Welcome to the SBMT Board Election page for 2022! Every year, at least six of the 12 SBMT Board member positions are open for election by the SBMT membership. (Please see https://southbaymt.com/about-sbmt/board-of-directors/ for links to more information about the Board and the election process). Members elected during this year’s process will serve for two years, from July, 2022 through June, 2023.
We offer MANY THANKS to Doy Charsupharindr, Jennifer Maggio, Raina Parks, Sharon Peng, and Jay Steele who are retiring from the Board this year. And we are delighted to present the candidates for the 2022 Board Election!
Ed Hunter
Soni Kapoor
Stacy Levin
Elizabeth Erin Matthews
Dan Singletary
Braden Taylor
Nicole Tung
Ed Hunter
Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I am currently on the board and would like to serve another term if possible.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
I would provide technical insight to the board on matters involving the theater. Also, since I work for several other groups I would bring insights from those groups into the organization.
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
I would try to make myself available as much as possible for board activities, however, as theater is starting back up my services are more and more in demand so there will be conflicts with shows from other groups.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
Current board member of SBMT. Various roles in the alumni association for MIT in the fund raising space.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Theater production, Special events, Construction skills, Technical skills
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Soni Kapoor
Why would you like to serve on the board?
I would like to be on SBMT’s board because I am passionate about the positive impact of Art (specially music, dance and acting) for the children (and for adults too :)). Being a tinkerer and story-teller (+writer) since early childhood, I felt and saw the importance and results of science+art in my life. I went on to become an engineer and then product manager and marketeer to carry on with that spark of science (+technology) with the art of storytelling (to generate revenue now).
I would love to contribute to SBMT with my passion for art (and human expressions through creative story telling) and use my experience with high-tech industry and non profit organizations in education field to implement new ways to bring more funding, so that all of us can keep the musical theatre alive for generations to come.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
Although I can’t (YET) contribute with 3 pieces necessary for musical theatre (sing, dance and act). I think I CAN contribute to SBMT in three other ways:
1. Driving the education-related programs for social-emotional learning through musical theatre. My experience and passion with non-profits will be beneficial here. These programs will also bring the next generation of theatre artists and ambassadors of SBMT and theatre in the community.
2. Helping with the finances and new ways to increase funding; my experience and network as product marketing manager will definitely help here. I am thinking of starting a funding program with high tech companies in Bay Area (in addition to our individual supporting members).
3. This is related to 1), we all are aware about the value of next generation and youth involvement with theatre. We have such a dynamic and energetic cast and production staff in our shows, but our audience is dominated by experienced people. We definitely need the young blood to carry the torch of theatre to the future generations.
Thank you for the consideration!
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
If there is a passion and love involved, people do extraordinary stuff. Practically thinking, I would be able to contribute with couple of hours every week. COVID has taught us all how to manage and respect our time very well. I don’t think I’ll have any major challenges to serving SBMT.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
For non-profits:
I have seen the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) for children during my close collaboration and volunteer work with a non-profit, Science is Elementary (SiE) from last 7 years. Their mission is to effect systematic change in elementary school science education by teaching students and teachers through hands-on science experiments with day-to-day stuff.
I am also working with another non-profit Music for Minors II (MFMII) which provides music enrichment programs in pre-schools.
I have also served the last 1 year as Vice Chair of School Site council at my son’s school and helped with funding for the kids’ programs and making decisions alongside the staff, principal and the board.
For profit:
I have been working as product marketing manager from past 7 years responsible for $xxM+ product portfolio. Giving me experience with market, people, demand generation and awareness.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Finance / Accounting, Public relations / Communications, Fundraising, Technical skills, Experience with education related programs with children
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you for the consideration. I am looking forward to using my existing skills and learning a lot more from this new family!
Stacy Levin
Why would you like to serve on the board?
I am passionate about the combined power of theater and community, and have been proudly working in the Bay Area theater community as an actor, director, choreographer, music/vocal director, stage manager, producer, and most recently, intimacy director, for over 20 years. After working as the intimacy Director for Company with SBMT this year, I have fallen in love with the people of this great organization. I have been looking for an opportunity to become more involved in the leadership of a local theater company and I also have also been waiting to find a group of people with whom I would enjoy collaborating. I truly believe I have found both with SBMT. I am proud to view SBMT as a leader in the local theater community, and I would personally like to be a part of growing this great organization.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
I have DEEP backgrounds in Human-Centered Design, Youth Education, and Theater Production. I would love to utilize my skills to both support current offerings and to create new ones, whether they be for youth, social justice, outreach, or where ever there is an intersection of interest and opportunity. I am a collaborative teammate, a leader when needed, an educator, and an innovator. I am also a strong communicator, and because I have deep backgrounds as an engineer, a public speaker, a studio artist, a performing artist, an educator, and an instrumentalist, and because I am particularly sensitive to bias as a member of a persecuted religious minority myself, I am able to find common ground and engage with all facets of our broad and varied community. I have direct experience developing youth education programs both in person and virtual, as well as bringing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusiveness awareness to organizations.
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
I am extremely accustomed to balancing multiple part time jobs. As a Design consultant as well as a local theater contractor and private teacher, I often have 3-5 small projects going on at the same time. I have many years of experience balancing the needs of all of my projects. I don’t anticipate any issues if the time commitment remains as advertised. If more needs arise, thankfully I am also fairly flexible in the other projects I take on and can adjust my schedule as need be.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
I have 10+ years of Innovation consulting experience, designing, planning, and bringing new service offerings from large organizations (Kaiser Permanente, Microsoft), to small, child-centered organizations (HopeLabs, CoderKids, Food N’Me). (Please see https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-levin/ for more info) I have 20+ years experience working in children’s theater through CMTSJ, PYT, Kaplan, and Congregation Beth Am, where I co-developed one of the congregation’s most popular and profitable educational offerings by creating a drama program from the ground up. I have extensive and broad education in inclusive practives through both my Masters at Stanford in Human-centered Design and Intimacy Direction through IDC, one of the Equity approved certification programs. I am also a local producer for The Jewish Plays Project, a national organization out of New York, and I am a Rita Moreno Award adjudicator, both non-profits. I come trained in anti-racist theater practices. I also have 5+ years of offering virtual programming to youth.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Theater production, Public relations / Communications, Special events, Construction skills, Design skills, Youth Education, Diversity awareness, Adult Education
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I truly look forward to hearing from you and having further conversations. Though I hope I have communicated my enthusiasm, knowledge, and leadership on this form, I would be most excited to learn more about the needs of SBMT and how I might best contribute in multiple ways to the organization. I suspect that some of the other aspects of my background may also be helpful to SBMT, but for brevity, I have highlighted only my best guesses here.
Elizabeth Erin Matthews
Why would you like to serve on the Board?
As a former performer and nonprofit professional, I feel as though my skill set is perfectly aligned with SBMT. I have heard great things about the organization and am eager to integrate into the community.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
I have over 7 years on nonprofit fundraising expertise, working in a variety of different organizations and fundraising campaigns. In addition, I will be starting a masters program in the fall for Nonprofit Leadership and Management
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
The lift is quite low on expectations. I work quickly and efficiently.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
I currently serve on one board and have served on 3 others. In my work I have managed volunteers, fundraising campaigns, and mentored future nonprofit professionals and volunteer fundraisers.
Please share your skills, experience, and interests
Public relations / Communications, Special events, Fundraising, Theatre performance
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I am excited for the opportunity to learn more about SBMT and the board. Thank you for your consideration.
Dan Singletary
Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I am a current board member with a long track record of consistent involvement. I would like to continue serving in that capacity.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
My 19-year history with the organization, covering a wide diversity of operational experience (Music, Tech, Sound, Box Office, Producing, Budgeting/Finance, Board) brings an important perspective to the board. I’ve also been a part of many different changes that have evolved the organization over that time.
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
On average I volunteer about 500 hours a year for SBMT, and when on the board have attended board meetings consistently. I do not anticipate any future challenges.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
Yes. 19 years experience with SBMT in several different leadership roles. 23 years experience in hardware engineering, first at Cisco, and currently at Apple.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Theater production, Finance / Accounting, Public relations / Communications, Special events, Construction skills, Technical skills, Design skills, Box Office, Music Directing
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
SBMT is facing several challenges right now, including the change to our compensation structure required by AB5, and several pandemic-related challenges, including unexpected schedule adjustments, a reluctant audience, and a general atrophy of our skilled staff and contributors in just about every area, leading to a much heavier demand on the time of those that are still around. All community theaters in the Bay Area are facing similar challenges, and how we execute over the next several years will determine whether or not our nearly 60-year history will continue.
Braden Taylor
Why would you like to serve on the Board?
I served as CFO on the board for 10 years and had to take a break due to term limits. I love this organization more than I can possibly say and with all of the difficulties around COVID and AB5, I would love the opportunity to return as CFO and help this group survive and thrive.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
I have 16 years of financial experience and 10 years experience as CFO on the SBMT board. I feel that my historical knowledge as well as budgeting and reporting skills can be an asset to the organization. Lots of theaters are closing due to COVID and AB5 and I want to make sure that doesn’t happen to SBMT by having detailed budget management and oversight.
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
I currently serve the organization on a number of committees even if I am not on the board. I volunteer 400+ hours each year to SBMT. I will definitely be able to fulfill all of the requirements and take the responsibility very seriously.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
Yes, 10 years as CFO for SBMT.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Theater production, Finance / Accounting, Special events
Is there anything else that you’d like to share?
Live theater is incredibly difficult to put on right now having been a part of Shout (sound engineer), Company (ASM), and On the Town (cast). I look forward to tackling the challenges and improving processes so live theater can continue to happen.
Nicole Tung
Why would you like to serve on the board?
I would like to help SBMT’s continued growth to bring stories to the stage that reflect all genders and ethnicities. I want to be part of a group that creates an inclusive, safe space for all creative talents. I admire SBMT’s desire and conscious effort to broaden their horizons to bring in new talent and move the theater forward with the ever changing world.
How would your service benefit SBMT?
I have been in the theater arts for many years as both a performer and creative staff. I feel I have insight that would be beneficial to SBMT having been on both sides of the table. My experiences in both the community and regional theater settings have shaped who I am. Also being an Asian female, I want to lend my voice to the continued DEI efforts SBMT has set in place.
How do you anticipate managing your time in order to fulfill the requirements and expectations of the director position? Do you anticipate any challenges to serving?
I’m a mother and actor so I’m used to juggling my time! Anyone who has worked with me will tell you that I put my full effort into what I sign up for. I will carve out time where it’s necessary in order to fulfill the requirements. The only challenge may be the July or August board meeting, depending on the day. I will be out of country but can certainly try to Zoom in from there.
Do you have any volunteer or leadership experience with nonprofit or for-profit organizations?
I briefly served on San Jose Musical Theater’s board and helped in their first fundraiser. I also help regularly at Charter School of Morgan Hill, where my daughter attends school.
Please share your skills, experience and interests.
Theater production, Fundraising, Casting, human resources
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I would love to serve on the board and learn more about what is entailed in running a successful theater company here in the Bay Area.
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