Board & Staff
Stephenville Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit charitable organization, registered through Revenue Canada. It is run by a volunteer Board of Directors who are respected professionals in the community and are committed to the longevity and integrity of the Festival. The talented professional staff and award winning Artistic Director, along with the Board give the Stephenville Theatre Festival Management Team a solid base from which to prepare the season.
The longevity of Stephenville Theatre Festival is directly related to the support from the local community it calls home. That support has been constant for more than four decades is as strong and reliable as ever. We are woven into the fabric of this community and we strive each year to perform better than the one before. We take our commitment to the community seriously and are obliged to be worthy of the confidence that has been given to us.
Executive
David Walsh • Chair
David, a resident of our community, is the proprietor of several businesses and brings a wealth of experience, having served on various local and provincial boards. The Walsh family has long been avid supporters of our local arts scene.
Don Dunphy · Vice Chair / Treasurer
Don Dunphy has been an active contributor to the arts community for decades. He has served on the Stephenville Theatre Festival Board for the past 13 years in a variety of leadership roles, including Chair, Treasurer, Director, and currently Vice-Chair. His connection to the organization stretches back to its earliest years, having worked with the Stephenville Festival of the Arts during its first two seasons. A seasoned actor, storyteller, and performer, Don has appeared in numerous STF productions and has spent nearly 20 years creating and performing sketch comedy with his troupe, ABCD Productions. Beyond the stage, he has played a significant role in arts development throughout the province, serving as a founding member of the Bay St. George Folk Arts Council and as Chair of ArtsNL.
Marie Alexander • Past Chair
Marie has been a member of the Stephenville Theatre Festival organization for over 25 years. She has served as a Director, Secretary and most recently, as Chair of STF. A former Manager with Service Canada, she has considerable experience in human resource management, financial management and the promotion of economic development. She has been involved with many non-profit organizations in the past and is currently a Director with the BSG Chamber of Commerce.
Stephanie Swyers · Secretary
Stephanie Swyers has served as a Board Member and Secretary of the Stephenville Theatre Festival since 2022. A proud supporter of the performing arts, she has participated in community theatre both on stage and behind the scenes as a stage manager for youth productions. Together with her family, she shares a love of music, dance, and theatre and is committed to helping the festival grow and thrive for future generations.
Directors
Vanessa Lee
With a lifelong passion for theatre, Vanessa has been actively involved in the Stephenville theatre community for many years. Her experience includes participation in high school drama club, community theatre with Bay Theatre, and performances at the Provincial Drama Festival. From 2005 to 2008, she served as Props Coordinator with the Stephenville Theatre Festival (STF). After volunteering with the company during its 40th season, Vanessa joined the Board of Directors and is excited to be part of a dedicated team committed to delivering another outstanding season.
Kimberly Joy-Sharpe
Kimberly is an Administrative Assistant at Century 21 Seller’s Choice Inc in Stephenville. She is a proud board member of NL’s longest running professional theatre festival and is passionate about supporting and sustaining the arts in her community. With some background in community theatre, she understands the impact that performing arts can have on individuals and communities. Kimberly will continue to preserve and promote opportunities for future generations to experience.
Julia Day
Julia moved to Stephenville in 2009 and immediately became a fan of STF, happily joining the board in 2023. Julia loves the excitement of the season and getting to know our amazing company. She takes pride in being a part of an organization that brings our town top notch entertainment that is affordable and accessible, and this season won’t disappoint!
Elizabeth Newton
Beth is originally from Nova Scotia but moved to Stephenville in 2018 to be closer to her wife’s family. This is Beth’s first year on the STF Board and she is excited to continue to support this amazing theatre company. Beth is a huge supporter of the Arts and is impressed at the level of talent that comes here every summer from off Island as well as our local artists. Beth looks forward to watching all of the shows this year and remaining a small part of such an amazing Theatre Festival.
Honorary Directors
Jerry Doyle
Gordon Pinsent
Staff
Laura Caswell – Artistic Director
Benedict Pittman – General Manager
Elizabeth Scott – Bookkeeper
Amelia Hironaka – Creative Associate
Faith Young – Production Manager