Page 21 - STA Studio Sessions Playbill 031121FINAL

WHO’S WHO

FRANK VELA (Lighting Designer, Jasminne MARK FOLKES (Managing Director) Mark
and Lupe Mendez and Muhammad Folkes joined Stages as Managing Director
F. Khaerisman Sessions) received his in 2015 during an important time of growth
Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University for the company. In the role of Managing
of Texas Pan American (Theatrical Director, Mark leads Stages’ administrative
Design), and his Master of Fine Arts functions with a focus on financial
from the University of Texas at Austin in management, fundraising, marketing and
Theatrical Design. He continues to work strategic planning. In recent years, Stages’
professionally as a freelance designer annual operating budget has more than
throughout the Houston area. He was a doubled from $2.1 million to $5.5 million
founding member of one of Houston’s most today, driven by transformational growth
dynamic theatre companies, Horse Head in ticket sales and philanthropic support.
Theatre. In January 2020, Stages celebrated the
opening of a three-theatre new venue,
TEVYN WASHINGTON (Director, John Ryan The Gordy, funded by a capital campaign
Del Bosque Session) Stages: Stages Studio that has raised more than $35.8 million
Sessions: LaBraska Washington (Director), including one of the largest individual gifts
Panto Cinderella (Regan) End Of The to support the performing arts in Houston’s
Rainbow (Radio Interviewer/Porter/Stage history. Prior to joining Stages, Mark served
Manager), Sam Houston State University: as Senior Director, Development for the
As You Like It (Corin) The Love Of The Houston Symphony, and has worked for
Nightingale (Soldier) Men With Broken a variety of arts organizations including
Hopes (Ethan). The Government Inspector Canada’s National Arts Centre, the
(Judge) Pippin (Assistant Director) . Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the College-
Tevyn received a BFA in Musical Theatre Conservatory of Music at the University
from Sam Houston in 2018. That was of Cincinnati, and Houston Grand
also the last time he was physically in a Opera. Mark is a Certified Fund Raising
rehearsal room. So to say the least he is Executive and holds Master of Arts (Arts
beyond excited to return to the stage and Administration) and Master of Business
the Stages family and be a part of another Administration degrees from the University
amazing creative process. of Cincinnati. He studied theatre as an
undergraduate at the University of Waterloo
and the Canadian College of Performing
Arts. In 2018, Mark was recognized as a
Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40
Honoree.