Meet the people who guide this organization.
It takes a Village
The Board of Directors
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Samantha Petovello
PRESIDENT
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Jamie Sanyal
SECRETARY
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Kara Penera
TREASURER
Lindsey Chester
Founder & Artistic Director
Lindsey Chester established All About Theatre in 2003 with a mission centered on fostering the development of life skills through the performing arts. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, Lindsey holds a BSc in Neuroscience with a focus in Child Psychology, Learning and Memory. Her science education has served as a foundation that helps shape how she approaches arts education and to meet her students at every developmental stage with intention and insight.
An accomplished performer in her own right, Lindsey has appeared on the Cabrillo Stage in productions including Beehive the Musical (as Janis Joplin), Mary Poppins, Kiss Me Kate, Guys and Dolls, and The Music Man. Her performance work extends beyond the stage, with professional voice overs and recordings on multiple published albums. She has coached thousands of children, many of whom have gone on to careers with the Disney, Joffrey Ballet School, and Broadway.
Lindsey's impact on the Santa Cruz arts community has earned her a Nexties Award and her leadership of All About Theatre has yielded multiple Best in Santa Cruz recognitions. Her unique blend of scientific training, professional performance experience, and passion for nurturing talent makes her a well-rounded director, educator, and mentor.
Virginia Wright
Virginia Wright brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and consulting experience, with deep roots in the arts, advocacy, and social change. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at San José State University, where she significantly increased funding for both the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library and the Connie L. Lurie College of Education.
Virginia has held executive leadership roles with Open Floor International, the Santa Cruz Symphony, and Arts Council Silicon Valley, and has consulted with many arts organizations in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. She currently serves on the board of the William James Association Prison Arts Project and has recently served on the boards of New Ballet San José, and Friends of the Rail & Trail.
Virginia is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and holds a BA from San Francisco State University and an MBA from Santa Clara University. In another life she danced professionally and traveled extensively, and is now happily living in a cabin in Felton with her long-term partner and dog.
Advisory Committee
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Peter Chester
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Mazera Cox-Goulter
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Brad Roades
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Tom Pepper
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Mari Anderson
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Datta Khalsa
Join Us!
It takes a lot of work to run this organization but it’s also extremely fun and rewarding. We’re always looking for more talented, experienced, and energetic leaders to help us grow and improve this organization. If you are interested, please give us a call and let’s talk!
(831) 345-6340