raised overseas in Germany by Puerto Rican military parents, JoAnn is bilingual and passionate about serving Spanish-speaking communities. She and her husband, a retired Air Force veteran, have a blended family of five who perform annually in Scrooge and can be seen year round volunteering at NTPA.

Alejandro ErivesPlano Chairperson

Alejandro Erives is proud to serve as Chair of the Plano Board — the board that started it all. He is committed to strengthening community outreach, building partnerships, and honoring the board’s legacy.

He hails from El Paso, Texas, where his parents’ passion for music and dance sparked his early interest in the arts. They encouraged him to play piano and violin and to celebrate his heritage through folklórico and mariachi. Alejandro is married and has four children, and it was through his kids’ desire to perform that he found NTPA.

Before joining NTPA, he acted across the country in a variety of productions, from theme parks to opera, and made several small-screen appearances, including commercials and a cameo on a once-popular TV show.

Most recently, he has appeared in NTPA community productions alongside his children and made his professional onstage debut in NTPA Repertory’s Into the Woods and Oklahoma!. He hopes to make the membership proud — and one day earn the title of “El Presidente.”

Donna DistefanoDallas Chairperson

Donna first got involved with NTPA when her daughter, Nadine, was in her first major production in 2021. Seeing her daughter grow as a performer, as the member of a team and as a person through the characters shared by the NTPA leadership has been such a gift.

Donna has worked in a variety of leadership roles in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. She lives in Dallas with her husband Ralph and their daughter Nadine.

Christine KlessFairview Chairperson

Christine Kless is honored to serve on the Fairview board. Her daughter started performing in 2017. Always wanting to be involved where her children are, Christine started volunteering for production team roles in her daughter’s shows. She was deeply impressed with the amazing families that NTPA attracted and the gifts they were willing to share with the NTPA community. She works as a marketing manager and is actively involved in various service organizations in the community. She lives with her husband Ed, who performed in NTPA’s first community theatre production, The Sound of Music, as Captain von Trapp; her son, Sean, who is an avid baseball player; and daughter Cara, who would live at the theatre if they would let her. Wanting to surround herself with people who are dedicated, kind, and passionate, Christine joined the Fairview board to help further NPTA’s mission however she can.

Cynthia PadinFrisco Chairperson

Cynthia grew up in Plano and was a summer camp participant at Plano Children’s Theater as a child in the early 90’s. She went on to be active in musical theater through high school and has loved getting to experience it all over again as a volunteer. Cynthia has a BBA in Marketing from TCU and a background in corporate sales, marketing, and business operations. After 17 years in the corporate world, Cynthia was fortunate to shift her focus to have more time with family and raising 2 boys. Cynthia’s older son (Trent) fell in love with NTPA after his first summer camp. One year later, he is about to take the stage in his 10th show. Cynthia and her husband love to travel with any free time they get. She is extremely honored to serve on the Frisco Board and is very excited for the future and growth ahead at NTPA Frisco.

Kelly McDowellSouthlake Chairperson

Kelly became a dedicated volunteer when her daughter Madison fell in love with theater after participating in an UpSTARt class in Southlake in 2022. Kelly saw an opportunity to support her daughter by volunteering backstage and is excited to continue serving NTPA on the Southlake Board. Kelly is not a stranger to the performing arts, she began her career by opening and operating major performing arts venues in both Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX.
Deleted: When Kelly is not at the theater, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and volunteering in her community.

Cindy BadonStarcatchers Chairperson

Cindy Badon grew up in youth and community theatre as a child in Shreveport, Louisiana from the age of 8 until 18. Though she dabbled in performing arts as a young adult, she never found the opportunity to rediscover her love of theatre except by channeling her inner thespian in an elementary inclusion classroom.
After her second son was born and diagnosed with a disability, she left the classroom and focused on her son’s therapy and medical needs She also has run a nonprofit focused on the needs of the disability community since moving to Frisco in 2009.

In 2017, that same son was the reason she came to NTPA. Having heard that NTPA felt that everyone deserved time in the spotlight, they attended a workshop production. Her son has thrived in the Starcatchers Troupe, and Cindy is thrilled with the fact that her whole family has become involved with NTPA.

Cindy also participates in both community theatre productions and as a voice actor in Deaf Theatre. She also enjoys show managing for Starcatcher productions. She hopes to find other ways to serve NTPA during her time on the executive board.

Sabrina MercadoDeaf Theatre Chairperson

Sabrina received her Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University as well as received Associate of Science from Dallas College. She ran a student organization as a President of Tech Deaf Culture Alliance during her time at Texas Tech. Sabrina participated in two NTPA Deaf Theatre productions which is Brother Grimm’s Spectaculathon and Wizard of Oz. Her friend was the one who introduced Deaf Theatre world to her so now Sabrina enjoys acting with cast mates. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her dogs and family/friends. Sabrina is currently in veterinary technology program to study veterinary medicine and earn her veterinary technician license.

Jennifer ChapelleRepertory Chairperson

Jennifer Chappelle joined the Repertory Board in May 2024. Her family’s journey with NTPA began in 2022, after attending a performance of Xanadu featuring a family friend. Inspired by the experience, Jennifer’s youngest daughter, Virginia, started performing in NTPA shows, while her oldest daughter, Lillie, pursued her passion through the NTPA TechTrack program. Both Jennifer and Virginia actively participate in NTPA Community Theatre productions.

With over 20 years of experience in the technology and eye health sector, Jennifer brings a wealth of expertise in business development, advertising, marketing, promotions, and event management to the Repertory Board.

Jennifer earned her MBA from the University of Dallas and holds a BBA in Marketing and International Business from Baylor University. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, sports, and reading. A proud native Texan, Jennifer resides in Plano, Texas, with her husband, John, and their two daughters.

Lisa MortonStudios Chairperson

Lisa Morton has volunteered with NTPA over the past few years. She currently serves as the Secretary for the NTPA Studios Management Board. Lisa and her husband have one daughter who is actively involved in NTPA productions having participated in multiple stage shows and competed in several NTPA Junior Theater Festival troupes! Lisa has an undergraduate degree in Accounting and an MBA in Management Information Systems. She volunteers regularly at her church and her daughter’s school and supports the arts locally.

Jenn WadePursuits Chairperson

Jennifer first learned about NTPA when her daughter, Zoie, discovered acting at a Plano Children’s Theatre camp in 2012. Through her work with Frisco Arts, she learned more about the work NTPA does throughout the community and started volunteering with NTPA in 2018. When she volunteered for the “test show” for Collegiate Pursuits, she recognized how amazing the program is for young artists and was so glad Zoie found a program that would grow with her. She is thankful every day for the guidance Collegiate Pursuits provided while Zoie was navigating the BFA process.

Professionally, Jennifer is an attorney with the law firm Troutman Pepper Locke but spends as much time as possible supporting the arts. As a clarinet player in high school, her favorite memories are from playing in the pit for the all-school musicals. In law school, she had a lead role in a professor’s original musical Anti-Kids And Fun, which poked fun at the practice of law in big law firms.

Jennifer looks forward to working with the Collegiate Pursuits team to prepare the dedicated teenagers for their college days and beyond.