Hartford Stage Announces New Board Members

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, announced six new and two returning members have been elected to the Tony Award-winning theatre's Board of Directors. Joining the Board for an initial two year term are Lois Anderson of Avon, Sonya D. Dockett of Avon, Judith E. Meyers of North Haven, Eric D. Ort of Farmington, Charlie Ortiz of Hartford, Esther A. Pryor of West Hartford, Judith E. Thompson of West Hartford, and John H. P. Wheat of Bloomfield.

"I am so pleased to welcome these individuals to the Hartford Stage Board", said Michael Stotts. "They join a dedicated group of community members who make the work of our theatre possible. In these still challenging times, the wisdom and generosity of our Board is of critical importance, so I thank these new board members in advance for the contributions they will make in shaping the future of Hartford Stage."

Lois "Lowie" Anderson of Avon is a retired psychiatric nurse, who had a lengthy career at The Institute of Living, Malta House of Care, and various rehabilitation facilitieS. Anderson is a longtime volunteer for Hartford Ballet, Hartford Art School, and The Mark Twain House & Museum, and she is a new member of the Greater Hartford Arts Council's Campaign Cabinet Team.

Sonya D. Dockett of Avon is an attorney and self-employed healthcare legal consultant. She
is a former Board Member and Secretary, Hartford Region YWCA; a former Board member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund; former Vice President, Jack & Jill of America, Hartford Region; and a current member, Connecticut Association of School Based Health Clinics.

Eric D. Ort of Farmington is Director of Theatre and Director of Leadership Gifts at Miss Porter's School. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Goodspeed Opera House, currently serving as Secretary of the Board. His past volunteer activities include the Planned Giving Group of Connecticut; the Board of Directors of The Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra; and leadership positions with Alumnae/Alumni of Vassar College.

Charlie Ortiz of Hartford is a longstanding volunteer for Friends of Elizabeth Park (past president), Connecticut Latino Achieving Rights and Opportunities, and West End Civic Organization (past chair). Ortiz, who holds a Master of Social Work, has worked with the addiction rehabilitation organization Hogar Crea of Connecticut and The Farmington Alliance Association.

Esther A. Pryor of West Hartford is president of the investment firm Pryor and Clark and the owner/operator of Pryor Engagements, a special events consulting business. In 2010, she
completed the professional pastry and baking program at Connecticut Culinary Institute and has since worked as an assistant pastry chef at Max Downtown. Pryor is also a volunteer chef in the Chef to Schools program in West Hartford, helping to design healthier menus for public schools.

Judith "Judy" E. Thompson of West Hartford has an extensive background in volunteering for youth, arts, and educational programs, including Girl Scouts, St. James' Church, and Mark Twain Masquers Community Theater. She is a parent volunteer with Conard High School's I Giovani Solisti (select chorus) and graduation committee.

John H.P. Wheat of Bloomfield and Dr. Judith C. Meyers of North Haven, two veteran Board members, haven been reelected after serving for one year on the Honorary Board as required by the organization's bylaws.

First elected to the Board in 2003, Wheat is a past Chair of both the theatre's Marketing and New Play councils. He is also a past Chair of the Duncaster and is the current Chair of the Board of Hartford Art School. He is a principal in the marketing strategy consulting firm of Wheat & Associates.

Dr. Meyers, a clinical and community psychologist, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Children's Fund of Connecticut. She has devoted much of her career to issues of public policy and service system reform for children and their families in several positions, including as a Massachusetts Governor's Senior Policy Advisor, Commissioner of Iowa's Division of Child & Family Services, and Senior Associate at the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Hartford Stage's 49th season will begin August 30 with Hedda Gabler.