(he/him)
860.364.7469 x102
candress@sharonplayhouse.org

Carl is an American theater and film director and producer who is proud to have staged over 15 original productions of critically acclaimed plays written by and starring Charles Busch, including Ibsen’s Ghost: An Irresponsible Biographical Fantasy, The Tribute Artist, The Confession of Lily Dare, The Divine Sister, Die, Mommie, Die!, and the films The Sixth Reel and A Very Serious Person, both distributed by Wolfe Releasing. He has directed many New York and regional productions such as Rum & Coke (Abingdon Theater) and FAKE (Miami New Drama) by Carmen Pelaez; Still at Risk by Tim Pinckney (Theater for the City), Matthew Lombardo's Who's Holiday! starring Lesli Margherita (Westside Theater); Joe Godfrey's Romance Language (Ars Nova); Crush the Infamous Thing - the Adventures of the Hollywood Four (Coconut Grove Playhouse); My Fair Lady (Tent Theater); Paul Rudnick's I Hate Hamlet (Dorset Theater Festival); and Douglas Carter Beane’s The Cartells (Drama Dept.). Additionally, he has directed many developmental workshops and productions of new works at theaters such as George Street Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse, The Phoenix Theater Company, MCC, Primary Stages, TheaterWorks USA, and Theater for the New City, as well as staging numerous galas and special events such as the annual Broadway Belts for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (since 2010), Literacy Partners’ Evening of Readings (since 2007), and the NY concert premieres of The Visit, A Wonderful Life, Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol, and Valley of the Dolls all to benefit The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors’ Fund) on Broadway. Carl is a recipient of the 2022 Einhorn Mentorship Award, given by the prominent New York theater company, Primary Stages. His website is carlandress.com

(he/him)
860.364.7429 x104
RChristensen@sharonplayhouse.org

With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit arts sector, Rod brings dynamic, innovative, and strategic leadership with expertise in all facets of nonprofit operations, project execution, and program development in the performing arts, audience/community engagement, creative learning, and organizational capacity-building to the Sharon Playhouse. The cornerstone of his work in the arts is to build diversity and understanding across differences; to spark empathetic thinking; and to foster a meaningful culture where all participants feel valued, supported, and inspired. Key to Rod’s mission-driven practice is the unwavering belief that the power of the arts brings transformative experience to individuals and our society at large.

Since 2008, Rod has been the Managing Director at Southgate Education in New York City – an arts education company that creates audience enrichment resources such as Broadway Study Guides (e.g., Moulin Rouge, Mean Girls, King Kong, SquareBob SpongePants, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Kinky Boots, Lysistrata Jones, Tuck Everlasting, Billy Elliot, Driving Miss Daisy, and Million Dollar Quartet). Prior to his work in NYC, Rod spent eight seasons at Canada’s prestigious Shaw Festival Theater where he held the positions of Senior Education Manager and Senior Manager, Audience Sales & Services.

He also served as Executive Director and Director of Education at TADA! Youth Theater in NYC and held leadership positions at the Warner Theatre in Torrington, The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, The Garth Homer Developmental Disability Centre in his hometown of Victoria Canada, and performed with the international, educational touring program Up With People!

Rod holds a Master of Education in integrated studies, a Bachelor of Music in Education, and a diploma in business management and leadership skills.

(he/him)
860.364.7469 x105
mbaldwin@sharonplayhouse.org

Michael Kevin Baldwin (Education and Associate Artistic Director) wears many hats at the Playhouse, including producer, teacher, director, actor, and playwright. MainStage directing credits at the Playhouse include the 2023 hit production of Oliver! as well as a staged reading of David Adjmi’s Marie Antoinette starring Lauren Ambrose. YouthStage directing credits include Pride and Prejudice, A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, Jr., Frozen, Jr., The Little Mermaid, Jr, Mary Poppins, Jr., and Aladdin, Kids. Acting credits at the Playhouse include Tony Whitcomb in Shear Madness (Berkie nom, Broadway World CT Award), Simon Stimson in Our Town, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, Mordred in Camelot, and Bobby in A Chorus Line. Playwriting credits at the Playhouse include many original scripts for youth, most notably the 2024 YouthStage world premiere of Sassy Cinderella. As Education Director, Michael has initiated performing arts residencies at Indian Mountain School, Sharon Center School, Salisbury Central School, Housatonic Valley Regional High School, as well as partnerships with Project SAGE and The Equus Effect.  As an educator Michael enjoyed seven years as a Drama Teacher at The Brearley School and one year at Hunter College High School, both in Manhattan. Michael co-created and directed the play #BraveSpace, which premiered at New York University's Forum on Ethnodrama.  Michael has conducted masterclasses and delivered speeches all over the country, most notably serving as a keynote speaker for The Educational Theatre Association's "Theater in our Schools" initiative.  Michael received a Bachelor's Degree in Theater and Sociology from Skidmore College and a Master's Degree in Education from The City College of New York.  Michael lives in Lakeville, CT with his husband, Will, and their dog, Daphne.

(she/her)
860.364.7469 x100
business@sharonplayhouse.org

Wendy started with the Playhouse in 2015 as a part time bookkeeper and quickly moved into the General Manager position. Wendy has managed both the Box Office and Administrative offices for many years. In many cases Wendy is the first voice that customers hear when planning their season of tickets. Customer service has always been an important part of the job. After many title rewrites, Wendy has now settled into the title of Business Manager. She is a devoted Sharon Playhouse employee as well as a town of Sharon Resident. Wendy has both Professional and Personal reasons to encourage the success of the Sharon Playhouse.

(she/her)
860.364.7469 x103
scuoco@sharonplayhouse.org

Sarah Cuoco grew up locally in Salisbury, CT, and has dedicated her life to the Theater Arts. Whether performing on stage or working behind the scenes she feels joy in each and every performance. Sarah is a dance teacher/choreographer with an emphasis on Children’s Theater, as well as a 200hr Certified Yoga Instructor. Sarah has worked with schools such as the Brearley School in NYC, Hotchkiss, Indian Mountain School, and Millbrook School. When she returned home from NYC, Sarah knew she wanted to focus her efforts on expanding dance and theater education in the area. She has had the pleasure of teaching for the Playhouse since 2019. Sarah is also the creator of the Youth Theater show Sharon Playhouse Stars. Sarah is thrilled to hold the title of Company and Education Manager for the Sharon Playhouse.

(he/him)
justinboccitto@gmail.com

Justin has maintained a diverse career working in the theatre industry for over three decades. During this time he served as graphic and media designer for several organizations including The Group Theatre Too, a NYC based theatre collective; Common Ground, a project promoting the art and history of tap dancing; and The New Generation Theatre, a non-profit youth theatre company based in Rockland County, NY. He’s also directed and edited several short films and music videos through his group, Phonic Evolution, bringing dance and music to the online medium. He began designing for Sharon Playhouse in 2022, during which time he served as Interim Artistic Director. He also acts as the Playhouse’s social media director. www.justinboccitto.com