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Staff and Board

Managing Director, Alauna McMillen Friskics - x202
Alauna holds a bachelors' degree in Economics and Theatre from Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, and a masters' degree in Performing Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago. Her professional performing arts background spans 15 years and four states, from acting to backstage work, from Orlando to Chicago. As a producer, Alauna has worked with B.O.B. (theatrical palindrome), SAK Comedy Lab, Orlando Theatre Project, Mission IMPROVable, Rickshaw Boy, the Central Florida Arts and Cultural Alliance and the Orlando Fringe Festival. Alauna discovered historic Winter Garden in April 2006, and was completely and totally enamored. She is living her dream job, smiles every day just thinking of all the talented individuals who have made the Garden Theatre dream a reality.

Development Director, Cory warren - x204
Cory is a certified meeting professional with the CMP designation obtained from the Convention Industry Council and has over ten years of experience in working within arts and entertainment. His event, fundraising and production experience spans both for profit and non-profit sectors, having worked with Disney, Universal, New York City Center, LiveSTRONG and most recently, United Arts of Central Florida. Mr. Warren received a BFA in Theatre from the University of Central Florida and is a 1999 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Award recipient.

Technical Director, Benjamin LembrEe - x201
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Benjamin was bitten by the entertainment bug at the very tender age of four. Taken under the wing by of some of the world's top producers, directors and technicians, Benjamin founded JSL Productions in New England. Since, he has served as a moving light technician, pyrotechnician, and associate production manager for companies such as Barnum & Bailey and Walt Disney World. Benjamin met his wife Jaclyn while he was on tour in Orlando in 2003. In 2005, they married and settled in here in Central Florida. In early 2010, they celebrated the birth of their first child Victoria Elizabeth Lembrée, whom they hope will follow in their footsteps. Benjamin accepted the role of technical director of the Garden Theatre before it opened in 2008 and is immensely proud to be a part of the amazing Garden Theatre team who is dedicated to bringing top quality entertainment to Winter Garden.

Production Manager, Emily RUSSELL - x209
Emily has recently returned from an appointment as the assistant lighting coordinator for The Dallas Opera, where she opened the AT&T Performing Arts Center in 2009 and facilitated in the production of multiple world-premiere operas and musicals. Professional credits include The Orlando Ballet, The Dallas Opera, The Dallas Theatre Center, Mad Cow Theatre, Orlando Fringe Festival, The Women's Playwright Iniative, as well as production and technology companies throughout Central Florida and Dallas. She is absolutely thrilled to be back in her home of Central Florida where she received a B.A. in Technical Theatre from Rollins College, and is honored to be working with The Garden Theatre, after discovering such a phenomenal organization when she stage managed The Bikinis in February of 2012.

Event Manager, Brian Fallon - x206
Brian was born and raised in Central Florida. He graduated from UCF in 1989 with a BA in Political Science but while at UCF he worked in the UCF Theatre Department as a House Manager and Box Office assistant. He also took classes in Technical Theatre which led him to a career in event design and production in the Convention and Meeting industry. After spending several years working in the Orlando area he began freelancing as a Meeting and Event Planner. Brian's career has taken him all over the world, from Casablanca to Hong Kong, with extended work in Switzerland, Ireland, and Italy. Brian has also managed sponsor hospitality for Fortune 100 companies, the Olympic Games of 1998 in Japan, 2000 in Australia, and 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He moved to Winter Garden in 2001 with his wife and in 2003 their daughter was born. They are happy to be raising their daughter in Winter Garden's family-friendly environment.

House Manager, Sherri Cox - x207
Sherri is thrilled to be a part of the Garden team after having served as a volunteer since the Theatre's opening. After receiving a B.A. in Theatre and Stage Management from Arizona State University, she relocated to Central Florida and happily found a home in Winter Garden in 2004. Sherri has worked for Walt Disney World Entertainment, Keynote Arts Associates and in corporate event planning. She looks forward to making your next visit to the Theatre a great experience!

Group Sales Manager, Jana Goupil - x208
With over 25 years of experience in group tour and travel sales Jana has worked for attractions, convention & visitors bureaus, group travel planners and theatrical productions. Originally from Grove City, Ohio, Jana moved to Florida in 1986 to work in the group sales department at Wet ‘n Wild. From the tourism industry Jana moved into group sales for Menopause The Musical where she has spent 8 years representing the show as it has toured across the country. When not on the phone talking to all of the wonderful group leaders and group travel planners, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons where they reside in Lake Mary. Jana is thrilled to be a part of the Garden Theatre Family and looks forward to the many new friends she will make in her role representing the theatre to the group market.

Accountant, Crystal Gross - x205
Crystal Gross, has been a part of the Winter Garden community since 1992 by way of New York. She graduated from Bishop Moore high school and then attended Valencia Community College-West Campus where she received her AA degree. After graduating from Valencia, she then took off from Chicago for three years. She happily returned to the warm weather she so missed and then went to Everest University where she received her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Accounting. She loves animals, reading, and anything to do with numbers.

Marketing Coordinator, Matt Heim - x203
Matt was raised in Oklahoma until moving to Winter Garden in 2005. He recently graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. . He says the mix of unique personalities of the staff is what makes the Garden Theatre successful. He enjoys watching films, playing tennis and exploring the quaint city of Winter Garden.

Office Assistant, Janet haddock- x210

Janet has been a resident of Winter Garden since 1987, moving to the Orlando area after graduating from Purdue University with a BS degree in Business. After a career in banking, she decided to pursue her passion for the arts. As an artist and through her wholly-owned company, she sells giclée canvas prints of her paintings for children’s room decor. Janet is also a member of the Garden Community Choir. She participated in musical theatre productions in Indiana as a dancer, singer and choreographer, and loves being back in the theatre family as a member of the Garden Theatre staff.

Box Office Associate, Laura Wojtaszek - x0
Laura has always had a passion for the arts. Born and raised in a small town outside of Buffalo, New York, Laura studied painting at Albright Knox Art Gallery from the age of 10 and went on to study Set Design and Construction at State University of New York in the 1990s. Five years ago she moved to Central Florida to start a new life and fell in love with the sunshine. Currently, she is a student at UCF and will graduate in the spring with a degree in Human Resource Management. She is proud to say she is a part of the Garden Theatre family and the Winter Garden community.

Board of Directors
The Garden Theatre relies heavily on the dedication of its volunteer Board of Directors and attributes much of its success to countless hours of commitment from this handful of individuals.

Becky Roper Stafford, President Pilars Martini email	Star Kraschinsky Foundation for Florida Virtual School

Keith Smith, Vice President Walt Disney World Resort®	Cliff Marvin Walt Disney World Resort®

Julie Kleffel, Treasurer BankFIRST	John. L McReynolds Universal Orlando

William A. Beckett, Secretary Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.	Alaina Minichiello Jr. Associate Board Member Dr. Phillips High School

Kay Behrens Community Advocate	Paul Oppedisano Walt Disney World Resort®

Justin Butler Jr. Associate Board Member Ocoee High School	Reginald B. Riley, Ph. D. Orlando Health

Ray Fournier Entertainment Producer	David J. Romano, Ph. D. Barry University

Wendy Givoglu Valencia College	Mrs. Barbara Roper Contour Groves

Andrew Gay University of Central Florida	Fernando Varela Vincero Entertainment

Susan Haugen Rollins College	Wayne Weinberg Leadership Seminole

Christine Huffman P2 Entertainment Productions, Inc.	Falecia D. Williams, Ed. D. Valencia College