Laura Penn (Executive Director) began her tenure at SDC in 2008. During her first year she has implemented a three-year strategic plan, initiated a branding campaign and launched a year-long celebration of SDC’s 50th anniversary. While keeping a keen eye on the challenges currently facing our industry, Laura has begun to forge partnerships with key industry constituents, focusing on improving the Union’s communications capabilities. Before joining SDC, Laura was the Managing Director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre for fourteen years. Under her leadership Intiman received the 2006 Regional Theatre Tony Award. She has served as an advocate and catalyst for civic dialogue and community building in the Puget Sound, and she received the “Seattle Distinguished Citizen” Medal from Mayor Paul Schell in 2001. Prior to Intiman, Laura worked at Seattle Rep and Arena Stage. Contact her at ext. 233, LPenn@SDCweb.org
Cole Jordan (Director of Finance and Administration) joined SDC in June 2010. The Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for the coordinating, planning and reporting of all financial activities, delivering effective and efficient accounting, financial systems and processes that meet the current and future business requirements of the Union. Cole comes to SDC from the Rock Spring Club in West Orange, NJ, where he served as the Controller. He has an extensive arts back ground, having received his BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and worked as the Business Manager at both the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival and Caroline’s Comedy Club, and the Controller at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre. Cole lives in Sparta, New Jersey with his wife and their four kids (aged 16, 14, 12 and 9). Contact him at ext. 247, CJordan@SDCweb.org
Mauro Melleno (Director of Contract Affairs) joined SDC in January of 2000. As Director of Contract Affairs, Mauro supervises the other Business Representatives and oversees all Broadway and first-class touring employment contracts. Previously he led such negotiations as the Dinner Theatre Agreement, OMS, RMT, and CORST, among others. Mauro enjoys the support of an amazingly intelligent and devoted staff of contract representatives, and takes great pride in the work that SDC does for the talented directors and choreographers they represent. Before joining SDC, Mauro worked as the Casting Director at Theatreworks/USA for six years. Contact him at ext. 237, MMelleno@SDCweb.org
Barbara Wolkoff (Director of Member Services) came to SDC as an intern in early 1997 while completing her Masters in Arts Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. In Septmber 2010, Barbara took on the new role of Director of Member Servics to direct Union Member Service vision and strategy as well as lead the way in the area of technology content and unitlization strategies. Previously, as Senior Contract Administrator, Barbara focused on the administration and negotiation of the Broadway, Off-Broadway, LORT and ANTC agreements, taking a lead in most of the Off-Broadway and ANTC negotiations. Prior to her arrival at SDC, Barbara owned and operated a graphic design firm in northern California. In addition to her Masters Barbara holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Contact her at ext. 246, BWolkoff@SDCweb.org
Randy Anderson (Business Representative) came to the SDC from the JPMorgan Investment Bank. As a Business Representative, Randy administrates a number of collectively bargained agreements including OFF-BROADWAY, LORT, ANTC, CORST, summer stock and dinner theaters and is primarily responsible for theatres in the Northeast region of the United States. A graduate of Chapman University in Orange County, California, Randy has been involved with the Off-Off Broadway community for ten years and has worked as a producer, playwright, director and performer. His memoir of those experiences ON MAKING OFF is hitting bookshelves in 2011. Contact him at ext. 232, RAnderson@SDCweb.org
Evan Shoemake (Business Representative) a native of the metro Atlanta area, relocated to New York from Nashville and joined SDC in 2006. As a National Business Representative, Evan is responsible for the negotiation and administration of Special, URT/A, TheaterworksUSA, Regional Musical Theater and Tier contracts. He spent five years with the Songwriters Guild of America and has had numerous articles published in various magazines. Evan earned his Masters of Education from the University of Florida and his Bachelors of English from the University of West Georgia. Contact him at ext. 231, EShoemake@SDCweb.org
Gretchen M. Michelfeld (Associate Director of Member Services) has been at SDC since spring of 2006. She oversees all membership application processes, fields member inquiries and issues, is the editor of the newsletter, and curates the Director/Choreographer Networking Panels. Before coming to SDC, Gretchen was the Directors Project Administrator at The Drama League. She is also a playwright and screenplay writer. Gretchen has a BA in Drama and English from Vassar College and an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in Jackson Heights Queens with her partner and their two-year old son, Beckett. Contact her at ext. 236, GMichelfeld@SDCweb.org
Elizabeth Miller (Executive Assistant to the Executive Director) is an MFA graduate of Sarah Lawrence College where she studied directing, puppetry and creating original work. Prior to joining SDC, she worked as a graphic designer and arts administrator for Chautauqua Theater Company, Sarah Lawrence and Texas Wesleyan. In addition to assisting the Executive Director with administration and communications, Elizabeth acts as the primary Executive Board liaison and the administrator of all SDCF programs and events. Contact her at ext. 252, EMiller@SDCweb.org
Michele Holmes (Senior Business Associate) a New York City native, has been working as Senior Business Associate for six years. Her responsibilities include billing, resolving membership issues, and assisting with audits and budgets. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications. Michele is also a wife and proud mother of two beautiful children. Contact her at ext. 240, MHolmes@SDCweb.org
Kim Rogers (Business Associate) a Nashville native, joined SDC in 2005. As Business Associate, Kim oversees the Employer Billing for dues assessments and tracks production royalties. She received her B.A in theatre from Samford University in 2001, where she received a Best Supporting Actress Award for her portrayal of Eileen in The Cripple of Inishmaan. She also earned an Associate Degree in Acting from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2003 and was a Lead Sales Associate for Disney Theatrical Merchandise at Aida and The Lion King. Contact her at ext. 238, KRogers@SDCweb.org
Lena Abrams (Administrative Assistant) came to SDC in 1998. As Administrative Assistant she serves as SDC’s receptionist, greeting the Membership and general public. Lena also provides assistance to the Membership and the staff with daily administration and organization. Prior to supporting SDC and the Foundation, Lena worked for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, one of the oldest unionized clinics, for more than twenty years. Contact her at ext. 260, LAbrams@SDCweb.org