ARTS CENTER MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Andre Lancaster has been working in theatre since an early age as a technician, actor, designer, and educator. He holds three degrees, two of them inTheatre Technologies and Design, and has taught at three universities along the east coast before returning to South Florida!
Ben Witte is an extremely talented ticketing wizard, and may be the nicest guy you'll ever meet. He also has a gift for creating marketing videos and sizzle reels for any event. Whether your theater needs a new ticketing system or just needs to improve its current operation, Ben can make recommendations to increase sales and upgrade service to get you back on track.
Bridget Callinan, a South Florida native, graduated with honors from Florida State University after receiving her degree in Media Communication Studies. Bridget's enthusiasm and passion for arts and entertainment has allowed her to thrive within this industry. Whether its planning an event, communicating, or any type of marketing- Bridget is your girl.
Carol Kassie (Public Relations) holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Sir George Williams University (Concordia) in Montreal, Canada. She currently handles marketing, public relations, and audience growth for a number of local and national theatres and theatre companies, theatrical productions, actors, authors, musicians, and other creatives. Sign up to receive her Theatrical Update emails at www.CarolKassie.com
Christian Taylor has been working in multiple fields in the industry to further pursue knowledge in lighting, audio, and stage works. As the Technical Director of the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, he has found a space to further pursue his passions along with finding ways to build further outreach into the community around him and support the many local and emerging talents that we have performing in the LPAC venue. Christian is thrilled to be assisting the first season of Broadway with the Arts Center Management team.
Job Titles:
- Set Designer / Scenic Artist
Cindi Blank Taylor earned her Master's Degree at the University of Michigan and has designed and painted for regional theaters in Michigan, Virginia, and Canada. Locally, she has worked for the Delray Beach Playhouse, Palm Beach Atlantic University, the Lake Worth Playhouse, MNM Theatre Company, Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Maltz Theater, Florida Stage, Caldwell Theater, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and the Florida Repertory Theater.
As a director, Michael Ursua has led multiple regional and local productions to success including such shows as "Sister Act", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and "Peter Pan". He has served as Musical Director and conductor for numerous national tours, local and regional productions working with talents the likes of Lee Roy Reams, Sally Struthers, Andrea McArdle and Leslie Uggams. Michael is also an actor with an extensive list of stage credits including roles in such shows as "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", "La Cage aux Folles" and "The Secret Garden". Michael is the creator, producer and host of the wildly popular "Florida Sings Showtunes", an online entertainment that was designed to support local musical theatre artists during the pandemic. He has received a Silver Palm Award for his contributions to the South Florida theatrical community and is the recipient of 3 Carbonell nominations. Michael is also the Artistic Director of the Broadway Series at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
Job Titles:
- Box Office Representative
Tyler Smith is a recent FAU graduate who loves spending his free time writing and producing music. He grew up in the South Florida area, and is a huge fan of the beach and anything nature related. His favorite place that he's traveled so far is Colorado, and he's the proud owner of 2 cats.
Our Box Office Representative, Eszter Gyarfas, came straight from Europe to be apart of the ACM family. Born in raised in Hungary, she graduated from West Hungarian University where she received her bachelor's degree in both teaching and event coordinating. Eszter moved to South Florida in 2019 to continue working in theatre, an industry she really admires due to the creative freedom and self-expression it brings.
Jeremy Quinn came home to South Florida after working in NYC for 22 years as a director, actor, producer and theatrical consultant. Directing, acting and producing credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Theatre, Film, Television and Voice-Overs.
Job Titles:
- Communication & Education Director
Jessie Dez is a graduate from Palm Beach Atlantic University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree, with concentrations in Musical Theater and Broadcast Journalism. As an actress, she has performed all over South Florida with well-known companies. Not only have you seen her on stage, but on television as well. As a television host for Living Local FL TV, Jessie has been on FOX 29 highlighting all the best places to eat, shop and play in South Florida.
Lisa Bender is our Box Office Manager. Previously, she worked at a live theatre for comedy, concerts, and film for 15 years. She specializes in Group Coordination and helps ensure shows run smoothly in multiple venues. In her free time, she enjoys shopping (ONLY before the mask era). Lisa has also been an esthetician and makeup artist for 28 years! Her favorite show at the Playhouse was 1940's Radio Hour.
Our Lead Designer, known simply as "Zoran," is one of the most talented graphic artists in Florida. He specializes in theater ad work and helps bring our shows to life! We're keeping his identity top secret, so no one will steal him away!
Lowell Richard has been involved in the entertainment industry since the late 1970's. Lowell earned his MFA in Lighting Design from the California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) and was awarded the Roy and Edna Disney Foundation Scholarship to serve as Technical Director for the Cal Arts Dance Department. He has worked in South Florida as well as Los Angeles, California and has won numerous awards for his work in Lighting Design. Some of his credits include: Conga and Let It Loose World Tours - Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Grease, The Miracle Worker, The Magic Flute, Pippin, and many more.
Patricia Wakely Wolf has been produced and featured at Manhattan Theatre Club, Group Repertory Theatre, Kennedy Center's Page-to-Stage, One-Minute Play Festival, and Pinky Swear Productions, DC. She is also a member of The Dramatists Guild, South Florida Theatre League, Palm Beach Writers Group, and Stage 32. And, she is a Board Member for Shakespeare Troupe Inc. and the Foundation for Women's Cultural and Economic Literacy.
Suzanne Dunn holds a BFA from Florida Atlantic University where she studied with J. Robert Dietz, Zoe Caldwell, and Hume Cronyn, and attended Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, obtaining certificates in British Society and 20th Century Literature, Theatre, and Poetry. Suzanne has a plethora of directing and acting credits.