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MEET THE NWT STAFF!
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Andrea Assaf,
Artistic Director
Phone: 413-545-1972
andrea@theater.umass.edu |
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In addition to leading New WORLD Theater in our 28th season and beyond, Andrea continues to create work as an artist. In September 2006, she traveled to Nicaragua with dance-theater company Mujeres en Ritual to perform Fronteras Desviadas/Deviant Borders, a bilingual original work of which she is author and co-creator, at the 12th Annual International Experimental Theater Festival in Managua. On April 5, 2007, she will perform her poetry series entitled "Eleven Reflections on September" at the Augusta Savage Gallery, UMass. Andrea has also been awarded a 2007 residency at Hedgebrook, a historic retreat that empowers women writers to be catalysts for change in their own lives, in their communities, and around the world. |
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Wesley Montgomery
Managing Director
Phone: 413-545-1972
wmontgomery@pubpol.umass.edu |
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In addition to his duties juggling administrative duties related to NWT's financial, staffing/personnel and company management and production, Wesley is active in the performing arts field. He has worked as a site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts, and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Performance Network. Physical outlets include playing competitive volleyball and cross country skate-skiing (where he's really competitive with gravity!). A native of California, no one could appreciate seasonal shifts more! |
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Yvonne Mendez,
Director of Design & Publicity
Phone: 413-545-1972
yvonne@admin.umass.edu |
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Yvonne is a graphic designer and multimedia artist, currently pursuing a master's degree in Media Studies, expected to receive her degree in May 2007. She has worked at NWT since 1987, first as Managing Director and now as Marketing/Publicity Director. She oversees marketing, publicity and community outreach for all NWT programs and events. She also designs all our publicity materials and the NWT website. She is the mother of three and maintains a growing freelance design clientele at www.visualconcepts123.com |
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Priscilla Page
Program Curator
Phone: 413-577-0567
pmpage@theater.umass.edu |
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Priscilla is dramaturg whose main interests include new play development and translation. Her current dramaturgical explorations include working with Migdalia Cruz on PELO, a Spanish language translation of the play FUR, Un/Knowing Desire and Empire by Mango Tribe, and production dramaturgy on Lydia on the Top Floor by Terry Jenoure. She is also in the early stages of editing an anthology of plays by Migdalia Cruz. Priscilla also teaches in the Department of Theater at UMASS and is developing a Multicultural Theater Practice Certificate with Andrea Assaf and Harley Erdman and serves as the chair of the Advisory Board for the Women of Color Leadership Network, a program of the Center for Student Development. |
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Chris Rohmann
Grants Coordinator
Phone: 413-577-0569
crohmann@acad.umass.edu |
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Chris is responsible for writing and tracking the grant proposals that fuel our projects and programs. In his multifaceted career, he is also the theater critic for WFCR 88.5 Public Radio and the Valley Advocate, a theater director, teacher at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School, and author of A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs & Thinkers. Beginning this spring, he is also the new host of "As Schools Match Wits," a TV quiz show that tests the knowledge of teams of high school students. |
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Irene Shaikly
Education and Access Coordinator
Phone: 413-545-9591
soullafusion@yahoo.com |
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Hailing from the Boogie Down Bronx and "little Dominican Republic meets Eastern Europe" Washington Heights NYC, Irene (a.k.a. "I-Shea") is responsible for developing audiences and engaging local communities, community partners, artists, and activists in the Pioneer Valley. This mama, emcee, poet, percussionist, dancer, singer, actress and Ashkenazi Jew Dominican ("The Original Jewminican") brings power to her words, infusing her world of old-school salsa, meringue, boleros, reggae and hip hop as a way to spread a message of peace, solidarity, and non-tolerance to unjust policies. |
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Richard Caiander
Office Manager
Phone: 413-545-1972
caiander@acad.umass.edu |
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Rich manages day-to-day office operations and is a member of the Administrative & Financial Strategy Team. With NWT since 2003, he handles internal and external communications and provides IT assistance and other office support to New WORLD staff. Rich's long-term interests are in the areas of holistic medicine, outdoor activities including hiking, backpacking, and kayaking, as well as international peace and politics. He lives in Shelburne Falls with his partner, Louise, and their cat, Tootsie. |
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