The C.R.O.W. Creative Team
C.R.O.W.'s volunteer board, professional instructors, and hard working production team believe in the importance of the highest quality arts education.
Halle Anderson (Summer Camp Director / Dance Instructor):
Halle Anderson was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas and moved to Florence in 2012 and back again in 2014. She graduated from Siuslaw High School in 2020. She has been a part of C.R.O.W. since 2016, participating in shows, classes, and camps. She became a teacher for the Coastal Fitness gymnastics program in January of 2020, and she currently teaches ages 4-15. Halle has played many characters in C.R.O.W. productions; including “Saloon Girl” in The Addams Family, “Kala” in Tarzan, and “Yellow Brick Road/Featured Dancer & Glinda” in The Wiz. She was also in choir classes from first grade to her sophomore year of high school. Halle is excited to teach classes for C.R.O.W!
Linda Barineau (Dance/Fitness Instructor):
Linda Barineau was born in Placerville, California, but has lived in Oregon since 1995. In August 2022, Linda moved her two boys from Springfield, Oregon to Florence. Linda has been a small business owner since 2016 and operates A Cut Above Contracting LLC where she provides backflow testing services to keep our drinking water clean and healthy. She is a Graduate of Northwest Christian University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Linda holds Certifications from the American Council on Exercise, Surge Strength, and teaches exercise classes at Coastal Fitness and Aquatics. While Linda has many activities that she enjoys from sewing to crabbing, she has always loved group fitness classes most of all because it creates lasting connections with participants while maintaining and building a strong body and mind. She has always been active and encourages others to stay healthy and strong by inspiring them to reach their personal goals. Linda started working with CROW this last season, when her youngest son was a Telegrammer in SpongeBob, and she performed as a Belly Dancer in the Spring Dance Showcase.
Maree Beers (Director of Music / Board of Directors):
Maree hails from McMinnville Oregon and relocated to Florence after meeting and marrying her husband, Jesse back in 2007. Between work and raising a family, she still gets involved as much as she can in the performing arts. Maree has been a member of the production team since 2012 beginning with C.R.O.W.'s production of Beauty and the Beast Jr. Maree has enjoyed performing throughout her youth and into her adult life including in her wonderful community of Florence. This includes playing “Roxy Hart" in Chicago, and as "Eponine" in Last Resort Players' production of Les Miserables. Maree’s musical background in theater and vocal performance has paved the way for her to teach the students music in every production, summer camp, and showcase she has had the honor to be a part of. She is also officially a C.R.O.W. mom and has enjoyed working with her daughter, Zhade on stage.
Mackenzie Calvert (Dance Instructor)
Mackenzie Calvert was born in Susanville, California where she began studying classical ballet and tap under the direction of Joan Zeuhlke at the age of four. In 2007, she studied with Lauren Baze/Sweet Creek Youth Ballet Co. Since then she has studied modern and interpretive dance and has continued her studies of ballet with Eugene Ballet Academy, Time & Tide Dance Company, Dance & All That Jazz in Newport, and Nevada Dance Academy. Her repertoire with Sweet Creek Youth Ballet Co. included Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, one of Ariel’s Sisters in The Little Mermaid, the "Cat" in Peter and the wolf, the "Sugar Plum Fairy" in a winter collage (excerpts from The Nutcracker), Duets, Solos, and other roles in all of the company's full length ballets and shows. Mackenzie believes dance should be taken seriously, but above all, she believes that it should be fun and accessible to all.
Diane David (Summer Camp Director)
Diane's decades-long career includes touring internationally as a singer, being musical director for a musical theater company including working with Stephen Schwartz on his Children of Eden, appearing as “wife to the man in red” in Disneyland’s Christmas Fantasy Parade, and working throughout Southern California as a stage manager for over 25 years. She continues to perform, music direct and stage manage. She is an advocate for Behind the Scenes, a foundation that supports theater technicians in need.
Kim Erickson (Producer/ Board of Directors)
Kim is a lifelong resident of Florence, Oregon who graduated from Siuslaw High School in 1996. After graduation she attended Lane Community College in Florence and received her AAS as an Administrative Assistant. Since then, she has worked at Oregon Pacific Bank and worked her way up in the company over the last 24 years. Kim is currently is the SVP; Florence Team Leader and Manager of Residential Lending. Kim was selected as Florence's First Citizen at the 2023 Florence Chamber of Commerce awards. Kim is married to her husband Tim, and they have two daughters, Cameron Kentta (18), and Bristol Erickson (11). Kim was President of the Rotary Club of Florence from 2020-2021 and has been a co-chair of the Rotary Auction since 2016. She also sits on the Community Health Board for Peace Health Peace Harbor Medical Center. The introduction of C.R.O.W. came to Kim from fellow team member, Maree Beers, during the 2017 Haunted Maze for her daughter Cameron. Kim quickly became a “C.R.O.W. Mom” and could not be prouder to hold that title. Kim knows firsthand how much C.R.O.W. can affect and change someone's life because it did for her daughter. Kim wants to continue to see that happen for other kids. She is so excited to be able to be part of the team and to make a difference in kids' lives forever.
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Tina Ferkey (Summer Camp Director / Dance Instructor / Props Designer)
Tina is a USAF veteran. She homeschools her four children and co-founded ROCKET homeschool with her friend, Sabrina Hand - which is a co-op of more than 70 families. When she is not building props for C.R.O.W. she loves to blow things up and set things on fire in her science classes. She is a TNR expert for the OR Coast Humane Society, volunteers for the OR Military Museum, and is always found helping whenever and wherever she can! She has rescued more than 270 animals including many bottle babies and feral cats. Tina loves to be creative and is excited to spark the imagination of C.R.O.W.'s students.
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Lori Grimmett (Board Secretary / Grant Writer)
Lori’s creative spirit of the arts and entertainment industry began over 30 years ago building unique experiences for
software developer conferences worldwide. Taking the knowledge and experience, Lori refocused into distinctive guest
experiences for Casinos in North America building and directing numerous event platforms. Lori has driven multi-channel
event revenue streams as well as managed a substantial event staff for music festivals in the Pacific Northwest. Her true
passion is grassroots and community and is excited to be part of C.R.O.W. team!
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Melanie Heard (Artistic Director / Founder / Director of Flight Dance Team)
Melanie is a credentialed teacher with a Master's Degree in Education and was former "Teacher of the Year" for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LD3). She began her performance career at the young age of 2 ½ when she tap danced with a giant stuffed Raggedy Andy doll. Melanie has played many onstage roles, from "Sally Bowles" in Cabaret to “Lucy” in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, to the title role in Evita. Her professional arts training stems from the genre of classical ballet where she studied dance with the Joffrey Ballet, Kirov Ballet School in DC, and Ballet West in Utah. Ms. Heard has successfully directed and/or choreographed both children and adults in 65+ full-length shows. These productions include: Disney's Frozen Jr, The Wiz, Disney's Tarzan, The Addams Family Musical, Shrek Jr, Once Upon A Mattress, The Little Mermaid Jr, The Music Man Jr, Beauty & the Beast Jr, Honk Jr, Seussical Jr, Lend Me A Tenor, Steel Magnolias, Karaoke Kills Me, and You Dirty Rat! To add to this impressive array, Melanie also managed and produced Poison Pen Players, a professional murder mystery dinner theatre company, for many years with her family. Most importantly, Melanie firmly believes in the power of a high-caliber arts education. Following her passion for the arts, she founded, C.R.O.W. in 2011, because she believes that all youth need and deserve the arts to become responsible, contributing members of society. Melanie knows that "The Arts really DO matter," not only in a child's life, but to provide education, personal fulfillment, and happiness to each and every person impacted.
Alicia Hickson (Board President)
Alicia's introduction to C.R.O.W. began in 2015 through participation in The Holly Jolly Follies. She was invited to play an elf named “Prissy,” who swoons and faints over the elf, Elfis, portrayed by her husband, Ned Hickson. Although Alicia is relatively new to the stage - she has performed in showcases for vocal coach, Jason Wood and in 2019 was in the ensemble for Last Resort's Players production of Mamma Mia - her love and passion for music stems back to her grade school days. Alicia attended a 1st - 8th grade parochial school where music, pageants and recitals were part of the curriculum. Her fondest memory: the school choir. "Choir was composed of 4th to 8th graders and choir selection happened in 3rd grade. To be a part of it was something special so when I was selected, I was so excited!" Alicia appreciates C.R.O.W. and the creative opportunities it provides in the arts. "For the children of our community to have these opportunities, to be a part of something special, to be excited; that is something special."
Ellen Jacobson (Executive Producer):
Ellen studied theatre arts in college in Long Beach, CA. with David Emmes, Director Emeritus of the prestigious South Coast Repertory Theatre Company. She married Michael in 1967. She was fortunate to be able to pursue the other great love of her life as a quarter horse breeder and owner for more than 35 years in Southern CA. You might remember her performance a couple of seasons ago here in Florence as crazy Aunt "Abby Brewster" in Arsenic and Old Lace. She wrote, directed and produced for her family's murder mystery company, Poison Pen Players, and wrote the Holly Jolly Follies central theme each year for C.R.O.W. When she was not working in the arts, you could have found Ellen with her granddaughter, Sabrina. Although Ellen passed away in April, 2023, her sprit and heart will remain at the center of C.R.O.W. forever.
Mike Jacobson (Executive Producer):
A founding member of murder mystery troupe, Poison Pen Players, Mike is also no stranger to children's theater, having portrayed both hero and villain in Aladdin & The Swinging Genies (for which he also wrote the score, directed, and played the title role), The Little Mermaid, and Hercules (in which he portrayed "Cyclops," a one-eyed villain in an enormous prosthetic papier mache headpiece, who chased after Hercules' girl friend, played by his daughter, Melanie Heard.) Having been part of productions involving such diverse talents as Henry Mancini and Jerry Lewis, Mike is happy to work with with Florence's talented youngsters and perhaps Hollywood's future stars.
Jennifer Marus (Dance Instructor / Board Treasurer):
Jennifer lives in Florence with her partner and their 14-year-old son. During her work days she exercises her left brain
doing taxes and bookkeeping for Buckwald & Hornung. During her free time, she flexes her right brain with all sorts of
creative activities, but most know her as "the belly-dancer." She has been studying Middle Eastern dance for just over a
decade, and has branched into other dance forms such as Bollywood. She has graced the stage as principal
characters in LRP's production of Chicago and most recently, Mamma Mia. Jennifer loves performing, and all aspects
that go into creating theatre magic and hopes to lend her support for the arts in any way she can while serving on the
board for this wonderful organization.
Robin Mendolia (Summer Camp Director):
Robin Mendolia is a former high school and university instructor with two and a half decades of experience in theatre in addition to teaching English, literature, and writing. She earned a BA in English and an MA in Education. Robin fell in love with theatre at the age of fifteen and has been actively involved in different capacities since that initial spark. This includes running a theatre department, acting, directing, set painting, stage managing, hair & makeup, and more. She is thrilled to be joining C.R.O.W. after a hiatus from the classroom and is looking forward to being a part of the Florence theatre community.
Amy Owens (Board of Directors):
Amy has been involved with C.R.O.W. since the beginning. When her kids were cast in their first C.R.O.W. show in 2011,
she volunteered to help backstage. That ultimately led to her discovering her love for the performing arts. Since then,
she has performed in several shows, learned to make props, helped out with costumes, assisted with microphones, and
has worked backstage filling in whenever there is a need, for every C.R.O.W. show to date. She has treasured the time
she has gotten to spend with her children and getting to know many of the amazing kids in our local community that
have participated in C.R.O.W. In her free time, Amy enjoys taking tap dance classes and spending quality time with her
family.
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Angela Palmer (Dance Instructor):
Angela has always been a lover of music and dance. She fell in love with ballet at a young age and started lessons in ballet and acrobatics at the age of 6. She studied ballet with Doreen Ditzhazy for many years as an adult. 1981, a mid-eastern dancer moved to Florence from California. Angela was an enthusiastic student who practiced and performed as often as family and work would allow.
Angela’s teaching career started in 1997 with creative movement, ballet and mid- eastern dance for children and adults. Teaching is awesome! Getting to know your students and seeing the joy and confidence dance brings is a very rewarding experience. It’s wonderful to have a studio in our town that provides education in the arts for young students. CROW studio is a great atmosphere for teaching and learning. Angela has won awards, hosted dance shows, organized dance festivals, started and administered a dance guild, choreographed for musicals and performed at many different venues.
Cara Richter (Dance Instructor):
Cara is from Pennsylvania and relocated to Oregon in 2017. She has been working with C.R.O.W. since she first moved to Florence, and has created several beautiful choreography pieces and taught several classes and workshops. She received her dance training from Pennsylvania Regional Ballet and continued her passion for dance on the InMotion Dance Team at Temple University in Philadelphia. Cara and her husband Josh have two sons, Moses and Ezekiel, and spend most of their time doing activities with them. Cara is thrilled to be working with C.R.O.W. and she says "I love to share my love of dance with my students!"
Brian D. Sandahl (Scenic Artist & Designer):
Brian was born and raised in Southern California where, in the 4th grade he performed in his first theatrical production and was bitten by the "theater bug", portraying Linus in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. The rest, as they say is history.....he went on to perform in over 150 musical productions, design over 150 theatrical productions and direct for many family theater and Civic Light Opera organizations. His design career eventually led him to his career fulfillment as a Senior Art Director for the Walt Disney Creative Entertainment Team. During that 25 year career with Disney, he designed The Haunted Mansion Holiday, The Christmas Fantasy Parade and It's a Small World Holiday, to mention a few highlights. Brian, now retired, resides in Florence with his two best canine buddies; Scruffers and Scrappy.
Genevieve Shahan (Associate Director / Board Vice President):
Genevieve has been with C.R.O.W. since its inception. She started out as "Hair /Makeup Designer" for Beauty and the Beast Jr., and moved up to "Assistant Director" shortly after. In 2014, she began co-directing summer camps and also joined the C.R.O.W. Board. Genevieve is a long time resident of Florence. She loves her community and is so glad she has found a way to give back, by being a part of the C.R.O.W. family. Before her days with C.R.O.W. she worked at the local Head Start and found that she had a passion for teaching and working with children. With C.R.O.W. she gets to combine that with her love of theatre. Genevieve does enjoy being on stage herself from time to time, playing roles such as “Liz” in Chicago, and "Edith Fleisher" and her brother "Al Fleisher" in Poison Pen Player’s You Dirty Rat! and her favorite role, "Truvy" in Steel Magnolias. "That was one of the best experiences of my life!" she says. But C.R.O.W. is truly where her heart is.
Elyse Stewart (Executive Assistant to Artistic Director / Dance Instructor):
Elyse was born in Billings, Montana and moved to Florence in 2010, where her family has well established roots. Shortly after that, she began taking gymnastics classes for 4 years. In 2014, Elyse began her journey with C.R.O.W. Elyse says, "Wow what a ride it has been!" She has performed in multiple main stage musicals, The Holly Jolly Follies, Haunted Mazes, dance showcases, as well as many other events. Elyse has soaked up every bit of training available to her, always giving her all. Elyse has training in many areas from silks, Lyra (aerial hoops), tap, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and her favorite - ballet/pointe. She has worked with a multitude of instructors over the last 8 years as well as being a part of the Flight Dance Team for the last 4 years. Elyse is excited for this new chapter in her journey as a C.R.O.W dance instructor and executive assistant. "I look forward to sharing my knowledge and love to help C.R.O.W’s mission to provide arts to local youth."
Karen Trujillo (Board of Directors / Scenic Artist / Creative Consultant):
Karen is originally from Marinette, Wisconsin where she became involved in the local theatre in college. Although she has never had any "formal" art training of any kind, she has worked on set and lighting design for about 7 shows. Karen lived in the Las Vegas area for about 25 years where she did a variety of jobs and was very active in the Elks Lodge. She moved to Florence in 2012, and "loves living here and being involved in the local theatre productions." Karen's talents are "in demand," and she helped with sets and costumes and also worked backstage for The Holly Jolly Follies and other productions. She looks forward to many more projects within the local theatre scene.