Our Staff and Board of Directors
MPA has one full time employee, two part time employees and is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors who work together to make the
lives of the SW WA community fuller and richer through performing arts.
Board meetings are held once a month. To be added to the agenda, contact Brett by emailing info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org
lives of the SW WA community fuller and richer through performing arts.
Board meetings are held once a month. To be added to the agenda, contact Brett by emailing info@MetropolitanPerformingArts.org
Kris Heller artistic & education director Originally from Ohio, Kristin received her Bachelor of Arts and Communications in Theater Arts from Bowling Green State University. She moved from Ohio to Chicago, IL and was Artistic Director of a non-profit theater company that focused on new play development. In 2009, she moved to Portland, OR to pursue her Master in Theatre, graduating in 2011. Kristin has apprenticed under world renowned directors such as Tito Capobianco, David Edwards and Elizabeth Bachman. She has worked as Acting, Dance, and Directing faculty for the Tyrolean Opera Program in Maurach Austria. Kristin has worked summers as Acting, Dance and Directing faculty at the Napa Music Festival and directed Mozart’s ‘Cosi fan tutte’ with Ping and Wolf Opera in Portland, Or, touring to Hood River, OR. 
Brett Allred board PRESIDENT As a NW native and Vancouver resident since 1977, Brett has found interest in music, theater and being a jack of all arts and trades. Community, arts, involvement and evolution are what makes him tick. Brett graduated from Columbia River HS where he was active in theater. He trained vocally with David Murray through Clark College, participated in musicals with the Vancouver company "The Peanut Gallery" and traveled to Europe and Japan on a diplomatic journey. He attended school at Beau Monde and Vidal Sassoon and works as a hair artist and business owner. Brett has produced fundraising and fashion events in Vancouver. Among them are Showface Beard and Mustache Competition, Dia de Lost Muertos event, Sailor Jerry's Pin-up and Greaser competition, Santacon Vancouver pub crawl and most successfully, Couve Couture Fashion Show. held annually showcasing emerging designer talents. Brett is known around town as the "Mayor of Main Street" after receiving recognition from the Willamette Week newspaper as one of the most interesting citizens of Vancouver, WA. Brett has performed with MPA in the production of RENT which created excited about this Vancouver arts company. 
Heather Gulling BOARD SECRETARY Heather's theatre roots grow from being backstage as her mom worked on local productions in her home state of Iowa. She got her bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Biomedical Illustration, while also performing in many college productions. After college she (and her now husband Michael) moved to Florida where she worked for over ten years as the Graphics Manager for Asolo Rep, Florida's largest Equity theatre. In Florida she and her husband performed in local theatres until they had kids and no free time :). After relocating to Camas to be closer to her now retired parents, she is happy to be giving back by helping to bring live theatre to a new generation. |
Chulina Wheeler office manager Chulina has a background in performing arts by being a youth-performer of tap, jazz and ballet, and also played the Saxophone for over 14 years. She studied Human Development, Criminal Justice, and Psychology through her Bachelor's degree before completing her Masters in Business Administration in 2019. Chulina has a passion for the arts, is an advocate for underserved populations, and feels privileged to have joined the Metropolitan Performing Arts Family as our Office Manager. 
Holly Hurley board vice president Coming out of NYU with a degree in Musical Theatre, Holly Hurley Feather was a starry-eyed small-town girl who had already worked with Lyricist Sheldon Harnick on an updated Dora in Fiorello!, and with Greg Ganakas and Randy Skinner as Baby Rose in Babes in Arms. A character actor with a unique voice, she then went on to write and produce 3 Off-Broadway Shows, got her Equity Card playing Geraldine in The Screwtape Letters at The Producers Club II, and started producing for film and television with UDirect Productions and @Radical. After a brief stint on the CMT Reality Show "I Want to Look...Like a High School Cheerleader, Again", Feather opted to take a break from NYC to find the next level for her creativity, leadership, and analytical skills. This departure took her "Way Out West" to St. Louis where she acquired an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis leading to several iconic brand creation roles for Depend, Kleenex, Glade, Ziploc, and Sonicare. Currently Head of Hype for a new music venue in Lewes, DE and consulting CMO for 4 innovative start-ups; Holly is more than "stoked" to help bring growth to MPA, where all people in the Vancouver area can find an outlet for their own unique voices. 
Kathleen Jung BOARD MEMBER After serving in the Army (Airborne!) and working in pharmaceutical/medical sales for 30 years, Kathleen is delighted to bring her enthusiasm and love of performing arts to MPA. She is a lifelong musician, vocalist, actor, and pretends to dance. Performing arts are a transformational experience for both performers and patrons alike. On a daily basis, we see our actors, singers, and dancers gain confidence, explore their creativity, and find their place within the MPA community. We are creating a safe place that accepts them as they are and where they are on their journey. Through our network of volunteers and our audiences, we are making our community stronger. 
Allison Duncan BOARD MEMBER Allison Duncan has been a part of the Vancouver community since moving here in 2003. She grew up in Kennewick, WA, graduated from Washington State University and then did her medical training at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. She is an Ob/Gyn physician at Vancouver Clinic. She has been in the performing arts while in school with a bit of acting then transitioning to playing the clarinet and piano through college. She is currently a member of the bell choir at her church. She became involved in Metropolitan Performing Arts when her daughter was in the cast of the organization's 2015 production of "Annie". She wants to help MPA because it enriches the community and is an excellent place for kids to find a supportive home. |
Cooper Poole artist in residence Cooper is a pacific northwest artist involved with MPA as the resident sound designer for their main stage shows. He has taken on the role of Artist in Residence assisting with MPA's classes on a daily basis. He is also excited to be teaching guitar lessons and is currently accepting new students! Cooper has worked on shows for Metropolitan Performing Arts, Staged!, Enso theater, and a few others. 
Kristi Hansen Onkka board treasurer Kristi Hansen Onkka is a healthcare marketer based in Vancouver, Washington. She has always loved musicals and the art of entertainment, even spending her college days working as a background extra in TV and films including the movie Newsies. She joined the board after attending a couple of wonderfully produced shows and seeing the dedication to diversity and inclusion from the teachers, performers and crew at MPA. In addition to board member duties, she enjoys helping with prop design, social media, and the box office. She is an active member of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Organization (WEO) here in Vancouver and is an adjunct professor in the Reed College of Media IMC Master’s Program at West Virginia University. 
Lauren Meyer BOARD member Lauren began performing as a child with Peanut Gallery Theatre in Vancouver, WA and since then has appeared in productions throughout the Northwest. She currently performs infrequently but loves it. Favorite recent roles include Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Lettie in The Greatest Showman (concert.) She is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and won first place in the 2018 NATS musical theater competition, Adult division. Her two children have found a supportive and creative home at MPA where their individual contributions are valued. Lauren is CEO of EventBuilder, a virtual events software and services company in Vancouver. 
Jocy Walla BOARD member Jocy is a finance graduate working for Riverview Community Bank in their Business Intelligence Department. She got involved with Metropolitan Performing Arts when her daughter watched a production of The Little Mermaid. She was so fascinated by the whole thing and wanted to be on stage too. The Walla's first production was The Wizard of Oz, and how fitting because they found a family in MPA. "There's no place like home!" |
Past board members - thank you for your service to MPA!
Ross Ashdown
Marci Caputo
Kimberly Stromberg
Heather Skogen
Nancy Herron
Angela Matteo
Shelle Riehl
Matt Storm
Marci Caputo
Kimberly Stromberg
Heather Skogen
Nancy Herron
Angela Matteo
Shelle Riehl
Matt Storm
MPA Board Member Vacancy
Metropolitan Performing Arts (MPA) is currently seeking interested persons who are willing to serve in a governance capacity on their board of directors. Established in 2010, MPA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit serves the SW Washington community by providing quality arts education and performance opportunities for all ages. MPA is seeking members of the community who are interested in helping take MPA to the next level. Directors are volunteers and a crucial leadership position to the organization. MPA is committed to building a creative and dynamic space that celebrates individual differences, diversity and treats everyone with fairness and respect. MPA does not discriminate in practices or opportunities on the basis of an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other category protected by law. Anyone with a passion for the arts should apply.
Board members must be 18 years and able to fulfill the minimum board service commitment of 3 years.
Those interested in serving on the MPA Board should submit an application and cover letter to Ross Ashdown, Board President at info@metropolitanperformingarts.org
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact MPA Executive Director, Barbara Richardson at 360-975-1585 or exec.director@metropolitanperformingarts.org.
Board members must be 18 years and able to fulfill the minimum board service commitment of 3 years.
Those interested in serving on the MPA Board should submit an application and cover letter to Ross Ashdown, Board President at info@metropolitanperformingarts.org
Should you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact MPA Executive Director, Barbara Richardson at 360-975-1585 or exec.director@metropolitanperformingarts.org.
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