Guest Speakers

Executive Director, Inspire Washignton. A Seattle native, Filipino American arts leader, theater artist, educator, and advocate.

Josh LaBelle is the Executive Director of Seattle Theatre Group (STG), one of the Pacific Northwest's leading nonprofit arts organizations. 

An internationally recognized Shakespeare scholar, he has spent decades researching Shakespeare's life, works, and the history of the First Folio.

Karen Hanan, fmr.  Executive Director of the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), is a nationally respected arts leader and advocate. 

Michael Greer is the President and CEO of ArtsFund, Washington State's largest independent arts and culture funder. Michael is an experienced non-profit executive leader dedicated to promoting arts and culture to strengthen our communities

Scott Magelssen is a Professor of Theatre History and Performance Studies at the University of Washington, where he specializes in immersive performance, historical reenactment, and the intersection of theater and lived experience. 

Aaron Reader is a leader in advancing equity and inclusion in the performing arts. In his current role, he works at the intersection of community engagement and artistic programming, helping to create spaces where all voices are represented, valued, and heard.

Jennifer Kulik is the Founder and CEO of SilverKite Community Arts, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to transforming lives through creative aging programs. Jennifer is a strong advocate for the role of the arts in enhancing cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection.

Paul Menzer is a distinguished Shakespeare scholar, director, and educator whose work bridges the worlds of academic research and live performance. He serves as a professor of English and Theater at Mary Baldwin University.

Senior Services Coordinator at Indian American Community Services (IACS) in the Washington State with Locations in and around Seattle.

Kathy A. Perkins is an internationally renowned lighting designer, theater historian, and educator, whose work has illuminated both the stage and the archives of theater history. 

Adriana Gonzales is a multi-hyphenate creative artist whose work lives at the intersection of theater, dance, and cultural storytelling.

Professor Erith Jaffe Berg is a theater scholar, performer, and educator whose passion for historical performance traditions brings the past vividly into the present.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Carol Symes to Curtains Up. A distinguished historian, author, and theater scholar, Dr. Symes is a Professor of History and Medieval Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Xing Fan is a leading scholar in Chinese drama and theater, currently serving as a Professor in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. 

We are honored to welcome Dr. Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei to Curtains Up. Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei is an internationally recognized theater scholar, playwright, and Professor Emerita of Theater at UCLA. 

Matthew AJ Gregory is a NYC-based actor, director, designer, and master of Commedia dell’arte and as the capocomico of the renowned troupe The Department of Fools, he brings brilliant physical comedy to life onstage.

Nour Afifi is a costume designer and researcher whose work bridges history, storytelling, and visual design. Originally from Alexandria, Egypt, Nour brings a rich cultural perspective to her craft, shaped by both academic study and hands-on experience in performance spaces.

Jerik Fernandez is a Seattle-based actor, sound designer, and storyteller currently pursuing his MFA in Acting at the University of Washington’s School of Drama.

Moumita Bhattacharya is a Seattle-based director, choreographer, and storyteller whose work blends South Asian classical dance with contemporary theater. 

Chandrayee Bhattacharya is an accomplished Kathak dancer, choreographer, and dedicated dance educator with over two decades of experience in the classical Indian dance tradition. 

David Roby (He/Him) Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries, Seattle WA David Alan Roby David Alan Roby is a local storyteller, director, educator, and actor referred to in some circles as "Rubber-faced Roby."

In this episode of Curtains Up, host Rohan speaks with Brooke Thomas, a costume shop assistant, about the vital role of costuming in theater.

Isabella Marziello is a passionate and detail-driven Assistant Stage Manager based in Seattle, Washington. With a deep love for the collaborative spirit of live performance, she plays a pivotal role in keeping productions running smoothly behind the scenes.

Lou Champoux-Roberts is the dedicated Stage Manager of their high school drama club, where they’ve become the go-to person for bringing order to the creative chaos of theater.