THE OFFICIAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN
We'd love to introduce you to our Board of Directors- a group of passionate leaders who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to the growth and oversite of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival.
The MSF is always looking for candidates to be a part of our Board and other specialized committees.
If you are interested in being a part of our Board or volunteering your expertise for a specialty committee, please contact our office at GM@michiganshakespearefestival.com to set up a meeting with our Board Overseer, Jill Blixt.
MSF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JILL BLIXT, Chair
Creative Director, Blixt Associates - Retired
Years on Board: 6
Jill is a creativity teacher with decades of experience in marketing, advertising and nonprofit leadership. For twenty years Jill was the President and Creative Director of Blixt Associates, an award-winning ad agency. Her life-long involvement in the arts, combined with her business skills, her marketing expertise, and her non-profit board experience make her an asset to MSF. Her more than twenty-five years of board experience includes the Ann Arbor Art Center and Greenhills School. She has been a teacher of creativity for the last twenty years. .
(And yes, she is Mother to David and Mother-in-law to Janice.)
ANN CASSIDY
Secretary, Book Buyer, Borders, Retired
Years on Board: 4
Ann Cassidy spent her career as a book buyer for two major retail book chains founded in Michigan: The Little Professor Book Co. and Borders Group, Inc. For the majority of her tenure at Borders she specialized in the subject areas of history and classical and medieval studies, and was responsible for purchasing, merchandising and marketing the selection of books stocked and promoted at the stores. Ann has attended performances of the Michigan Shakespeare Festival for two decades and has found volunteering for the MSF to be such a rich and rewarding experience that she encourages the active participation of other enthusiastic patrons and lovers of theatre.
SEáNAN FORBES
Freelance Journalist, Photographer, and Teaching Artist
Years on Board: 2
Seánan brings a unique perspective and blend of experiences to the Festival. Seánan’s goal is to enhance the MSF’s social media presence, and to raise its profile through press, academic, and theatrical outreach. As a gender-fluid, dyslexic, dyspraxic person on the autism spectrum, Seánan brings an element of diversity to the board. Seánan writes, “My wiring means I perceive things differently: the world, stories, bridges, and connections.”
MELANIE D. GOLDBERG
Lawyer
Years on Board: 0.5
Melanie D. Goldberg has been practicing Immigration Law in the Detroit area for more than 20 years. A New York Law School graduate, she is admitted to practice in Michigan and New York. Her educational background includes a B.A. with majors in folklore and linguistics; and a Masters in Teaching. She was recently ordained as an interfaith minister. Currently, Melanie is primarily program coordinator and reserve clergy at the Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Metro-Detroit.
Melanie is an avid patron of live theatre and is proud to be in a position of promoting the Michigan Shakespeare Festival as a board member.
ALEXANDRA LACOMBE, Treasurer
ALEXANDRA LACOMBE, Treasurer
Attorney / Partner of the Detroit Office of Jackson Lewis
Years on Board: 6
Alexandra is Partner of the Detroit office of Jackson Lewis, a leading labor and employment law firm. She is also currently an Adjunct Professor with the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law. Alexandra is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia University School of Law. Alexandra has been an enthusiastic spectator, participant, and supporter of various theatre organizations, including Troy’s Ridgedale Players, and Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada. Alexandra feels that it is important to build relationships—with patrons, with donors, and with other organizations that have the same mission.
AMY SMITTER
Program Director for Philanthropic Engagement
ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning
Years on Board: 0.5
Amy Smitter's day job is as the Program Director for Philanthropic Engagement with ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, working with ACT Team Members on grants and engagement with foundations and grantors. She has over thirty years of experience working in nonprofits in Michigan. She has consulted with nonprofits on fund development, grant writing, strategic planning, and measuring impact.
Amy is deeply committed to helping college access and success, social justice, and the arts. She serves as a founding board member for the Michigan College Access Network and has worked on projects in Michigan, such as helping foster care students achieve a college degree and college positive volunteerism. When she is not working she enjoys theater, art, crafts, travel, and reading. The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has been an annual summer destination for her and her family.
Amy holds a BA from Michigan State University in Political Science and Russian Eastern European Studies and a MA from Ball State University in higher education student personnel administration. She lives in Dimondale Michigan, with her preparing-to-launch daughters, husband, and pets.