Meet Our 2024-2025 Board of Directors…
Peter Toomey – President I work to help where I can. And retain a sense of humor?
Career in big companies and a regional advertising agency. Got downsized during a merger, then ran my own ad shop for 20+ years, so I know some business management.
At church: co-chaired Communications Commission, emceed the benefit a dozen times, produced the livestream and videos, now edit the newsletter, cantor services and funerals, and lector. Oh yeah, and lug to recycling the Bulletins, other papers, and yearly the ton of outdated hymnals!
After four shows at Huntington Playhouse, came here in 2000 and had a blast in seven shows. Learned a lot from Directors Bolek, Farren, and McEvoy and President Theis.
Figured it’s time to give back. I’m organized, energetic, willing. Have some pretty fair ideas. Believe in having fun while working hard.
Some folks feel I’m a bit intense at times. Comes from wanting to inspire and motivate others to action. To see good concepts turned into successful programs.
I think my promotions background can help the great people on this Board to accomplish even more – to increase our outreach, create more visibility, generate greater “sales” (told you, I’m an ad guy), and hopefully attract younger audience members.
Gifts are given to be shared. I give you my best ideas and energy.
Dottie Palazzo – Vice President Dottie joined the Board in 2014, after retiring from 46 years at a large international law firm. She joined that firm in 1966 as a legal secretary, was its first paralegal in-house trained for the Tax group for the Cleveland office. She later was transferred to a Firm position responsible for applying for lawyer continuing legal education credits for all states, Canadian Provinces and European and Asian accrediting bodies for all the firm’s lawyer training events. In that position she worked with an IT designer to build the most comprehensive CLE compliance database in existence at the time of her retirement.
During those 46 years she also served for 33 years in leadership positions with three professional organizations. At age 47 she began attending Cleveland State as a part time degree seeking student and graduated in 1996. She majored in Psychology and did independent study on PTSD in children.
She became Vice President of the Board and has been active in several aspects of Clague Playhouse operation, including Volunteer Coordinator and being a member of the Play Reading Committee. But she is most proud of her work as self-proclaimed Editor of the quarterly Spotlight. She had been writing articles often during her 33 years with professional organizations, including having two articles published in National Association of Law Placement’s how to volume Developing Talent. Other thing she is especially proud of is her role in organizing and executing Double Dress dinners for the cast and crew on Tech Sundays for our regular season productions.
Dottie thanks Clague Playhouse for giving her the opportunity to learn a new industry after retirement and to enjoy a new and exciting professional life.
Mary Kay Blantz – Secretary Mary Kay is retired from LTV Steel where she worked for 32 years, primarily in data processing, customer service and as a representative to industry, national and international standards associations. She currently leads a United Nations standards development team, as a volunteer.
She began at Clague Playhouse as an usher and as a helper on the annual Jewelry Heist. In June, 2017 she was elected Secretary and has held that position since then. In this role she produces meeting minutes, sends cards to members, and is responsible for scheduling house managers. In addition, she helps with receptions, ushering, and fund-raising activities. Being a part of the Playhouse family is fun and provides the opportunity to make wonderful new friends and do some rewarding and fulfilling work. She urges everyone to join in the fun.
Laura Andreano – Treasurer I have been working in the accounting realm for almost 40 years. Started working right out of high school for an industrial sewing machine company, Geo. E. Johnson, Inc. The position included, but was not limited to, invoicing, shipping, receiving, procurement, accounts payable and accounts receivable. After 16 years, I moved on from Geo. E. Johnson, Inc. and started working for Vincent Lighting Systems, a theatrical lighting company, as Accounts Payable Assistant. Duties consisted of processing vendor invoices and employee expense vouchers; weekly check, credit card, and ACH payments; and reconciliation of the credit card statements and general ledger accounts. After a few years, wanted to move up in the accounting world so I went to school in the evenings and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Baldwin Wallace College. Worked for VLS for a total of 20 years. In my final year, was promoted to Accounting Controller, where my degree came in useful. I am currently working for Cleveland Catholic Charities as a Bookkeeper, learning the ins and outs of a Non-profit organization. My theater background is somewhat limited. Was involved in community theater for a few years when I was 12 years old. Did some acting, assisted with props, sets, and costumes. Love the theater so I’m very happy to be working for you at Clague Playhouse.
Jeff Lockshine – Production Manager Jeff returned to this role after serving as our Fundraising and Special Events chair since June 2022. Jeff rejoined the Board of Directors in 2022 after a 6 year hiatus for which he previously served as Production Chair and has been involved in the local theater scene for more than 30 years. Primarily a lighting designer, Jeff has designed well over 120 productions, several at Clague Playhouse. He appeared on the Clague stage (with his son Elliot) in Lost in Yonkers in 2014 and directed Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera in 2019. Jeff earned his MFA in Production Design & Technology from Ohio University.
Vanessa Al Achkar – Fundraising and Special Events Vanessa has been working with the prop team at Clague Playhouse for the last 2 seasons. She’s always been interested in theatre and participating in plays since a very young age. She enjoys all kinds of creative arts from music to dance, to social media marketing, which she has a degree in. Vanessa enjoys working with people and is currently a banker at PNC Bank where she takes part in their diversity and inclusion group. She also speaks 3 languages and likes learning about new cultures. Her favorite free time activity is reading fantasy books.
Gregory N. Dziama, O.D. – Education Greg joined the board of directors in 2015 as the Education Chairperson. Youth programs, once a big part of Clague Playhouse, had disappeared over time, and I am proud of the work we have done these last 8 years to bring them back to life. Also, I am pleased to be a part of the rebirth of Clague and Company, the wonderful touring company at our theater.
For four years, I taught science at a public school in Elyria, Ohio before attending the Ohio State University College of Optometry. I practiced Optometry at my private office, The Sheffield Lake Vision Center for more than 36 years. Then I practiced with four other doctors at North Coast Eye Care until retiring in 2019, after 42 years of private practice. I served as president of the Lorain County Optometric Society for two years, and I was honored recently by receiving a life-time membership in the American Optometric Association, in which I remain active.
I performed in my first play at age five and have been active in theater ever since. I am a proud alumnus of the All-Ohio Youth Choir State Fair and European Tour Choruses, the Miami University A Capella Choir, Miami Men’s Glee Club, Cleveland State Community Chorus, former soloist at the Lorain County Community Collegium Musicum, and church choir.
For more than 70 years I acted, sang, danced, choreographed, and directed choruses and plays at many community theaters. For 25 years, I performed improvisational theater for Jovialities Entertainment in places as far away as Minneapolis. Recently, I very much enjoy teaching the Introduction to Theater classes at our local elementary school, directing the children’s plays and choruses at Clague Playhouse, and directing/performing with our fantastic touring group, Clague and Company.
In addition to Optometry and theater, another great love is traveling, having visited 40 states and six continents.
Dr. Greg, as the children call me, lives with his partner of 46 years, both proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. Thank you, God, family, and friends. You have given great meaning and direction to my life.
Samantha Gates – Publicity/Marketing Samantha (Sam) has been connected with Clague Playhouse since 2019. She acted as a stage manager and assistant director for Other Desert Cities (directed by Fred Sternfeld) and The Christmas Express (directed by Doug Farren) in 2019, and for Ada and the Engine (directed by Anne McEvoy) in 2023. She’s also worked in various roles on productions for Stow Community Theater, Weathervane Playhouse, and French Creek Theater. Sam graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in English Literature and Theater. She participated in a number of productions at Bucknell, and also worked for the Theater Department’s publicity team. Sam is thrilled to now be a member of the Board, and looks forward to finding creative new ways to publicize upcoming shows and events in order to bolster connections with surrounding communities.
Charlie Moran – Building and Grounds Charlie graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a minor in Accounting. His work experience includes Aon (a national insurance broker) as Vice President of Finance and Technology, KeyCorp in the Audit department, Wells Fargo Insurance Services as Vice President of Finance and Administration and Ciuni and Panichi (Certified Public Accounts) as Controller and Firm Administrator. Charlie has gained extensive business experience in finance, computers and office administration. He has been responsible for multiple types of office/building needs including security systems, replacing equipment, working with landlords and vendors.
He got involved at Clague Playhouse starting as an usher. Since retiring in 2018, he has assisted Ron Newell with building and painting of the sets for each play. He also works with Dottie Palazzo in coordinating the ushers for the plays. Charlie says being involved with Clague Playhouse is a pleasure. It brings together people for a common goal: to put on a great production and provide the community an evening of entertainment.
Other volunteer activities include being an adult leader and Treasurer of St Angela Boy Scout Troop 401 from 2004 to present. He was the Treasurer of Fairview Park Garden club for 8 years.
Amanda Nyx – Membership Amanda has been working at various northeast Ohio theaters for over two years, immersing herself in the fabric of the local theater community both on stage and off. As an actor, Amanda has recently been seen at Con-Con in Cemetery Calling, at Twin Masks in When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meet, and at the exciting debut of MicroTheater in It Calls From Beyond. Though she loves performing most, Amanda also has found success as a stage manager, director, set designer/builder, sound/light board operator, and numerous other supporting positions. She is also an independent artist, circus performer, and created and manages a local arts and performance advocacy program.
Neal Silvester – Community Outreach Neal has run the lights and sound for various shows at Clague Playhouse since 2022. Always engaged in the creative arts, Neal is also a published author, sometime editor, and lead designer for a small indie game studio. He just published his most recent novel on Amazon and is always working on another. A member of the Rotary Club, he currently works as an editor for a biotech startup company and is planning on going to grad school for an MFA in Creative Writing next year with the aim to one day teach. He’s the dad of two incredible kids, Dagny and Peter, and regularly wrangles an incorrigible corgi called George.
Meet Our Staff…
Heather Smith – Box Office Staff more information to come
Andrew Hanwell – Cleaning Staff Andrew has been a part of the Clague family since 2020 when he took the cleaning position. Outside of the Playhouse you can find him spending time with his new wife, palling around with his friends, or at his day job with the NASA Glenn Research Center.
Andrew’s favorite part of the Playhouse are his fellow coworkers who work so diligently to put on great shows for the public.
“I can say that I enjoy seeing the shows just as much as working to make the Playhouse as pleasant as possible. Supporting your local theater means more than you can imagine.”
Candace Lipton – Costume Shop Manager Candace joined the Clague Playhouse family when she was cast in her first show in 2002, and now enjoys being assistant to the director, stage manager, and costume designer for numerous productions. She also contributes to updates to the Costume Designer Guidelines.
Candace stays involved with prop procurement and set building for many productions but takes special pride in managing the costume section of the Costume/Prop room. She is responsible for all costume drycleaning after every production. She also processes and organizes costume donations from our generous patrons.
Candace also assists other communities and theatres that are occasionally in need of costumes. Her largest ongoing project is costuming the Historical Gateways “Take A Hike” program.
Candace is proud to be part of this dedicated team. Sharing the same goal. To always present the high-quality experience that our patrons have come to expect from Clague Playhouse.
Most of all… IT’S FUN!