Board

Michelle, who currently works in the biotech industry, has always found that her heart also lies in the performance arts. Recently, she was seen in Merely productions as Ram Dass in Little Princess and as The Winter Witch in Narnia. As she is committed to developing and maximizing talent of all ages, she steps on as President with a goal to help people of all levels of ability in theater and musical theater expand their horizons and learn from one another. She is also encouraged by the plethora of talent that she has seen on the stage here at Merely, as well as in the surrounding Baltimore area. Merely has always stood on the forefront of theater, especially children’s and young adult theater. Michelle only hopes to continue that trend.

While helping to develop talent is something that is close to Michelle’s heart, she also loves to be onstage. Recent roles have included Sarah in Ragtime, Charlaine in Ain’t Misbehavin’, Jewel in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Narrator in Joseph. Direction credits include Musical Director of Enchanted Sleeping Beauty, and Director/Musical Director of Wonderland.

Ultimately, the goal of theater is to allow an escape into a world where one can be free to think, feel, and experience something that they would not be able to experience in actual reality. It is a form of expression that in our current society we desperately need. She is ecstatic to be in this position and be able to provide this service to actors, musicians, singers, performers, and technical staff, as well as and including theater enthusiasts of all types.

Beverly van Joolen, Artistic Director

Beverly is a firm believer in community service and finds there is no better way to serve than through Community Theatre. From the actors to the stagehands, Community Theatre cast and crew provide high quality entertainment at an affordable price. In addition, community theatre cast and crew are professional minded, committed to their audiences, and dedicated to their craft. Best of all, however, local productions provide patrons of all ages and walks of life, who might not have the means, mobility, or time to attend a Broadway or big budget performance, the chance to experience the excitement and intensity of live theatre.

A film and theatre critic by trade, Beverly is also a director and temporarily unpublished playwright. She's been performing in one venue or another since forever, and loves the immediacy and unpredictability of theatre. The wife of a naval officer, Beverly has enjoyed living in beautiful resort towns from Monterey, California to Hamburg, Germany. In each city, she has taken the opportunity to become involved in theatre through either directing, reviewing, acting, singing, or developing both adult and youth theatre programs. Her degree is in Rhetorical Communications, from California State University, Long Beach.

Since settling in Severna Park four years ago, Beverly has directed for Colonial Players, Annapolis Summer Garden, and Merely Players. Onstage, she's played Beulah in Laurel Mill Playhouse's Last Night at the Ballyhoo, and Mazeppa in ASGT's Gypsy. Other favorite roles are Miss Hannigan (Annie) and Baroness Schrader (Sound of Music) - she loves playing the evil ones. Beverly has critiqued for The Capital, Bay Weekly, and Trident. Her drama program,Troupe Imaginarium, is offered at Chesapeake Arts Center, Cato Center for Performing Arts, and is available to schools and for private groups. www.tidrama.com.

RECRUITING, Secretary

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

RECRUITING, Costume Manager

Alice Tarpley, Grants Director

Alice became involved with Merely Players when her daughter, Erin, was cast in "Tom Sawyer" in 2000. She has been active in behind-the- scenes roles as the company's treasurer and grant writer. Alice retired as a colonel last year following a 26-year career in the Air Force. She is currently employed as the Assistant Director of International Social Service-USA branch and is an adjunct faculty member in sociology at UMUC. She considers the most important, not to mention the absolute best, role in her life that of being mother to her daughters, Erin and Lauren.

RECRUITING, Workshop Coordinator

RECRUITING, Special Events & Hospitality

RECRUITING Archives Coordinator

RECRUITING, Fundraising Chair

RECRUITING, Newsletter

OPEN POSITIONS

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PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR handles front of the house duties for each production; ie. facility scheduling & contracting, rehearsal schedules, organizes initial cast meeting and cast packets, recruits and assigns production staff from cast parents, family, & friends and outsides sources as necessary, manages production staff, works closely with Director's Assistant to fulfill obligations, also works closely with Director, Artistic Director, Technical Director, Stage Manager, & CAC Facility Manager. Stipend position during each show run.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR works with Director to create set design, manages construction & technical teams, schedules and oversees both Load-in and Strike, manages special effects. Stipend offered during each show run.ADVERTISING

Coordinates with Publicity Director and local newspapers to buy, design, and track ads for our shows and special events.

COSTUME MANAGER

COSTUME & PROPS MANAGER: Manages costume & props closet, advises costume mistress for each show. Non-stipend position.

STUDENT CHAIRS

MEMBERSHIP

Manages membership roster, forwards e-mail promotions as requested by other Board members, recruits & processes new members, and implements, processes, & tracks annual pledge drive.

WEBMASTER

Manages and updates website as needed.

HOSPITALITY & SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Organizes annual appreciate beach party, manages show concession inventory, and coordinates show concessions with Production Manager & show volunteers. May organize Winter Holiday Event or other occasional celebrations.

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Manages & maintains listing of all volunteer candidates for MP committees and special events by reviewing membership application forms and assigning new members/volunteers, with jobs and ensuring each new recruit is provided with all information pertinent to volunteering with Merely Players.

RECRUITER

Canvasses the current cast, parents, audience members, Senior Centers, Retirement Communities, and other individual or group which might provide volunteers to serve on the MP Board, committees, or Artistic and Production Crew and Cast.

CONTACT US
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CURRENT BOARD

Michelle Harmon
President

Beverly Hill van Joolen

Artistic Director

Leslie Everitt
Secretary & Founding Member

Vince van Joolen
Treasurer

Brian Butler

Band Director

Ruth Capobianco

Vocal Director

Timoth Copney

Choreography Director

Erin Tarpley
Play Selection Chair

Lisa Pastella

Publicity Director

CURRENTLY RECRUITING!
Costume Manager

Abby Grainger

Technical Director

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Michelle Studnicky
Newsletter

CURRENTLY RECRUITING

Membership

CURRENTLY RECRUITING

Archives & Calendar

Emily Cory

Workshop Chair

John Studnicky

Fundraising & Planning Director

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