The North Texas Performing Arts prides itself as an organization “managed by professionals and made possible by volunteers” illustrated by the hard work and dedication of its Board of Directors.
NTPA operates under a Governing Board of Directors with the advice, counsel and support of seven Theatre Management Boards responsible for supporting operations for each of our theatre troupes creating a support structure of over a hundred hard-working and dedicated volunteers. Theatre Management Board Chairpersons are granted a Governing Board Seat during their term. All NTPA staff members report to the Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Governing Board of Directors.
The Governing Board Officers make up the NTPA Executive Management Committee and are authorized for decision-making beyond the CEO’s daily authority when NTPA’s Governing Board of Directors is not in session.
The NTPA Governing Board of Directors meets at 7 PM on the third Tuesday of every month (currently via Zoom) and its meetings are open to the public. The Board Meeting reserves time each month for “Public Comment” and those interested in participating in the meeting or making comments may make their request via email to info@ntpa.org.
Elly has been actively involved with NTPA since 2009. She brings strong marketing and sales expertise to the board with 20+ years of career experience. Elly currently manages product marketing for Enterprise Cloud and Apps Services at DXC, a $8 billion/year business that holds the number two position in global market share. She is a Sunday school teacher and also volunteers with several organizations, including the National Charity League (NCL) and the Booker T Washington HSPVA Theatre Guild. In addition to her terms on the NTPA-Governing board , she served as Chair of the NTPA – Plano board. Elly has previous board experience with the Alliance Française of Dallas. In 2015, Elly received the Arts Volunteer of the Year award by the Arts Center of Plano. Elly has a son Ryan that began his involvement at NTPA in 2008 and a daughter Ria who performed her first show at NTPA in 2009.
Trysh became a dedicated volunteer at NTPA in 2013, when her daughter Sophie said, “When I’m at theatre, my heart feels like I am home.” Trysh was honored to serve in McKinney and Fairview as Board Chair from 2015-2017, with the amazing team of volunteers who built NTPA – Fairview. She is proud to continue serving NTPA on the Governing Board of Directors. NTPA is a huge part of her heart, and she loves the difference it makes in the lives of so many children and families. She loves that her whole family can be a part of theatre productions through volunteering and that through the years, NTPA has become a home not only for her daughter Sophie, but for her son Zack and husband Tim, as well.
Mark began serving the NTPA community as the first Chairman of the Frisco Youth Theatre Board. After two years in that role he had the opportunity to continue supporting the theatre on the NTPA Governing Board. His involvement was driven by his children’s experience participating in productions and camps over the years. His goal is to be part of a team that creates a powerful theatre experience for each child that participates. Mark is the Commissioner and President of the North American Hockey League and a member of USA Hockey’s Junior Council. The NAHL is the oldest and largest junior hockey league of its kind that places over 300 players annually into NCAA college hockey programs.
Mark, his wife Kira, daughters Charlee and Bella reside in Dallas.
Michelle has over her 20 years of marketing and operational experience. She most recently held the position of VP, Head of Marketing for a global online auto auction company and is currently an experienced marketing consultant. Michelle has her MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School (Chicago, IL) and a BA in Communication/Journalism from University of Texas at Arlington. Michelle is officer on the Governing Board of Directors for North Texas Preforming Arts as the 3rd VP, and was previously the Vice Chair of NTPA – Frisco. Michelle and her family have been a part of NTPA for more than 7 years. She also sits on the Dallas Area Alliance for Women and the Dallas Regional Chamber – Woman’s Executive Roundtable.
Steve has been a volunteer dad and Board Member with PCT/NTPA for the last 9 years. His entire family has enthusiastically volunteered for many shows, functions and activities. Honored to be the President of the Governing Board and a member of the “Team of Steel”. As the Talent Acquisition Manager with Humcap, LLC he has helped 1,000’s of candidates and companies come together in recruiting, business development, networking and contract negotiation.
Steve previously owned and operated the Stark Technical Group, is a deacon at church, and has volunteered with Boy Scout (Trained Leader), Watchdogs (PISD), and Youth Athletics coaching. He has served on local and regional boards with NACCB (now TechServe), and MTBC (now Tech Titans), Homeowners Association (President) and multiple Booster Clubs.
Steve previously owned and operated the Stark Technical Group, is a deacon at church, and has volunteered with Boy Scout (Trained Leader), Watchdogs (PISD), and Youth Athletics coaching. He has served on local and regional boards with NACCB (now TechServe), and MTBC (now Tech Titans), Homeowners Association (President) and multiple Booster Clubs.
Bio and Picture to come!
Tamara has been a fan and volunteer at NTPA since 2013 when her youngest child found his home and a place he treasures. The ability to make an impact to so many children in the same way is what makes NTPA a special place. Tamara is a hands-on experienced finance executive with more than 25 years of experience in both public accounting and industry. She provides CFO consulting services currently with a second generation family owned nationwide company. In 2016 Tamara was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as CFO of the year recognizing her quick impact for this company. Her consulting practice provides financial strategies to mid-size business owners in various industries. Before Consulting, she was President and CEO of a global restaurant chain. This combination of operations leadership coupled with her financial acumen is invaluable in helping businesses develop processes, systems and financial reporting that increase cash, drive bottom-line results and improve enterprise value. Tamara received her B.S. with a dual major in accounting and finance from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She also received her Certified Public Accountant license in Ohio. She and her husband Scott have been married for 29 years. They moved to Dallas more than 20 years ago and happily call it home. Today they live in Lucas TX and have two children.
Tim is a native of Ohio, moving to Texas in 1991. He retired from the Defense Contract Audit Agency (United States Department of Defense) as a member of the Senior Executive Service after 34 years of service. In his last position he was Regional Director responsible for approximately 900 auditors involved in auditing all DoD contracts in the central part of United States, which included such contractors as Boeing, Lockheed, DynCorp, and KBR. Tim currently holds a CPA license in the state of Texas.
Sara received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from Southern Methodist University with a major in Dance and a minor in Theatre and continued her education at the University of Texas at Austin where she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Children’s Theatre and Creative Drama. During her time at UTA, Sara received the Aurand Harris Playwriting Award and taught on the UTA faculty for two years. In 1981, Sara began teaching Creative Drama and Movement at The Lamplighter School in Dallas Texas, where she taught for 9 years. During this time, she also taught and directed at Dallas Theatre Center, Children’s Arts and Ideas Foundation, and the Junior Players Guild. Sara founded the Imagination Company underneath the umbrella of JPG.
In 1991, Sara founded Plano Children’s Theatre and has watched the company grow from a small theatre in Plano to a family of theatres covering the North Dallas area. Sara now works as the organization’s Vice President of Development and is responsible for NTPA’s fundraising, grant writing, and member development activities.
Amanda has been a volunteer and proud parent with NTPA since 2014. She has held several roles on the McKinney/ Fairview Boards since 2015. Amanda is an SMU graduated and grew up locally. She has worked in Sales in the DFW area for over 20 years. Her favorite part about volunteering is seeing the families involved and the children grow. She enjoys seeing her daughter on stage and her husband loves to volunteer as well.
Bio and Picture to come!
Bio and Picture to come!
Steve is a proud parent of two acting veterans of the NTPA family of theaters. A 25-year employee of The Coca-Cola Company, Steve brings an extensive background in marketing, sales and business operations to the Governing Board.
Steve is a past Chairman of the Plano Management Board of NTPA. A dedicated volunteer , Steve was a leader in the development of the Willow Bend Center for The Performing Arts and was selected as the Coca-Cola Company’s first ever Volunteer of the Year and honored as a Jefferson Award winner for his work in the community with youth theater and the Boy Scouts.
JoAnn was introduced to Plano Children’s Theatre in 2009 when she was asked to help with the scholarship committee. After seeing the magic of the theater and the positive impact NTPA had on her youngest daughter, JoAnn began to enthusiastically support the theater and the opportunities that NTPA offers children. The theater is a place where both her daughters have learned important life skills reinforced by the Ten Characters of NTPA, instilling in them a sense of community, pride, and accomplishment. JoAnn is a passionate advocate for the low income community and is proud of the NTPA mission and dedication to making theater accessible to all regardless of financial circumstances. JoAnn is a career affordable housing professional and is currently the Vice President of Asset Management for Fort Worth Housing Solutions and President of Quadco Management Solutions, the largest provider/ manager of affordable housing in Fort Worth and Tarrant County that serves the low income community, veterans, homeless and other underserved populations. JoAnn also serves in her community as a children’s minister at Grace Outreach Center, a board member of Family Leadership Empowerment Network and a board member of the Schooling Encouragement Foundation.
Telisa Webb Schelin is the former Chief Legal Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary of TIER REIT, Inc. (formerly NYSE: TIER), a Dallas-based real estate investment trust focused on commercial office properties, serving in that position from January 2008 until June 2019 when TIER REIT merged with Cousins Properties (NYSE: CUZ). Ms. Schelin was responsible for all legal aspects of the company, as well as risk management and human resources. Ms. Schelin has over 20 years of legal experience and was in private practice with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
prior to her role with TIER REIT. Ms. Schelin is currently retired and active in the community. She has served as a longtime member and past chair of Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC), a volunteer organization that supports Dallas non-profits with programs benefiting women, children and families. In addition to serving as a former ASC chair, she is currently a member of the charity selection committee and a co-chair of the ASC Heart & Sole 5k & Fun Run. She has also served as a member (2011-17) and chair (2015-2017) of the board of directors of AVANCE-North Texas,
Inc., a nonprofit that provides family support and education services to at-risk families, and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board. She is serving as a community volunteer for numerous other Dallas-area non-profits as well, such as Girls Inc., Community Partners of Dallas, North Texas Performing Arts, Hope Supply Company and Texas Lawyers for Children. For 2020-22, she will serve as the Vice President – Philanthropy of the National Charity League – Preston Bluebonnet Chapter, overseeing the relationships with Dallas-area non-profits with which the chapter partners.
She is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and served as the past chair of the Dallas Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section.
prior to her role with TIER REIT. Ms. Schelin is currently retired and active in the community. She has served as a longtime member and past chair of Attorneys Serving the Community (ASC), a volunteer organization that supports Dallas non-profits with programs benefiting women, children and families. In addition to serving as a former ASC chair, she is currently a member of the charity selection committee and a co-chair of the ASC Heart & Sole 5k & Fun Run. She has also served as a member (2011-17) and chair (2015-2017) of the board of directors of AVANCE-North Texas,
Inc., a nonprofit that provides family support and education services to at-risk families, and currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board. She is serving as a community volunteer for numerous other Dallas-area non-profits as well, such as Girls Inc., Community Partners of Dallas, North Texas Performing Arts, Hope Supply Company and Texas Lawyers for Children. For 2020-22, she will serve as the Vice President – Philanthropy of the National Charity League – Preston Bluebonnet Chapter, overseeing the relationships with Dallas-area non-profits with which the chapter partners.
She is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and served as the past chair of the Dallas Bar Association Corporate Counsel Section.
Jeri Tidwell is a Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurse. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and holds a PhD in nursing. Jeri is a member of the Melrose Church of Christ and a mother member of North Suburban Dallas Jack and Jack of America. Ms. Tidwell is a huge fan of the Performing Arts and is a ‘theater mom”. NTPA (Plano Children’s Theater) has been the theater home for her children for almost a decade. Her role on the governing board is to promote the great work that NTPA is doing to develop character in our youth in diverse communities. Ms. Tidwell is a believer that the performing arts can build confidence and promote emotional health.
Erika Bazan became excited about being a larger part of NTPA – Frisco after watching her daughter in her first production in the summer of 2015. Erika had the opportunity to experience the NTPA mission and values firsthand when she was cast in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Erika has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Angelo State University. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and performed on stage and on camera. She also served on the board of Lone Star Theater Ensemble.
Since moving back to Texas in 2005, she has dabbled in the arts including roles at the Water Tower Theatre. She and her husband have lead a bible based children’s theater ministry in their free time. Erika especially looks forward to watching her daughter grow as a performer.
Erika has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Angelo State University. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and performed on stage and on camera. She also served on the board of Lone Star Theater Ensemble.
Since moving back to Texas in 2005, she has dabbled in the arts including roles at the Water Tower Theatre. She and her husband have lead a bible based children’s theater ministry in their free time. Erika especially looks forward to watching her daughter grow as a performer.
bio coming soon!
Sara Johnson has been involved with NTPA – Dallas since her son auditioned for the inaugural show. Watching him find his “home” in theatre and seeing how it provides a safe welcoming place for kids to grow in confidence and aspire for excellence spurred her decision to join the Dallas board. Sara is a lover of learning. Having already earned a B.S. in Agricultural Journalism from Kansas State University and an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University, Wichita, Kansas, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy at the University of Texas Dallas. She’s also a certified running coach, training all ages and levels of runners, and the developer of a program to train five- to twelve-year-old DFW runners to participate in their first 5K or mile run. Some of her other passions are helping her son prepare for shows, traveling with her daughter to figure skating competitions and running with her husband, Jay.
In 1991, Sara founded Plano Children’s Theatre and has watched the company grow from a small theatre in Plano to a family of theatres covering the North Dallas area. Sara now works as the organization’s Vice President of Development and is responsible for NTPA’s fundraising, grant writing, and member development activities.
In 1991, Sara founded Plano Children’s Theatre and has watched the company grow from a small theatre in Plano to a family of theatres covering the North Dallas area. Sara now works as the organization’s Vice President of Development and is responsible for NTPA’s fundraising, grant writing, and member development activities.
bio and pic coming soon!
Holly has lived in the North Texas area her entire life. She is married and has one daughter, Sydney, who fell in love with the theatre in the fall of 2016. Holly ran her own wedding coordinating business in Dallas for 15 years, but has been a stay-at-home mom for the past several years. She started volunteering with Sydney’s second show, and has since served as the Marketing and Programming Chair for NTPA – Fairview.