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ADVISORY BOARD

ETCA has secured the support and counsel of several individuals who work in the arts and/or higher education and are committed to being a resource as we develop and operate this training center. 

Our current advisory board is:

  • JODY ELFF: Grammy Award-winning audio engineer, sound artist and designer.
  • SEENA HODGES: Founder and CEO of The Woke Coach, author of “From Ally to Accomplice” and communications executive with several organizations in NYC and Minneapolis, and former Board President of the Walker Art Center.
  • MICHAEL MCELROY, Tony Award®-winning founder of Broadway Inspirational Voices, founding member of Black Theatre United, and Professor at Howard University, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
  • CHRISTINE O'CONNOR: executive coach and fundraising consultant for the arts, former principal of Albert Hall and Associates search firm, and former instructor in arts management at University of Washington, Seattle University and San Francisco State University.
  • JOEY PARNES: Tony Award®-winning Broadway producer and member of the Broadway League Labor Committee; teaches Producing for Commercial Theater at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.
  • HENRY A. J. RAMOS: Senior Fellow, The New School, Institute on Race, Power and the Economy and a former Jerry Brown appointee to the California Community Colleges system Board of Governors (2010-2015).

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • CHRIS BONEAU (BOARD CHAIR): With his business partner Adrian Bryan-Brown, Chris has represented over 400 plays and musicals which have won 254 Tony Awards® and 12 Pulitzer Prizes. For 16 years Chris served as Disney Theatrical Productions publicist and public relations strategist launching Disney on Broadway. For seven years, Chris represented The Book of Mormon. Chris serves on the Steering Committee for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, is an adjunct professor at Columbia University's Oscar Hammerstein II Center for Theatre Studies, and is on the board of the Atlantic Theater Company. Chris leads the media training team at BBB working with entertainment, corporate and private clients.
  • FRANK BUTLER: Co-Founder and Head of Stagecraft and Technology, Empire Training Center for the Arts.
  • JANNERA CRUZ: Jannera has been the passionate and dedicated Financial Development Center (FDC) Manager for three years, a role that allows her to inspire and guide clients on their journey to better financial habits and lasting success. Combining her expertise in financial counseling and case management with her background in family services, mental health, and social work, Jannera connects with each client on a deeply personal level, fostering trust and understanding. Her unique approach blends practical education with emotional support, enabling individuals and families from all walks of life to master their finances, overcome counterproductive behaviors, and build a brighter future. Jannera’s teaching experience adds an extra layer of effectiveness, making her a powerhouse in helping others achieve their goals with confidence. Beyond her work at the FDC, Jannera’s heart beats for community service. As a board member for Family Services Inc. and Hudson River Housing, and a dedicated volunteer mentor for the Youth Leadership program with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, she’s a steadfast advocate for progress and empowerment. Jannera’s mission is simple yet impactful: to create meaningful change and measurable results for her community, one step at a time. When Jannera isn’t working or volunteering, you’ll likely find her brainstorming ways to make an even greater impact or inspiring others to take charge of their financial and personal growth.
  • PETER FLYNN: s a NYC-based director who focuses on staging new works and reimagining the American Musical Theatre canon. His work has been seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, on national tours, and at regional theaters including the Guthrie Theater, the Kennedy Center, and Ford’s Theatre where he is an Associate Artist. Peter has directed many of Broadway's most highly regarded performers including Andréa Burns, Sutton Foster, Whoopi Goldberg, Josh Groban, Andrea Martin and B.D. Wong. Most recently, Peter directed a new production of Fiddler on the Roof for the Olney Theatre Center in Washington, D.C. which focused the story on the immigrant experience and its relevance to our country’s current crisis. Last summer, Peter directed The Eyes of the World, a multimedia symphonic piece about WWII, collaborating with conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. The performance was aired on PBS nationwide and was invited for an Encore Performance for President Biden and guests at the White House in December 2024. He also directed the world premiere of the new South African musical, Calling Us Home by Alice Gillham, which is set for an 8 country tour through the sub-Saharan continent this fall. Peter is the first American director to helm an African tour, and CNN is capturing the moment in a new documentary. Peter is proud to be an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at Montclair State University.
  • KAITLIN HOPKINS: Kaitlin Hopkins is an award-winning educator, director, producer, and actress, performing on and off Broadway, national/international tours, and in film/television for more than 30 years. She created the BFA in Musical Theatre degree at Texas State University, where she was a Full Professor and Head of Musical Theatre. Hopkins pioneered groundbreaking research on mental wellness for performing artists, co-founding Living Mental Wellness, a holistic, evidence-based company that offers educational programs to enhance mental wellness through an integrated scientific life skills model. Hopkins is a fundraiser and consultant for arts organizations worldwide and is the creator and CEO of Fontus Dry Mouth Lozenges. Kaitlinhopkins.net
  • BRYAN OLSON: Bryan Olson, a renowned touring monitor engineer, founded Firehouse Productions in 1984, driven by his passion for delivering exceptional sound experiences. His journey began in the vibrant music scene of the 80s and 90s, where he honed his skills alongside iconic artists like Peter Gabriel, The Cure, and Tears for Fears. Firehouse Productions, aptly named for its original location in a Brooklyn firehouse, quickly gained recognition for its high-quality sound reinforcement systems, serving major tours, broadcast events, and corporate clients. Olson's visionary leadership led to the strategic acquisition of Syntonic LLC in 2010, expanding Firehouse's expertise and reach into the corporate sector and the West Coast market. Today, with state-of-the-art facilities in New York and Las Vegas, Firehouse Productions continues to be a leader in the industry, known for its unwavering commitment to delivering premium sound quality and flawless service, a testament to Olson's enduring legacy of excellence.
  • TRISH SANTINI: Co-Founder and Executive Director, Empire Training Center for the Arts.