Spellbound Theatre is governed by a group of artists dedicated to an anti-oppressive approach to theatre making.
Our Leadership Team
The Leadership Team is a group of Spellbound artists who manage the day-to-day operations and execution of the organization. Susanna Brock, Marina DeYoe-Pedraza, Jody Doo and Maureen Donohue collaborate to complete administrative responsibilities and take the lead on executing the various types of programming that Spellbound offers.
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Susanna Brock | She/her
Artistic Programming Director [email protected] Susanna Brock (she/her) is a disabled, New York based, Swedish theater maker, performer, director and educator who creates multi-sensory, multi-lingual and interactive theater with and for young audiences. She aims to create spaces where young people can dream and play and critically reflect and comment on our world. For the past 15 years, she has had the opportunity to work in many different parts of the world including Stockholm, Paris, Kampala, Nairobi and New York where she has facilitated and performed in school and community-based programs. She is an ensemble member and administrator at the award-winning company Spellbound Theatre, an ensemble member and Director of Community Engagement at Flying Leap Productions and has been a teaching artist with organizations like ArtsConnection, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and The Children’s Museum of Manhattan. The past 5 years she has also led trainings and professional development for The Department of Education, NYU and Bank Street School of Education. In 2020 she graduated with a Master’s of Applied Theater from CUNY School of Professional Studies. |
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Marina DeYoe-Pedraza | She/Her
Community Engagement Director [email protected] Marina DeYoe-Pedraza is a theatre practitioner and arts administrator with over a decade of experience in nonprofit arts organizations and higher education. She has served as Community Outreach and Marketing Associate for the LSU School of Theatre, Educational Theatre Coordinator at SAFE Alliance, Artistic Associate and Teaching Artist at Creative Action, and Volunteer Coordinator for the Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. Her expertise includes program management, marketing, community partnerships, event coordination, curriculum development, and arts education. Marina is excited to continue fostering and growing Spellbound’s community partnerships, expanding access to our programming for families across New York City. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Louisiana State University. |
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Jody Doo | She/Her
Finance & Producing [email protected] Jody is a producer and host born and raised in sunny Singapore. She is passionate about using her work to uplift minority and diverse voices. Currently, Jody is the Global Assistant Producer at The Moth. Previously, she co-founded Global Forms Theater Festival at Rattlestick Theater (4 seasons) and produced/hosted Global Gab (3 seasons) - a monthly panel where she dug deep with fellow immigrant artists. |
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Maureen Donohue | She/Her
Managing Director [email protected] Maureen Donohue joined Spellbound Theatre in the spring of 2023.! She has over 20 years of experience in the arts and nonprofit sector in NYC, most recently with 11 years as Program Manager of the CAT Youth Theatre at the CUNY Creative Arts Team. Prior to joining CAT, Maureen worked in development and events at The Public Theater and Film Society of Lincoln Center, as a nonprofit consultant with Advance NYC, and as an occasional music director and accompanist. She is a graduate of Tufts University, with a degree in Music and American Studies, MA in Arts Administration from Baruch College, and alumnae of PASE's Emerging Leaders of Nonprofit Management program. Maureen is also the Director of Communications and Administration at the Park Avenue Methodist Church and is a proud Astoria resident. |
Spellbound Ensemble Members
Spellbound Ensemble Members bring the magic created over years of devising, programming and planning to the communities we serve. We are a company led by artists with vast and diverse experiences working in TYA/TVY.
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Active Artists
Ana Cantorán Viramontes Ashley Thaxton-Stevenson Aviva Jaye Mitchell Becki Gerrard Cameron Bhola Claire Hsu Dorothea Gloria Jordan Speas Kathleen LeBlanc Krystal Brenes Lisa Kitchens Lorenza Bernasconi Marisol Rosa Shapiro Shan Y Chuang Sydney Prince Valerie Clayman Pye Veraalba Santa |
Alumni Artists
Andrea Ang Andrew Anzel Blanca Vivancos Colleen Horan Dana O'Brien Gyana Mella Hannah Johnson-Walsh Haven Mitchell Rose Jackie Wolff Jennifer Iris Rivera Jono Waldman Julieta Sverdlick Julliette Holliday Margot Fitzsimmons Melana Lloyd Molly Joyce Nikki Calonge Patrick Chico Sarah Folkins Sunder Ashni WT McRae |
Our Founder
Lauren Jost, Founder, Former Artistic Director
Lauren is a theatre artist and arts educator in New York. She was the Artistic Director of Spellbound Theatre, New York’s award-winning theatre exclusively for the very young. Lauren can occasionally be found performing as a storyteller and puppeteer, but spends most of her time directing and producing Spellbound’s public, school, and national touring theater productions for children ages 0-5. Additionally, Lauren works as a Master Teaching Artist in schools, libraries and community centers around New York with organizations such as The New Victory Theater, Lifetime Arts, and New York University.
Lauren is also a mom to J. and L., whose imaginations are her daily inspiration.
Check out her blog on arts education and TYA at www.LaurenJost.com
Lauren is a theatre artist and arts educator in New York. She was the Artistic Director of Spellbound Theatre, New York’s award-winning theatre exclusively for the very young. Lauren can occasionally be found performing as a storyteller and puppeteer, but spends most of her time directing and producing Spellbound’s public, school, and national touring theater productions for children ages 0-5. Additionally, Lauren works as a Master Teaching Artist in schools, libraries and community centers around New York with organizations such as The New Victory Theater, Lifetime Arts, and New York University.
Lauren is also a mom to J. and L., whose imaginations are her daily inspiration.
Check out her blog on arts education and TYA at www.LaurenJost.com