WILLIAM P. WARD - Executive Artistic Director
As Artistic Director, Bill writes, directs and designs productions in the SIGNATURE SERIES. BORDERS, THE 7TH DREAM, TRACE TITANIC, THE LAST ROAR, THE NO-BADABO, SPEAK MEMORY, VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS, ALL HALLOWS EVE, SPIRE, ...MY SOUL TO TAKE, STRANDS - THE LEGACY OF 9/11 and ALIEN SOIL are his original creations. Bill holds an MFA in Stage Direction from Wayne State University's Hilberry Theatre and has been with FYT since 1979.
WALTER HILL - Associate Artistic Director
Walter is a director, teacher and actor who has worked with FYT since 1983. After attending Northern Michigan University and graduate school at Wayne State University's Hilberry Theatre, Walter worked for many Detroit area theatres, including the Attic Theatre, Fourth Street Playhouse, Oakland University's Center for the Arts and The Theatre Company at the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to joining the FYT staff full time in January 2002, Walter served as Director of Performing Arts Programming for the Flint Cultural Center's Showcase Series at Whiting Auditorium for three seasons.
TRACI
PLAMONDON - Office Manager
Traci came to FYT in 1994 as an Administrator. She coordinates
FYT's LEARNING THROUGH THEATRE SERIES which averages seventeen
productions and more than one hundred performances each season. In
addition to assisting local teachers with their registrations
and bus arrangements, Traci also manages ticket sales.
SAMUEL J. RICHARDSON – Education Manager
Sam, originally from England, holds a BS in Theatre Arts from Lees-McRae College and an MFA in Drama/Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University. Having taught theatre to actors aged 3-93 years young in Maryland, North Carolina and Michigan he is excited about the opportunity to work and teach with FYT. In other news, Sam has a fondness for Slinkys.
STEPHANIE A. B. RAMIREZ - Marketing Manager
Stephanie holds a BS in Arts Management with minors in Marketing and Theatre Arts from Eastern Michigan University. She is a lifetime Thespian and an FYT alumna. Stephanie is excited to have the opportunity to promote FYT, an organization that played a very vital part in her growth as an individual and theatre lover.
MARGARET A. MEAD-FINIZIO - Associate Artist
Margaret has choreographed, assistant directed and taught classes for FYT since 1992. Most recent choreographic credits include ALIEN SOIL, KANDEED'S AWF'LY BIG ADVENTURE, THE GREAT IRON TRAIL, REVISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS and CHARLOTTE'S WEB. Margaret received her BFA from Florida State University and her MFA from the University of Iowa. For nine years, while on the faculty of The Flint School of Performing Arts, she taught all levels of ballet, modern and creative movement. Currently, she is the Director of the Department of Dance at the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts in Newton, Kansas.
KAREN A. SUTLIFF - Administrative Assistant - Operations
Karen began the 2005-2006 Season as FYT's House Manager and now contributes to FYT in a full-time capacity. Previously, Karen worked at Cranbook in Bloomfield Hills and in the Flint Cultural Center Corporation's Finance and Administration Office. In her spare time, Karen and her husband Richard love to travel.
ALAN JOHNSON - Administrative Assistant - Patron Services
As part of his patron services work, Alan serves as FYT’s House Manager, making sure audiences and Drama School students and parents are cared for during their time at FYT. Alan was the Associate Project Manager for UM-Flint’s School of Public Health and now contributes his skills to FYT’s daily administrative tasks. Alan is a graduate of the University of St. Mary’s in Kansas. He is an avid runner, having run in the CRIM seven years in a row. He also enjoys reading, playing chess and spending time with his two daughters.
NATHAN PEASE - Resident Artist
Nathan, who holds a BA in Theatre from University of Michigan-Flint, is thrilled to continue his involvement with FYT in his position as Resident Artist. Past FYT productions he has performed in include OLIVER TWIST, THE HOBBIT and FRANKENSTEIN as well as numerous OFF THE PRESS SERIES readings. In addition to his work at FYT, Nathan has also worked with Michigan Shakespeare Festival, BoarsHead Theatre, First Folio Shakespeare Festival, Flint City Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Union Theatre Company and September Productions.
DEIRDRE S. BAKER – Resident Artist
Deirdre has worked with Flint Youth Theatre since Fall 2002. She holds a BS in Communications from Michigan State University, and a BA in Theatre from University of Michigan –Flint. Deidre’s debut performance at FYT was in ALIEN SOIL, her most recent appearances were in ROBIN HOOD: THE SOMEWHAT TRUE STORY and WITH GRACE. Deirdre has worked with several theatrical outreach and educational performance programs for children, done through Sloan Museum’s living history programs. She currently leads outreach seminars and conferences for middle school through college students across the country with Monster’s Diversity Leadership Program. Deirdre’s most prized possession is her thirteen-year-old son who boasts he is taller than her.
KEVIN L. DZURAK - Resident Artist
Kevin began working in the medical field as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) while still in high school. He then pursued a degree in Sports Medicine at Central Michigan University. Since college, Kevin has earned certification in various construction and horticultural fields. Most recently he attended Oakland Community College for Engineering, Robotics and Electronics. Kevin has worked with the Smithsonian Institute and with several local theatres including Flint City Theatre, Flint Community Players and Vertigo Productions and has achieved several awards for theatrical and landscape design. His motto is “Learn by example - lead by example.”
JEAN MCDANIEL - Resident Artist
Jean has been a resident of Davison all of her life. An active member of the community, she drove school bus for Davison Community Schools for 33 years, is active in her church and participates in many community events and fairs. Jean’s love of sewing and quilting began as a hobby when she would make clothes for her four children. Now she enjoys making quilts and clothing for her three grandchildren as well as applying her skills creating a wide variety of costumes for FYT productions.
RON BAILEY - Interim Resident Artist
Ron began working with FYT as a Guest Artist in the cast THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (2005). Since then, Ron has performed in several more FYT productions including THE HOBBIT, SECRETS and IN THE COMPANY OF PIRATES. He has also worked with Flint City Theatre. Ron holds a BA in Theatre with a concentration in performance from University of Michigan-Flint. He worked for UM-Flint’s television station, WFUM, where he earned an EMMY for Studio Lighting Design.
BARY LEHR - Junior Resident Artist
Bary is a 2004 graduate of Flint Central High School. He enjoys acting and has been a cast and crew member in many FYT shows. Most recently, Bary performed in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, ROBIN HOOD (The Somewhat True Tale) and ALL HALLOWS EVE and was on the technical staff for A CHRISTMAS CAROL and SEARCHING FOR DAVID'S HEART.
MARWAN PRINCE - Marketing Intern
As Marketing Intern, Marwan promotes FYT productions, some of which he also performs in as an Apprentice. Working in both the administrative and production areas of FYT, Marwan is gaining the experience needed to advance in his goal of working in theatre as a full-time profession. His first FYT production was ROBIN HOOD (The Somewhat True Tale) in 2005 and he has continued his work with FYT in ALL HALLOWS EVE, FRANKENSTEIN and THE HOBBIT. Marwan has also performed with Flint City, Buckham Alley Theatre and Sloan*Longway’s Midnight and the Promised Land.
SARA ROBINSON - Interim Resident Artist
Sara Robinson attended the University of Michigan-Flint where she received a BFA in Theatre Performance. She is very excited to be a part of the FYT family as an Interim Resident Artist. Sara performed in YOURS TRULY, JACK THE RIPPER at FYT in October 2007. She has also participated in a few Off the Press Series readings. Sara has appeared in numerous productions around the Flint area at theatres such as University of Michigan-Flint (ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, SUBURBIA, HENRY V), Flint City Theatre (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, SHORT PLAY FESTIVAL, CLOSER), Vertigo Production (A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM) and Flint Community Players (STEEL MAGNOLIAS). She also does a bit of technical theatre work on the side, stage managing and designing lights for dance companies around Genesee County.
RICHELLE WONCH - Custodian
Richelle is married and has two sons. After working as a custodian and bus driver for Kearsley Public Schools, she brings a great deal of experience and expertise to FYT.
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