Board of Directors

Christopher J. Maxwell

Board President

Chris Maxwell is thrilled to serve as President of NRACT's Board of Directors. From a young age, Chris has been passionate about the transformative power of the arts. So much so, he received his master's degree from Lesley University in 'Curriculum and Instruction: Integrated Teaching Through the Arts.' When not in the theatre, Chris works with SAS Institute's Education Department as an EVAAS Educator Support Specialist. Prior to working for SAS, Chris served in the education field as a classroom teacher, curriculum and instruction specialist, and Teacher Support Program Coordinator. Chris strongly believes in NRACT's mission and vision, and he looks forward to supporting the work - both on stage and off.

Aya Wallace

Vice President

Aya Wallace is a dance and theatre educator, performer, and activist. She received her B.S. in Education with Kinesiology concentration from Temple University and her M.A. in Dance Education with a Ballet Pedagogy concentration from New York University. Aya has performed, choreographed, and directed for many local theaters in the NC Triangle area. Aya also has over 17 years experience in Employee and Health Benefits insurance.

CHELSEY SKALSKI

secretary

Chelsey Skalski is the Associate Marketing Manager for Oxford University Press’ Art, Music, Sociology, and Anthropology textbooks in North America. After earning a B.A. in English-Language, Writing, and Rhetoric from NC State in 2014, Chelsey has called the Triangle home and the theatre community family. In addition to several years in theatre, Chelsey leads a Girl Scout troop and has volunteered for the Girls Scouts for over 10 years. She is honored to serve on the Board of Directors as the Board Secretary.

Sean Malone

Treasurer

Sean Malone joined the NRACT Board in 2019 and has served as a Board Member and Treasurer for Cary Playwrights Forum (2017-2021). Sean's passion for theatre started at an early age after appearing in a youth musical. He has worked throughout the Triangle as a volunteer, performer, director, and producer. He founded the group The Rejects in 2014 and produces readings and workshops for a network of over 300 local actors and artists. Sean is originally from upstate NY but has called NC home for the past fifteen years.

sean Brosnahan

Board Member

Sean A. Brosnahan has spent the last 25 years in retail sales leadership for a number of organizations. He is currently a Territory Sales Manager for Custom Ink, supporting Central and Eastern North Carolina. He is an active member in Custom Ink’s Diversity and Belonging Council, and is currently working with a small team to create an internal council to represent the interests of those within the organization living with mental health issues. Sean holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from Catawba College, and has been actively involved in theatrical production in the Triangle area since 1998. He been seen acting and directing for many of the area’s most beloved companies, such as Honest Pint Theatre Co., Burning Coal, Bare Theatre, The Justice Theatre Project, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Raleigh Ensemble Players, and many more. Sean’s priority as an arts advocate is working towards to leveling the playing field for local, smaller companies in terms of gaining ground in financial support, patron brand awareness, and both audience and artist attendance and participation.

daniel carlisto

board member

Danny Carlisto has over 10 years of professional experience in the theater and non profit worlds. Danny is currently the Donor Database Manager for Smile Train, the world's largest cleft charity that provides corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. He received his master's degree in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky in 2016. He was the Artistic Director for One Take Theater in Westchester, NY from 2009 to 2016. Danny moved to the Raleigh, NC area after living in New York for his entire life and looks forward to bringing his energy and passion for the arts to NRACT.

lisa flores-wolfert

board member

Lisa Flores-Wolfert (Board Member) has been involved in supporting the musical and dramatic arts for decades. Most recently Lisa has served on the NRACT Board of Directors since 2020 and was the 2021-2022 Board Secretary. Lisa continues to be involved in the NRACT Fundraising Committee, is currently on the Marketing Committee, serves as Costumer for productions, and along with her family, is committed to NRACT volunteering on a regular basis. Previously she was on the Board for the Gunn High School Choir group in Palo Alto, California, and has been involved in the Triangle theatre scene since moving to North Carolina in 2012. She has worked with various community theatre companies' costume departments, sewing and repairing costumes for the past eight years. She and her husband Robert have been devoted supporters and season ticket holders of both the professional and community theatres around the Triangle. She enjoys sewing, cooking, baking, organizing, having parties, volunteering at the USO of RDU Center, sending care packages to individuals of all U.S. armed forces, and will do anything to make her husband, two daughters, son, and dog happy. Lisa is well-known for showing up at any gathering with several dozen home-baked cookies, often providing the needed sustenance to get the crew and cast through long rehearsal sessions.

elizabeth hankla

board member

Elizabeth Hankla is the Practice Manager at New Image MD but medical aesthetics has not always been her passion. A former opera singer, Elizabeth trained at Juilliard and Indiana University. However, as a mother of two, she chose to pursue paths other than performing full time. Elizabeth has taken her creativity to other ventures including DeLIZious Desserts, a dessert catering company, real estate, and now, voice over work and medical aesthetics. She is still incredibly passionate about the arts and can be found on stage from time to time.

natasha jackson

board member

Natasha has spent the past 16 years working the Triangle theater community. Her work Stage Managing cedits include: Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Wizard of Oz, Legally Blonde (Cary Players); For Colored Girls (SheCow Productions w/Burning Coal Theatre Company); Little Women (Women’s Theatre Festival); Long Story Short (UNC, Chapel Hill); Dancing at Lughnasa (Duke University) and Wakey, Wakey (Manbites Dog Theater). She has also had the distinct pleasure of Stage Managing special large events such as the 2017 - 2019 Women’s March on Raleigh and the 2018 Raleigh’s March for Science. Currently, Natasha is an Equity Stage Manager who is signed with both EbzB productions (Native) and Yodyful Music, LLC (No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone).

Natasha’s love and appreciation for theater has recently branched into directing. She made her directorial debut with what has been called by some, the critically acclaimed production of Bourbon at the Border by Pearl Cleage. She has also directed original plays written by J. Mardrice Henderson (Who’s Zoomin’ Who, Proverbs and Church Boyz) and has directed audio plays for NC Radio Play Festival (Halloween, Where Are We Going and Threat). Natasha was the recipient of 2017 Pietzsch award for Backstage contribution –Stage Manager with Cary Players and nominated for Stage Manager of the year at the 2016 Triangle Independent and Community Theatre Awards.

Natasha has an MBA and a Master’s in Human Services. She also has completed her PhD course work in Counseling Studies. Natasha spent 8 years working as a Mental Health professional specializing in trauma. She was also volunteered counselor for individuals who experienced sexual assault and domestic violence. Currently, Natasha works as a Compensation Analyst.

vincent moss

board member

Vincent Moss has a passion for technology and music. He holds a BS in Computer Science from the University of Georgia. Vincent’s career as a software engineer has spanned over 35 years. He is also a percussionist and has performed with several area theaters.

kelly schrader

board member

Kelly Schrader was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Since obtaining a BA in Art History and a BFA in Studio Art Practices from Virginia Tech in 2016, Schrader has had a fruitful and varied career in visual arts. From collaborating with museums, galleries, and nonprofits across the east coast and Midwest on community and educational programs, to creating engaging public murals while mentoring student artists, their work has always had a focus on community interaction and creating accessible art. In addition to their artistic practice, Schrader has been working in nonprofit arts administration for over 6 years, and currently serves as Community Arts Coordinator for the United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County. Since moving to Raleigh in 2020, Schrader has established the Pop-Swap event series, spent time volunteering for local organizations, and completed public murals in both Raleigh and Durham, among other projects.

tedd szeto

board member

Tedd Szeto is the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs at NC State’s Poole College of Management and holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics from UCLA. He served on the faculty at UCLA and Harvey Mudd College and held executive administrative leadership roles at Azusa Pacific University prior to moving to the Triangle in 2021 from Los Angeles. Shortly after arriving, Tedd connected with the NRACT family as an actor/singer in their productions of Side by Side by Sondheim and Young Frankenstein (as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein). He has extensive TV, film, and stage credits and most recently appeared in four of the shows in Theatre Raleigh’s 2022 season. Tedd and his wife, Joanna, have 3 kids and 2 dogs - all theater lovers. Tedd is 100% behind the mission of NRACT and excited to be able to contribute to the community as a board member.

shereatha terry

board member

Shereatha is an advocate for those who need encouragement to advocate for themselves. She has been able to support a variety of populations as a mental health provider and educator for the past twelve years. She is a transplant to the triangle where she has been able to find love in the theater. Through various shows, she has been able to explore a range of emotions and establish connections with a great theater family. She has found her theater love in a variety of roles including Stage Manager. One of Shereatha’s mantras is from Michael Bonner and states that “You can’t demand a withdrawal from someone you never invested in.” Daily she makes positive investments in those around her making sure that they are empowered, encouraged, and engaged in showing up as the best versions of themselves.

greg toft

board member

A native of Nebraska, Greg has spent the last few years learning about the South and specifically the Raleigh Theatre Scene. Prior to arriving in the Triangle, Greg was a humanities instructor at The Booker T. Washington Honors program in NYC. Greg has a passion for theatre that he received at an early age from his grandmother, who took him to all the touring shows that came through Denver. Greg continues his love of theatre through NRACT where the commitment to diversity and inclusion continue to inspire him.