Board of Directors
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Peter Espenshade
Chair
Peter lives in Shelburne with his wife and two daughters. Professionally, he directs the Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery. Peter appears occasionally in community-theater productions and is an abiding, active, and avid arts advocate. Peter attended Drew and Yale Universities and (like his role-model Bertram Wooster) was recipient of the Scripture Knowledge Prize in fifth grade.
Ashley Mikell
Vice Chair
Ashley recently retired after working 32 years in Student Life at Champlain College. A graduate of Williams College, she lives in Williston with her husband, Andy. They have two grown sons, and they love their garden and all sorts of outdoor activities. She believes art, theater and music are key elements in a full and satisfying life. She hopes to share the wonders of Vermont Stage with new fans.
Pascal Cheng
Secretary
Pascal has lived in the Burlington area since the early 1980’s and has been in the field of human services for over 30 years at the Howard Center, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. He grew up in New York City and had early exposure to the world of theater through his father who was a performing artist in drama and music. He has been a long- time volunteer at the Flynn Center and has been involved in the Flynn’s initiative to make the arts more accessible to individuals on the autism spectrum. Through his professional work, he also recently had the opportunity to participate in a feature length documentary on adults with autism called “Wretches and Jabberers” (2010) which tells the story of two Vermont men with autism traveling around the world to change attitudes about disability.
Stephany Komen Hasse
Treasurer
Stephany had a flair for the dramatic from a very early age. With a voice that carries to the back row, her love of theater can be traced back to a childhood summer theater apprenticeship in the suburbs of Chicago. She holds a Bachelors of Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and worked in advertising until a revelation on the NYC Subway one day led her and her husband Bruce to move to Vermont, sight unseen. Becoming a Burlington resident in 1970, Stephany joined the rich culture of Vermont craftsmen and spent a decade as a jewelry artist. After obtaining a second degree in accounting, she worked her way up to become Manager of Compensation in the HR Department of Fletcher Allen Health Care. Now a retired citizen of Charlotte, Stephany currently works in clay as a student of the Shelburne Art School and other workshops around New England. In addition to being a member of the Vermont Stage Board of Directors, Stephany is co-chair of the Trails Committee of Charlotte.
Paula Cope
Paula became a perennial groupie when she got bitten by the theater bug in college and realized she had no talent for acting. She has been a loyal corporate sponsor of Vermont Stage for over 10 years, has had one of her stories read at Winter Tales, and gave her second born son, Evan, to Vermont Stage when he was only 11. Paula has a passion for theater and for Vermont Stage in particular. She and her husband, Tim, have two other children, Collin, a musician, and Lindsey, a senate staffer.
Ducky Donath
A New Jersey native, Ducky attended Smith College in Massachusetts before marrying her husband, Frank. After traveling for a number of years, they moved to Vermont, where they have lived for 58 wonderful years. Ducky earned her teaching degree and taught for 19 years in the Burlington school district before retiring. Since her retirement, Ducky has “made herself useful” by volunteering her time to a number of different organizations in the community, including the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, the Ethan Allen Homestead, Shelburne Museum, the Sara Holbrook Community Center, Vermont Respite House, Hope Lodge, and many other short-term assignments. Ducky is happy to be returning to the board of Vermont Stage after a short—but too long—hiatus.
Katie Hawley
A resident of Burlington for more than 25 years, Katie earned her M.Ed. from UVM in the mid-90’s. She has served in a variety of leadership roles at Champlain College, most recently as Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Relations. As her friends and family can (perhaps painfully) attest, Katie makes meaning of life through stories -- reading, writing and telling them. Her passion for theater is a natural extension of her belief in the power of stories to inspire both individuals and communities.
Barbara LeWinter
Barbara grew up in NYC and learned to appreciate theatre productions early in life, enjoying offerings on Broadway and off. Though she never acted on stage, other than being the “Hope of the World” in a 6th grade production, her interest and enjoyment of plays were enhanced at Vassar as her roommate was a theatre major and there were many productions from the classic to the avant-garde to attend. Barbara and her husband, Martin, have lived in NYC, San Diego, England and Vermont and in each location have had multiple opportunities to enjoy and support local theater. Barbara worked for many years as a School Psychologist and has her doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is now an Independent Educational Consultant, (President and Owner of Making the Grade to College), helping high school students find the right college fit. She and her husband have enjoyed introducing their 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren to theater and are happy to report that they all love the experience of seeing live theatre.
Ted Marcy
Ted and his wife, Kim Hornung-Marcy, loved having free season tickets at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT during graduate school in the late 1970’s (med school for Ted; divinity school for Kim). Vermont Stage has allowed them to relive that experience of intimate closeness with the actors, and thought provoking plays. Ted, after a career as a pulmonary physician and tobacco control advocate, is now a professor emeritus of UVM College of Medicine. He is enjoying his portfolio of volunteer activities that include UVM’s IRB for behavioral and social sciences, the American Lung Association in VT, John Graham Housing and Services, Medical Reserve Corps, several community choruses (as a tenor), and especially supporting Kim in her work as the pastor of the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church.
Jenny Morse
Jenny grew up in Middlebury, Vermont where her love of theater first began. She attended the University of Vermont and received a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Music. Jenny currently serves as the Marketing Director for the Church Street Marketplace with the City of Burlington and spends most of her free time with her adorable pitbull, Presley.
Josh Palace
Josh came to Vermont as the “following spouse” when his wife, Mari Breen Palace, was appointed to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hilton Burlington. Professionally he is the Sales Manager for the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise ship on Lake Champlain: A fitting job for someone with over 40 years of sales and marketing experience in the hospitality business. He grew up on Long Island, served in the Army Security Agency, went to school at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has lived, and performed in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. “I am extremely happy to use my talent “backstage” and help the Vermont Stage grow.
Tony Pyle
Tony moved to Vermont eleven years ago so as to return his spouse, Teri, to New England (she is a born and bred Mainer). He turned his love of the arts and theater into a forty plus year career as a trial lawyer writing, performing and dissecting dramas before a small and select audience (the juries) around the eastern half of the country. No longer accepting cases for fees, he is enjoying the world through the arts and all they have to offer to a thriving and healthy society.
Chair
Peter lives in Shelburne with his wife and two daughters. Professionally, he directs the Vermont Association for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery. Peter appears occasionally in community-theater productions and is an abiding, active, and avid arts advocate. Peter attended Drew and Yale Universities and (like his role-model Bertram Wooster) was recipient of the Scripture Knowledge Prize in fifth grade.
Ashley Mikell
Vice Chair
Ashley recently retired after working 32 years in Student Life at Champlain College. A graduate of Williams College, she lives in Williston with her husband, Andy. They have two grown sons, and they love their garden and all sorts of outdoor activities. She believes art, theater and music are key elements in a full and satisfying life. She hopes to share the wonders of Vermont Stage with new fans.
Pascal Cheng
Secretary
Pascal has lived in the Burlington area since the early 1980’s and has been in the field of human services for over 30 years at the Howard Center, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. He grew up in New York City and had early exposure to the world of theater through his father who was a performing artist in drama and music. He has been a long- time volunteer at the Flynn Center and has been involved in the Flynn’s initiative to make the arts more accessible to individuals on the autism spectrum. Through his professional work, he also recently had the opportunity to participate in a feature length documentary on adults with autism called “Wretches and Jabberers” (2010) which tells the story of two Vermont men with autism traveling around the world to change attitudes about disability.
Stephany Komen Hasse
Treasurer
Stephany had a flair for the dramatic from a very early age. With a voice that carries to the back row, her love of theater can be traced back to a childhood summer theater apprenticeship in the suburbs of Chicago. She holds a Bachelors of Industrial Design from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and worked in advertising until a revelation on the NYC Subway one day led her and her husband Bruce to move to Vermont, sight unseen. Becoming a Burlington resident in 1970, Stephany joined the rich culture of Vermont craftsmen and spent a decade as a jewelry artist. After obtaining a second degree in accounting, she worked her way up to become Manager of Compensation in the HR Department of Fletcher Allen Health Care. Now a retired citizen of Charlotte, Stephany currently works in clay as a student of the Shelburne Art School and other workshops around New England. In addition to being a member of the Vermont Stage Board of Directors, Stephany is co-chair of the Trails Committee of Charlotte.
Paula Cope
Paula became a perennial groupie when she got bitten by the theater bug in college and realized she had no talent for acting. She has been a loyal corporate sponsor of Vermont Stage for over 10 years, has had one of her stories read at Winter Tales, and gave her second born son, Evan, to Vermont Stage when he was only 11. Paula has a passion for theater and for Vermont Stage in particular. She and her husband, Tim, have two other children, Collin, a musician, and Lindsey, a senate staffer.
Ducky Donath
A New Jersey native, Ducky attended Smith College in Massachusetts before marrying her husband, Frank. After traveling for a number of years, they moved to Vermont, where they have lived for 58 wonderful years. Ducky earned her teaching degree and taught for 19 years in the Burlington school district before retiring. Since her retirement, Ducky has “made herself useful” by volunteering her time to a number of different organizations in the community, including the Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, the Ethan Allen Homestead, Shelburne Museum, the Sara Holbrook Community Center, Vermont Respite House, Hope Lodge, and many other short-term assignments. Ducky is happy to be returning to the board of Vermont Stage after a short—but too long—hiatus.
Katie Hawley
A resident of Burlington for more than 25 years, Katie earned her M.Ed. from UVM in the mid-90’s. She has served in a variety of leadership roles at Champlain College, most recently as Vice President for Strategic Communications and External Relations. As her friends and family can (perhaps painfully) attest, Katie makes meaning of life through stories -- reading, writing and telling them. Her passion for theater is a natural extension of her belief in the power of stories to inspire both individuals and communities.
Barbara LeWinter
Barbara grew up in NYC and learned to appreciate theatre productions early in life, enjoying offerings on Broadway and off. Though she never acted on stage, other than being the “Hope of the World” in a 6th grade production, her interest and enjoyment of plays were enhanced at Vassar as her roommate was a theatre major and there were many productions from the classic to the avant-garde to attend. Barbara and her husband, Martin, have lived in NYC, San Diego, England and Vermont and in each location have had multiple opportunities to enjoy and support local theater. Barbara worked for many years as a School Psychologist and has her doctorate in Educational Leadership. She is now an Independent Educational Consultant, (President and Owner of Making the Grade to College), helping high school students find the right college fit. She and her husband have enjoyed introducing their 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren to theater and are happy to report that they all love the experience of seeing live theatre.
Ted Marcy
Ted and his wife, Kim Hornung-Marcy, loved having free season tickets at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT during graduate school in the late 1970’s (med school for Ted; divinity school for Kim). Vermont Stage has allowed them to relive that experience of intimate closeness with the actors, and thought provoking plays. Ted, after a career as a pulmonary physician and tobacco control advocate, is now a professor emeritus of UVM College of Medicine. He is enjoying his portfolio of volunteer activities that include UVM’s IRB for behavioral and social sciences, the American Lung Association in VT, John Graham Housing and Services, Medical Reserve Corps, several community choruses (as a tenor), and especially supporting Kim in her work as the pastor of the North Ferrisburgh United Methodist Church.
Jenny Morse
Jenny grew up in Middlebury, Vermont where her love of theater first began. She attended the University of Vermont and received a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Music. Jenny currently serves as the Marketing Director for the Church Street Marketplace with the City of Burlington and spends most of her free time with her adorable pitbull, Presley.
Josh Palace
Josh came to Vermont as the “following spouse” when his wife, Mari Breen Palace, was appointed to the position of Director of Sales and Marketing for the Hilton Burlington. Professionally he is the Sales Manager for the Spirit of Ethan Allen cruise ship on Lake Champlain: A fitting job for someone with over 40 years of sales and marketing experience in the hospitality business. He grew up on Long Island, served in the Army Security Agency, went to school at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has lived, and performed in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. “I am extremely happy to use my talent “backstage” and help the Vermont Stage grow.
Tony Pyle
Tony moved to Vermont eleven years ago so as to return his spouse, Teri, to New England (she is a born and bred Mainer). He turned his love of the arts and theater into a forty plus year career as a trial lawyer writing, performing and dissecting dramas before a small and select audience (the juries) around the eastern half of the country. No longer accepting cases for fees, he is enjoying the world through the arts and all they have to offer to a thriving and healthy society.
