Our Team

Meet the Staff

The Opening Act staff is made up of dedicated educators, artists, and leaders who believe in the power of young people and the transformative potential of theater. Follow the links below to connect with them directly.

Executive Director

Alexander Santiago-Jirau

A theater artist and nonprofit leader in arts education, youth development, and community and audience engagement.

Director of Development

Yvonne Roen

An experienced fundraiser fueled by a deep commitment to arts education and equity, working to ensure access for all students.

Director of Strategic Partnerships & Communications

Matthew Greene

A strategic storyteller with a passion for connecting artists to social impact, committed to expanding our reach.

Financial Management Consultants

"In an increasingly divided world, Opening Act’s mission to close the arts education gap by centering students’ voices through inclusive theater education is more vital than ever."

Alexander Santiago-Jirau - Executive Director

Artistic Advisory Board

We are immensely honored by the support of the esteemed individuals who make up our Artistic Advisory Board. These artists and advocates from every corner of the entertainment industry help us fulfill our mission.

Uzo Aduba

Emmy-Winning Actor

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Kristen Bell

Emmy-Winning Actor

Rachel Chavkin

Tony-Winning Director

Dominique Fishback

Emmy-Nominated Actor

Alexa L. Fogel

Emmy-Winning Casting Director

Marcus Gardley

Playwright & Screenwriter

Jared Gertner

Actor

Caleb Grandoit

Actor & Opening Act Alum

Richard Hester

Director & Producer

Matt Hoverman

Writer

Odley Jean

Actor & Opening Act Alum

Aja Naomi King

Emmy Nominated Actor

Kwame Kwei-Armah

Playwright, Director, & Actor

Kenny Leon

Tony-Winning Director

Kobi Libii

Actor

Donald Margulies

Pulitzer-Winning Playwright

Michael Mastro

Actor & Director

Andrew McCarthy

Director, Writer, & Actor

Susan Mufson

Activist & Philanthropist

Lizabeth Newman

Investor & Philanthropist

Christopher Oscar Peña

Writer

Anthony Ramos

Actor

Jean Smart

Emmy-Winning Actor

Cecily Strong

Emmy-Nominated Actor

Patrick Vassel

Director & Playwright

Michelle Williams

Oscar-Nominated Actor

Tracey Scott Wilson

Writer & Producer

"Opening Act remains an inspiration to us all. I had the honor of being a teaching artist over a decade ago, and not only did it encourage me as an artist, but it also fostered my love for teaching young people and giving back to my community."

Marcus Gardley - Artistic Advisory Board

Board of Directors

Jamie Trowbridge, Chair

Tierra Innovation

Iliana Guibert, Vice Chair

Pam Hacker, Vice Chair

Kyndryl

Chris Wilkens, Treasurer

MUFG-US Bank

Ashia Johnson, Secretary

Amazon

Brittany Adebumola

Gregg Arst

Tanna, Inc.

Kym Blanchard

The New Republic

Carolyn Cantor

Leah Day VanHorn

Michael Fleming

Halliday Financial

Drew Garrison

Ali Kamin

Nicole Kwan

Annie Parisse

Anastasia Pronin

Roku

Jonathan Schorr

Tjong & Hsia LLP

Ira Schreck

Schreck, Rose, Dapello, Adams,

Berlin, & Dunham LLP

Chen Shao

Marsh McLellan

Junior Board

Shayna Jast, Co-Chair

Lan Lyga, Co-Chair

Shelley Ortega, Social/PR

Naz Shams, Finance

Maura Cassidy

Sophie Cianfarani

Jackie Eustis

Sarah Frankel

Lucas Gilbride

Shelly Grinshpun

Hunter Johnson

Alana Koenig

Josh Krehe

Andres Martinez

Johnny Mickens

Liza Miller

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