Artistic Director, Anita Stewart and Managing Director, Martin Lodish are responsible for keeping Portland Stage’s mission and vision in focus, both onstage and off.
Artistic Director
207-774-1043
Anita Stewart is one of the few professional theater designers in the United States serving in a leadership role at a regional theater. As Artistic Director, Stewart along with Managing Director Martin Lodish, is responsible for keeping Portland Stage’s mission and vision in focus, both onstage and off.
During her tenure at Portland Stage, Stewart has made a commitment to combining the best local talent with exceptional artists from around the country to create productions of the highest quality. Stewart’s passion and commitment for education is evidenced by Portland Stage’s ever expanding K-12 Education and Artistic Development & Dialogue programs. She uses the process of theater to create K-12 age appropriate education programs that support the Common Core Standards and help to create our critical thinkers of the next generation.
As well, Portland Stage’s Artistic Development & Dialogue programs, created under Stewart’s tenure, are specifically designed programs to nurture developing young artists and cultivate the skills of seasoned artists. Stewart remains keenly interested in promoting and cultivating audience involvement in the theatrical process and the artist connection to community programs. As an integral member of the national arts community, Stewart also finds time to participate in granting panels for organizations across the country including: Maine Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Theater Communications Group and Alpert Awards.
Managing Director
207.774.1043 x111
Martin has been working in non-profits since he graduated from Haverford College in 1990. He subsequently earned a graduate degree from West Chester University. Before coming to Portland Stage, Martin primarily worked in independent schools in a variety of roles from classroom teacher to finance director. In addition, Martin was for over ten years the Executive Director at Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association (KBIA), an over 100 year old non-profit that runs summer enrichment programs.
Portland Stage staff is comprised of theater professionals from Maine, New England and around the country. Portland Stage also engages an Apprentice Company of 10-12 young professionals that play an integral role in producing a Portland Stage season.
Company Manager Jennifer London (x107) Email
Costume Shop Manager Susan Thomas (x114) Email
Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus (x119) Email
Production Manager•Lighting Supervisor Mary Lana Rice (x307) Email
Associate Production Manager•Sound Supervisor Seth Asa Sengel (x309) Email
Props Coordinator Emily St.John (x308) Email
Stage Manager Myles C. Hatch (x113) Email
Stage Manager Meg Lydon (x113) Email
Technical Director Ted Gallant (x116) Email
Associate Technical Director Jacob Coombs (x116) Email
Apprentice Coordinators Jennifer London • Julianne Shea Email
Audience Services Manager Donald Smith (x120) Email
Box Office Assistant Manager Renee Myhaver (x121) Email
Business Manager Paul Ainsworth (x103) Email
Campaign Assistant Allison Fry Email
Development Associate Lindsey Higgins (x109) Email
Development Director Covey Crolius (x109) Email
Education Administrator Julianne Shea (x104) Email
Education Assistant Isabel Bates Email
Education Director Michael Dix Thomas (x105) Email
Front of House Associate Madeleine St. Germain
Front of House Associate Shannon Wade
Group Sales Coordinator Myles C. Hatch (x304) Email
House & Concessions Manager Chris DeFilipp (x118) Email
House Manager Adam Thibodeau (x118) Email
Marketing & Communications Director Erin Elizabeth (x110) Email
Graphic Designer/Marketing Assistant James Hadley (x102) Email
Rental of Facilities Seth Asa Sengel (x309) Email
Company Management Apprentice Lucie Green
Costumes Apprentice Crow Traphagen
Costumes Apprentice Elena Truman
Directing & Dramaturgy Apprentice Julia Jennings
Directing & Dramaturgy Apprentice Alex Oleksy
Directing & Dramaturgy Apprentice Jessi Stier
Education Apprentice Ellery Kenyon
Education Apprentice Ellis Collier
Lighting & Sound Apprentice Claire Lowe
Scenic Design Apprentice Isabel Martine
Stage Management Apprentice Katie Barnes
Stage Management Apprentice Elizabeth Sarsfield
The Portland Stage Board of Trustees is comprised of 23 community members who are passionate about the arts, and who come from all walks of life, representing many of Maine’s private and public sectors. As the governing body of Portland Stage, the Board of Trustees holds the organization in trust for our community, ensuring the theater’s ongoing artistic mission and fiscal health and responsibility.
If you would like to learn more about Board service or to express your interest in being considered for a position, please contact Development Director Covey Crolius via email.
Samantha Bowen South Portland • Realtor, Landing Homes
Sarah Campbell Portland • Retired
Susan Carter Portland • Retired – Academic Physician, CWRU
Peter Clough Portland • Retired – Professional Theatre Director
Scott Cowger Harpswell • Innkeeper, Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center
Frederic Farber Falmouth • Co-Founder, Maine Craft Distilling
Margaret Groban South Portland • Former National Domestic Violence Coordinator, U.S. Department of Justice
Amanda Hannan Portland • Motion Pictures and Film Professional
Edith Iyer-Hernandez Saco • Data Analyst, IDEXX
*John F. Leonard IV Woolwich • Vice President, Client Advisor, RM Davis
Theresa McCarthy Portland • Retired – Federal Government Executive
Alisa Conroy Morton Falmouth • Principal, Seva Public Relations
*Sara Murphy South Portland • Partner, Pierce Atwood
Todd Nicholson North Yarmouth • Major Gifts Officer, Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Carole Palmer Penacook • Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Tony San Antonio • Portland • Sr. Project Manager & Estimator, Wright-Ryan Construction Inc.
Cathy Stankard Portland • Assistant Superintendent, AOS 43
Robin Talbot Westbrook • Associate Director, USM Stonecoast MFA
Courtney Thorpe Cumberland • Counsel, TD Bank
Nelson A. Toner Portland • Attorney, Bernstein Shur
Daniel Tucker Falmouth • Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial
Anne Wade Cape Elizabeth • Partner, Leader’s Quest
*denotes Board Member on a leave of absence for 2023-2024 season
President Todd Nicholson
VP Finance Daniel Tucker
Secretary Cathy Stankard
VP Governance Courtney Thorpe
VP Development Samantha Bowen
VP Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Theresa McCarthy
Members-at-Large Robin Talbot & Nelson Toner
The Affiliate Artists are local theater professionals who have longstanding ties to Portland Stage. Affiliate Artists have worked as actors, directors and educators, and play a prominent role in the artistic life of Portland Stage.
The group also acts as ambassadors linking Portland Stage to other local, national and international arts organizations, building stronger connections to local theater artists and our community. The establishment of the Affiliate Artists is an effort to create an artistic home for theater artists who choose to devote themselves to the Portland community.
Director & dramaturg
Todd is delighted to be back in Maine after a few years directing, producing, and dramaturging in New York with his company PowerOut; which was founded here in Maine. Favourite directing credits include: Let’s Play Play by Ben Ferber, Derek & The Sheep by Nora Sørena Casey, For the Lulz by Ben Ferber, and Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde by Moisés Kaufman.
Actor (AEA) & Director
Ron has worked regionally and in NY. Last seen in Portland Stage’s productions of The Sisters Rosensweig, Syncopation, Much Ado About Nothing, and Bach at Leipzig. Trained with Shakespeare & Company and worked extensively on their Shakespeare school residency program in the Berkshire and Boston regions.
Actor & Director
Formerly Peter was Portland Stage’s Production Manager and appeared in many Little Festivals & From Aways. Peter has also acted and directed locally with Mad Horse Theatre Company, Fenix Theatre Company, Children’s Theater of Maine, and the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor.
Director & Dramaturg
Daniel has directed at theaters around Maine, including Hound of the Baskervilles, Mary’s Wedding, Marie Antoinette and The Santaland Diaries at Portland Stage and the world premiere of One Blue Tarp at Penobscot Theatre. Formerly Portland Stage’s Literary & Education Manager, Dan has developed 11 shows at the Little Festival of the Unexpected and is currently the Artistic Director of the Maine Playwrights Festival.
Actor
Maureen acted in Portland Stage’s Savannah Disputation, Lettice & Lovage, Third and A Christmas Carol, and has performed with the Theatre at Monmouth, Boothbay Opera House, American Irish Repertory Ensemble, Fenix Theater, and Deertrees. Maureen can be seen this season in Arsenic and Old Lace at PS, interrupting for a time her sojourn in Ireland.
Actor & Playwright
Ian is a stage and film actor and writer, with a love for developing new plays. He is a five time participant in The Little Festival of the Unexpected and has helped workshop such plays as Tigers Be Still by Kim Rosenstock, Las Gas by John Cariani, and Sex and Other Disturbances by Marisa Smith. He has appeared on the PSC mainstage numerous times in A Christmas Carol, and The Snow Queen. He is a founding member of the Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective, and has written and produced narrative and documentary films for local film company, Mint Films. He is proud to be a Maine artist.
Actor (AEA)
Moira has acted in the Portland Stage productions of Papermaker, Last Gas, Peer Gynt, Two Rooms, The Price, The Foreigner, Women and the Sea, The Misanthrope, and A Christmas Carol, as well as Next Fall at Good Theater. NYC productions at Playwrights Horizons, MCC, The Builders Association, Naked Angels, and others. Film: Spotlight (Best Picture Academy Award); Stronger; See Girl Run. TV: Olive Kitteridge (HBO); Boardwalk Empire (HBO); The Devil You Know (HBO); also Cosby, Law & Order, and Law &Order: Criminal Intent.
Actor (AEA)
Abigail on Portland Stage’s mainstage credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Love/Sick and A Christmas Carol. With the Studio Series: The Amish Project. Abigail is also a company member with Compagnia de’ Colombari in New York. She strives to generate new or re-imagined theatrical work, grateful for Portland Stage’s commitment in this realm. She also teaches acting at Bowdoin College.
Playwright
Callie is an award-winning writer who earned her MFA at Hunter College. Her plays have been produced and developed at the Kennedy Center, PS, The Lark, Halcyon Theatre, Stoneham Theatre, Project Y Theatre, Team Awesome Robot, and Mad Horse Theatre. She’s an Affiliate Writer at the Playwrights’ Center, Playwright-in-Residence at Theater at Monmouth, and a former MacDowell Fellow. Her play Sofonisba, has won many awards and mentions, including the Clauder Gold Prize and the Kilroys’ List.
Actor (AEA)
Daniel most recently appeared as Ernie in Monica Wood’s huge hit, Papermaker. Other PSC shows include Bach at Leipzig, The Drawer Boy, Trouble is My Business, The Foreigner, A Christmas Carol, The Snow Queen and 18 years of Little Festival & From Away. His play Longfellow: A Life in Words was the first show in PSC’s Studio Series and he started the Longfellow’s Shorts series. Dan’s 40 years of acting includes work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, major regional theater, opera, film, TV, radio and audio books.
Actor & Singer/Songwriter
Janice has appeared in Portland Stage’s Out of Sterno as Dotty, Iron Kisses as Barbara, Lend Me a Tenor as Maggie and Comedy of Errors as Luciana. Teaches and coaches for The Actors Institute, NYC.
Director & Actor
Has worked in Maine as a director, actor, playwright and teacher for more than 30 years. A graduate of Beloit College and the University of Copenhagen, and earned his MFA in directing from Carnegie-Mellon.
Music Director, Vocal Coach, and Accompanist (AEA)
Ed is on faculty in the School of Music at USM. PS highlights: The Irish…, A Christmas Carol, Loman Family Picnic, & Master Class. Regional credits include: Walnut Street Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, Seacoast Rep, The Fulton, Flat Rock Playhouse, Florida Rep, Ogunquit Playhouse, and Maine State Music Theatre. Ed conceived & directed the opening act for Joan Rivers’ final appearance at Merrill Auditorium. Sto Lat!
Composer
Hans has a career that stretches over 20 years of supporting stories for theater directors, filmmakers, animators, and choreographers. Composing credits include plays at Portland Stage – Iron Kisses (2007), Magnetic North (2008), Passion of the Hausfrau (2009) – as well as music for TV shows, education, and underscoring improv comedy.
Actor (AEA)
Broadway: The Rainmaker (Roundabout). Off-Broadway and regional credits include: SoHo Rep, Primary Stages, Williamstown, Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Portland Stage: Fully Committed, The Santaland Diaries, The 39 Steps, Greater Tuna, Bach at Leipzig, Vigil and Buyer & Cellar. Film: Patriots Day and Chappaquiddick.
Actor & Writer
Bess is a Teaching Artist in Colby College’s Theater & Dance Department and for Portland Stage’s Theater for Kids. Her solo vaudeville, Big Mouth Thunder Thighs (Studio Rep 2013) and her one-act Madeleines (Studio Series 2015) were both premiered at Portland Stage. She is currently developing a new work, Legbala is a River, with fellow Affiliates Dan Burson and Hans Indigo Spencer, slated for production in June 2017 as well as collaborating with blogger Kari Wagner-Peck (www.atypicalson.com) to create a storytelling performance piece Not Always Happy. Both projects are supported by grants from the Maine Arts Commission.
Novelist, Memoirist, Playwright
Monica’s most recent novel, The One-in-a-Million Boy, has been published in 19 foreign editions in 18 languages. Her book When We Were the Kennedys, a New England bestseller, Oprah magazine summer-reading pick, and winner of the May Sarton Memoir Award and the Maine Literary Award. Her widely anthologized short stories have won a Pushcart Prize and been featured on public radio. Her nonfiction has appeared in Oprah, New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Parade, and many other publications. Her play, Papermaker, enjoyed an extended debut run at Portland Stage, where it was its bestselling play ever.
Actor (AEA), Director & Fight Choreographer
Sally has spent many summers with the Theatre at Monmouth and across the country, but now makes Portland her home. MFA/University of Tennessee, has trained in New York, Russia, Germany, England, and Italy.