Team and Board
Board of Directors
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ROB SEITELMAN
PRESIDENT
ROB SEITELMAN (he/him) has worked as an actor, playwright, director, and educator in schools and theatres across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York. Currently, he lives in Moraga with his wife, two amazing daughters, and three fantastic animals. When not supporting live theatre, Rob can be found focused on education reform. He enjoys cooking, running, hiking, and movies.
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LULU BRAUNSTEIN
SECRETARY
LULU BRAUNSTEIN (she/her) firmly believes in the power of performing arts because of its ability to both inspire us and to settle our egos in one evening of entertainment! It brings communities together, enhancing empathy, understanding, and learning. Lulu grew up in an “am dram” family in England and worked in production for live televised events in London quite a few moons ago. For the past ten or so years she has produced and directed elementary school musicals. She has loved witnessing the families appreciation of the multi-dimensional qualities of working in a theatrical cast - life skills that are critical to the vibrant health and well-being of our community Lulu is thrilled to finally be able to pay back Town Hall for all the years of fun it has given her and her family by being on the Board.
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UDIT NAGAR
TREASURER
UDIT NAGAR (he/him) is thrilled to be joining the Town Hall Board. He has lived in Lafayette for 6 years with his wife, two kids, and labradoodle, and loves giving back to the Lamorinda community. Udit works in the financial services industry. He is currently a Vice President at J.P. Morgan in their Innovation Economy group focusing on healthcare companies. Udit enjoys using his financial analysis and planning skills to help support Town Hall’s growth and sustainability. When he is not working in downtown San Francisco or working on Town Hall projects, you can usually find him at the Lafayette Coffee House having drinks on the patio on Friday afternoons.
Members at Large
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LISA ANNE MORRISON
LISA ANNE MORRISON (she/her) is a California Institute of the Arts graduate who made her way back home to the Bay Area after working professionally as an actor in Los Angeles for many years. Some favorite Bay Area acting credits are All’s Well that Ends Well, Othello (Cal Shakes), Intimate Apparel, Shakespeare in Hollywood (TheatreWorks) and was was last seen on television in Netflix’ 13 Reasons Why. Lisa is also a teaching artist here at Town Hall, as well as serves as the DEIB chair for Stanley Middle School and is on the LAFSD District DEIB committee. Being a Town Hall Theatre Board member is an exciting way to combine Lisa’s passion for theatre and promoting diversity in our community.
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LYLE BARRERE
LYLE BARRERE (he/his) is thrilled to be finally on the board at Town Hall! He began his theatre career when he 11 walking down the street from Stanley to Town Hall after school and has now worked over 400 shows as a producer, director, sound or lighting designer, and stage manger for many professional companies in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. His designs have been nominated for Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award and Shellie Awards and been awarded TBA Awards. Lyle is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, with a degree in Physics. When not in the theatre Lyle enjoys working with his nonprofit trust, hiking, camping and scuba diving. He was awarded the Eagle Scout Award from BSA Troop 204 (right across the street). He is the owner of Desired Effect a full service theatrical effects company in the Bay Area. www.Desired-Effect.com.
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KATHLEEN MCGHEE OLSON
KATHLEEN MCGHEE OLSON (she/her) is thrilled to join the Town Hall Board and looks forward to an exciting year ahead. After acting and directing in local community theatre and as a former member of the Moraga Playhouse Board, Kathleen has an appreciation for the importance of the Historic Town Hall as a valuable part of the Lamorinda community, as well as the educational and developmental value of the Town Hall Children’s and Main Stage Theatre programs. Kathleen is a native of Lamorinda, and has lived in Lafayette for 13 years. She is a busy Landscape Designer and still keeps it fresh by dabbling in scene study, singing and Improv.
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LAURA BERGMAN
Laura Bergman (she/her) has served the non-profit sector for almost 30 years. She started her career in California politics before earning a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. After graduation, she spent four years overseas, creating the first-ever Parliamentary internships in Eastern Europe, then starting an arts foundation in Prague. Back in the U.S., Laura worked at the Exploratorium Museum before becoming the executive director of Z Space Theater, where she still serves on the board. She also serves two other nonprofits, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s Job Forum, as a panelist, and KidNuz as an advisory board member. She currently works part-time consulting, and teaching nonprofit management. She lives in Lafayette with her family.
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HEATHER COUSINS
HEATHER COUSINS (she/her) A Lafayette community member, Heather Cousins is a native Bay Area Shellie Award winning actress, teacher, and director. She double majored in Dramatic Art and English at UC Santa Barbara and received her Master's Degree in Theatre Practice at Exeter University in England. For 25 years, Heather has taught Drama and Stagecraft at Miramonte High School in Orinda where she has directed over 70 plays and musicals and has worked with over 2000 hardworking, multi-talented young theatre artists. Most recently, she directed A Christmas Story on Town Hall’s main stage. Heather is honored to serve as a Town Hall board member alongside its creative and dedicated team in this impactful and historical theatre setting.
Team
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DENNIS MARKAM
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dennis Markam (he/him) joined the staff of Town Hall in August of 2008 and has served as the Ads/Promotions Coordinator, Assistant Box Office Manager, Patron Services Manager, and — starting in November of 2014 — Managing Director. He has also been a Teaching Artist since 2008 and has worked with 2nd graders through high schoolers as part of Town Hall Kids and now Town Hall Education. As an actor and director Dennis has worked with Central Works, Fantasy Forum Actors’ Ensemble, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, and Diablo Actors Ensemble among others. Dennis studied at Diablo Valley College where he studied with Jim Kirkwood, Doug Dildine, Beth McBrien, Ken Hein, and others.
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ERIKA MARSH
EDUCATION DIRECTOR
Erika March (she/her) joined as Education Director in 2021, and has been working with Town Hall Education as a Teaching Artist since 2018. She has taught in numerous schools and theatres around the Bay Area, Seattle, and Oklahoma City regions with a focus in social-emotional learning and arts integration programming. Erika is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with degrees in Music and Children's Theatre and University College Cork, Ireland with a certificate in Traditional Irish Music. In the past few years, Erika has also spent time as a director, pit musician, and mom of four fur kids.
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RICHARD PEREZ
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Richard Perez (he/him) is a director, actor, educator, and playwright. He recently relocated to the Bay Area from Michigan where he has been a theatre professor for the last ten years. During that time he was also active in the Chicago theatre and television industry. He has served as the Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director, and Managing director of the Bloomington Playwrights Project, Chicago Dramatists, and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, respectively. His directing credits include The Mercy Swing (New York Fringe Festival) and Nocturnal (Kennedy Center). Stage roles include Gabe in Dinner with Friends and Evan in Sweat. Television, appearances include Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Electric Dreams, and the recurring role of Councilman Ortiz, on the second season of Boss.
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DAN TROTTIER
TECHNICAL & FACILITIES DIRECTOR
Dan Trottier (he/his) is thrilled to be a member of the Town Hall team. His background is in Studio Arts and he studied woodworking and furniture design at the Maine College of Art. Shortly thereafter he fell in love with the world of live events while working as the Facilities Associate at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. That’s where he discovered that the excitement of a successfully executed live performance is a rush like no other. After a stint in Georgia, Dan relocated to California (the eighth state that he has lived in) so that he and his partner could raise their daughter closer to family. He likes road trips, well-designed coffee tables, and horror movies.
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DENISE ALTAFFER
COMPTROLLER/RESIDENT COSTUME DESIGNER
Denise Altaffer (she/her) is passionate about theater and loves being a part of the show-any show- from inception through maturity on closing night. She has designed and built costumes for many educational theater programs around the greater Bay Area as well as some regional theaters’ Main Stage productions. Denise is now most often found either building theater budgets for the Board or in the Town Hall Green Room, costuming all the Town Hall Education shows and some of the Main Stage productions as well. Both of her children, now grown, are avid performers and alumni of the Town Hall Education program. Denise, a longtime resident of Lafayette, now lives in Oakland.
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ELIZABETH CURTIS
PATRON SERVICES MANAGER
Elizabeth Curtis (she/her) joined the staff of Town Hall in February of 2022. Bay Area born and raised, she is excited to put her skills to use for the THT staff. She has been a Teaching Artist since 2021, working with 2nd thru 5th graders as part of Town Hall Education. As an actor she has worked with Town Hall, Ray of Light, CenterRep, Broadway by the Bay, and Berkeley Playhouse among others. Thank you for supporting live theatre!
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TRICIA KELLEY
HOUSE MANAGER
Tricia Kelley (she/her) is no stranger to the Town Hall barn. Two of her three kids grew up in Town Hall Education, and with her youngest just starting college, she is back for more. One of five siblings, Tricia grew up in Lafayette, just around the corner from Town Hall. A jack-of-all-trades and an avid crafter, Tricia also works in event planning and catering with her sisters, making her an expert in welcoming patrons and volunteers alike at the theater. When she’s not at Town Hall, she usually can be found at home in Martinez gardening, frequenting live music, or waiting for the next show!
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JULIE ROSSI
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
Julie Rossi (she/they) joined as Production Assistant in 2024, and has been working with Town Hall Education as a Teaching Artist since 2022. A lover of Theatre and telling stories, she is currently studying at Diablo Valley College to learn to do just that. When not at Town Hall, she can be found frequenting live music, comedy shows, or trying new baking creations at home.
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OLGA KHITARISHVILI
FUND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Olga Khitarishvili (she/her) started her journey with Town Hall Theatre as an Assistant Teaching Artist in August 2023. In December of 2023, she started assisting Town Hall Theatre as a contracted Fund Development Associate. Her experience as the Special Events Assistant at La Jolla Playhouse and years of volunteering with nonprofits such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Bring Change to Mind helped prepare her for this role. She received her bachelor’s degree in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego. When she isn’t at the theatre, Olga can usually be found binge watching her favorite shows, sketching, or going on adventures with her friends.