Page 47 - Summer 2022 inLEAGUE with 46th National Conference Program

chariSSa durSt, AIA, LEED AP, holds an under- breNda gaJKowSKi and her team at Turner Con-
graduate degree in Architecture from the struction played a huge role in keeping the
University of Maryland and a Master of Archi- State Theatre project on schedule and on
tecture degree from The Ohio State University. budget. Brenda already has 15 years of project
She is a registered architect and architectural management experience, with a bright future
historian with nearly 30 years of experience in ahead of her. Hear her share her perspective
architecture and cultural resources management. Charissa and passion for coordinating the many teams that inhabit
established the firm in 1990, and currently focuses on the the venue during major renovations and how Turner is suc-
rehabilitation of historic buildings, including new additions, cessful at containing costs and meeting deadlines.
as well as new design in historic neighborhoods. In addition,
she is the firm’s preservation planner. Charissa is NCARB-cer- curtiS goodwiN, Garde Arts Center’s Director of
tified and a Leadership in Energy Efficient Design™ (LEED®) Youth and Community Engagement, was born
accredited professional. She is also a founding member of and raised in New London, CT. With a passion
the American Cultural Resources Association (ACRA). for the arts, he founded and co-produced the
New London Youth Talent Show in 2010. He
tom eiNhouSe is the Vice President of Facilities and has worked over the last decade as a national
Capital for Playhouse Square where he has sales and advertising account executive focusing on Diver-
worked for 41 years. Over his tenure, Tom has sity & Inclusion initiatives, helping minorities and underrep-
overseen efforts for the restoration of the five resented professionals gain employment at Facebook, HP,
historic theaters that comprise the now-elev- NSA, and many other companies worldwide. As a former
en performance spaces of Playhouse Square—the world’s City Councilor for the City of New London, CT, he chaired
largest theater restoration project and the nation’s largest the Committee for Economic Development and helped
performing arts center outside New York City and major establish the New London Cultural District Commission, and
redevelopment projects within the Playhouse Square district the New London Black History Trail. Recently honored as
including the Allen Theatre complex, Idea Center, Hanna one of CT’s 100 Most Influential Black leaders, his community
Theatre; the redevelopment of the E.14th St. streetscape; activism was featured in the 2021 documentary film “Those
the development of the chandelier, gateways and other People.”
streetscape amenities know as Dazzle, and the Ohio Lobby
Restoration. In addition, he is the past board president of becKy haNcocK has over 20 years’ experience
both the Cleveland Restoration Society and League of His- in the performing arts and nonprofit sectors.
toric American Theatres. As Executive Director of the Historic Tennessee
Theatre Foundation, she oversees all The-
baraK epSteiN runs the historic Texas Theatre atre activity, serves as the public face of the
in Dallas, has co-founded the Oak Cliff Film organization, and works with the HTTF Board
Festival, consults with technical aspects of AV of Directors to preserve and maintain this important com-
presentation for venues and theaters, and is munity asset and Official State Theatre of Tennessee. The
chairman of the non-profit historic record shop Tennessee Theatre is active 220 days annually, presenting 40
and library Top Ten Records. touring concerts, 6 Broadway titles, 10 classic films, the Knox-
ville Symphony Orchestra and Knoxville Opera, and numer-
moLLy fortuNe is currently the Executive Director ous community and private events each year. In 2005, the
for the South Carolina American Revolution Theatre completed a $30 million comprehensive renovation
Sestercentennial Commission in the Governor’s and has since entertained more than 2.4 million patrons and
Office. After 7 years at The Newberry Opera helped revitalize downtown Knoxville.
House in Newberry, South Carolina, she retired
to allow her team to fly. She has held this position since JeaNiNe hoLcomb is the Marketing & Commu-
September 2015 where she is a leader for a world renowned nications Director at the Egyptian Theatre in
performing arts center. In her current position she continues DeKalb, IL. She has been working at the Egyp-
to leverage the assets of the American 250th movement on tian for four and a half years, but she began
a state wide scale promoting Education, Heritage Tourism her lifelong love for the theatre at the age of
and Economic Development through a slice of American three when she first danced on the Egyptian’s
History. She is active in all 46 counties of South Carolina and stage. In her role at the Theatre, she oversees awareness for
uses her Performing Arts and Historic Preservation back- the non-profit organization, fundraising efforts, community
ground everyday to showcase rural towns and their assets. outreach as well as promotion for all shows at the theatre.
She strongly believes that historic buildings provide a win- Jeanine currently sits on the board of the DeKalb Chamber
dow or door for economic development and revitalization of Commerce as well as Proudly DeKalb, Inc.
of America’s downtowns. She previously served at the afore
mentioned Newberry Opera House for 7 years, and also the
Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA where served for 15 years. Molly
is married to LTC (ret) Christopher Kemper and has two
daughters and three dogs and resides in Newberry, SC. in a
haunted historic home.
46th National Conference & Theatre Tour July 2022 INLEAGUE | PAGE 45