Rob is a noted playwright, director and choreographer who, after working with the Garden Theatre on many projects over the years, joined the staff as Consulting Artistic Director during the 2015-2016 Season. As a playwright, Rob has been a winner and finalist for some of theater’s most prestigious awards and development programs, and several of his works have been produced around the country. His stage show for Viking Cruises, La Peregrina, was ranked as one of the five best new stage shows on cruise ships in 2015. His musical, Christmas by Committee, and drama, Alice Lost in Wonderland, had their world premieres on the Garden Theatre stage. With an extensive list of directorial works, Rob continues to direct certain Garden Theatre productions and others throughout the Central Florida area.

Getting her start in arts marketing and nonprofit administration at the Village Theater in Issaquah, WA, Melissa most recently served as the Director of Marketing at Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF for more than six seasons. An accomplished public speaker and advocate for the arts, Melissa regularly leads workshops at regional and national arts marketing events, including the Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and the Brevard Cultural Summit. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre from Washington State University, a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Central Florida, and Leadership Practice Certificate from Rollins College Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.

Jason joined the Garden Theatre staff as Production Manager in December 2017 after a long and successful career with Theatre Passe Muraille and many years associated with the Fringe Festival in Toronto, Canada. He made the move to the Central Florida area with the goal of being closer to family, and to further his career with another nonprofit arts organization. His experiences all over North America and Japan, in association with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre and Stage Management, have developed Jason’s skills in all phases of production management, lighting design and beyond. He is excited to contribute these skills to the Garden and to be part of this innovative and dedicated team.

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.

Debbie believes she is living the dream being part of such an amazing team. Joining the theatre in multiple capacities keeps her days active and interesting. She retired from a career in therapeutic counseling before relocating to Winter Garden. She earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling and a Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology. Her love for people makes her Front of House Management position a perfect fit; while her professional experience helps to support the Production department in streamlining procedures and process organization.

With over 25 years of experience in group tour and travel sales Jana has worked for attractions, convention and visitors bureaus, group travel planners and theatrical productions. Originally from Grove City, Ohio, Jana moved to Florida in 1986 to work in the group sales department at Wet ‘n Wild. From the tourism industry Jana moved into group sales for Menopause The Musical where she spent 8 years representing the show as it has toured across the country. When not on the phone talking to all of the wonderful group leaders and group travel planners, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons where they reside in Lake Mary. Jana is thrilled to be a part of the Garden Theatre family and looks forward to the many new friends she will make in her role representing the theatre to the group market.

Jim joined the team at the Garden Theatre in January 2018. He hails from North Carolina, but is not a total stranger to Florida – his last stint was as the Technical Director at the freeFall Theatre Company in St. Pete. He received his M.F.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Technical Production from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015.