People
As Chairman of the Hitz Foundation, Dave’s focus areas include Mayan archeology, 3D scanning of ancient sites and museum collections, and global sustainability. As chairman of Deep Springs College, Dave helped guide the transition to coeducation after 100 years of all-male enrollment. He co-foundedPlay On Shakespare, which is translating all of Shakespeare's plays into present-day,…
Ayanna Thompson is a Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, and the Director of the Arizona Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies (ACMRS). She is the author of Blackface (Bloomsbury, 2021), Shakespeare in the Theatre: Peter Sellars (Arden Bloomsbury, 2018), Teaching Shakespeare with Purpose: A Student-Centred Approach, co-authored with Laura Turchi (Arden Bloomsbury,…
Ken has served as the president of the Hitz Foundation since 2011. Prior to that Ken was an independent consultant specializing in system architecture and implementation working on projects in Asia, Africa, South America, and the US. Ken also worked as a senior manager for Price Waterhouse Management Consulting. In addition to serving as the chair…
MIGDALIA CRUZ (she/her), the 2023 DGF Legacy (with Frank Chin) and 2025 Re-Focus/Roundabout (with William S. Yellowrobe) Playwright, is a Bronx-born playwright, lyricist, translator, and librettist with over 60 works performed in 150 venues across 40 cities in 12 countries. Her awards include the NEA, McKnight, NYSCA, and TCG/Pew, and she was named the 2013…
Jeffrey Whitty is a screenwriter, playwright, poet and performer. This year he received Best Adapted Screenplay honors for CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (Fox Searchlight Pictures) by the Writers Guild of America, the Independent Spirit Awards, the Satellite Press Association and several more as well as Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. Musicals: the authentic pre-Broadway…
Jennifer Seigle is a stage director, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator who is equally at home in the worlds of theatre, opera, and concert dance. She has served as stage director for Arizona Opera’s OperaTunity program and as choreographer/movement coach for Arizona Opera and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival among others. Her work has also been…
EmmaJo Spencer (she/her/hers) is an arts administrator whose joy comes from helping others pursue their passion. When she is not working around a Theatre you can find her drinking a cup of tea with her newest novel. EmmaJo holds a Masters in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University, and Bachelor’s degrees in Theatre and Communication respectively…
Cheryl Rizzo (she/her) is a seasoned theatre professional who prior to Play On, served several years as Managing Director of the intimate performing arts nonprofit, Boston Court Pasadena. Prior to her time in Los Angeles, she worked with legendary Broadway producer Joan Stein and general manager Albert Poland. These two mentors introduced her to the…
Mantra (she/any) is a playwright, comedian, and director from Bangalore, India, and based in Chicago. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Theatre (Playwriting) and Economics. In addition to her role with Play On Shakespeare, she is also part of the Development team at Lookingglass Theatre, and is occasionally a Teaching Artist for…
Mark has worn many hats in theatre: actor, director, stage manager, theatre manager, and producer. In his current home of Ashland, Oregon, he has worked for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre. His directing credits include productions of: Mister Roberts, Reckless, The Last Five Years (West Coast Premier), A Bright Room Called Day, Born Yesterday, Picasso at the Lapin…