Laguna Playhouse - Our People

Leadership/ Senior Staff

Adele Adkins, Managing Director, is an arts leader with over 25 years of experience in nonprofit theater management and programming. She most recently served as Managing Director of Bucks County Playhouse, where she expanded revenue, increased subscriber growth, and spearheaded key initiatives in equity, accessibility, and community engagement. She has booked performances across the full spectrum of venues—from intimate 100-seat theaters to 7,000-seat arenas—presenting everything from classical music and Broadway tours to major country music stars and a wide range of genres in between. Adele has also led the Clark State Performing Arts Center in Ohio, the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine. Her early career includes leadership roles at the Collins Center for the Arts and the Maine Center for the Arts. A Juilliard-trained cellist, she brings a lifelong dedication to performance, education, and cultural leadership. Adele is a sought-after consultant for performing arts centers and theaters, known for her expertise in strategic planning and innovative revenue growth strategies.

Erin Simon, Director of Advancement, is a fundraising and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations in the arts, healthcare, and education sectors. A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), she specializes in major gifts, strategic campaigns, and donor communications that inspire meaningful support and long-term growth. Erin holds a BA in American Studies from Saint Louis University and MAs in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester and Marketing from the University of Glasgow.

Denys Baker, General Manager, joined the Playhouse in 2017 following a six-year stint as the Administrative Project Manager at the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) where she is proud to have worked on the $34M conversion of the Strand Theater. Prior to her work at A.C.T., Denys spent 25 years in NYC managing Broadway productions including the Tony Award-winning production of CABARET at Studio 54. She holds an MFA in Performing Arts Management and first came to Southern California in 2010 as General Manager for threesixty Entertainment’s production of PETER PAN performed in a circus tent. Denys is thrilled to be in Laguna where she can pursue her love of hiking and backpacking and continue training to reach her goal of climbing to Everest Base Camp.

Board of Trustees

Lisa Hale
Partner, Parallax Capital Partners, LLC
Chair

Harley Bassman
Managing Partner at Simplify Asset Management
Board Treasurer

Jeff Winston
Retired, Chief Technology Officer, Allergan, Inc.
Board Secretary

Jared K. Mathis
CEO, Moulton Company
Governance and Nominations

Heidi Miller
Owner, Tight Assets, The World Newstand
Executive Committee at Large

Kitty Malcolm

Heather Anne Chalmers

Torin J Cunningham
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery

James Hale
Managing Partner, Parallax Capital Partners, LLC

Dr. Gary Jenkins
Retired Pediatrician

Barbara MacGillivray
Executive, MacGillivray Freeman Films

Artistic Director
David Ellenstein

Emeritus Trustees

Glenn E. Gray

Joe Hanauer
Combined Investments, LLC.

Otis Healy
Sr Vice President and Western Regional Director, Smith Barney & Co (retired)

Ilona Martin
Artist

Melinda Masson
CEO, Masson Strategic Advisors LLC

Staff

Adele Adkins, Managing Director

ADVANCEMENT
Director of Advancement, Erin Simon

Development Coordinator, Nicole Armour
Marketing Manager, Gracie Fleischman
Marketing Coordinator, Alexus Lombera

PATRON SERVICES
Ticketing Services Lead, Nikki Johnson
Ticket Service Representatives: Marlon Gomez-Smith, & Olivia Mancillas

MANAGEMENT
General Manager, Denys Baker
Assistant General Manager/Company Manager, Rachel Garlington

FINANCE
Controller, Rae Metcalf
Bookkeeper, Karsyn VonAchen

PRODUCTION
Production Manager, Jordan Muller
Technical Director, Paul Rossi
Lighting Supervisor/Light Board Operator, Jeremy Plant
Wardrobe Supervisor, Stacey Nezda
Production Management Assistant, Devon Rieckhof

EDUCATION
Education and Outreach Coordinator, Nakisa Aschtiani
Teaching Artists: Jack Clark, Sabrina Harper, Anthony Kairouz, Corrine Mohr, Luzma Ortiz, Hillary Pearson, Toni Redman, Kelsey Redmond, Evan Troutt, Meghan Andrews, & Ella Wyatt

FRONT OF HOUSE
House Manager, Clara Bush
Artistic Audience Services Manager, Wally Ziegler
Assistant House Manager, Jane Sabarre
Parking Supervisor, Curtis Pebley

Leanne Nolan, Bartender

FACILITIES OPERATIONS
Facilities and IT Operations Manager, David Bryant
Facility Maintenance Technician, Brandon Sandoval

CONSULTANTS
Legal Services, Stephen Berry
Press Consultant, David Elzer, Demand PR
IT Services, Method Technologies
Graphic Designer, Teresa Meza
Website Consultant, Andrew Lombardi
Financial Services, Fohrman and Fohrman Inc.
Medical Provider, Caduceus Medical Group, Dr. Gregg deNicola