MISSION AND VISION
MISSION STATEMENT
THEATREWORKS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA STRIVES TO CREATE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE ARTS BY BRINGING SUPERIOR, PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCES TO THE STAGE AND OUR COMMUNITY ON A YEAR ROUND BASIS.
VISION STATEMENT
THEATREWORKS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA HAS ESTABLISHED SEVERAL DIVERSE PROGRAMMING DIVISIONS WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHIN THE CORPORATION. UTILIZING A STRENUOUS YET REALISTIC TEN-YEAR PLAN, THEATREWORKS FLORIDA WILL STRIVE TO BECOME A HIGHLY RESPECTED REGIONAL THEATER COMPANY, PROVIDING MANY PERFORMANCES WITH A WIDE REALM OF SUBJECT MATTER. IT IS OUR REALITY TO BECOME AN ICON OF PROFESSIONAL QUALITY AND CULTURAL GROWTH FOR THE POLK COUNTY COMMUNITY AND ALL OF CENTRAL FLORIDA.
THEATREWORKS FLORIDA PROGRAMMING
1) MAINSTAGE PLAYS AND MUSICALS: PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTIONS
MISSION: To provide, preserve and promote the advancement of the art of live theatre by creating excellence in the arts that is engaging, entertaining and educationally insightful for all audiences.
2) THEATRECARES: COMMUNITY OUTREACH
MISSION: To provide a unique outreach program that promotes accessibility and lifelong learning in the realm of the performing arts by providing full-scale theatrical experiences for audiences who are physically, emotionally, financially, socially or geographically challenged and may otherwise not have the opportunity to embrace and engage in the art of a live performance.
3) CLASSWORKS: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
MISSION: To provide educational opportunities in the art of live theatre to aspiring youth and adults, taught by professionals for professional level training. Through various levels of classes and workshop formats, students will deepen their relationships with the theatrical process, acquire theatre techniques, gain confidence and develop social skills through collaboration and performance while enriching the community with exciting dynamic performances.
THEATREWORKS FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND STAFF
SCOTT A. COOK - PRESIDENT/ARTISTIC PRODUCER-DIRECTOR
Current Bio: Originally from New York, Scott has been directing and choreographing musical theatre and live stage shows nationally and internationally for over 32 years. His credits include: Rock Of Ages (Central Florida regional premiere), Hands On A Hardbody (Central Florida regional premiere), Nunsense, Legally Blonde: The Musical (Central Florida regional premiere), Little Shop of Horrors, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Parade, Plaid Tidings, Cats, Big River, Footloose, Cabaret, Three Penny Opera, Nuncrackers, Deathtrap, Jekyll and Hyde, Meat Street, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, Blood Brothers, Brigadoon, Company, Dames At Sea, Damn Yankees, Eating Raoul: The Musical, Forever Plaid, Godspell, Grease, Guys and Dolls, The Rocky Horror Show, The Taffetas and The Will Roger's Follies. His award winning shows and films include:
• LEGALLY BLONDE - THE MUSICAL: BEST MUSICAL BROADWAYWORLD ORLANDO 2013
• LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: BEST IN FEST AWARD - ORLANDO FRINGE FEST 2012
• THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL: BEST IN FEST AWARD - ORLANDO FRINGE FEST 2010
• CATS: BEST MUSICAL - PIERROT AWARDS 2006
• CABARET: BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR - HARVEY AWARDS 2004
• OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS: BEST PLAY - PIERROT AWARDS 2003
• DECK THE HALLS: AISLING SILVER VIDEO AWARD - VISION AWARDS 2001
• 42ND STREET: BEST MUSICAL - PIERROT AWARDS 2001
• DAMN YANKEES: BEST MUSICAL - PIERROT AWARDS 2000
• 30 YEARS OF HEROES: OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA 1999
Spring of 2006, Scott directed and choreographed the first community theater production in Florida of the spectacular dance musical, CATS. The production was mounted at the award-winning Theater Winter Haven in Winter Haven, FL.
Scott's original show design and concept works for the stage include: Journey Into Jungle Book, Future Fantasia and Tapestry for the Walt Disney World Company, Stories of Christmas for Universal Studios Florida, the first North American staging of Marsinah: A Song from the Underworld, created for Amnesty International, Whose Brain Is It Anyway? and Transitions for Valencia Community College, Opening Ceremonies-Welcome To Our World for the Florida Special Olympics Summer Games 1999, Houdini: the Musical, Sandman and Honor.
His directorial film credits include: Meat Street, Vision Awards 2002, Verminator 2: Ground Hog Day, Ever, Deck The Halls, Wonder Woman - The Music Video and That's A Wrap, a documentary on Florida Film Festival 2002. Scott owns and operates ImaginationWorks dedicated to the design and rental of AUDREY II puppets, the man-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors. ImaginationWorks is endorsed by the NY show licensing company, MTI, as an official southeastern rental facility. AUDREY II can be seen at: Audrey2.com.
Scott is currrently an adjunct professor for Florida Southern College Theatre & Dance Department where he teaches Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre Dance and Musical Theatre Choreography.
AFFILIATIONS: Valencia Community College (Orlando, FL), University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL), Rollins College (Winter Park, FL), Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL), Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival (Orlando, FL), Garden Theatre (Winter Garden, FL), Theatre Winter Haven (Winter Haven, FL), ImaginationWorks of Central FL, Inc. (Davenport, FL), Davenport Arts & Cultural Alliance (Davenport, FL).
JAMES F. BECK - VICE PRESIDENT/PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Current Bio: Jim is the Designer/Technical Director and Department Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at Florida Southern College. He has been designing and directing for various theatre companies as well as teaching at the college level since 1988. Jim served as resident designer for The Misery Loves Company and The Kenley Players, in Cleveland Ohio, where he designed for Tony Randall, Loni Anderson, Barbara Eden and Judy Kaye, among others, before coming to Florida in 1996. Since coming to Florida, he has designed and directed for several Central Florida theatres. Jim received his BA in Theatre from Hiram College in 1984 and an MFA in Production Design and Technology from Ohio University in 1986. After completing coursework in the PhD program in theatre history and criticism at the University of Missouri in 1988, he began teaching and working professionally in scenic and lighting design. Jim has been the Resident Designer for TheatreWorks Florida since its inception in 2007, and received an award for best scenic design for his design of The Great American Trailer Park Musical at the Orlando International Fringe Festival in 2010, as well as the "high tech" award for that production. In addition to his theatrical pursuits, Jim leads an annual Study Abroad trip to the Centre International des Etudes Francaises, in Angers, France.
AFFILIATIONS: Florida Southern College (Lakeland, Florida).
BARBARA ANDERSON - SECRETARY/TREASURER
Current Bio: Barbara has played a key role since the inception of THEATREWORKS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. She has helped to run the company in areas that include public relations, advertising and setting up financing. She has worked for 24 years with several major companies running their PR/ad dept. in Central Florida. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the table in the promotional department and has been treasurer for several non-profit companies in the past. Barb currently owns and operates BARB'S BLUE WATERS - a highly successful pool construction company in Central Florida.
AFFILIATIONS: Barbs Blue Water (Sanford, FL), Sanford School of Dance (Sanford, FL).
ABELARDO GONZALES - ARTISTIC MEMBER: COMPANY MANAGER
Current Bio: Abelardo has a 24-year background with the USAF where he was most recently the Operations Manager, Aerospace Medicine, MacDill AFB, FL. He has a very strong background in management, supervision, training and excels in research and development. He is responsible for creating TheatreWorks of Central Florida's efficient and effective business and administrative operating procedures and policies, as well as negotiating legal contracts, overseeing company and production budgets and has developed a strong research team.
AFFILIATIONS: USAF Ret, Davenport Arts and Cultural Alliance - Chair (Davenport, FL), Davenport School Task Force (Davenport, FL).
ALEXIS SENGE JOHNSON - ARTISTIC MEMBER: DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Current Bio: Alexis is a University of Central Florida alumni with both an undergraduate degree in Management and a Master's degree in Nonprofit focused on organizational development, grant writing and fundraising. Coupling her many years of professional experience in the production of live entertainment and special events at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment with her fields of study, Alexis now gives back to her arts community by merging creativity with analytical insight. She has partnered with organizations such as The Henegar Center for the Arts, VSA arts of Florida - Brevard, Canine Companions for Independence Southeast Region, Rebuilding Together and UCP of Central Florida on a variety of projects that propelled them to new levels.
AFFILIATIONS: Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, FL).
LINDSAY WILSON MOSS - ARTISTIC MEMBER: CHOREOGRAPHY
Current Bio: Lindsay began dancing at the age of six with the Maryland Youth Ballet School. She has studied with the Joffrey Ballet School on scholarship for 2 years, Columbia City Ballet and Michael Steele of the New York City Ballet. She holds a B.F.A. in Dance from Jacksonville University. She has appeared on cruise ships across the globe, created dance roles in Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere and Quidam, and now performs daily at Disney MGM Studios Beauty and the Beast. She has recently written a book called YOU MADE THIS DRINK, YOU DRINK IT and will be appearing on Oprah Winfrey Show next month to promote it.
AFFILIATIONS: New York City Ballet (New York, NY), Columbia Ballet (Columbia, SC).
STEVE MAYNARD - ARTISTIC MEMBER: PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT
Current Bio: Steven has been the Properties Designer for TheatreWorks Florida since 2012. Other credits include: Board Member, Director, Stage Manager and Actor for S.T.A.G.E. productions; Stage Manager, Technical Director, Actor for Moonlight Players; Graphic Designer and Prop/Costume Manager for QiCo Productions. He is IMDb credited for his work as properties master/costumer/special effects coordinator for the Indie film Clarity, and Co-Concept Character Designer with Sonny Dyon and George Perez for Relatively Super. His work as Properties Designer with TWF includes Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Nunsense, Sweeney Todd and Winter Wonderettes.
AFFILIATIONS: Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, FL), Moonlight Players (Clermont, FL).
RON BURRAGE - ARTISTIC MEMBER: MARKETING DESIGN
Current Bio: Ron Burrage is a Creative Director with over 25 years experience in consumer products/packaged goods. He's led design teams for some of the world's largest and most beloved companies, including: The Walt Disney Company, Cranium, Inc., The Olive Garden and Procter and Gamble. Ron's passion for art doesn't end with the products he creates - he's an award-winning musical theater performer, commercial and voice over artist and just finished filming his first feature length film, CORNHOLE: THE MOVIE. Ron has designed all logos for TheatreWorks Florida and it's programs. He is currently Sr. Director of Global Design with the Hershey Company.
AFFILIATIONS: The Hershey Company (Hershey, PA).
JOSH LEVINE - ARTISTIC MEMBER: SCRIPT WRITING & DEVELOPMENT
Current Bio: Josh Levine is proud to be an Artistic Member of THEATREWORKS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. Levine's A Merry Jewish Christmas premiered at Bailiwick Rep. in Chicago and was named No. 1 Alternative Holiday Entertainment in Chicago Magazine, and his Starry Night was part of the Blank Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival, which went on to receive a six-week run at the Second Stage Theatre in L.A. Levine also served as Terrence McNally's assistant on the musical, The Visit, at the Goodman Theatre. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and represented by The Barbara Hogenson Agency. Levine is a playwriting graduate from DePaul University.
AFFILIATIONS: Playwright's Union, Dramatist Guild, Blank Theatre's Living Room Series Artistic Committee (Los Angeles, CA).
JENNIFER MARSHALL - ARTISTIC MEMBER: ARTS EDUCATION
Current Bio: Jennifer Marshall is an award-winning director, choreographer, and actor from the Central Florida area with over 15 years of experience in developing and administering children's arts educations programs. She has been working with TheatreWorks Florida since its inaugural production, Disney High School Musical, in 2007. Jennifer is co-Founder and Artistic Director of The Edge Theatre Company, a semi-professional theatre company in the Central Florida area, and is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer's Society. The performing arts have been instrumental in shaping Jennifer not only into theatre professional, but the person she is today. Her commitment to arts education, deeply rooted in her own childhood, is fueled by a passion to discover and develop theatrical talent in others. In her spare time, Jennifer is a civil engineering project manager with AIM Engineering and Surveying, Inc., where she designs roads and prepares public outreach materials for transportation projects.
AFFILIATIONS: AIM Engineering and Surveying, Inc. (Leigh Acres, FL), The Edge Theatre Co. (Bartow, FL), Associate Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (National), Community Partner, STEM - Bartow Elementary Academy (Bartow, FL), American Society of Civil Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers (National).
MATTHEW JOHNSON - ARTISTIC MEMBER: ARTS EDUCATION
Current Bio: Matthew has directed and choreographed for The STARS of Tomorrow program at The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse (Cocoa, FL) since 2007. During his time there Matthew has helped build the program from 75 performers to over 200. He has also choreographed for Salina Musical Theatre, Melbourne High School and Satellite High School. He has performed in community and regional theatre companies in over 30 productions. Some of his most memorable roles include: Roger (RENT), Phil Davis (Irving Berlin's White Christmas), Kyle B. O'Boyle (Legally Blonde: The Musical), Edward Rutledge (1776), Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde), Riff (West Side Story), and Cinderella's Prince/Wolf (Into the Woods). When not performing or teaching, Matthew works as a Licensed Massage Therapist where he focuses on the recovery and rehabilitation of athletes, dancers and performers for numerous universities and theme parks.
AFFILIATIONS: Massage Envy (Orlando, FL). FSMTA (Florida State Massage Therapy Association), ItWorks Global (National), Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse (Cocoa, FL), Ultra Sports Massage (National).
TheatreWorks Florida is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity; established on April 20, 2007. Division of Consumer Services Registration #: CH24420A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
THEATREWORKS FLORIDA is a proud member of the following organizations: Polk Arts Alliance | Davenport Arts and Cultural Alliance | Visit Central Florida | Polk Vision | Haines City Chamber of Commerce