Kevin Harris
Managing Artistic Director
(805) 781-3889 x 10
(319) 541-7019
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Kevin Harris received his MFA in Directing from the University of Iowa (2007), his BFA in Acting from New York University (1996), and his California Teaching Credential from Chapman University. While at NYU, he spent three years at the Atlantic Theatre Company studying acting under David Mamet, William H. Macy, and Felicity Huffman; he also spent a year at Musical Theatre Works (CAP 21) learning the finer intricacies of “jazz hands”. Favorite roles include: The Russian (Chess), Alan Strang (Equus), Jamie (The Last Five Years), Orsino (12^th Night), and Rev. Hale (The Crucible) at the Atlantic. For the last several years, Kevin has been a freelance director in L.O.R.T./Equity theatres across the nation. Favorite shows: The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Comedy of Errors, The Exhibitionists, Militant Language, Woyzeck, Ghost Sonata, The Cherry Orchard, Man of la Mancha, and several original plays which have gone on to be produced at such venues as the New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theatre, The O'neil, Cherry Lane, and many others. From 1999-2002 he was the Artistic Director of Centerpoint Theatre Group in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 2005, he traveled to the West Bank and Gaza Strip to co-write and direct an original play with Ashtar Theatre, Palestine’s only professional theatre company. The subsequent play, The Era of Whales, has been performed in Gaza, Ramallah, Nablus, Jerusalem, and several international theatre festivals. Currently, he is collaborating on an oral history theatre piece exploring the past, present, and future of the Gaza Strip. Kevin has taught at the University of Iowa, University of Chicago, and has led dozens of workshops on A Practical Handbook for the Actor across the country.  He is very happy to be back on the Central Coast with his two beautiful children, Dominick and Ella.  

Kerry DiMaggio
ACT Coordinator
(805) 781-3889 x 14
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Yvonne Ogren
Box Office Manager
(805) 786-2440
(805) 781-3889 x 12
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Jessi Brown-Carlin
Volunteer Coordinator/House Manager
781-3889 x11
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David Linfield
Technical Director
781-3889 x17
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Wendy-Marie Foerster
Development Director
(805) 781-3889 x 15
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Wendy-Marie Foerster is a native of the Central Coast and has been involved in the local community theatre scene since 1983.  After graduating from PCPA's Actor Training program, Wendy-Marie completed her B.F.A. in Acting at Marymount Manhattan College in New York and has been performing, writing and directing theater in the U.S. and Europe ever since. After returning to the Central Coast 4 years ago, Wendy-Marie enjoyed a year as Executive Director of the SLO Little Theatre and then moved into the position of Membership Director at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts before returning to SLOLT as Development Director.  She is currently an M.F.A. candidate in Playwrighting at Hollins University and glad to answer any questions you may have about supporting the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre.

Michael Simkins
President

 Michael is a lifelong educator and theater buff.  He was an elementary schoolteacher for 15 years in the Los Angeles area where he also taught drama and musical theater workshops for elementary and middle school students.  He pursued his theater avocation by attending plays, taking acting workshops, and appearing in little theater.   In 1987, Michael began nine years as principal of Baywood Elementary School in Los Osos.   After spending the last twelve years in jobs that required constant travel, Michael retired from K-12 education.  He now works as a consultant to educational foundations, professional organizations, and teaches college courses for school leaders.

Susie Fulton
Vice President

Lucky me! Born & raised in Santa Monica, I had the gift of being involved with live theatre all my life, from community to professional.  Always pictured myself living in a flat over a bakery in New York.  Ah, well. I have a B.A. in Theatre Arts and an MBA (I was crushed under parental pressure to do something practical) and managed to persuade both my children to share the experience of performance.  (Thank goodness about that parental pressure so I could feed those kids !)  This is my second round on the board at SLOLT and proud to be a part of this wonderful group of dedicated people who always go the extra mile, with excitement and dignity & dedication.   I've been in the cast of Beyond Therapy, Sisters Rosenweig, Daughters of the Lone Star State, Man From Nebraska & Mrs. Cratchet's Wild  Christmas Binge. Giggle. Just love this rather dated picture here. Off for a facelift to recapture her!

Richard Luckett
Member-at-Large

Richard Luckett is a 30 year resident of San Luis Obispo, a retired PG&E engineer, and a supporter of the arts. He has been a long time patron of the San Luis Obispo Little Theater and pleased to be a member of the Board of Directors.

Bryce Engstrom
Secretary

Bryce has been a SLO county resident for 26 years.  He has been a local businessman, first as a design/build contractor and currently as an architect since 1990.  For 6 years in the late 90's, Bryce played in an all-original folk/rock band and performed all over San Luis Obispo County.  He is a graduate of the Leadership SLO Program, Class XII.  He and his wife have been enthusiastic fans of local theatre for over 15 years.  Bryce is very honored and excited about participating on the board of such a time-tested and enthusiastic local community theatre group.
 

Wilda Rosene
Member-at-Large

It all started in a parking lot in SLO one June day in 1992 when a friend said they needed board members at SLOLT. “Send your resume over right away,” I was told. I did and I have been an active member of the theatre group ever since serving as President of the Board three different times, actually being employed for about 18 months and generally doing whatever is necessary to make our theatre the best ever. It is a joy to see how far we have come in these 17 years and I look forward to serving this theatre for many years to come!

Ralph Slocum
Member-at-Large

Ralph was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, is a Cal Poly alumnus, and has lived on the central coast for over 25 years. Since 1987, Ralph has worked in the financial services industry including Dean Witter Reynolds, Morgan Stanley and UBS, where he served as Senior Vice President of Investments. He is now Branch Manager at Slocum Wealth Management in San Luis Obispo. Ralph and his wife, Anne, have been married 24 years and have four children. For over ten years, Ralph has been active in the American Youth Soccer Organization as referee, coach, and board member. He enjoys singing and performed for two seasons with the Vocal Arts Ensemble. Ralph also enjoys snow skiing, theater, wine tasting, travel, inspirational quotations, and our beautiful central coast. 

Annette Kolar
Member-at-Large

Originally from Upland, California, Annette came to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in economics. While at Cal Poly, she received the Orfalea College of Business Academic Excellence Award. Currently, she is Senior with Caliber Accounting & Tax, LLP in Pismo Beach. She enjoys dancing as well as hiking and biking. Annette is excited for the opportunity to participate on the board.

Ron Burkhart
Past President

Ron has spent over 30 years working in community service. He has served on numerous boards as director and president Currently Ron is a member of the San Luis Obispo Association of Realtors, serving on their board of directors and is chair of education. Ron has been a volunteer at the Little Theatre for the past two years. He played Pawnee Bill in Annie Get Your Gun and most recently he helped construct the set for My Fair Lady.

John Battalino
Member-at-Large

 John is a retired Neurologist & Chief Medical Office for the State of California. He has served as president of the SLOLT in 1989 and was instrumental in securing the present downtown location for the Theatre.  John has also served as President of the Centerpoint Theatre Group 1992-1996.  John has  acted, directed, and designed shows for most all the theater groups on the Central Coast over the last 25 years. John's PCPA Theatrefest credits;  Professor Willard, Our Town /  Leonato, Much Ado About Nothing/   Dr. Flushing, Imaginary Invalid/Adam, As You Like It/ Baptistin, A Flea In Her Ear/  Old Man Stone, Urinetown/Jim Jameson, Third -  Other Theatre credits include ; Andrey Botvinick, Walk In The Woods/; Gloucster,  King Lear/Friar Francis, Much Ado About Nothing/Feer, The Cherry Orchard/Beaudricourt, The Lark/Hector Nations, Foxfire/Horatio, Hamlet/Palonius, Hamlet/Don Armado,  Loves Labor Lost/Elisha Whitney,  Anything Goes/Herr Wexler,  The Visit/Friar Lawrence, Romeo & Juliet - among many others. John was honored to have been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from SLOLT in 2007. .

Jerry Chirpich
Treasurer

Jerry Chirpich was born in Minnesota and after attending college at Mankato State, moved to California in 1958 to start a career with Deluxe Check Printers (now Deluxe Corp.)Jerry was Plant Manger for two of the companies largest operations for 20 years and retired after 35 years of service in 1992. He and wife Sharynn moved to San Luis Obispo in 1994 from the San Fernando Valley.  Jerry has been active in San Luis Obispo Country Club serving on the board for 4 years, 2 years as President and continues on the finance committee. 

Jerry and his wife Sharynn are also active in the community volunteering for Hospice Hope Chest, Womenaide, Prado Day Care, Festival Mosaic and the Performing Arts Center.  They have one daughter and 3 Grandchildren who live in Southern California.

Gina Kirk
Member-at-Large

Gina has been a long-time ticket holder and donor.  She has been on the Board of Directors of the Mozart Festival and SLO Newcomers.  She is currently a member of SLO County Health Commission.  Gina recently retired from Caltrans District 5 where she was a Transportation Planner.  Gina has also been a senior staff analyst for Fresno County Planning and Resource Management Department, a Financial Consultant and an Assistant Professor of Urban Planning.  Gina enjoys theater, dance and musical performances.