Bios for Board of Directors Candidates:
Rob Ward
Rob was fresh out of withdrawing from college when he decided to come by and see if a designer he had worked with in high school was still doing theatre at a community theatre in Nyack. That designer, Bob Olson, was indeed doing theatre at Elmwood, and shortly after arriving Rob became a regular. His first production was 1982’s production of ‘A Flea In Her Ear’, and for the following three seasons Rob kept learning and working alongside other volunteers – building sets, hanging lights and improving our theatre. He applied for and was accepted to attend the Design/Technology program at SUNY Purchase. While there he met the love of his life and 35 glorious, fun-filled years later he is most grateful. He graduated in 1988 with a BFA in Technical Production. He and his wife Meg opened and closed a scene shop, had two children, moved to Blooming Grove and made a home.
Rob has assumed many roles here at Elmwood – director, Board member, President, producer, stage manager, designer and technical director – but is most proud of his recent work improving our shop and establishing and engaging a new group of artisans and craftspeople – much as he was mentored and looked after when he started here. He has collaborated on dozens of shows both here and at neighboring theatres but lately likes to work his magic in Nyack at 10 Park Street. He is avid outdoorsman and Eagle Scout, and he was awarded the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award for his dedicated service to the youth that Scouting serves. He is a proud member of IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local #311. He will retire this fall after nearly forty years in scene shops and backstage on Broadway.
Gina DeFelice
During my 30 years in Rockland, the arts have been a constant thread in both my personal life and my service to others. As a mother, I have supported my children in their study of music, dance, fine arts, and theater. As a volunteer, I have been involved with Rockland Youth Dance Ensemble, doing everything from usher to ticket sales to volunteer stagehand (and sometime performer). As a member of RYDE’s Board of Governors (currently serving as Board Secretary) I’ve had the opportunity to support its mission in a deeper, more strategic way.
I believe strongly in the connection of art to our very humanity. When my children were determined to pursue their artistic passions, we flipped the script and made traditional schooling their “extracurricular” activity: they did their academic work at home so they spend more time playing music, dancing, painting, and acting. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the confidence, discipline, and joy that creative expression brings. It’s something I’ve witnessed in my own family and across this community. My connection to Elmwood Playhouse began with hosting a fundraiser at my home, where I was fortunate to be introduced to this incredible network of artists and storytellers who are devoted to bringing people together through theater. Through my subsequent work on fundraising committees with Elmwood, RYDE and ACOR, I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to sustain an arts organization and how essential community support is to that effort.
Elmwood Playhouse brings people together, makes us think and feel, and creates shared experiences. We need this now more than ever. I would be honored to contribute to Elmwood’s continued success by supporting its mission, strengthening its community ties, and helping ensure it remains a welcoming and inspiring place for years to come.
Mimi Leahey
Mimi began hanging out at Elmwood in the 1960s while attending Nyack High School. The playhouse was alive with creativity, and it was her good fortune to be welcomed and tutored by many of the theater’s legendary members. Besides providing generous opportunities to perform and to learn by doing, they also supplied healthy doses of invaluable backstage advice. Those years forged a lasting bond which Mimi and her husband Scott Nangle continued while living in NYC, and when moving to West Nyack in 1991 with their sons Joe and Harry.
After graduating from Manhattanville in 1970 with a BA in English, Mimi studied at HB Studios, and acted professionally Off-Broadway, in regional productions, commercials, and in short roles for film and TV. She also earned her MFA in creative writing, and worked as a reader for a literary agency, an editor, theater reviewer, free-lance magazine writer and interviewer, and ultimately for over 25 years as a writer for daytime television (All My Children, Another World, As The World Turns) and telenovelas, receiving three Writers Guild Awards, eight Emmy nominations and one International Emmy. She is a strong union supporter and is a Lifetime Member of The Writers Guild. Mimi has taught creative writing at Marymount, primarily in the prison program at Beford Hills and at Sing Sing for the Rehabilitation for the Arts initiative. She has served on and chaired Elmwood’s Play Selection Committee and co-produced shows at Elmwood in recent years including Dracula, The Shape of Things, Young Frankenstein, and The Nance. She is the book writer (along with her son Harry) for an original musical Surfin’ Days which had its world premiere in 2024. She is currently a staff writer for the streaming crime drama, The Bay.
Derek Tarson
Derek has been president of the Elmwood Board of Directors for the last two years, with a long record of service to Elmwood, including service on the Elmwood Board in 1989-1991, 2009- 2017, and now 2023-present. He was treasurer of Elmwood from October 2010 to June 2017, and still reviews the financial information and coordinates with Elmwood’s CPA to ensure that Elmwood’s non-profit financial filings are accurate. He is co-chair, with Michael Edan, of the Workshop program, and he runs the Public Domain Players to arrange readings of classic plays. And, of course, he is both an actor and director on Elmwood’s stage. Derek considers one of his strengths to be the ability to see both sides of an issue and to ensure that all voices are heard in working to reach a resolution. He also knows that people’s time is valuable and, while making sure that everyone’s voices are heard, he works hard to move meetings along in an orderly fashion. He has used these qualities in the last two years as president, and hopes to do so for another year or two until his term as president reaches a natural end. He’s lucky in being part of the Elmwood family and hopes to serve on the Board once more.
Bios for Play Selection Committee:
Janet Fenton
I initially came to the theater, 45 years ago, through the eye of a needle, recognized for my ability to sew and subsequently costume productions. I have been in this position, at Elmwood, for the past ten seasons. In 2020, I was asked to consider running for the Play Selection Committee to add a technical perspective to the decision-making process. While admittedly not as familiar with theater as those who have spent a good deal of their lives honing their craft, I do believe my understanding of the technical aspects and budgetary constraints is an asset. In my role centering around costume design, it has been necessary for me to delve fully into the psyche of each character through the playwright’s dialogue and/or directions to enhance the audience’s understanding of the characters by a visual incarnation of the characters’ self through costume. My tenure on the committee has broadened my facility with reading and discussing plays suggested by potential directors and other committee members. Furthermore, I have come to respect the process of selecting a well-balanced and financially feasible season. The insight shared as we discuss the various genres, subplots, and characters of each play presented by my fellow PSC committee members. As a member of this particular theater community, and a member of the Play Selection Committee
