Our Staff and Board of Directors
MPA has one full time employee 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 Ross 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 Ross 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. Ross Ashdown BOARD PRESIDENT Ross Ashdown has lived in Vancouver, WA over 20 years and graduated from Washington State University, Vancouver with a degree in Human Development. He works for Progressive insurance company as the Medical Manager for Oregon. Ross has served on a few boards over the last 15 years started with his neighborhood association board in Cascade Park. His daughter has been performing since she was 3 and that brought him to the booster club board for a local dance studio in 2013. His daughter joined Metropolitan Performing Arts in 2015 and he joined our board in 2016. In addition to being on the board, Ross also coaches his son's football and basketball teams. "There are so many benefits associated with participating in the arts that it is imperative that we continue to foster the growth of great programs like Metro for our youth in Clark County". |
Barbara Richardson general manager Barbara Richardson is an actor, singer and voice over artist based out of SW Washington. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Metropolitan Performing Arts in Vancouver, WA. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Vanguard University of Southern California (VUSC) and took part in the 2009 NYC Making it on Broadway intensive studying under Jodie Llangel, Nick Wyman, Erin Dilly, Kim Steiner, Dave Clemmons, Ryan Stanza, Judith Fredricks & Pasek and Paul. In 2011 she started her own private vocal studio and has been a vocal coach and musical director for several productions in the Vancouver/Portland area. Favorite stage credits include Rose in Dogfight, Maureen in Rent, Jo March in Little Women the Musical, Martha in Spring Awakening, Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar and Beth in Rock the Presidents. Barbara has been part of several staged readings, cabarets and vocal pit ensembles including Mamma Mia with Broadway Rose, Merrily We Roll Along with Staged! and Baron Munchausen at Lakewood (Fertile Ground Festival). Voice over credits include theme songs for children's animation shows to commercials. Barbara is passionate about arts education and creating a safe space for kids to be unapologetically themselves. When not working she enjoys listening to jazz music, reading and hanging out with her niece. 
Brett Allred VICE 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. |
Lauren Meyer BOARD TREASURER 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. 
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. 
Jocy Walla BOARD SECRETARY 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!" |
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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