Shared Artistic and
Administrative Leadership
Spellbound Theatre is governed by a group of artists dedicated to an anti-oppressive approach to theatre making.
The Oversight Committee
The Oversight Committee is a group of Spellbound artists who manage the day-to-day operations and execution of the organization. Susanna Brock, Jody Doo, Asha John, and Melissa Costidis 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, Oversight Committee/Education Manager/Artist | [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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Jody Doo, Oversight Committee/Artist | Currently on Maternity Leave | [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. Jody is also ¼ of the Oversight Committee at Spellbound Theatre, which replaces the traditional role of an Artistic Director. |
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Asha John, Oversight Committee/Artist | [email protected]
Asha John was born on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago. In 2011 she began working as a teaching artist bringing her love of step, theater, dance, and math to the students of New York City. She has worked with numerous community based organizations using the arts to advocate for all underserved communities (LGBTQIA, immigrant, impoverished, and more). She plans to assist spellbound in expanding children’s theatre nationally and internationally. Since 2011, Asha has been cast in numerous productions for stage and film, encompassing original work as well as classics like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In 2020, Asha graduated with her Masters in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities from New York University and plans to pursue her educational doctorate as well. |
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Melissa Costidis, Oversight Committee/Artist | [email protected]
Melissa Costidis is a New York based creator, producer, editor and member of Spellbound’s collaborative leadership group known as The Oversight Committee. She’s been working with Spellbound for six years after starting as a communications and family engagement intern during her time at NYU Tisch in 2018. She produced and edited Spellbound’s successful virtual series Anywhere with Catbear (2020) and Lullaby Land (2021). She is also responsible for Spellbound’s fundraising campaigns, newsletters, in person event leadership (Free Family Art Days at Brooklyn Public Libraries, pop-up shows at Little Island, etc.) and other administrative duties to support The Oversight Committee. She is passionate about supporting Spellbound artists as they execute their visions for children’s programming on an artistic level and an administrative level. Outside of Spellbound, she works as a chef specializing in vegan cooking and educating at Hudson Table, she is a photographer and video editor, and she is always trying to find new ways to mesh her passions together to create exciting work. www.melissacostidis.com |
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Ashley Thaxton-Stevenson, Interim Oversight Committee Member/Artist | [email protected]
Ashley (she/her) is a theatre maker and educator, raised in the foothills of Southern California, with British, Black and Korean ancestors. As a director/dramaturg and performer, Ashley specializes in new play development, theater for young audiences, and contemporary applications of Shakespeare. She holds an BA from NYU Gallatin's School of Individualized Study and an MFA in Acting from Brooklyn College. As an educator, Ashley supports youth, emerging artists, and arts organizations to deepen their creative practices through student-centered training, collaboration, and a spirit of generosity. Ashley is the co-director of YouthWorks at BAX/Brooklyn Arts Exchange, an Adjunct Faculty Member with NYU’s Program in Educational Theatre (recipient of a Spring 2021 USG Departmental Award), Faculty Member and Community Engagement Coordinator with Fiasco Theater, and a Core Ensemble Member of the Verbatim Performance Lab. When she’s not making theatre, she is reading novels, building spreadsheets, and having disco dance parties with her toddler and spouse. |
General Manager
Spellbound's General Manager ensures operational efficiency of the entire organization. The General Manager works directly with the Oversight Committee to optimize the shared leadership model.
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Maureen Donohue (she/her) is thrilled to join the Spellbound Theatre team! Maureen has over 16 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 has a Bachelors in Music and American Studies from Tufts University, Masters in Arts Administration from Baruch College, and in an alum 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.
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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 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