meet the stage left team & board of directors
Stage Left Theater is a labor of love. Meet the people behind the scenes who help keep our theater alive and vibrant! If you are interested in joining our team or our Board of Directors, let us know by clicking the CONTACT US tab in the navigation bar above.
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Jeremy has been the Resident Designer for numerous theaters including The Public Theater of San Antonio, The Modern Theaters of Spokane/Cd’A, and Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, but they have always loved the charm of small, intimate theaters. Jeremy's work in training the next generation of diverse creatives is his top prior
Jeremy has been the Resident Designer for numerous theaters including The Public Theater of San Antonio, The Modern Theaters of Spokane/Cd’A, and Lake City Playhouse in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, but they have always loved the charm of small, intimate theaters. Jeremy's work in training the next generation of diverse creatives is his top priority.
Jeremy is the Adjunct Professor of Drama at Spokane Falls Community College, where he teaches Theatre Design and Technology. He attended Ohio University from 1989 to 1992 majoring in Theater Production and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2014 with his BFA in Graphic Design from Sanford Brown.
In 2022, Jeremy was awarded the Governor's Arts & Heritage Luminary Award by Washington State Governor, Jay Inslee, for his tireless work in keeping the Arts alive during the pandemic. They were also recently named one of the Top 20 Emerging Leaders in the Inland Northwest by Trending NW.
Jeremy brings his varied artistic talents and their longstanding business acumen to Stage Left, where he will continue to promote diversity, inclusion, political discussion, and social justice both on stage and in our community.
Check out Jeremy’s website at www.JeremyCreates.com
Bee Aaron (she/her), General Manager
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Bee Aaron is thrilled to be taking on the role of General Manager at Stage Left Theater. She brings experience in administration and development to the position, as well as a passion and talent for the theatre arts.
Bee is an actor, classically and theatrically trained vocalist, brass musician, and Hawaiian Hula dancer. Recent stage cred
Bee Aaron is thrilled to be taking on the role of General Manager at Stage Left Theater. She brings experience in administration and development to the position, as well as a passion and talent for the theatre arts.
Bee is an actor, classically and theatrically trained vocalist, brass musician, and Hawaiian Hula dancer. Recent stage credits include Sweeney Todd (Ens./Beggar Woman, Stage Left), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom, Stage Left), and Sister Act (Tina/Ens., SVST). Her production credits include costumer, prop-maker and set-builder. Bee has worked with several local theaters in Spokane and surrounding areas and has quickly become an advocate and consultant regarding matters involving diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field. She is involved in multiple theatre advisory boards and remains an integral part of Stage Left’s DEI committee.
Through her experience both on the stage and behind the scenes, Bee has witnessed firsthand the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the local theatre community. As a result of her lived experiences, she plans to work toward ensuring that Stage Left is providing a safe, equitable space for all involved in our productions. Being ethnically diverse herself, Bee is proud of both her Filipino and Puerto Rican heritage, and aims to use her story and her voice to help further elevate BIPOC representation in the inland northwest.
Bee is so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful organization. She looks forward to the challenge of managing this small but mighty theatre, and will always welcome feedback regarding how she can best serve the theatre community and its’ patrons.
Dahveed Bullis, (he/him) Resident Artist
Jeremy Whittington (all pronouns), Managing|Artistic Director
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Dahveed is a professional artist and a Spokanite of 33 years. He is also a Co-Founder of Spokane Playwrights Laboratory along with Scott Doughty, and the head of the Theatre Arts Program at Company Ballet School. He is thrilled to take on this exciting role at Stage Left Theater.
Dahveed seeks to support any and all artists he can as well
Dahveed is a professional artist and a Spokanite of 33 years. He is also a Co-Founder of Spokane Playwrights Laboratory along with Scott Doughty, and the head of the Theatre Arts Program at Company Ballet School. He is thrilled to take on this exciting role at Stage Left Theater.
Dahveed seeks to support any and all artists he can as well as furthering the craft in unique ways. As a teacher, he is known for his approaches towards script analysis, character creation and the art of connecting with scene partners.
His recent credits include, Pass Over and Space Man at Stage Left as well as Firedance at Spokane Falls Community College where he was awarded Meritorious Achievement awards by KCACTF for Music Composition and Sound Design. He wishes to thank his God, Mother, Brother, Son and Community for always supporting him in becoming the best man and artist he can be.
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Dr. Nike Imoru is a multi-hyphenate artist in film, theatre and is a member of the Casting Society of America. She is the owner of Nike Imoru Casting through which she has cast numerous feature films, commercials and episodes of television. She is also the owner of The Actor’s Way, a hybrid space for actor training. In theatre she is a di
Dr. Nike Imoru is a multi-hyphenate artist in film, theatre and is a member of the Casting Society of America. She is the owner of Nike Imoru Casting through which she has cast numerous feature films, commercials and episodes of television. She is also the owner of The Actor’s Way, a hybrid space for actor training. In theatre she is a director, a classically-trained award-winning actress and writer.
Dr. Imoru was recently honored by the city with the Spokane Arts award for Leadership. She is in continuous training for consent-forward practices and intimacy co-ordinating for stage and screen. She is thrilled to be collaborating with Stage Left as the Resident Intimacy Director.
For more on Dr. Imoru:
Tristen Canfield (she/her), Resident Playwright
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Tristen Canfield (she/her), Resident Playwright
Tristen started her love affair with the stage in the Spokane Children's Theatre 1998 production of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She was not a particularly promising talent at the time. She is pleased to have grown considerably, both in body and as an artist, since then.
Tristen's first one-act stage play, The Window, appeared in the 2015 Pla
Tristen started her love affair with the stage in the Spokane Children's Theatre 1998 production of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. She was not a particularly promising talent at the time. She is pleased to have grown considerably, both in body and as an artist, since then.
Tristen's first one-act stage play, The Window, appeared in the 2015 Playwrights' Forum Festival at Spokane Civic Theatre, opening an entirely new avenue of theatrical aspirations for her. Since then, Tristen's plays have appeared in festivals and competitions across the country, been produced on YouTube during the pandemic, and adapted for production by Spokane Public Radio.
Tristen is pleased as punch to be joining the Stage Left team as Playwright in Residence. The world premiere of her newest play, An Aviary for Birds of Sadness will debut in August at Stage Left Theater, and she will workshop her next premiere throughout the 2024 season. She can't wait to experience the stories to come!
Neva White (they/them), Resident Costumer
Dr. Nike Imoru (she/her), Resident Intimacy Director
Tristen Canfield (she/her), Resident Playwright
Neva graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. As a member of the longest running Rocky Horror Shadow Cast, Sin o' the Flesh, Neva has performed for national conventions and celebrity events.
Neva’s work has been seen in numerous productions at Stage Left Theater including The Rocky Horror Show, Red, and Human Erro
Neva graduated from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. As a member of the longest running Rocky Horror Shadow Cast, Sin o' the Flesh, Neva has performed for national conventions and celebrity events.
Neva’s work has been seen in numerous productions at Stage Left Theater including The Rocky Horror Show, Red, and Human Error.
They can be seen regularly performing stand-up comedy and burlesque shows around Spokane. Neva would like their grand-mother Barb Spence for the support of their passion for creating.
Isabella Hurrell (she/her), Associate Lighting Designer
Isabella Hurrell (she/her), Associate Lighting Designer
Isabella Hurrell (she/her), Associate Lighting Designer
Isabella "Ella" Hurrell has been apprenticing with Alana for almost a year. She has been the Lighting Designer for numerous productions, including Playwrights Playground and Admissions.
Ella has also been the tech assistant for a number of shows, both at Stage Left Theater and other theater companies in Spokane.
Ella's lighting designs will
Isabella "Ella" Hurrell has been apprenticing with Alana for almost a year. She has been the Lighting Designer for numerous productions, including Playwrights Playground and Admissions.
Ella has also been the tech assistant for a number of shows, both at Stage Left Theater and other theater companies in Spokane.
Ella's lighting designs will be seen on the upcoming productions of Red, Human Error, and How I Learned to Drive.
Lisa Pryne Edwards (she/her), President
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut (they/them)
Susan Hardie (she/her), Resident Director
A Lisa Edwards earned her BA from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in Theatre and her Masters in Education with an emphasis in Theatre Arts from Seattle Pacific University. Inspired by a summer camp Shakespeare production when she was twelve years old, Lisa has made a career out of sharing her passion for the theatre with other
A Lisa Edwards earned her BA from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in Theatre and her Masters in Education with an emphasis in Theatre Arts from Seattle Pacific University. Inspired by a summer camp Shakespeare production when she was twelve years old, Lisa has made a career out of sharing her passion for the theatre with others, particularly children.
Lisa has worked as an actor, director and educator in New York, Chicago and Seattle. Prior to moving to Spokane in 2017, Lisa spent twelve years as a teacher, director, and curriculum developer for drama programs in the greater Seattle area. Locally, she has been seen as Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves and Liz Essendine in Present Laughter, both at Spokane Civic Theatre. Lisa and her husband David are busy raising two daughters, Bella and Hadley.
Susan Hardie (she/her), Resident Director
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut (they/them)
Susan Hardie (she/her), Resident Director
Susan Hardie has directed and appeared in scores of productions throughout Spokane, WA and the region over the past forty years. Directing is her passion, and recent projects include An Iliad and The Long Christmas Ride Home at Stage Left. She has served as adjudicator for the AACTFest Region IX Regional Festival in Coeur d’Alene, ID as w
Susan Hardie has directed and appeared in scores of productions throughout Spokane, WA and the region over the past forty years. Directing is her passion, and recent projects include An Iliad and The Long Christmas Ride Home at Stage Left. She has served as adjudicator for the AACTFest Region IX Regional Festival in Coeur d’Alene, ID as well as a variety of student theatre festivals and competitions throughout the region.
Susan has served on the Spokane Arts Commission, the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Arts Committee and the Civic Theatre Artistic Committee, and received numerous awards including City of Spokane Arts awards for Individual Artist and Arts Community Leadership. She hails from New York, where she received her BA in Theatre and English at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut (they/them)
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut (they/them)
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut (they/them)
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut is two-spirit, a dedicated parent, and passionate advocate for social justice.
Currently in their second year of studying their ancestral language, N̓syilxčn̓ (Okanagan Salish), Alexis is striving to reclaim and carry on their Syilx culture.
From a young age, Alexis has loved to create. They have expressed
Alexis G Tonasket ‿ Sqawaʔłlwut is two-spirit, a dedicated parent, and passionate advocate for social justice.
Currently in their second year of studying their ancestral language, N̓syilxčn̓ (Okanagan Salish), Alexis is striving to reclaim and carry on their Syilx culture.
From a young age, Alexis has loved to create. They have expressed themselves through many mediums, including theater. Alexis finds healing & inspiration in the natural world. Their appreciation for indigenous perspectives of our place among nature fuels their creativity & gratitude.
They believe in the power of learning, creativity, accountability, and inclusivity to shape a more equitable society.
Audrey Overstreet (she/her), Vice President
Dr. Misty Shipman (she/her), Festival Producer
Audrey Overstreet (she/her), Vice President
Audrey Overstreet’s career has been in journalism and PR – mostly in New York City as an investigative reporter at a national magazine– and in Austin, Texas, where she was Politics Editor for the city’s alternative weekly. She currently writes about the arts for the Spokesman-Review.
While serving as Marketing Director for the Spokane Sym
Audrey Overstreet’s career has been in journalism and PR – mostly in New York City as an investigative reporter at a national magazine– and in Austin, Texas, where she was Politics Editor for the city’s alternative weekly. She currently writes about the arts for the Spokesman-Review.
While serving as Marketing Director for the Spokane Symphony and The Fox Theater in 2014, she helped create several collaborations with local artists, including the Symphony/Civic Theater production of Les Mis and the Symphony/Terrain launch of Uncharted. She has been active in many political and volunteer causes over the years, from the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) in the 1980s to a recent stint as President of the Hutton Elementary PTG.
Maeve Griffith (she/her), Media Outreach
Dr. Misty Shipman (she/her), Festival Producer
Audrey Overstreet (she/her), Vice President
A former USAF officer and aviator, Maeve Griffith is currently the Captain of Spokane Fire Station Number 3. She has appeared in Spokane’s 2018 production of the Vagina Monologues and in the Quimby Oak Junior High High School's ground-breaking production of Li’l Abner.
Maeve is also a paramedic, artist, copy writer, novelist and poet. S
A former USAF officer and aviator, Maeve Griffith is currently the Captain of Spokane Fire Station Number 3. She has appeared in Spokane’s 2018 production of the Vagina Monologues and in the Quimby Oak Junior High High School's ground-breaking production of Li’l Abner.
Maeve is also a paramedic, artist, copy writer, novelist and poet. She has been in numerous local television commercials and has voiced many radio spots over the years. Ms Griffith is active in promoting LGBTQ rights in the local community, and has a loving wife, three beautiful sons and their spouses and three wonderful grandsons.
Dr. Misty Shipman (she/her), Festival Producer
Dr. Misty Shipman (she/her), Festival Producer
Dr. Misty Shipman (she/her), Festival Producer
Misty Shipman is a writer, director, producer, and poet. She holds her PhD in Native American Literature with a specialty in film from Washington State University.
An impassioned creator, she began winning national writing awards at the age of seventeen. Early laureates include the Barnes N’ Noble Katie Herzog Young Writer’s Award, the Ka
Misty Shipman is a writer, director, producer, and poet. She holds her PhD in Native American Literature with a specialty in film from Washington State University.
An impassioned creator, she began winning national writing awards at the age of seventeen. Early laureates include the Barnes N’ Noble Katie Herzog Young Writer’s Award, the Kay Snow Award in Adult Fiction (First Place), the Grace Nixon Fellowship, the Hemingway Fellowship, and more. Misty began directing professionally in 2019.
For more on Dr. Shipman:
Marek Nelson (he/him), Treasurer
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kitzig (she/her), Secretary
In the past, Marek had always enjoyed the theater as an audience member, until one day back in 2008 when Bob Nelson and Dave McCallum urged him to take a role in a staged reading for their small theater group. Reluctantly, he agreed. The experience led him to start participating in more readings and eventually fully memorized productions.
In the past, Marek had always enjoyed the theater as an audience member, until one day back in 2008 when Bob Nelson and Dave McCallum urged him to take a role in a staged reading for their small theater group. Reluctantly, he agreed. The experience led him to start participating in more readings and eventually fully memorized productions. Some of his favorite roles include Dasher in "Reindeer Monologues", Krogstad in "Nora", and Danforth in "The Crucible".
Marek has been involved with Stage Left (almost) every step of the way, from the purchase of the building, to the remodeling into a theater space (he and Bob actually installed the first set of chairs), to acting on the stage. He is incredibly proud of what Bob Nelson started and what the extremely talented group at Stage Left is creating in the space.
During the day, Marek helps to run the family-owned software company and trains regularly in martial arts. He has master's degrees in Chemistry and Computer Science, and holds the rank of 3rd-Dan in Kendo.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kitzig (she/her), Secretary
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Kitzig (she/her), Secretary
Lizzie is excited to be a part of Stage Left Theater. She joined the Spokane theater community in 2015, where her
love of arts and crafts got an outlet with managing properties for many shows. Since
then she has taking on the adventure of Stage Manager for the shows: Left Overs,
Arcadia, Fiddler On The Roof Jr., God’s Country, Hecuba, A Pla
Lizzie is excited to be a part of Stage Left Theater. She joined the Spokane theater community in 2015, where her
love of arts and crafts got an outlet with managing properties for many shows. Since
then she has taking on the adventure of Stage Manager for the shows: Left Overs,
Arcadia, Fiddler On The Roof Jr., God’s Country, Hecuba, A Place to Call Home, and
Present Laughter.
Lizzie became the Resident Stage Manager for Stage Left during the pandemic, overseeing such productions as An Iliad, I Am My Own Wife, Squeamish, and Open. She is looking forward to an exciting new season!
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Alana Shepherd is the founding principal of Intangible Light. She has a MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University. Alana spent 15 years in the New York City lighting world, working in design, project management, and sales.
Notable accomplishments and projects include t
Alana Shepherd is the founding principal of Intangible Light. She has a MFA in Lighting Design from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University. Alana spent 15 years in the New York City lighting world, working in design, project management, and sales.
Notable accomplishments and projects include the W Hotel Times Square (IES Illumination Award; with BOLD, LLC), Thompson Hotel Miami Beach (IES Illumination Award; with BOLD, LLC), and the programming and control system design for the Times Square Ball (with Focus Lighting, Inc.).
She is the founder of the North American Coalition of Lighting Industry Queers, an explicitly transgender & non-binary inclusive organization providing advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ lighting professionals. She also works with the larger lighting justice community to achieve equity, justice, and belonging for all marginalized groups.
She enjoys the natural beauty of Eastern Washington, her birthplace and current home. There she spends her free time baking and taking in nature.
For more on Alana Shepherd:
https://www.intangiblelight.com
Michael Schmidt (he/him), Festival Producer
Michael Schmidt (he/him), Festival Producer
Alana Shepherd (she/her), Resident Lighting Designer
Michael Schmidt began his love of live theater at the age of 45 in 2013 when he answered an open audition call for Jesus Christ Superstar, and has not looked back. He took a 2-year hiatus beginning in early 2017 to relocate and settle in the Spokane area and has fallen in love with this city and surrounding countryside. His return to thea
Michael Schmidt began his love of live theater at the age of 45 in 2013 when he answered an open audition call for Jesus Christ Superstar, and has not looked back. He took a 2-year hiatus beginning in early 2017 to relocate and settle in the Spokane area and has fallen in love with this city and surrounding countryside. His return to theater was right here at Stage Left, where he was cast in Hecuba, and he also performed in A Place to Call Home at Spokane Civic Theater. Some of Michael’s favorite roles include Agamemnon (Hecuba), Oberon (A Midsummer’s Night Dream), Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), and Ralphie’s Old Man (A Christmas Story).
Michael is thrilled to be a member of the Stage Left board. He is in awe of the level of talent Spokane has to offer and the warmth and inclusivity of the theater community. “There is something,” he says, “about a group of people coming together to put all the hours and effort in to tell a story that no one person could do alone; all for the love of art.”
Paul J Watts (he/him), Member Emeritus
Michael Schmidt (he/him), Festival Producer
Paul J Watts (he/him), Member Emeritus
Paul J Watts, in his own words, was a thorn in the side of Stage Left Theater, both on stage and behind the scenes, getting in the way of performances by adding scenic painting, sound and light cues for both festivals and season productions since 2017 when Texas ran him out of town. Having pestered the Lone Star State with everything from
Paul J Watts, in his own words, was a thorn in the side of Stage Left Theater, both on stage and behind the scenes, getting in the way of performances by adding scenic painting, sound and light cues for both festivals and season productions since 2017 when Texas ran him out of town. Having pestered the Lone Star State with everything from Stage, Screen, TV performances, photography, makeup and playwriting, they finally had enough. Then he became Spokane's problem.
His acting roles as Fred from Civic Theatre’s Present Laughter and Odysseus in Stage Left’s Hecuba were particularly dangerous. Paul was the Sound Technician for all of Stage Left’s streamed events during the pandemic, and his hard work and dedication played an integral role in the survival of the theater.
Following his death in 2022, he was awarded the title of Board Member Emeritus, in accordance with his desire to serve on the board of Stage Left Theater forever.