Download Julie Hamberg Artistic Director

Julie Hamberg
Artistic Director
Julie Hamberg joined Live Arts in 2011 and thinks she has the best darned job in
the world. She’s been passionate about bringing people together to make theatre
for over 25 years. An award-winning director, producer, and arts-manager, Julie
has helped create theatre in all kinds of places – from Shakespeare in the Parking
Lot to The Roundabout’s Broadway stage. She has been on staff at seven
theatres, most recently as Interim Producing Director at Southern Rep, New
Orleans’ regional theatre. She spent 18 years in NYC where she championed bold
new work, bringing over 75 new plays to the stage. Julie has directed OffBroadway, Off-Off Broadway, and regionally. For Live Arts, she directed the 2012
& 2013 GALAS, In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play, and The Master and
Margarita. While in New York, she directed for theatres such as The Public,
Lincoln Center, New Georges, Peculiar Works Project (OBIE Award), The Drama
League, EST, and Vital Theatre. Julie is a Drama League Fellow, an inaugural member of the Lincoln
Center Directors Lab, and an associate member of SCD.
Kisha Jarrett
Marketing & Communications Manager/
Fringe Coordinator
Kisha Jarrett joined Live Arts in June of 2013. She has been a theater baby since
nd
her stage debut in Mary Poppins in the 2 grade. After obtaining her BFA in
Theater and English Composition from Virginia Tech, she moved all over the
world performing and writing and honing her improv skills at the Upright
Citizens Brigade. On stage, she has appeared in A Chorus Line, Debbie Does
Dallas: The Musical, Hedwig & The Angry Inch, and Fuddy Meers to name a few.
On film, she has appeared in episodes of Gossip Girl and Late Night with Conan
O’Brien. Most recently, Kisha has written and directed a film trailer, Scout, which
will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2014. Before coming back to her
roots and working in theater, Kisha dabbled her toes in everything, previously
being a Music Developer for the Invisible Children Showcase at South by
Southwest Music Festival, Wardrobe Coordinator for the MTV University Woodie
Awards, Event Planner World Monuments Fund and School of Visual Arts, Bar Manager, and has even
owned her own boutique bakery in Brooklyn, New York. Additionally, her written work has been
published in the Visual Arts Journal, McSweeney’s, L Magazine, and Vice Magazine. Community and
giving back has always been important to Kisha, and she has donated her time and energy to these
amazing organizations; Right Rides, Invisible Children, 826 NYC, Big Brothers & Sisters, Broadway Bares,
and GEMS.
Matt Joslyn
Executive Director
Matt Joslyn is a native of Columbus, Ohio. As Executive Director, he oversees
fundraising & development, marketing, budgeting & accounting, human
resources, strategic planning, and capital campaign management at Live
Arts. Matt's theater training and experience has roots in performing, directing, and
producing, as well as in arts administration. He previously served as the Executive
Director of the Renaissance Performing Arts Association in North Central Ohio,
operator of the historic, 1400-seat Renaissance Theatre and the professional
Mansfield Symphony. With a budget of $2.5 million, Matt was responsible for
season planning, overall operations, capital campaign management, marketing, and all fundraising
efforts. While at the Renaissance Matt directed both Cats and Into the Woods. Before the
Renaissance, Matt served as Executive Director of the State Theatre of Ithaca and as Director of
Education and Marketing for the Sandusky State Theatre. Other past positions include Exhibit Director
for COSI Columbus, Ohio's premiere science museum, and Director of Education for Columbus
Children's Theatre. Matt has performed in a number of productions as a professional actor at Heritage
Repertory Theater Company at the University of Virginia (UVA) (most recently as Buffalo Bill in Annie Get
Your Gun), The Cleveland Play House, the Beck Center for the Arts, and Hope Summer Repertory
Theatre. He has taught at a number of companies and schools, including guest lectures at UVA, The
Ohio State University, the Cleveland Play House, Ithaca College, Case Western Reserve University, Fort
Hayes Performing Arts School, and Columbus Children's Theatre. As a director, he has worked on
stages in Cleveland, Chicago, New York, and Michigan, as well as directing both The Producers and A
Chorus Line for Live Arts. In addition to his bachelor's degree from Cornell University and Master of Fine
Arts degree from Case Western Reserve University, Matt has studied advanced leadership with the
Leadership Development Institute at Eckerd College. He lives in Charlottesville with his husband, Moray,
and their two dogs, Ethan and Atticus.
Bree Luck
Education Director
Bree Luck , M.A., S.A.G., is performer, director, educator, and community service
activist who has led acting and storytelling workshops for more than 15 years.
She has developed and directed performances for social change with refugee,
inmate, hospitalized, at-risk youth, and homeless populations. Currently, she is
the lead Teacher/Drama Therapist for The Voice Project, guiding the inmates of
Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Facility to write and perform theatrical pieces
based on their own personal stories. Bree has produced several large-scale
projects including Shentai, a multimedia circus in Charlottesville, VA and the MiniRep Touring Company, taking the plays and workshops to public parks,
community centers, schools, and detention centers in Georgia. In addition, she
has director numerous productions, her favorite including Adding Machine: A
Musical by Jason Loewith and Joshua Schmidt and Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Bree
has performed in Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway and regional theaters across the Eastern Seaboard.
She has appeared in numerous commercials and films, including Midnight in the Garden of Good and
Evil, directed by Clint Eastwood and The Gingerbread Man, directed by Robert Altman. She is a
member of the Screen Actors Guild and received her Master’s degree in Drama Therapy from New York
University.
Sarah Morris
Finance and Development Manager
Sarah Morris joined our team as the Finance and Development Manager in
October of 2013. Sarah comes to Live Arts from previously working at
WorldStrides as the Program Director for the American High School Theatre
Festival. As Program Director, Sarah worked to take High School students from all
over the US and Canada to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Outside of
the theater, Sarah spends her time with her husband and son, and they are all very
excited to welcome a second baby to their family in June. In addition to time with
the family, Sarah is an avid traveler, a lover of musical theater, and a huge fan of
photography. Sarah is thrilled to be part of the Live Arts team and can't wait for Les
Miserables this coming winter.
Geoff Otis
Production Manager and Technical Director
Geoff Otis, originally from Rhode Island, has a background in live sound, music
making, and down home Italian cuisine. Geoff went to Bennington College in
Vermont where he studied Sound Design and Music Production. Since college he
has worked up and down the east coast from Webster Hall in New York City to
the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans. Geoff Moved to Charlottesville in
2009 and worked as Production Manager at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing
Arts Center until coming on board at Live Arts in 2012. Geoff lives in town with his
beautiful and talented wife Rush and his dogs Bowzer and Hella. If you’re
interested in sets, lights, sound, or props you can come to the scene shop any
Tuesday night or Saturday afternoon. Geoff will be on hand to offer you advice,
training, and pizza.
Tracie Skipper
Director of Volunteer Programs
Tracie Steger Skipper received a BFA in Technical Theater from Longwood
College in 1996 with a focus in stage management. From there she went to work
as an assistant stage manager, stage management intern or production assistant
at Georgia Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Circle in the Square, Julliard, and The MacHaydn Theatre. Her first professional stage management job was with Theatre
Works USA touring children's musicals. She went on to work with Circa 21' Dinner
Playhouse, and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. In 2000 she moved to Charlottesville
and became a volunteer at Live Arts. She was a big part of the move from 609
Market to 123 Water in 2003 stage managing the first show in the new
"Downstage Theater" Grapes of Wrath. She also lighting designed the first show in
the new "Upstage Theater" Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Tracie
became a board member of Four County Players in 2004. During her time with Four County Players she
produced and lighting designed numerous productions. In May of 2012 she became the Director of
Volunteer Programs for Live Arts.
Darryl Smith
Box Office Manager
Darryl Smith was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and studied Mass
Community at Virginia Commonwealth University. Before taking the job as Box
Office Manager at Live Arts, Darryl was the Box Office Manager at Theatre Virginia
located in The Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Darryl also worked in
Guest Relations at the Science Museum of Virginia and The Valentine Museum in
Richmond, Virginia. Darryl moved to Charlottesville in 2001 and really enjoyed
working and volunteering in the Charlottesville community. Darryl also sits on the
Board of Directors at ASG (AIDS Service Group). If you haven’t crossed paths with
Darryl Smith yet, you surely will. It seems that he knows everyone in (and out of)
town. Darryl is the exceptional front man for the Live Arts Box Office. His
booming laugh and welcoming smile immediately puts everyone at ease. With
his finely cultivated style, and his dedication to keeping fit, he defies the march of
time. Darryl is a pop-culture encyclopedia and star on the dance floor. Darryl is one of the kindest
people you’ll ever meet.