Staff
Wendy Bell, Group Sales Manager Wendy holds a B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in English; where she was active in the theatre and journalism department. This included being a radio DJ, news reporter, and movie critic working in front and behind the scenes became everyday life. Before moving to Orlando she traveled as a Production Assistant with TLC?s show Trading Spaces. She then moved to Orlando to work for Walt Disney World in many departments including Disney?s Magic Music Days. She recently became a Winter Garden resident with her husband and could not be prouder citizen of such a great city.
Brian Fallon, Event Manager
Brian was born and raised in Central Florida. He graduated from UCF in 1989 with a BA in Political Science but while at UCF he worked in the UCF Theatre Department as a House Manager and Box Office assistant. He also took classes in Technical Theatre which led him to a career in event design and production in the Convention and Meeting industry. After spending several years working in the Orlando area he began freelancing as a Meeting and Event Planner. Brian's career has taken him all over the world, from Casablanca to Hong Kong, with extended work in Switzerland, Ireland, and Italy. Brian has also managed sponsor hospitality for Fortune 100 companies, the Olympic Games of 1998 in Japan, 2000 in Australia, and 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He moved to Winter Garden in 2001 with his wife and in 2003 their daughter was born. They are happy to be raising their daughter in Winter Garden's family-friendly environment. Brian began as a volunteer House Manager for the Garden Theatre and is now the Event Manager.
Crystal Gross, Accountant
Crystal Gross, has been a part of the Winter Garden community since 1992 by way of New York. She graduated from Bishop Moore high school and then attended Valencia Community College-West Campus where she received her AA degree. After graduating from Valencia, she then took off from Chicago for three years. She happily returned to the warm weather she so missed and then went to Everest University where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting. She loves animals, reading, and anything to do with numbers. Jessy Hamilton, House Manager
Jessy grew up in North Central Ohio and moved to Greater Orlando in 2003 to pursue a career in teaching after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern Kentucky University. After working as an educator in the Orange County Public Schools for six years, he elected to go full-time at UCF as a graduate school student and was brought on board as the House Manager with Garden Theatre in August 2010. Jessy is highly creative and loves the arts, small towns, and community theaters. He serves on the board of several community organizations, including the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District, where he was appointed Associate Supervisor in 2009. Jessy lives Downtown Orlando with his partner and their dachshund, Russ. Benjamin Lembree, Technical Director
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Benjamin was bitten by the Entertainment bug at the very tender age of 4. Taken under the wing by of some of the worlds top Designers, Producers, Directors, Technicians and Artists, Benjamin jumped head first into the wealth of knowledge that was presented to him. After mastering many of the skills in the Entertainment industry, Benjamin founded JSL Productions in New England and quickly became a top Producer of regional, national and international concert and theatre tours and special events. In 1999, Benjamin was lured away from JSL Productions by Feld Entertainment and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey where he worked in many roles, those of which included, Moving Light Technician, Pyrotechnician, and Associate Production Manager. In 2003, while on tour, Benjamin met the love of his life, and industry leader, Jaclyn, of Orlando. Benjamin and Jaclyn settled into their home in Central Florida and married in late 2005. Since moving to the Orlando area, Benjamin has continued his career in Entertainment, working for many top companies such as Walt Disney World, Le Maitre Special Effects, and TechWorks Global. Toward the completion of construction of the Garden Theatre, Benjamin accepted the role of Technical Director. In early 2010, Benjamin and Jaclyn celebrated the birth of their first child, Victoria Elizabeth Lembrée, who they hope follows in their footsteps. Benjamin is immensely proud to be a part of the amazing Garden Theatre Team and is dedicated to bringing top quality Entertainment to Winter Garden. John Lucey, Technical Assistant
John’s love for theatre was realized in High School in Bloomfield N.Y. where he was stage manager for “Godspell” as well as the sole make up artist for the production. He studied many facets of theatre in summer programs at Sunny Geneseo and took Improvisational Acting and Stage and Set Design at Finger Lakes Community College. John started out with the Winter Garden Theatre as a volunteer two years ago, and has since joined the staff of the Winter Garden Theatre as the Technical Assistant this year. Currently John and his family live in Rosemonte.
Alauna McMillen, General Manager Alauna holds a bachelors' degree in Economics and Theatre from Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, and a masters' degree in Performing Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. Her performing arts background spans ten years and four states, from acting to backstage work, from Orlando to Chicago. As a producer, Alauna has worked with B.O.B. (theatrical palindrome), SAK Comedy Lab, Orlando Theatre Project, Mission IMPROVable, Rickshaw Boy and the Orlando Fringe Festival. Alauna spent the last 4 years as the Director of Programs and Finance at the Central Florida Performing Arts Alliance before arriving in Winter Garden in April 2006.
Nicole Manvel Walls, Audience Development Manager Hailing from Southeast Michigan, Nicole worked in the non-profit arts field for several years in Ann Arbor before moving to Winter Garden; first as Studio Manager for Dance Gallery Studio, and then five years at the University of Michigan in the marketing department of the University Musical Society. Nicole has a BS degree from Eastern Michigan University in Dance and Business Management. Since moving to Central Florida, she has become a Licensed Massage Therapist and continues to teach youth dance classes. Nicole now serves as Audience Development Manager for the Garden Theatre.
Garden Theatre Board of Directors
Becky Stafford, Theatre Chair
Keith Smith, Theatre Vice Chair
Michelle McKenna, Theatre Treasurer
C. Nick Asma, Theatre Secretary
Paula Fenger
Ray Fournier
Lori Gibson Wendy Givoglu Nancy Gracey
Star KraschinskySusan Lee
Michael E. Lewellen
Reyna McMillan
Paul Oppedisano
Mayor John Rees
David Romano, PhD
Barbara Roper Wayne Weinberg
Richard Width
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