Ohio Community Theatre Association
Meet the 2025 - 2026 OCTA Board
Niccole Amersdorfer (West), President
Niccole has been actively involved in theatre since age 7, and started working with Troy Civic Theatre in 2008. Over the years, she has been on stage, directed, produced, stage managed, tech directed, designed, and/or been running crew in over 90 productions. Niccole has received several OCTA awards got performance and directing, and was honored with the Spirit of Community Theatre award in 2023. She started working with OCTA in 2017 as a West Regional Rep, has served as the board secretary, and is currently serving her third term as President.
Mendell Hibbard (Central), Programming Chair
Mendell, a Groveport resident, is the current band director at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus. He holds degrees from Ohio University and Ohio State University, and has 34 years of public school teaching experience. He is an adjudicator with the Ohio Music Education Association. His theater "life" is in the orchestra pit, both playing and conducting.
Mary Stone (Southwest), Marketing/Membership Chair
This is Mary's first year on the OCTA Board, having served last year as the Southwest region’s Lead Rep. Her vast board experience includes 2 years as President of The Drama Workshop, 3 years as ACT Cincinnati’s Marketing/Publicity head, 5 years as a member at large on Exhale Dance Tribe’s board, and 9 years on The Footlighters Inc.'s board, serving as VP Admin and VP Marketing. In addition to serving on OCTA's board, she is currently 1st VP of ACT Cincinnati and a member at large on The Carnegie's board. Mary was humbled and honored to have won the 2025 OCTA President's Award, the prestigious ACT Cincinnati Art Rouse award in 2024, and the 2022 ACT Cincinnati’s President's Award.
Jesse Bernal Jr. (Northwest), Fundraising Chair
Jesse Bernal Jr. is a passionate performer and founder of 3B Productions one of Ohio’s vibrant community of theaters. With a love for storytelling and a dedication to the craft, Jesse has brought a range of performances to life as technical director and producer for multiple musicals, dramas, and comedies alike. He, is honored to be part of OCTA and is grateful for the friendships, creativity, and growth that community theater continues to inspire.
Machelle Miller (East), Secretary
Machelle is a 21 year member of the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County, and has served as their Treasurer for the past 11 years. She has received their Marquee Award, which is the highest honor that a member can receive. She has been a East Regional Representative since it began again 5 years ago. She has received the Spirit of Community Theatre Award, and Outstanding Regional Representative awards from OCTA. Machelle is excited for the opportunity to serve OCTA this year as the Board Secretary.
Wayne Kirsch (Southwest), Administrative Chair
Comm. Th. involvement: in IN - 25 yrs; in KY - 18 yrs (including State President); in OH - 26 yrs; Local theatre rep & delegate; OCTA - Reg. Rep; Bd Member; Pres.; 1st VP; OCTA Fest Chair; President Award twice; Spirit of Comm. Th. award; Hall of Fame inductee; charter member of AACT (39 years)
Aara S. Wise (Central), Admin
Employed as a legal secretary with Eques Law Group, Aara is a graduate of Ohio University, School of Education & Theater. A numerous award winner, she has served as director, actor, choreographer, stage manager, musician, set & light designer, costumer, and properties mistress for numerous productions over the last 50+ years in a variety of professional to community theaters. As well as Cherokee language advisor for the premier production of "The Kentucky Cycle" directed by Lucia Columbi. She has been involved in OCTA since 1987, serving in many positions, but currently as the Administrative Assistant. Her favorite shows include Titanic (Marion Thayer), Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn), Fiddler on the Roof (Golde), Willy Wonka (Director), The Drowsy Chaperone (Mrs. Tottendale), and Jane Eyre (Mrs. Reed/Lady Ingram). But the best parts of all were Mommy’s Peachy and Daddy’s Little Princess!
Joe Barton (Northwest), Member at Large
Joe has been actively involved with OCTA for more than 25 years. In that time, he has served on multiple committees as well as President (five times), Vice President of Programming (3 times), OCTA Conference Chair (two times), Costume Competition Chair and numerous times as OCTA Festival Chair. Currently, Joe is serving as Co-OCTA Festival Chair and as Ohio AACT Chair. Throughout his 25+ years of service, Joe has also found time to serve as a Northwest Regional Rep and as an OCTA Responder. Joe is currently the Artistic Director of 3B Productions, an OCTA, and now AACT, Award winning production company. Both his regular shows and youth shows have garnered multiple awards at both regional and state conferences as well as the most recent AACT Region III Awards in 2025. Joe is also very involved with Waterville Playshop currently serving as OCTA Delegate, Historian and as a Director.
Susan Barzda (East), Member at Large
Currently I am an OCTA board member at large, in the Admin Division and assigned to keep the OCTA Code of Regulations current and updated. I serve as the Zanesville Community Theatre's OCTA Delegate, and as an alternate Delegate for the Zane Trace Players. I have attended OCTA's State Conferences since 1997, have served as a Regional Rep in the past and served on the OCTA board for many years. I grew up in Alliance, Ohio and most of my family members still reside there. As a graduate from Heidelberg University with a Bachelor of Music Degree, I have taught band, music, baton twirling and auxiliary groups, a fife & drum corps, and worked with adults as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional in Cambridge Ohio. I am retired, but continue to play clarinet and sax in many instrumental music groups, and I volunteer on a Human Rights Committee with my former employer.
Theresa Benyo-Marzullo (Northeast), Member at Large
Theresa Benyo-Marzullo has been involved in theater for over 30 years including appearances at professional theatres in Northeast Ohio. Theresa has performed onstage and backstage as director, stage manager, costumer, light operator, props master, makeup artist, stage crew, and producer. Directing a production of "End Days" garnered her an Excellence in Directing Award at the 2016 Northeast OCTA Regional Festival and Best Director award at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre (CVLT). In 2014, she received training from OCTA as a responder and has been responding at OCTA Festivals ever since. Theresa recently became an OCTA Board Member in 2024 and is happy to be an OCTAFest Chair.
Kate Charlesworth-Miller (Central), Member at Large
Growing up in New Jersey, Kate got the theatre bug early. While pursuing a degree in English from Fordham University, she appeared in numerous shows in their Off-Off-Broadway black box theatre. She moved to Central Ohio, and in 1999 became a member of Little Theatre Off Broadway in Grove City, where she now serves as the VP of the board. Kate has also served as President of the board at Curtain Players in Westerville. She has been on the OCTA board in various capacities for over 10 years.
Jane Mancini (East), Member at Large
No bio provided
TJ McKee (North), Member at Large
TJ McKee is an arts advocate, nonprofit leader, and strategist dedicated to building vibrant cultural communities. As Executive Director of the Tiffin Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts (TFAA) and trustee of Fremont Community Theatre, TJ works to expand access to the arts through programming, education, and cross-community collaboration. With a background in marketing, fundraising, and organizational leadership, he has led initiatives including TFAA’s historic arts center renovation and regional arts partnerships. As COO and CHRO for Opus Management, he leads OMDM—the marketing division of the company—helping nonprofits and small businesses strengthen their digital presence and storytelling. Known for his creativity, data-driven approach, and infectious enthusiasm, TJ inspires others to connect, create, and contribute through the arts.
Meg Miller (East), Member at Large
I am a member of The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County for the past 21 years. I have had a term on our board, which resulted in me being Vice President the third year (around the time of Covid). It is an honor to be serving on the OCTA Board and bringing my talents to this organization. Thank you for the opportunity to let me help continue to move this organization into the future.
Christina Sicillano (Southwest), Member at Large
Christina has been involved in community theater in the Southwest region since 2011. She has won a number of awards both regionally and through OCTA. She looks forward to working with the Fundraising Committee this year.
Carissa Sloan (Southwest), Member at Large
Carissa has been involved with community theatre for over 20 years, mostly with Loveland Stage Company, where she currently serves as the OCTA delegate and costume chair. Her theatrical passions are in performing, directing and costuming shows, but she has also volunteered in many other behind the scenes roles. Carissa has been a part of the OCTA Board since 2018, including two years as the MMPR chair. She is an ACT Cincinnati Orchid award winner in many categories, including directing, costuming, and programs, as well as an OCTA Award winner for costumes and directing. She also volunteers as a responder for ACT Cincinnati. She holds degrees in Theatre and English.
Christi Thomas (West), Member at Large
I made my singing debut in the first grade and saw my first professional theater production in 1966 at Kenley Players, Dayton, Ohio.
I performed in my first community theatre production in January 1980 and have since been involved in over 100 productions garnering many OCTA Awards for my newsletters and musical ensemble performances.
I attended my first OCTA Conference in 1993 in Cincinnati, subsequently elected to the OCTA Board in 1995, and became Secretary for multiple terms. I started the various policies and job descriptions (in writing) which are being updated each year. I have since been 2nd Vice-President in charge of MM/PR, President (for 2 terms), 1997 OCTA Conference Chair, 2013 and 2018 Conference Co-Chair, and Regional Rep for the Northwest Region and the West Region.