The AACT Nominating Committee proudly presents the following individuals for consideration as Board Members-at-Large:

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Chris Hamby

📍 Peoria, Arizona – Region VIII

Chris Hamby is an award-winning director and the C.W. McMillin Executive Director for TheaterWorks. During his 15 years with the organization, he previously served as the Education Director and Artistic Director. He has been honored with an outstanding service award by the Arizona Thespians for his work for high school theatre students. Chris was awarded with the Governor's Arts Award in the Artist category for his body of work in 2020. Additionally, he was named the Home Town Hero-Trailblazer for his accomplishments in the City of Peoria, AZ. He was acknowledged as an Arizona Arts Hero by OnMedia in February 2024. Additionally, he served as a grant reviewer for the National Endowment for the Arts in 2023 & 2024. Most recently Chris was honored to be selected as a Virginia G. Piper Fellow, one of the top honors for a valley non-profit leader. He is currently part of the Shannon Leadership Institute’s 2025 cohort. Chris also sits on the Board of Directors for AACT. He is currently the Chair of the Nominations Committee.

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CRAIG GIBSON

📍 Elkhart , Indiana – Region III

Craig Gibson, founding executive director of the internationally- recognized Premier Arts theatre organization, is a Muncie native who now proudly calls Elkhart home. He is an award-winning actor, director and writer that has given the gift of theatre to our region for more than 15 years. Showcasing local talent and sharing powerful stories on the stage is his passion. Children’s programming is an important hallmark of his work. Gibson is also known for inspiring the next generation of theatre lovers by investing in young people through arts appreciation events and his work with local schools. Under his leadership, Premier Arts has seen many exciting firsts – such as The Premier Arts Academy which opened in the fall of 2024, an Independent Public School that will focus on the Arts.

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DORINDA TonER

📍 Vancouver, Washington – Region IX

Dorinda has been performing on stages across North America for 40 years. She studied Theater/Directing at University in her native country, where she is also a multi-album Canadian Recording Artist. She is a proud Board Member for the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). She has twice been the facilitator of the AACT Community Theatre Management Conference (West Coast) and is delighted to serve on the Editorial team and to have contributed as a guest columnist for AACT’s national ‘Spotlight’ magazine. Dorinda is a past Vice-President of PATA (Portland Area Theatre Alliance) and currently serves on the board of OCTA (Oregon Community Theatre Alliance). A multi award winning actress, Dorinda was thrilled to play ‘Beverly’ in Kerrigan & Lowdermilk’s The Mad Ones Virtual Broadway Lab in 2020. A prolific director, she has won several awards for her work, including Portland Broadway World’s Best Director and Best Play in 2021 for A Feminine Ending and the Willamette Weeks Best Play of 2019 for How I Learned to Drive. Dorinda enjoys Intimacy Directing for stage actors and has level 2 certification with the IDC (Intimacy Directors & Coordinators). Dorinda is a Certified DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging) Human Resources Specialist. She has been the Producing Artistic Director of Twilight Theater Company in Portland, Oregon since May 2016 and believes strongly that community theatre changes lives.

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Dustin Delaune

📍 Gonzales, Louisiana – Region VI

Dustin Delaune is the current President of the Board of Directors for Ascension Community Theatre. Theatre and the stage have been a part of their life since the early age of four! Over the years, Dustin has worked for and with numerous production companies, including Center Stage Performing Arts Academy, Playmakers, LA ARTS, and Ascension Community Theatre. In recognition of their dedication to the arts, Dustin was named the Face of Performing Arts by Family Resource Magazine for 2024 and 2025. As a passionate leader and advocate for the performing arts, they are committed to fostering creativity, expanding the theatre’s impact, and working toward growing its physical space to better serve artists and audiences alike. With a passion for both artistic excellence and community engagement, Dustin continues to make strides in both personal and professional endeavors, always aiming to uplift those around them and bring their creative vision to life.

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Elizabeth-Ali Schade

📍 Salina, Kansas – Region V

Elizabeth-Ali is the Director of Operations at Theatre Salina. She is certified in Trauma Informed Consent Forward Arts, Grant Proposal Writing, and Intercultural Competence. Her degree is in Business Administration - Marketing with a minor in Gender Women and Sexuality. She was recently accepted to the Oklahoma University for her master’s degree in arts management. Elizabeth-Ali is an Intimacy Director and consultant focusing on introduction and education for a consent-forward environment.  She is the Director of Stage Door 1, Music Theatre Company, and teaches dance and acting at Center for Theatre Arts.

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Judith Cosgray

📍 Lancaster, Ohio – Region III

Judith holds a MSA Master of Science Public Administration and a MLIS Master of Library and Information Science as well as a Certificate in Performing Arts Management Essentials from NYU TISCH School of Arts. Judith has always been involved in the community volunteering for many groups. Judith has been an educator for over 20 years starting as an education major then transitioning to libraries. Her focus has been, and always will be student educational and emotional growth, and cultural enrichment for all. Judith is the founder of the Rise Up Youth Theatre and Rise Up Arts Alliance.

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Kay Armstrong

📍 Dallas, Texas – Region VI

Kay has served on the AACT Board of Directors off and on since 1997 and currently serves as Board Secretary. She was AACT VP of Festivals for 4 years and Chair of the Festival Commission for 4 yrs prior to serving as VP. Recently she has completed 8 yrs again as Commission Chair. She trained as an adjudicator under Annette Precunier and David Young (author of “How to Direct a Musical”). She has adjudicated 18 state and regional festivals as well as 5 secondary level festivals. She is currently serving her 10th yr as an adjudicator for Broadway Dallas’ High School Musical Theatre Awards which selects students for the NYC Jimmy Awards (82 high schools throughout the northern half of Texas). Kay was Exec Dir for Oklahoma Community Theatre Assn for 10 yrs, organizing and overseeing 5 state and 3 regional AACT festivals, establishing an annual youth conference as well as a grants & scholarships program. In addition, she served on the state arts council’s theatre grants panels as well as an audition panelist for Oklahoma Summer Arts Institutes. As Exec Dir of the North Tx Dance Council for 3 yrs, she organized and managed 2 annual outdoor dance festivals with numerous stages for several days each and additional performance programming. She was Business Manager for Contemporary Theatre of Dallas for 3 yrs and during that time she was also appointed to the Grants Panel for the Dallas Commission for the Arts.

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LYLE TATE

📍 Houston, Texas – Region VI

Lyle Tate has been active in community theatre for the past 26 years. A Mississippi native, Lyle moved to Houston, TX, in 2013 and volunteers with Baytown Little Theatre (BLT) in Baytown, TX, serving as an actor, director, and member of the Board of Directors. Lyle holds a B.A. in English, a M.S. in counselor education and student affairs in higher education, and is a Ph.D. candidate in organizational leadership, studying how the theory of positive authentic leadership impacts affective commitment among community theatre volunteers throughout the country. Lyle works with the University of Houston College of Optometry as Director of the Office of Student Services. With BLT, Lyle’s most recent roles include “Mitch” in Tuesdays with Morrie, “Harold Hill” in The Music Man (BroadwayWorld Houston nomination), “Mysterious Man” in Into the Woods (BroadwayWorld Houston nomination), and “Nick” in The Guys (TEXFest Best Actor & AACT Region VI Best Actor awards). Lyle is a trained adjudicator and festival commissioner with the American Association of Community Theatre.

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Rebecca Fry

📍 Shawnee, Oklahoma – Region VI

Rebecca Fry has been involved in community theatre for almost 30 years acting, directing, managing the box office, and sewing costumes. She is currently serving as managing director of her local all-volunteer theatre, Shawnee Little Theatre in Shawnee, OK. Rebecca is currently a member of the AACT Board of Directors and serves on the membership committee. Rebecca has a passion to spread the love of theatre, especially to youth. She helped organize and direct Kid’s Camps at SLT and was the Speech/Drama teacher at Shawnee Middle School before her retirement. Rebecca believes all communities are richer when the arts are present. Live theatre brings people together and makes communities more vibrant and connected. She believes we must all work together to bring quality theatre to our neighbors. Her local theatre has provided a collection of experiences and she would like to share and make new connections with many more theatres.

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Ron Watson

📍 Georgetown, Texas – Region VI

Ron Watson, became the Executive Artistic Director of the Georgetown Palace Theatre in April of 2019, after serving as the Technical Director since 2013, and has been directing for the Palace since 1999. He performed in first show with the Palace in 1998. Ron is an award-winning director with more than 50 productions to his name. Past Directing credits include The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Peter Pan, A Few Good Men, Singin’ in the Rain, Man of La Mancha, Beauty and the Beast, A Tuna Christmas, and Noises Off. He also served as Production Stage Manager for the State Theater Company and the Austin Shakespeare Festival for several seasons. Ron holds a BFA in Directing from Texas State University.

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Scot McDonald

📍 Valparaiso, Indiana – Region III

Scot PJ MacDonald serves as the Venue Director of the historic Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso, Indiana. Under his leadership, the Opera House has flourished as a vibrant hub where creativity thrives and everyone feels welcome—whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. Scot is deeply committed to inclusive programming and creating opportunities that reflect the diverse voices of the community. In addition to his work in Indiana, Scot is a member of the Board of Directors for AACT where he currently serves as Treasurer on the Executive Committee. A passionate advocate for the arts, he believes in the transformative power of community theatre to bridge divides and foster meaningful connection.