Officers
Michael Connor / President
Michael joined the Playhouse board in 2020 and was elected its President in 2023. He is a theater lover and a long-time attendee of Playhouse productions and events. He and his wife, Noni, have owned a home in Phoenicia for more than 30 years and became permanent residents in 2020. A former media executive and award-winning journalist (The Wall Street Journal, ABC News), Michael now serves as executive director of a nonprofit organization that advocates for corporate accountability in the tech sector. He is also a board member of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development.
Suzanne Frank / Treasurer
Suzanne has been involved with the management and growth of small- to medium-size non-profit organizations in women’s health and environmental education since receiving her Master of Public Administration from NYU Wagner School of Public Service in 1990. Until her involvement with the Playhouse, her community theater experience was limited to stage crewing for several productions during high school. Suzanne moved to Mount Tremper in 2017 and joined the board in the Fall of 2019 inspired by Michael Cioffi’s call for volunteers at a Playhouse fundraiser.
MAURA RAPKIN / Secretary
With bachelor's degrees in both Film and Media Studies and Environmental Science from the University of Rochester, Maura is driven by a deep appreciation for artistic expression and sustainable practices. Her career as an NYC chef, regenerative-trained farmer, and founder of consulting company Napkin LLC showcases her leadership in the food and agriculture sector, guided by principles of community engagement and enlightened hospitality. Maura's management experience at renowned venues like Breads Bakery, The Modern, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, combined with her MBA and Masters in Food Studies from Chatham University, provides a robust background in operational excellence and sustainable business solutions. She is passionate about leveraging her expertise to support the Phoenicia Playhouse in achieving its strategic goals and fostering community connection.
Board of Directors
Mike Cioffi / Director (Past President)
Mike joined the board in 2014 because he hopes to make the theater a central location for the growing arts movement in the Phoenicia area. He is the owner and operator of two popular local restaurants – The Phoenicia Diner and Dixon Roadside. Mike formerly founded Showman Fabricators, growing the company for 25 years into one of NYC's largest scenic shops serving Broadway theater, television and other industries. Mike served as president of the Playhouse board from 2016-2023
George Muller / Director, Technical Director
George brings over 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry, most recently as Senior Director of Production and Artist Administration of The Philly Pops. He is chairman emeritus of CosaCosa Art at Large and a director of Heritage Productions in Philadelphia. George now resides in the Catskills.
Allen Vella / director (past secretary)
After a 40-year career in construction management in NYC, Allen and his wife Gisi relocated to Phoenicia in 2015. Allen believes strongly in community service and is grateful to be able to contribute his time and experience to the Phoenicia Playhouse. He helped lead construction of the new front porch of the Playhouse in 2019 and now advises on plans to maintain and renovate our historic theater building. Allen joined the board in 2018.
Rebecca Brown Adelman / Director
Rebecca co-founded and co-directed The Interactive Theatre Project, a program at the University of Colorado at Boulder, which used theatre as a medium for education, dialogue and as a means to create social change. With an extensive background in theatre and improvisation from New York City, Rebecca studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Circle Repertory, HB Studios and received her MA in drama therapy for New York University. Rebecca is an actor, director, and writer with years of comprehensive training in Social Justice theory and practice. Rebecca has created and facilitated hundreds of performances and dialogues on issues impacting community all over the country.
Roman Pietrs / Director / graphic designer
Roman is the lead Graphic Designer for his company Roman Pietrs Designs. He is also an actor/musician originally from St. Paul, MN. After studying journalism and advertising at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Roman moved to NYC. Roman was one of the founding members of the Off-Broadway hit, The Donkey Show.
Faye Storms / Director
Faye is Realtor & Owner and operator of The Blue Barn Marketplace. Faye studied at F.I.T. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with one Degree in Fashion Design and another in Illustration. She is currently the Town of Shandaken Deputy Supervisor and Co- Chair of the UCIDA (Ulster County Industrial Development Agency). As past President of the Shandaken Chamber of Commerce, The Shandaken Women's Network and board member of the Belleayre Conservatory, Shandaken Theatrical Society, Shandaken Planning Board and Rotary member, she has always been involved in the local community.
David congdon / Director
David Congdon received a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Santa Clara University, CA, after which he did theatrical sound mixing and design in New York City in the 1970’s and early 80’s. His work has included A Chorus Line at the Public Theatre, Tom O’Horgan’s Architect and the Emperor of Assyria at Café La Mama, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Eliot Feld Ballet, various Broadway musicals, and Radio City Music Hall. He has a Master’s Degree in Interactive Telecommunications from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. David is a retired Telecommunications manager and previously worked for Citibank and AT&T. He is the president of the Phoenicia Arts Center, Ltd. board of directors.
Brooke Harrison / Director
Brooke is a long-time member of the Phoenicia Playhouse family and is well-known to most members of the board. A native and current resident of Phoenicia, she has been active in the theater for almost 10 years in a wide variety of roles, from box office ticket seller and stage manager to actor and director. As a performer, she has played featured roles in Nine, The Wedding Singer, The Addams Family musical and last year’s Wizard of Oz. Coming up in October, Brooke’s main stage directorial debut: Little Shop of Horrors. She is currently a one on one teaching aide for special needs children for the Onteora Schoool District and has worked at the Nest Egg in Phoenicia for the past 11 years.
Linda Yassky / DIrector
Linda and her family have resided in Woodland Valley for over 27 years. Linda worked on Capitol Hill as the Legislative Director for Congressman Benjamin Gilman and later practiced law for over 20 years in New York City before transitioning to the not-for-profit sector. From 2008 to 2019, Linda served as the Director of Donor Relations and Special Events at Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), which helps students and their families from under-resourced communities protect their education rights and secure the support they need to be successful learners. Linda continues to work with AFC as a fundraiser and event producer of their annual Spring Benefit. Linda’s theater experience in high school and college (always under-study, never the lead!) proved that her talents could best be used behind the scenes. Linda and her family are long-time fans of the Playhouse, and she feels very grateful to be a part of such a vital local and cultural institution.
Sarah Murin / Director
Sarah is thrilled to have recently joined the Playhouse Board. Bringing years of theater experience both on stage and behind the scenes, she has quickly immersed herself into the workings of this beloved Playhouse! Sarah has been elected as the Production Committee Chair, and brings to the table a passion for teamwork, community and reaching the Playhouse goals. A teacher of Middle/High School Mathematics at Hunter-Tannersville Central School District; Producer and Creative Director of the school’s Drama Program as well as part of many Creative Teams for local community theater productions, Sarah understands that theater is more than a stage. Live theater is truly a place where creativity and connection happens. Having lived in these mountains her entire life, Sarah understands small communities and is grateful to be able to share her love of theater and community with Pheonicia.
Geneva Turner / Theatre & Production Manager
Geneva Turner (they/them/theirs) is a multi-hyphenate, award-nominated theatre and film artist native to the Catskill Mountains. They performed their first community theatre role on the Playhouse stage. They graduated SUNY New Paltz with a B.A. in Theatre Arts Performance and Anthropology, studied Shakespeare in London, and trained with Sande Shurin in her Transformational Acting class in Woodstock. An experienced actor, Geneva has performed with numerous community and professional theatres throughout the Hudson Valley and NYC. They received nominations for a Berkie Award playing Alais in The Lion in Winter with Bridge Street Theatre, and for several BroadwayWorld Central New York Awards — notably a “Best Performer” nomination for playing Emily in Our Town in 2021, the most recent of many roles performed at the Playhouse. In addition to acting, they have a strong background in film production, visual art, and music. Geneva directed and taught young actors for many years with New Genesis Productions’ Summer Shakespeare Intensives, and has worked behind the scenes in a variety of production roles. They also serve on the board of Performing Arts of Woodstock as Social Media Coordinator and Trailer Videographer/Editor. Geneva is grateful to continue working with a focus on artistic development and coordination, collaborative leadership, and community engagement as Theatre & Production Manager at the Phoenicia Playhouse.
