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Staff and Board

General Manager, Alauna McMillen - x302
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 professional performing arts background spans 15 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, the Central Florida Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Orlando Fringe Festival. Alauna discovered historic Winter Garden in April 2006, and is completely and totally enamored. She is living her dream job, smiles every day just thinking of all the talented individuals who have made the Garden Theatre dream a reality.


Audience Development Manager, Nicole Manvel Walls
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.


Technical Director, Benjamin Lembrée - x301
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Benjamin was bitten by the entertainment bug at the very tender age of four. Taken under the wing by of some of the world's top producers, directors and technicians, Benjamin founded JSL Productions in New England. Since, he has served as a moving light technician, pyrotechnician, and associate production manager for companies such as Barnum & Bailey and Walt Disney World. Benjamin met his wife Jaclyn while he was on tour in Orlando in 2003. In 2005, they married and settled in here in Central Florida. In early 2010, they celebrated the birth of their first child Victoria Elizabeth Lembrée, whom they hope will follow in their footsteps. Benjamin accepted the role of technical director of the Garden Theatre before it opened in 2008 and is immensely proud to be a part of the amazing Garden Theatre team who is dedicated to bringing top quality entertainment to Winter Garden.


Event Manager, Brian Fallon - x306
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.


House Manager, Sherri Cox - x305
Sherri is thrilled to be a part of the Garden team after having served as a volunteer since the Theatre's opening. After receiving a B.A. in Theatre and Stage Management from Arizona State University, she relocated to Central Florida and happily found a home in Winter Garden in 2004. Sherri has worked for Walt Disney World Entertainment, Keynote Arts Associates and in corporate event planning, and is now encountering a different type of "entertainment" in her role as a full-time Realtor. She looks forward to making your next visit to the Theatre a great experience!


Accountant, Crystal Gross - x304
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.


Marketing Coordinator, Matt Heim - x303
Matt was raised in Oklahoma until moving to Winter Garden in 2005. He recently graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. . He says the mix of unique personalities of the staff is what makes the Garden Theatre successful. He enjoys watching films, playing tennis and exploring the quaint city of Winter Garden.

 

Box Office Associate, Laura Wojtaszek - x0
Laura has always had a passion for the arts. Born and raised in a small town outside of Buffalo, New York, Laura studied painting at Albright Knox Art Gallery from the age of 10 and went on to study Set Design and Construction at State University of New York in the 1990s. Five years ago she moved to Central Florida to start a new life and fell in love with the sunshine. Currently, she is a student at UCF and will graduate in the spring with a degree in Human Resource Management. She is proud to say she is a part of the Garden Theatre family and the Winter Garden community.

Garden Theatre Board of Directors
The Garden Theatre relies heavily on the dedication of its volunteer Board of Directors and attributes much of its success to countless hours of commitment from this handful of individuals.
 
Becky Stafford, President
Keith Smith, Vice President
Arden Griffith, Treasurer
Nick Asma, Secretary
Bill Beckett

Kay Behrens
Ray Fournier
Wendy Givoglu
Susan Haugen

Christy Huffman
Star Kraschinsky
Michael Lewellen
Paul Oppedisano
David Romano
Barbara Roper
Wayne Weinberg

Felicia Williams