Our Team
Click on Staff members' photos to view their bios and contact information.
With over three decades of professional experience in varying industries Including Elf Lubricants NA, LP Music group, Kirker Enterprises, Michael Kors and Baccarat Inc, NA. Miriam has honed her expertise in all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, and financial planning and analysis. Her career highlights include being recognized by Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2021 with a “Ceiling Breaker” award as the only black women to have ever served as a CFO at Baccarat Inc. NA. During a period of transition in the company Miriam also served as Baccarat’s interim CEO in 2023. She has spearheaded the implementation and upgrading of three ERP software packages and providing crucial financial support to IT initiatives. Miriam strongly believes in a collaborative work environment that supports and empowers every employee.
Because of her passion for the arts, she served on the Board of Governors for SOPAC for 5 years. Now she will lend her financial expertise in-house, as SOPAC’s chief financial officer.
Dan Stankus is the Director of Programming at SOPAC, where he oversees the programming and production of various events and performances. He brings with him over a decade of experience in the music and entertainment industry, including his work in the music department for late night juggernaut, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and various music festivals.
Throughout his career, Dan has been responsible for booking top-tier talent, working closely with agents, managers, and artists to curate performances that appeal to a wide variety of audiences while ensuring a cohesive and compelling musical narrative. In addition to his work as a music booker, Dan has produced events for the Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, the CMA’s, and other late-night and daytime shows. He has also worked as a touring musician and stage manager for various groups.
Dan’s experience as a music industry professional, coupled with his passion for the arts and entertainment, make him a valuable asset to SOPAC. He is dedicated to bringing exciting and diverse programming to the organization, while also maintaining the high standards of excellence that SOPAC is known for.
Molly Marinik is an enthusiastic performing arts professional with extensive experience across New York and New Jersey in both the non-profit and commercial sectors. Most recently, Molly worked in the development department at McCarter Theater Center in Princeton, NJ where she held numerous roles including Director of Grants and Development Communications and Interim Director of Development, leading the department twice through executive and senior leadership transitions. Molly has also worked in the development departments of Atlantic Theater Company in New York City and the international organization Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.
In addition to her work in arts fundraising, Molly supports playwrights and musical theater writers through her freelance dramaturgy practice. She has collaborated with award-winning artists creating new theatrical works and is a fierce supporter of original productions that bring unique stories and voices to the stage. Molly has a master’s degree in theater history and criticism from Brooklyn College.
In addition to loving the performing arts, Molly is also a massive fan of South Orange, where she’s lived for 10 years since relocating from NYC. She feels very lucky to be part of such a vibrant community of engaged and thoughtful individuals here and in our surrounding towns. Molly lives with her husband, two sons, and scruffy dog.
Lauren joined SOPAC in January 2022 as the Director of Marketing & Audience Experience. Prior to joining SOPAC, Lauren spent 15+ years as an award winning cross-channel marketing professional leading full funnel marketing efforts for some of the world’s largest brands across CPG, non-profit, and pharma. Most recently, Lauren led a variety of accounts for DDB, based out of NYC. Over the course of her 12 years at the agency, Lauren managed the business for clients, including Henkel, Mars, Johnson & Johnson, New York City Ballet, Ad Council, and Merck. Lauren led teams in developing groundbreaking and effective marketing plans to help brands respond to their respective business challenges. Prior to DDB, Lauren began her advertising career working for Saatchi & Saatchi, supporting some of the biggest brands within General Mills and Procter & Gamble.
A highlight of her career thus far, Lauren led the DDB team working with New York City Ballet, which created and launched the inaugural NYCB Art Series. This initiative won multiple industry awards, including Cannes Lions, Clios, Effies, and a Jay Chiat Award. Additionally, NYCB Art Series has continued as part of the NYCB performance calendar annually since 2012.
Lauren has been involved in theater and the performing arts throughout her life. As a child, living in Briarcliff Manor, NY, Lauren took the train into New York City every Saturday with her mother to participate in a youth theater company. Bit by the theater bug, Lauren continued to fuel her passion with a degree in Theatre from Northwestern University. After graduating and moving back to New York City, Lauren pursued acting professionally before pivoting to advertising. Now a resident of the area, Lauren is thrilled to take her marketing experience and love for the performing arts to SOPAC.
Rob Cruz is SOPAC’s Director of Production and Operations. Rob is a current Union County resident who has been working at SOPAC for 7 years! Aside from SOPAC, Rob has toured internationally with multiple musical acts and has also worked in music production. He plays several instruments including the guitar, drums, and the trumpet (which was his first instrument!) Rob is also proud to be a father to his beautiful daughter.
Rob is extremely passionate about the arts, especially expanding arts education programs throughout the community. He is excited for all of the opportunities that are ahead, and especially loves all of the capabilities that there are to present at SOPAC.
Linda Beard began working at SOPAC as a volunteer in 2011 and has worked in almost all departments within the organization.
Linda graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Education from Montclair State University. After teaching in a private school, she turned to the private sector running her own successful business before moving to Florida to manage a top regional sales team, and subsequently earned a PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification.
During her tenure, Linda has organized community events such as Playin’ Around South Orange, and arts education programs such as the School Performance Series, Poetry Out Loud, the music and Ailey Dance residencies for local students, and more. Linda also manages the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery to bring rotating exhibitions and the INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition to the Gallery.
Every day Linda is impassioned by her desire to offer arts programs and opportunities that enhance the cultural life of our community and encourage young people to make arts an active part of their everyday lives.
Melissa Haworth is a visual designer and storyteller with 25 years of experience bringing ideas to life across advertising, digital, and product design. Her career has spanned visual design, content, campaigns, and cross-channel digital experiences, always with a focus on helping people discover and connect with something new.
Most recently, Melissa led product design and user research for a Digital Adoption Product. Before that, she held creative and design leadership roles at companies including McKinsey, Braze, Jet.com, and BBDO, where she began her career directing digital campaigns for clients like E*Trade, GE, and the Special Olympics.
A lifelong arts enthusiast and Maplewood local, Melissa is excited to bring her hands-on creative skills to SOPAC, an organization she sees as vital to the cultural life of the community she calls home.
Kriti Venkat supports SOPAC’s development team across donor communications, membership, special events and data management, helping create a smooth and welcoming experience for donors.
Kriti has had a lifelong connection to the performing arts. She is trained in Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, and has spent more than twenty-five years training and performing in a tradition that blends storytelling, music and expressive movement. Her experience as a dancer shapes how she approaches her work, with a strong appreciation for the discipline, creativity and sense of community at the heart of the arts.
She holds an MBA with concentrations in Information Technology Management and Marketing from Seton Hall University, where she also worked in communications and digital engagement roles supporting cross-department projects and campus-wide initiatives. While in college, she served as President of the Indian Dance Society, leading performances, coordinating productions and building an inclusive and energetic arts community. These experiences continue to shape her collaborative and thoughtful approach to her work.
Outside of work, Kriti continues to dance, explore local arts and culture and support creative spaces that bring people together.
Even when there is another box office window available, SOPAC patrons have been known to stand in line just to talk to Sheila Corbin Daniels. She has a well-earned loyal following from her 16 years as SOPAC Box Office Manager. Sheila remembers filling ticket orders by hand while the building was still under construction.
These days, however, she enjoys telling people, “I’m sorry, but that show is sold out! You need to think ahead and call earlier.”
When asked about her way with people, Sheila responds, “Now, I’m not all that and a bag of chips, but from the time that I was knee high to a grasshopper, I was taught to take pride in what you’re doing. The folks that you think aren’t paying attention will pay attention—at some point.”
Before coming to SOPAC, Sheila spent 32 years as a paralegal serving both the court system and private practice.
Jake Esformes is the Manager of Special Events and Rentals at SOPAC. He is eager to work with members of the community looking to partner with SOPAC and bring their events to life. He carries with him over a decade’s worth of experience in production, event management, and customer service to this role.
As a South Orange native, Jake is intimately familiar with SOMA. He is grateful to come home and serve his community alongside a team of people committed to making SOPAC a beacon of culture and education.
Theater is one of Jake’s passions, starting out at South Orange Middle School and eventually graduating to the stages of Columbia High School, NJPAC, Seton Hall University and Rutgers University, to name a few.
He is an enthusiastic athlete, a life-long hockey player, and a passionate surfer who wants to hear from you!
If you are interested in booking our space, please contact him at rentals@sopacnow.org.
Rich Spector was born to work in a theater. His first performance in front of an audience was in 6th grade when he was tasked by his teacher to put together a magic show for the younger grades. Theater has been in his blood ever since.
He earned a B.A. from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University, with a concentration in Radio/TV/Film Production and a minor in puppetry arts. After graduating, he spent the next 8 years working as a Production Assistant, Locations Scout, and Assistant Director on feature films and television shows shot on the streets and in the studios of NYC, while also pursuing any opportunity to perform.
Subsequently, while running the Nutley Chamber of Commerce, where he organized annual events for the township, he and his wife raised two daughters who also fell in love with the stage.
In 2022, Rich celebrated his 6th SOPAC employment anniversary as the Manager of Special Events and Rentals and has since been promoted to Facilities & Production Manager. Every day is a challenge and full of rewards.
Patryk Sikorski is a Stage Manager at SOPAC. Patryk is a talented music producer and performer with a passion for the arts. He graduated from Bloomfield College with a B.A. in Music Production and has since established himself as a successful producer, working with artists across a range of genres.
In addition to his music career, Patryk is also an avid fan of the performing arts. He enjoys attending concerts, plays, and musicals, and is always on the lookout for new and exciting performances to experience. With his talent, creativity, and dedication to the arts, Patryk is excited to contribute to the continued success and growth of SOPAC’s mission to provide exceptional arts experiences to the community.
Benjamin Weill is SOPAC’s Lighting Director and has been working at the institution for 6 years. He regularly designs shows and concerts for the venue, while also maintaining and upgrading the venue’s lighting system.
When not at SOPAC, Benjamin is a freelance lighting designer, regularly touring around the country as the lighting designer for the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. He is extremely proud of the work that he’s been able to do at SOPAC and strives to make each show a unique and memorable experience.
Mike came to SOPAC in 2008 after serving in positions in the Human Resources field for thirty years. His positions included Employment Officer and Labor Relations Specialist. Mike also served as an “Advocate” in arbitration hearings for the Northern NJ District of the United States Postal Service (employment, discipline and dismissal). While in his position as Employment Officer, he received the John Fogerty award from the State of NJ for his efforts in hiring disabled workers.
Mike presently volunteers at two senior centers in Union, holding weekly computer and music classes. Mike is a musician and composer and loves the diverse musical performances presented at SOPAC.
Bill Perlman is a long time resident of South Orange. Together with his wife Janet (a CHS graduate), he has raised two daughters, and helped raise twin grandchildren, all graduates of SOMA schools! After watching the process of SOPAC finally getting built, he started volunteering during its first year. Soon SOPAC asked Bill to also be a House Manager, and he has been doing both for many years.
A graduate engineer (without an arts backround), Bill volunteered because he enjoys the theater and helping others. Before retiring he owned a manufacturing representative company supplying emergency power equipment. For many years he was involved with the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) as NY Chapter Chairman and then as NY Section Chairman, and is now a Life Senior Member.
Bill is an avid softball player and has played, managed teams and medaled in the Senior Olympics since 2001 at various venues around the country. He also plays and manages a local team and a team for the Cape Cod Classic Tournament. Bill did scuba diving at a number of different sites mostly in the Caribbean and believes that it is the quietest and most zen of sports. He is now playing pickleball as well, which is neither quiet nor zen.
Larousse Pierre started at SOPAC in 2012 volunteering as an Usher, and became a House Manager in 2018. Outside of SOPAC, Larousse worked in the Electronic field as a Technician for the Avionics and tested equipment for the Military and commercial. He is now employed as an Incoming Quality Control Inspector for General Reliance Corporation in the field of Fiber Optic Cable and Electro-Mechanical Assembly for Military Aerospace and defense markets.
Robin Sherer began working at SOPAC as a volunteer Usher in October of 2013. In 2016, she was awarded as Volunteer of the Year.
As an accountant with almost 50 years’ experience, Robin has had extensive experience with non-profit organizations and understands the complexities of their administration and admires their social value. She loves Rock and Roll, like everyone else of her vintage. Robin has also learned to admire and enjoy Classical music. Her son is a Classical clarinetist and a middle school math teacher, which is why her true passion is to encourage young minds in school to enjoy and learn art, music, theater and develop their own potential to the max. Robin loves that SOPAC has so much to offer in Kids + Family programming and supports SOPAC’s Arts Education programs. Robin feels honored and privileged to be a volunteer, employee and member of SOPAC.
One of the greatest assets of the South Orange Performing Arts Center is its Board of Governors, whose members serve as ambassadors for SOPAC and lend the organization their expertise, guidance, and support. These dedicated volunteers contribute their time, talents, and generosity to guide and lead SOPAC. They collectively strive to realize SOPAC’s mission by fostering a culture of offering audiences exhilarating and diverse arts experiences of the highest quality and contribute to the economic and social vibrancy of SOPAC’s highly diverse community.
Board Officers
Raised in South Orange and now residing in Maplewood, Aida Jones is a successful visual artist and the current Vice President of Global Enablement at Lucid Software. With over twenty years of leadership in the tech industry, Jones has held strategic go-to-market strategy, brand identity, marketing, and enablement at renowned companies such as ServiceNow, Adobe, Amobee, and Verizon.
Beyond her achievements in the tech world, Jones has made significant contributions to the arts community. From 2002 to 2008, she was the Marketing and Artistic Director of the Monroe Center for the Arts in Hoboken—a 180,000 square foot mixed-use arts complex with more than 150 artist studios, performances spaces, and a 4,000 square-foot gallery. In this role, Jones spearheaded initiatives in marketing, programming, and gallery curation, as well as management and promotion of “First Sundays,” a monthly artist studio tour.
Upon moving from Hoboken to Maplewood, Jones became active in the South Orange-Maplewood (SOMA) arts community, participating in exhibits, studio tours, and serving on the board of the 1978 Arts Center. She has acted as judge, juror, and curator for fine arts exhibits and artist tours in SOMA and across New Jersey, including SOPAC’s annual INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artists Exhibition.
When not involved in arts administration and management, Jones is an abstract painter. She displays her work in galleries, art shows, and events throughout New Jersey and New York, including a dedicated exhibition in SOPAC’s Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, Rhapsody in Color, and a permanent installation at Restaurant Lorena’s in Maplewood.
Matt Epstein joined the SOPAC Board of Governors in 2019 and serves as the Board Secretary. In his professional career, Matt works on the Walmart+ team, leading Value Prop and End to End Member Experience for this growth area of Walmart. In this role, Matt’s team creates the strategy, launch plan, and implementation for new Walmart+ benefits and improves the full customer journey with the goal of acquiring, engaging, and retaining more members across both in-store and digital platforms.
Previously, Matt spent four years at SiriusXM, leading acquisition, engagement, and retention for the standalone streaming business, building out the branding, positioning, marketing, pricing, and engagement for the service. Prior to SiriusXM, Matt worked at Amazon for over six years with roles in strategy, growth, and business development on the Amazon Music team, the Global Amazon Prime team, and the Prime Now/Amazon Fresh team. Prior to Amazon, Matt received his MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and his BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Outside of work, Matt loves seeing live music, hiking and spending time outdoors, and traveling as much as possible, though many of those hobbies have taken a second place to spending time with his two young sons, Maxwell and Gabriel. Matt, his sons, and his wife, Bari, have lived in South Orange since 2017, a town they instantly loved.
Randall Haase joined the SOPAC Board of Governors in 2017 and currently serves as the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Randy has over 30 years of investment experience having worked or served in the mutual fund, hedge fund, family office and endowment channels. Randy currently serves on the Advisory Board and was the founding Chief Investment Officer of Seeds. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the Ramapo College of New Jersey where he teaches Securities and Investments. Previously, he was a Portfolio Manager with Alliance Bernstein, Duquesne Capital Management, Baron Capital Management and Loeb Partners.
Randy currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Zoological Society of New Jersey (Essex County Turtle Back Zoo) where he Chairs the Nominating Committee and serves on the Finance Committee. Randy also serves on the Advisory Board for the Michael Price Student Investment Fund and is a guest lecturer at the New York University Stern Graduate School of Business, Lehigh University’s Wall Street Council, and the Financial Aid Committee of The Shefa School in NYC.
Besides being an admirer of the arts and a huge fan of live music, Randy is an avid runner and has completed six New York City Marathons. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University and an MBA in Finance from New York University. Randy and his wife Judy have three sons and are 30-year residents of Maplewood, NJ.
Jeremy is an award-winning theatre director and seven-time published playwright. He has directed Off-Broadway and regionally, including at some of the country’s most prestigious theatres including The Old Globe in San Diego, Goodspeed in Connecticut, and Second Stage in NYC. He taught directing at NYU and has a great fondness for children’s theatre. Several of his children’s musicals including Clifford the Big Red Dog and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood continue to tour the country.
Jeremy co-founded Midtown Direct Rep in SOMA to bring the wealth of Broadway performers who live out here to the SOPAC stage. In 2014, he transitioned his career from “straight theatre” to “corporate theatre” where, as the Senior Creative Director for Proscenium, he writes and directs large-scale corporate shows for some of the world’s biggest brands including Heineken, Johnson & Johnson, Harley-Davidson, and Charles Schwab.
Board Members
Paul Bartick joined the SOPAC Board of Governors in 2011 and served as its Chair from 2016 -2022. SOPAC is his happy place. Professionally, Paul is a film and television producer and author. He has produced and written dozens of television series including Sesame Street, The Magic School Bus, and the current PBS hit Cyberchase. Paul has developed and produced programs for dozens of clients including Viacom, Disney, and Nike. He is also the co-author of the 52-week Amazon best seller “Silver Bullet Selling”.
Mr. Bartick is currently president of BL2 Media which creates and produces STEM-infused IMAX films and TV shows that are intended to inspire the next generation. Paul is a former member of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team. He holds a BA from the University of California at Berkeley and an MA from Columbia University.
Chalom is a veteran cable, broadcast, and internet media executive responsible for development and creation of hundreds of hours of original and award-winning television content. He is one of the founding executives of various networks, including A&E Networks, The Lifetime Cable Network, Food Court Entertainment Network, and iNEXTV. As head of Production at A&E, he was the creator and Executive Producer of the celebrated Biography Series.
In his capacity as Director of Production and Program Operations at Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop), he oversaw production of the Emmy-winning series 3-2-1-Contact! and the world-acclaimed Sesame Street.
In the early 2000s, he was responsible for the creation of multiple internet video networks and websites with studio facilities in New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Munich, Germany. This venture, known as iNEXTV.com, owned and operated a wide array of interactive video websites that featured information and entertainment content.
Marc also serves on the boards of Wroxton College in the U.K., The School of the Arts at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and Jewish Vocational Services (JVS). He has lectured at The Annenberg School of Communications, New York University and The New School. He holds an M.A. from NYU.
Jason Conn joined the SOPAC Board of Directors in May 2025. Jason and his wife Karen live in Millburn, NJ with their 3 children, after moving from NYC in 2007. The Conns are active in Millburn and neighboring communities, participating in activities and events that have enriched their lives and strengthened their bonds with neighbors and friends.
Jason is an accomplished professional in the financial industry. Over the course of his career, he has worked in leadership positions in technology, product management and risk management at global banks and consulting firms. His focus is to deliver outstanding results by developing talent and build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues alike.
Jason has a deep love for live music, which has been a source of joy and personal fulfillment throughout his life. Jason and Karen spend much of their free time traveling the country to see to see performances in venues of all scale and size. Jason has come to SOPAC to bring together his professional skills with his personal passions to make a meaningful impact on the local community.
Taylor Margis-Noguera is an accomplished chief operating officer and serial entrepreneur with expertise in business and product strategy, customer acquisition, revenue generation, people ops, legal affairs, and FP&A. He currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Encantos an award-winning EdTech company.
Taylor was previously co-founder of Vaudeville Ventures where he spent 10 years leading strategic initiatives to launch new products as an outside consultant to companies including Comcast, Univision, MGM, CBS, Sotheby’s, and Endeavor. While at Vaudeville Taylor also co-founded or served as an acting chief operating officer of several start-ups including Adverator, Brightly, Casual Fans, and Selfie.
Prior to Vaudeville Taylor was Chief Marketing Officer at Special Ops Media where he diversified the agency’s client base, helped grow the staff to nearly 100 people, and led digital marketing campaigns for clients including Simon & Schuster, Dell, Nickelodeon, Spike TV, William Grant & Sons, and Random House. Special Ops was acquired by LBi for whom Taylor worked as a Client Partner & US Head of Business Development until departing to co-found Vaudeville Ventures.
Taylor is a recovering investment banker having spent his early career at JP Morgan and Citigroup. He received his BA from Brown University and MBA from Harvard Business School.
If you ask, he can talk for hours about starting companies, Broadway, how Latinos are the new mainstream, lifting while you climb, the importance of Jazz music, and why you really should own a Tilley hat.
Steve is the founder and producer of “South by South Orange,” now called SouthNEXT. This annual event focuses on “Creative Collisions,” which brings the arts to the South Orange/Maplewood communities. He completed eight years (two terms) as an elected official in South Orange and worked on citizen engagement as well as an array of policies. He also spent eight years on the executive board of the local Special Improvement District (SID) to promote downtown businesses and help them recover from the results of the pandemic.
In the summer of 2022, Stephen was a Co-Producer for “The Last Supper,” a political satire musical with several Tony nominated and winning creatives. Running for two weeks at SOPAC with hopes of bringing it to Broadway, this production had over 2,000 attendees.
Steve is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional and the winner of several prestigious business awards. He has spoken at many conferences sharing the message of using innovation to achieve business goals, with his current interest being in how humanity will interact with Technology and Artificial Intelligence to create a more meaningful life.
Schnall is the Vice President for American Theater Group and a Director for “Big Apple Greeter” and is on the Essex County College Foundation Board, where he raises money for student financial support. Steve’s current project is developing a system to provide and track peer to peer advocacy/support for organizations and institutions.
Steve is in the early stages of writing a book titled “Solving For…” which focuses on how to better understand what is at the essence and top importance in our lives. At the moment, the top of that list is heartful emotions and Love.
Burton Yount has been an engaged member of the South Orange–Maplewood community for over 20 years, with a strong focus on music education, youth development, and community-based arts programming. He has supported and facilitated musical opportunities within our schools and beyond, serving as manager of the Northern New Jersey Youth Orchestra and the Harambee Chamber Orchestra, and helping to establish a chamber music series at Columbia High School. Through this work, he partnered closely with music directors, educators, and students, including his own children.
Burton is deeply passionate about the arts, and music in particular, and has long sought opportunities to support the creative efforts of committed artists while fostering the growth of the next generation of creators. He is especially interested in helping SOPAC increase community awareness of its work, inspire audiences to seek out artistic experiences beyond their current range of interests, and break down silos within creative communities so that energy and passion from one discipline can inspire others. He believes SOPAC is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for artistic connection, inspiration, and innovation.
Professionally, Burton is a User Experience Designer at JPMorgan Chase and brings more than 25 years of experience as an Art Director in the music industry, including eight years at Blue Note Records. He offers valuable expertise in user experience strategy, website design, user flows, and visual design, and has expressed enthusiasm about contributing these skills in service of SOPAC’s digital presence, branding, and audience engagement efforts.
The Honorable Sheena C. Collum serves as the 49th Village President of the Township of South Orange Village and is the first female to hold this role in a municipality of 18,500 residents which is also the proud home to the Seton Hall University Pirates. She has concentrated her priorities around smart growth and economic development, infrastructure and capital planning, citizen engagement and volunteerism, and streamlining municipal operations through consolidations, shared services, and the expansion of technology.
Professionally, Sheena is the Executive Director of the American Planning Association – New Jersey Chapter, a statewide planning organization whose mission is to help build stronger communities and provide more choices for how people work and live while meeting the challenges of both growth and change. In her role, Sheena works regularly with local and state officials, professional and nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agencies on a range of public policy issues affecting New Jersey’s municipalities including smart growth, state and regional planning, transportation, public health, sustainability, economic development, redevelopment, and affordable housing.
Sheena is a proud alumna of Seton Hall University, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in public policy.
Chris Aurilio is the Director of Production/Facilities for the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media at Seton Hall University. Chris works as the University’s liaison with the exciting partnership between SOPAC and the SHU Arts Council. In his position, Chris manages operations of the Theatre, WSOU 89.5, the Television Studio, and other on-campus production spaces. Previously, Chris worked with The Peoples Improv Theater (The PIT) in NYC, where he began as Managing Assistant and went onto hold concurrent roles as Director of Classes and General Manager while also teaching, performing and directing at the venue. Chris directs and produces short films and independent TV pilots, which travel to festivals.
Jennifer Greenberg has long been a passionate advocate for South Orange and believes deeply in the community’s potential when neighbors collaborate. An elected official since 2023, she brings a practical, community-first perspective to public service.
Professionally, Jen is the principal of the Jen Greenberg Group a top team in the hyper-local residential and commercial real estate markets and one of Compass’s top producers out of the Short Hills office. With a problem-solver mindset, she’s a self-motivated entrepreneur known for honesty, integrity, fine-tuned hustle, and vivacious tenacity. Jen translates deep market knowledge into a tactical, results-driven approach in everything she does, and believes her experience can locally support South Orange’s commitment to welcoming diverse demographics and racially inclusive neighborhoods.
Jen was raised in South Orange’s Historic Montrose section alongside her three older brothers. She attended Marshall Elementary and South Orange Junior High and graduated from Columbia High School in 1985. She earned degrees in psychology and music from New York University, then built her career in advertising and marketing in New York City before returning home to South Orange in 2004 to raise her family. Jen and her husband are parents to 5 children (ages 18–24) and share their home with Louie, their 150-pound, six-year-old St. Bernard.
Tatiyana B. Lofton graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.S in Civil Engineering. From starting her corporate career in Steel Foundations to owning a Cannabis Dispensary, Tatiyana has developed a passion for entrepreneurship and community outreach.
Being a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, her mission is to be of service to all mankind and to focus on empowering women through leadership, academic excellence, and community service. The mission is accomplished through serving as Vice Chair of South Orange Downtown, Member on SOPAC’s Board of Governors and Realtor with Coldwell Banker. This service has presented a special opportunity for Tatiyana’s many worlds to collide. During off hours, she enjoys time with her dog Deeno, fashion, and reading.
Click on headshots to view bios.
The SOPAC volunteer program offers a variety of opportunities for you to get involved, whether you prefer office work, ushering or contributing your professional expertise. As a SOPAC volunteer, you will be a valued member of a team of like-minded people who also enjoy giving back to their community.
If you are interested in becoming a SOPAC volunteer, please complete and submit the form below. Volunteers are an integral part of SOPAC’s success!
Why Volunteer
Cultural experiences. Learn about the live performing arts events that SOPAC presents. The program provides an unparalleled opportunity to participate in many aspects of a non-profit arts organization.
Flexible hours. During the presenting season, there are a wide variety of evening and weekend events at which you can work. There are occasional opportunities in the administrative offices.
Complimentary tickets. The hours you volunteer will accumulate into points that can be redeemed for complimentary tickets to a SOPAC-presented event of your choosing.
Community and fellowship. Throughout the year, SOPAC hosts various volunteer community and appreciation events including catered parties, movie nights and Bingo tournaments.
Available Opportunities
Front-of-House: Ushers and front-of-house volunteers are the public face of SOPAC and there are many positions to fill. In this position, you will gain experience in customer relations and help to create a warm, welcoming environment for SOPAC patrons. Duties may include ticket taking, handing out programs, or assisting patrons to their seats.
Administrative: An administrative volunteer can gain an understanding of many areas of theatre management. Activities vary based on the time of year. General tasks include database management, mail merges, filing and reception responsibilities.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact info@sopacnow.org.
Sign up to Volunteer
South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a multidisciplinary arts center that presents innovative artistic and educational cultural experiences through music, theater, dance, comedy and family performances. The mission of SOPAC is to enrich individual lives, and to engage and serve those in our community and beyond, through arts experiences that inspire and transform.
SOPAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). SOPAC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.