Our Staff
Kifah Abdulla Visitor Program Assistant
Skylar Ahern Visitor Services Associate
Lindz Amer Theatre Program Assistant
Lindz (they/them) wears many hats these days, but everything they do has always stemmed first and foremost from their love of theater! They fell in love with children's storytelling in undergrad at Northwestern University and now are a professional children's performer, speaker, author, online educator, and entrepreneur! When they're not teaching music to preschoolers, playing improv games, or galavanting across the country bringing LGBTQ+ education to kids and families, you'll probably find them in the kitchen cooking or hanging out with their wife and two rescue dogs. Originally hailing from New York City, they transplanted to Maine in 2019 and are exciting to continue to plant their roots in New England at CMTM!
Reba Askari Theatre Artistic Director
Reba Askari is Theatre Artistic Director of Maddy’s Theatre at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine and a proud native of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She majored in Theatre Arts and minored in Women’s Studies at Mount Holyoke College and holds a Masters in Theatre Education from Emerson College. Reba served as a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. Reba is currently a company member of Mad Horse Theatre Ensemble, and has worked at CMTM since the organizational merger in 2008. Reba has spent the past decade creating children’s theatre by kids for kids, harnessing the power of the dramatic arts as a powerful teaching tool.
Sage Bartlett Theatre Production Associate
Sage is an enthusiastic theatre artist who is super excited to be joining the team for the long run after working at CMTM last summer as one of the theatre interns. Sage has been a theatre tech/design student at the University of Southern Maine for the last four years, where they found a passion for set building & painting, puppetry, and all things creative. They are super excited to take their next step into the professional world via the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine!
Jacob Burton Visitor Services Manager
Julie Butcher Pezzino Executive Director
Carnegie Mellon University, M.S., H. John Heinz III College, Concentration in Public Policy and Management & American University, B.A. in Communications
Julie has led the organization since July 2019 and together with her colleagues, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a move to a brand new facility over the course of 2020 and 2021. Prior to joining CMTM, she served as Executive Director of Grow Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, where she worked alongside city and regional policy makers, leaders of underserved communities, as well as funders to increase access to green space and implement healthy food programs for children and families. Julie currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at Full Plates, Full Potential. She lives in Portland with her husband, two children and two dogs. When not at work, Julie enjoys sailing, skiing and anything connected to the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Joey Christian Visitor Program Associate
Joey is a Visitor Program Associate at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. He grew up in Scarborough, Maine, where he spent much of his time cultivating his various affinities for history, philosophy, and music. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine but plans to return to school in the future. Joey's goal for working at CMTM is to create a sense of belonging for those he meets and to spark interest in any way he can. Outside of work, Joey can be found making and listening to music, creating art, hanging out with his cat, and finding different places to observe nature, especially the ocean.
Hannah Daly Marketing & Communications Associate
Hannah Daly (she/her) joined CMTM as the Marketing & Communications Associate in 2023. Raised in the vibrant arts community of Portland, she performed often with the Children’s Theatre of Maine during her childhood, and is delighted to be back supporting the incredible work being done at CMTM. Hannah holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, with additional training from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. In addition to her work in marketing and communications, Hannah also works as an actor and a photographer. Outside of wearing her many creative hats, she can often be found reading, making big pots of soup, and exploring the beauty of Maine with her fiancé and dog.
Emily Dixon Theatre Production Manager
Emily Dixon is the Theatre Production Manager at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Emily holds a degree in Theater & Dance from Keene State College. She served as the Technical Director at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT the stage manager at MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, and the assistant camp director of MoCo's CAKE Summer Arts Camp. Emily loves watching kids make discoveries about themselves and their place in the world as they develop lifelong skills through theater.
Deanne Dutton Development Manager
Originally from the Belfast Maine area, Deanne has lived on both the East and West coast. Deanne has a BA in Theatre from the University of Maine with professional internships at both Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, WI and the New York Theatre Workshop in New York, NY. Deanne has close to a decade of non-profit management experience and has been volunteering with non-profits since she was a teenager. Deanne joined the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine when she moved to the Portland area in September 2016. When she is not fundraising for CMTM, Deanne enjoys painting, going for walks in the woods and spending time with her family.
Nolan Ellsworth Visitor Program Associate
Nolan Ellsworth (he/him) is a Visitor Program Associate at the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine. His interests have not changed much since childhood – he still enjoys drawing characters, creating stories, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with animals. He is proud and honored to work for an organization that encourages people of all ages to play. When not at work, Nolan enjoys freelancing as a performer and writer and is a co-creator of the Portland-based theatrical adventure Aardvark Boat Tours!
Lucious Fox Visitor Services Assistant
Megan Franasiak Finance & HR Associate
Megan Franasiak is an Finance & HR Associate at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. They hold a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Boston University and a MFA from Maine College of Art & Design. They created puppets for the performance of The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus at Maddy’s Theatre in the fall of 2021. CMTM’s mission resonated with them and Megan decided to become more involved by joining the staff. Megan is an interdisciplinary artist who also finds joy in conducting art classes with students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities. They believe that consistently exploring and learning through creativity is beneficial for any and everyone.
Sophie Gerry Marketing & Communications Assistant
Sophie (she/her) joined the CMTM Marketing and Communications team in the spring of 2024. She completed her undergraduate degree at Bates College in 2020 and her MFA in Visual Communication Design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Sophie focused her graduate studies on publication design and has a particular interest in artist's books; she now designs, illustrates, and binds books as part of her personal studio practice. Originally from the Berkshires, Sophie grew up running, hiking, and Nordic skiing in the surrounding mountains. She is thrilled to be back in New England after two years in Chicago and can be found running on trails in and around Portland most weekends.
Lily Gilbert Director of Visitor Engagement
Lily O’Brien Gilbert is the Director of Visitor Engagement at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Lily earned a BA in Art History with a French Minor from Skidmore College. She previously taught in a one-room schoolhouse, managed floor staff at a children's museum in Eastern Tennessee and led an art and social justice camp in Transylvania, Romania. She also started a sewing and education initiative to help villagers in Eastern Europe collaboratively move from a subsistence economy to a market economy. Lily is a Girl Scout Troop leader and a member of the Junior League of Portland. When Lily is not at the Museum & Theatre, she is most likely riding her horses, Buster and Pilgrim.
Lauren Grant Education Program Associate
Lauren Grant is an Education Program Associate at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Lauren holds a BFA in Painting with an Art History minor from the Maine College of Art & Design. As a Maine native, she loves to support and spread positivity within her Maine community! She has a passion for education that stems from her desire to spread her love of art and creativity.
Mariah Healy Director of Development
Mariah joined the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine team as Director of Development in 2023. She holds a BA in English from Goucher College. Mariah has spent her entire career in the non-profit sector, previously working for two organizations focused on child development and education in Latin America and, most recently at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Mariah lived in Santiago, Chile, for six years before returning to her beloved home state of Maine in 2014. Mariah lives in Portland with her husband and young daughter and enjoys hiking, biking, and reading.
Charlie Hindall Buildings & Grounds Assistant
Charlie Hindall is a Building and Grounds Assistant at CMTM, and has enjoyed working on various other teams throughout the museum over the past few years. They are a non-binary artist, muralist, and owner of Scrambled Egg Shop, with a BFA in Printmaking from MassArt. Charlie loves working on a team that feels like such a supportive family, and feels proud to work in an environment that values inclusivity and diversity so highly.
Zach Hindall Exhibits Associate
Darius Iranpour Building & Grounds Manager
MA Policy Planning and Management, USM, BA Tourism and Hospitality, USM, AAS Horticulture, SUNY Delhi.
Darius has an extensive background in facilities and grounds maintenance. Darius has a strong educational background and believes that education offers opportunities for growth and personal development. He keeps strong ties to USM, and feels fortunate to be a part of the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine and being involved in the early development of children
Email Darius
Caroline James Visitor Program Associate
Caroline grew up in Northern California and moved to Portland after graduating from Vassar College with a BA in American Studies. Prior to their employment as a Visitor Program Assistant at CMTM, they worked for a variety of after-school programs that facilitated crafty activities, outdoor games, and writing exercises. As a self-taught artist, Caroline is endlessly inspired by visitors’ creativity and feels fortunate to be able to support kids in stretching their imaginations and building their dream projects in the MakerSpace. Outside of work, Caroline spends most of their time beachcombing, painting, and going on walks with their dog Chompy.
Stuart Johnson Visitor Program Assistant
Stuart comes to Maine from the New Hampshire Seacoast not so far from Portland. His background is in physics and he is currently a member of USM's Physics faculty where he teaches during the weekdays. He previously worked as an environmental physicist monitoring radioactive pollution levels of local produce for NH Public Health Labs. The ocean first inspired his interest in science, so he is very excited to be involved in the From the Mountains to the Sea exhibit. He also enjoys working at the MakerSpace and seeing what kinds of projects our visitors create! Outside of CMTM and teaching, he enjoys playing the drums, camping, and hiking.
Annika Johnston Visitor Program Associate
Annika works as a Visitor Program Associate at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Raised in Maine, she has come to appreciate its quiet beauty and jagged coast. Her previous job as a Behavioral Health Professional has developed and strengthened her background in working with and understanding children. She seeks to spark joy, curiosity, and learning through play! Annika values open-mindedness, compassion, and connection which shape and drive her interactions in the workplace and in life. Outside of work, she enjoys pottery, charcuterie boards, and vibrant sunsets.
Sharon Kane Volunteer Coordinator
Starr Kelly Director of Education & Exhibits
Starr grew up in Portland, Maine and is a citizen of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, an Algonquin community in Quebec. Previously, Starr worked at the Abbe Museum for 5 years as the Curator of Education where she led her department to create collaborative frameworks for decolonizing education, interdisciplinary curriculum, and community-centered exhibits that prioritized Wabanaki voices and perspectives. She is passionate about transforming museums into accessible, equitable, and welcoming sites of community building and storytelling. She is a board member and treasurer for Maine Archives and Museum where she advocates for cultural institutions throughout the state. Starr has a background in classroom education and earned her Masters of Teaching from Colgate University where she also received her B.A. in Native American Studies.
Liz Knowland Bookings & Membership Manager
BA History & English Literature, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
MA History, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Liz grew up in South Portland and remembers coming to play at CMTM when she was little. (She especially loved the fire truck and the old space shuttle!) She loves helping kiddos have as much fun as she did, especially as they explore our new building! Liz has lived in Canada and Japan and likes taking pictures, reading books, and watching anime.
Nathan Lapointe Theatre Program Associate
Nathan Lapointe is a Theatre Program Associate at CMTM. Nathan, aka Unique Unknown, found his creative roots in Van Buren, Maine. Starting out playing drums to classic rock music, his love of wordplay inevitably guided him towards theater and hip-hop, both of which he has embraced through his time spent at college and beyond. He and Kyler Henningsen co-founded Family Banned Records with the aim of bringing awareness to the healing power of art and culture. He has also created a hip-hop curriculum with students in Windham and Raymond, ME, and currently uses his music and theater skills to collaborate with the children and families at CMTM. Nathan has performed in multiple mainstage productions in Maddy’s Theatre. As a Theatre Program Associate, Nathan is a key individual in Pop Up Play development and performance.
MacKenzie Larson Development Associate
MacKenzie has been a part of the arts since she could walk. From taking ballet classes and being a part of every childrens theatre production she could, to teaching, managing, and operating non-profit organizations. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for children to feel creative and explore, and giving that opportunity to everyone. MacKenzie spent her early adulthood traveling and finding any form of artistic expression she could, and has spent most of her professional career aiding in management and development of non-profits arts organizations. MacKenzie now resides in Cape Elizabeth with her Daughter, cat, and dog named Miller. In her free time she enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Katelyn Laverdiere Visitor Program Assistant
Katelyn Laverdiere joined the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine in 2021 as a Play Assistant. She was born and raised in Maine and has fond memories of visiting the Children’s Museum as a child. Her favorite memory was playing on the firetruck. Working as a Play Assistant is a dream job for her. She loves interacting with the children and watching them play and learn. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her dog, writing, listening to music, singing and going on walks.
Brittany Liscord Education Program Manager
Brittany Liscord is the Education Program Manager at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. She earned a BA in English and History from Allegheny College and a MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins. She previously worked in museum education at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, and Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH. Brittany brings a love for exploring the world through drama, scientific observation, cooking, and play. She spends her free time nature walking, beach-going, and bakery-frequently in South Portland with her husband, young son, and dog.
Colin Marshall Live Exhibits Coordinator
I have been obsessed with living things since I was very young, especially the aquatic ones. Having grown up in New England the species living in Mountains to the Sea are the very same species that I grew up with and I am thrilled to be in a position that allows me to share those species with the next generation.
Allison McCall Theatre Company Coordinator
Allison holds a BA in Theatre and Art History from Muhlenberg College and studied Theatre/Performance Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her theatrical training includes Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare & classical verse, Boal Forum Theatre/Theatre of the Oppressed, Playmaking & New Play Development, and perhaps any type of puppetry you can imagine. She has been a proud member of Mad Horse Theatre Company since 2015 and currently serves on the MHTC Directorial Leadership Team. Allison works as a professional actor around New England, and when not in a theatre, she can usually be found climbing mountains.
Helen McCain Visitor Services Associate
Azari Minter Exhibits Assistant
Andy Nemitz Visitor Services Assistant
Andrea (Andy) Nemitz is a Visitor Services Assistant. Raised in Wisconsin, Andy holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She spent her 33-year journalism career as a newspaper reporter and editor in the Midwest and in Maine. For the past decade she worked at the Maine Community Foundation, retiring in 2023 as director of communications and marketing. She's delighted to follow her heart (as a grandmother of five) to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. She lives in Buxton with her husband, Bill Nemitz. Andy loves to camp, hike with her dog, and work on their 1790 home.
Aylin Özdeş Booking & Membership Associate
BA Prehistoric Archaeology, Istanbul University
BA Classic Archaeology, Istanbul University
Aylin works as a Booking & Membership Associate and Administrative Assistant at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. She grew up in Istanbul, Turkey and she moved to the United States 4 years ago. Prior to working at CMTM, Aylin has several years of experience working in archaeological excavations in Turkey, historical museums and other non-profit organizations. Aylin loves traveling, camping, cooking and sharing her culture with others.
Bronte Pirulli Visitor Services Associate
Bronte is an artist, writer and New England native who earned her BFA in Animation and Interactive Media with a minor in Creative Writing from Montserrat College of Art. She loves greeting visitors and hearing about their days at the Welcome Desk, and is honored to be a part of such a wonderful team. Her other passions include playing guitar, thrift shopping, storytelling, befriending cats and drinking strong coffee.
Alex Rice Buildings and Grounds Assistant
Jamie Shaw Finance & HR Manager
Jamie Shaw is the Finance & HR Manager at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. A jill-of-all-trades, she brings an array of diverse experiences with years as a bookkeeper, journalist and photographer, and a variety of hands-on and leadership roles in the manufacturing, construction, and service industries. Jamie grew up in the midcoast, and spends her free time looking for good stories and pursuing creative interests such as drawing and painting, sculpting, writing, and woodworking.
Lucia Stancioff Deputy Director
BA Psychology, Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA)
Lucia has a BA in Psychology with a focus on child development and has worked with children and parents for many years. Prior to joining the CMTM team, she taught pre-kindergarten and spent her summers teaching environmental education with Maine youth at Tanglewood 4-H Learning Center. Working with the Museum & Theatre over the past decade, she has spearheaded strategic planning initiatives, led many successful non-profit partnerships, and worked to ensure children, families and community organizations have diverse and developmentally appropriate experiences through play.
Terra Visitor Services Assistant
Hello! My name is Terra and I use they/them pronouns. I grew up in Bath and have lived in Portland for 4 years. I spend my free time crafting, exploring nature and hanging out with my cat, Bandit. I've been coming to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine since I was a kid, and am so excited to be a part of the team!
Juliette Vlachos-Coldreck Visitor Program Manager
Juliette graduated with a degree in Human Services and Family Dynamics, with a concentration in Art Therapy from Lesley University. Prior to working at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Juliette has several years of experience working in the creative arts nonprofit field, designing a wide range of school year & summer camp programs for children. Juliette also created programming for adults, fundraisers and special events focused on keeping the arts accessible and equitable. She loves that the Museum ‘exists to inspire discovery & imagination through exploration & play’ and believes in the importance of STEAM-focused education. When not at CMTM, Juliette loves to be near the ocean, in her garden or home with her pets & family.
Molly Wagner Administrative and Education Assistant
Molly is an Administrative Assistant and Education Assistant at the Children's Museum and Theater of Maine. She holds a BS in Chemistry and in Geological Sciences from George Washington University and an MA in Earth and Environmental Science from Wesleyan University. Her favorite rocks are phyllite and scoria. Molly grew up in central Connecticut where she spent many a school break exploring The Children's Museum in West Hartford. Now she is excited to guide the next generation of science and art enthusiasts as they find their own passions!
Shultzie Fay Willows Director of Marketing & Communications
Shultzie is passionate about furthering mission-driven work that promotes healthy, thriving communities. Previously, Shultzie served as Director of Marketing and Communications with United Way of Southern Maine and, before moving back to Maine, as Community Engagement Director with Lydia Place, a nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness in the Pacific Northwest. In addition, Shultzie owned and operated The Paperdoll, a series of retail boutiques featuring handmade artisans, and had a career in children's media and television production. Shultzie holds a B.A. in Communications from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, an M.A. in Communications from the School of Telecommunications at the Ohio University in Athens, OH, and certifications in board and leadership development and puppetry arts. She lives with her daughter and a small dog, Skipperdee, in South Portland. Shultzie is overjoyed to be part of the CMTM team to help create a safe, welcoming, and imaginative space for children and their caregivers.
Board of Directors
2023 - 2024
Kristin Valdmanis, President
Julie Ouellette, Vice President
Tabitha Lamontagne, Treasurer
Gail Ringel, Secretary
Barbee Gilman, Past President
Udai Chopra, At Large
Patti Butler
Jennie Coyne
Jeff Glidden
Matthew Kesselhaut, MBA
Melissa McKersie
Allison McLaughlin
Rosaleen Parsons
Ashley Pilsbury
Heather Robinson, CPA, SHRM-SCP
Manasse Shingiro
Julia Trujillo
Tiffanie Winters
Jeff Zachau
Advisory Council
2023 - 2024
Ula Polsky, President
Deb Deatrick, Campaign Co-chair
John Adelman
Lindsay Alexander
Liz Armstrong
Michael Bourque
Jim Brady
Elena Brandt
Maddy Corson
Kathy Coster
John DeQuattro
Chris Dougherty
Dawn Gerding
Shawn O. Gorman
Jennifer Jacobs
Jim Marcisso
Timothy Masse
Marci Murphy
Pamela Plumb
Harry Pringle
Michael Quinlan
William J. Ryan, Sr.
Linda Shary
Mary Howe Stewart
Wendy Suehrstedt
Fred Thompson