Our Staff
Reba Askari Theatre Artistic Director
Reba Askari is Theatre Artistic Director at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine and a proud native of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. She majored in Theatre Arts and minored in Women’s Studies at Mount Holyoke College and holds a Masters in Theatre Education from Emerson College. Reba served as a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco. Reba is currently a company member of Mad Horse Theatre Ensemble, and has worked at CMTM since the organizational merger in 2008. Reba has spent the past decade creating children’s theatre by kids for kids, harnessing the power of the dramatic arts as a powerful teaching tool.
Gabriel Ballard Visitor Services Assistant
Sage Bartlett Facilities Associate
T Brazier Programming Associate - STEM Educator
I am Terra (they/them), and I'm so excited for my new position with the education team! I have a degree in art education from Hampshire College, and have taught in many different environments including museums, outdoor classrooms, and programs for folks with intellectual disabilities. I am passionate about the intersections of art and the natural world, and making learning accessible to all. I'm looking forward to bringing that interest to my work at the museum!
Jacob Burton Visitor Services Manager
Julie Butcher Pezzino Executive Director
Carnegie Mellon University, M.S., H. John Heinz III College, Concentration in Public Policy and Management & American University, B.A. in Communications
Julie has led the organization since July 2019 and together with her colleagues, navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a move to a brand new facility over the course of 2020 and 2021. In recognition of this accomplishment, she was named a MaineBiz Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year in 2022. Prior to joining CMTM, she served as Executive Director of Grow Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA, where she worked alongside city and regional policy makers, leaders of underserved communities, as well as funders to increase access to green space and implement healthy food programs for children and families. Julie currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at Full Plates, Full Potential. She lives in Portland with her husband, two children and one crazy dog. When not at work, Julie enjoys sailing, skiing and anything connected to the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Tracie Chicoine HR Manager
Tracie Chicoine is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 20 years of expertise in managing HR functions and driving organizational growth. She has a proven track record in employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and organizational development, known for her strategic approach to solving HR challenges and fostering positive workplace cultures. Throughout her career, Tracie has held leadership roles in HR across diverse industries, including healthcare, corporate services, and real estate.
In addition to her extensive HR experience, Tracie’s background as a licensed real estate broker has further developed her interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, which are critical assets in HR management. This unique blend of expertise allows her to approach HR issues with a well-rounded perspective, balancing both organizational objectives and employee needs.
Tracie is passionate about cultivating workplace environments that encourage collaboration, inclusivity, and employee engagement. She is highly skilled in policy development, advising leadership on best HR practices, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tracie excels in HRIS systems, compensation management, onboarding, and employee relations, bringing a thoughtful, people- centered approach to all aspects of her work.
Joey Christian Facilities Coordinator
Joey is the Facilities Coordinator at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. He grew up in Scarborough, Maine, where he spent much of his time cultivating his various affinities for history, philosophy, and music. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine but plans to return to school in the future. Joey's goal for working at CMTM is to create a sense of belonging for those he meets and to spark interest in any way he can. Outside of work, Joey can be found making and listening to music, creating art, hanging out with his cat, and finding different places to observe nature, especially the ocean.
Seirra Cummings Marketing & Communications Assistant
Emily Dixon Theatre Production Manager
Emily Dixon is the Theatre Production Manager at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. Emily holds a degree in Theater & Dance from Keene State College. She served as the Technical Director at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT the stage manager at MoCo Arts in Keene, NH, and the assistant camp director of MoCo's CAKE Summer Arts Camp. Emily loves watching kids make discoveries about themselves and their place in the world as they develop lifelong skills through theater.
Deanne Dutton Development Manager
Originally from the Belfast Maine area, Deanne has lived on both the East and West coast. Deanne has a BA in Theatre from the University of Maine with professional internships at both Peninsula Players in Fish Creek, WI and the New York Theatre Workshop in New York, NY. Deanne has close to a decade of non-profit management experience and has been volunteering with non-profits since she was a teenager. Deanne joined the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine when she moved to the Portland area in September 2016. When she is not fundraising for CMTM, Deanne enjoys painting, going for walks in the woods and spending time with her family.
Hannah Ellsworth Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Hannah Ellsworth (she/her) joined the CMTM Marketing & Communications team in 2023. Raised in the vibrant arts community of Portland, she performed often with the Children’s Theatre of Maine during her childhood, and is delighted to be back supporting the incredible work being done at CMTM. Hannah holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, with additional training from Shakespeare’s Globe in London, England. In addition to her work in marketing and communications, Hannah also works as an actor and a photographer. Outside of wearing her many creative hats, she can often be found reading, making big pots of soup, and exploring the beauty of Maine with her husband, Nolan, and dog, Birdie.
Nolan Ellsworth Programming Senior Associate - Arts & Culture Educator
Nolan Ellsworth (he/him) is a Programming Senior Associate - Arts & Culture Educator at the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine. His interests have not changed much since childhood – he still enjoys drawing characters, creating stories, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with animals. He is proud and honored to work for an organization that encourages people of all ages to play. He lives in Portland with his wife, Hannah, and his dog, Birdie.
Lucious Fox Visitor Services Assistant
Megan Franasiak Human Resources Senior Associate
Megan Franasiak is a Human Resources Senior Associate at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. They hold a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Boston University and a MFA from Maine College of Art & Design. They created puppets for the performance of The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus at Maddy’s Theatre in the fall of 2021. CMTM’s mission resonated with them and Megan decided to become more involved by joining the staff. Megan is an interdisciplinary artist who also finds joy in conducting art classes with students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities. They believe that consistently exploring and learning through creativity is beneficial for any and everyone.
Lily Gilbert Director of Visitor Engagement
Lily O’Brien Gilbert is the Director of Visitor Engagement at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Lily earned a BA in Art History with a French Minor from Skidmore College. She previously taught in a one-room schoolhouse, managed floor staff at a children's museum in Eastern Tennessee and led an art and social justice camp in Transylvania, Romania. She also started a sewing and education initiative to help villagers in Eastern Europe collaboratively move from a subsistence economy to a market economy. Lily is a Girl Scout Troop leader and a member of the Junior League of Portland. When Lily is not at the Museum & Theatre, she is most likely riding her horses, Buster and Pilgrim.
Lauren Grant Programming Senior Associate - STEM Educator
Lauren Grant is a Programming Senior Associate - STEM Educator at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. Lauren holds a BFA in Painting with an Art History minor from the Maine College of Art & Design. As a Maine native, she loves to support and spread positivity within her Maine community! She has a passion for education that stems from her desire to spread her love of art and creativity.
MacKenzie Hastings Development Associate
MacKenzie has been a part of the arts since she could walk. From taking ballet classes and being a part of every childrens theatre production she could, to teaching, managing, and operating non-profit organizations. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for children to feel creative and explore, and giving that opportunity to everyone. MacKenzie spent her early adulthood traveling and finding any form of artistic expression she could, and has spent most of her professional career aiding in management and development of non-profits arts organizations. MacKenzie now resides in Cape Elizabeth with her daughter, cat, and dog named Miller. In her free time she enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Mariah Healy Director of Development
Mariah joined the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine team as Director of Development in 2023. She holds a BA in English from Goucher College. Mariah has spent her entire career in the non-profit sector, previously working for two organizations focused on child development and education in Latin America and, most recently at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. Mariah lived in Santiago, Chile, for six years before returning to her beloved home state of Maine in 2014. Mariah lives in Portland with her husband and young daughter and enjoys hiking, biking, and reading.
Skylar Helena Visitor Services Senior Associate
Skylar takes great joy spending her days as a Visitor Services Senior Associate at CMTM! When not at the Museum, Skylar can be found enjoying the shade of a lighthouse, spending time with her cat, or trying a new craft!
Caroline James Programming Senior Associate - Arts & Culture Educator
Caroline grew up in Northern California and moved to Portland after graduating from Vassar College with a BA in American Studies. Prior to their employment at CMTM, they worked for a variety of after-school programs that facilitated crafty activities, outdoor games, and writing exercises. As a self-taught artist, Caroline is endlessly inspired by visitors’ creativity and feels fortunate to be able to support kids in stretching their imaginations and building their dream projects in MakerSpace. Outside of work, Caroline spends most of their time beachcombing, painting, and going on walks with their dog Chompy.
Starr Kelly Director of Education & Exhibits
Starr grew up in Portland, Maine and is a citizen of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, an Algonquin community in Quebec. Previously, Starr worked at the Abbe Museum for 5 years as the Curator of Education where she led her department to create collaborative frameworks for decolonizing education, interdisciplinary curriculum, and community-centered exhibits that prioritized Wabanaki voices and perspectives. She is passionate about transforming museums into accessible, equitable, and welcoming sites of community building and storytelling. She is a board member and treasurer for Maine Archives and Museum where she advocates for cultural institutions throughout the state. Starr has a background in classroom education and earned her Masters of Teaching from Colgate University where she also received her B.A. in Native American Studies.
Liz Knowland Bookings & Membership Manager
BA History & English Literature, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
MA History, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Liz grew up in South Portland and remembers coming to play at CMTM when she was little. (She especially loved the fire truck and the old space shuttle!) She loves helping kiddos have as much fun as she did, especially as they explore our new building! Liz has lived in Canada and Japan and likes taking pictures, reading books, and watching anime.
Nathan Lapointe Programming Senior Associate - Arts & Culture Educator
Nathan Lapointe aka Unique Unknown is an Improviser, freestyler, musician, comedian, and vocalist based out of Portland, Maine. You can catch him performing a Pop Up Play in the Theater or helping in various aspects of the museum. You can catch Unique Unknown performing improv with a loop pedal all around town and most recently has been performing in Higher Ground - A Soul Superstar tribute group. At CMTM, Nathan has previously played Frederick in FREDERICK THE MUSICAL, Toad in A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, and Pete in PETE THE CAT. He is excited to continue to create programming for visitors and continue to make music and arts accessible to everyone.
Brittany Liscord STEM & Live Program Manager
Brittany Liscord is the STEM & Live Program Manager at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. She earned a BA in English and History from Allegheny College and a MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins. She previously worked in museum education at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH, and Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, NH. Brittany brings a love for exploring the world through drama, scientific observation, cooking, and play. She spends her free time nature walking, beach-going, and bakery-frequently in South Portland with her husband, two young children, and dog.
Colin Marshall Live Exhibits Coordinator
I have been obsessed with living things since I was very young, especially the aquatic ones. Having grown up in New England the species living in Mountains to the Sea are the very same species that I grew up with and I am thrilled to be in a position that allows me to share those species with the next generation.
Allison McCall Theatre Coordinator
Allison holds a BA in Theatre and Art History from Muhlenberg College and studied Theatre/Performance Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her theatrical training includes Commedia dell'Arte, Shakespeare & classical verse, Boal Forum Theatre/Theatre of the Oppressed, Playmaking & New Play Development, and perhaps any type of puppetry you can imagine. She has been a proud member of Mad Horse Theatre Company since 2015 and currently serves on the MHTC Directorial Leadership Team. Allison works as a professional actor around New England, and when not in a theatre, she can usually be found climbing mountains.
Matt McDermit Director of Marketing & Communications
Matt joined the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine after many years of working in higher education marketing. Prior to moving to Portland in 2025, Matt lived in Laramie, Wyoming and worked at the University of Wyoming. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he is a graduate of Penn State and received his MS in Media Arts & Technology from Duquesne University. From coaching youth basketball and teaching kids how to ride bikes, Matt's excited to be working with kids again. He also enjoys traveling with his partner Laura, riding bikes, learning to surf, and spending time with his two cats, Glenn and Todd.
Azari Minter Facilities Assistant
Andy Nemitz Visitor Services Assistant
Andrea (Andy) Nemitz is a Visitor Services Assistant. Raised in Wisconsin, Andy holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She spent her 33-year journalism career as a newspaper reporter and editor in the Midwest and in Maine. For the past decade she worked at the Maine Community Foundation, retiring in 2023 as director of communications and marketing. She's delighted to follow her heart (as a grandmother of five) to the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. She lives in Buxton with her husband, Bill Nemitz. Andy loves to camp, hike with her dog, and work on their 1790 home.
Aylin Özdeş Bookings & Membership Senior Associate
BA Prehistoric Archaeology, Istanbul University
BA Classic Archaeology, Istanbul University
Aylin works as a Bookings & Membership Senior Associate at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. She grew up in Istanbul, Turkey and she moved to the United States 4 years ago. Prior to working at CMTM, Aylin has several years of experience working in archaeological excavations in Turkey, historical museums and other non-profit organizations. Aylin loves traveling, camping, cooking and sharing her culture with others.
Emily Peck Live Exhibits Assistant
Emily is a career marine biologist and aquarist. She grew up on the coast of Maine and graduated from Maine Maritime Academy. Her lifelong love of the ocean led naturally to a passion for conservation education and fostering a love of the natural world in others, and she looks forward to continuing that work at the Children’s Museum & Theater of Maine. Emily lives in Scarborough with her husband and two kids. Outside of work, she enjoys birding and illustration.
Bronte Pirulli Visitor Services Senior Associate
Bronte is an artist & writer who earned her BFA in Animation and Interactive Media with a minor in Creative Writing from Montserrat College of Art. She loves greeting visitors and hearing about their days at the Welcome Desk, and is honored to be a part of such a wonderful team. Her other passions include playing guitar, thrift shopping, storytelling, befriending cats and drinking strong coffee.
Brandon Pullen Facilities Manager
Alex Rice Facilities Associate
Jamie Shaw Director of Finance & Administration
Jamie Shaw is the Director of Finance & Administration at the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine. A jill-of-all-trades, she brings an array of diverse experiences with years as a bookkeeper, journalist and photographer, and a variety of hands-on and leadership roles in the manufacturing, construction, and service industries. Jamie grew up in the midcoast, and spends her free time looking for good stories and pursuing creative interests such as drawing and painting, sculpting, writing, and woodworking.
Frank Soto IT Associate
Caleb Streadwick Visitor Services Assistant
Juliette Vlachos-Coldreck Arts + Culture Program Manager
Juliette has a BS in Human Services and Family Dynamics, with a concentration in Art Therapy, from Lesley University. Prior to working at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, Juliette has several years of experience both teaching & leading in the creative arts nonprofit field, which included designing programs & community events focused on keeping the arts accessible and equitable. Juliette believes that all children are artists and that the arts, in all forms, provide the building blocks for problem-solving, confidence and expression in education and beyond. When not at CMTM, Juliette can be found in her garden or a pottery class, or home with her family.
Molly Wagner Finance Senior Associate
Molly is a Finance Senior Associate at the Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine. She holds a BS in Chemistry and in Geological Sciences from George Washington University and an MA in Earth and Environmental Science from Wesleyan University. Her favorite rocks are phyllite and scoria. Molly grew up in central Connecticut where she spent many a school break exploring The Children's Museum in West Hartford. Now she is excited to guide the next generation of science and art enthusiasts as they find their own passions!
Board of Directors
2025-2026
Gail Ringel, President
Rose Parsons, Vice President
Udai Chopra, Treasurer
Rose Splint, Secretary
Harry Hollenberg, At Large
Julia Trujillo, At Large
Kristin Valdmanis, Past President
Keyla Alston-Griffin
Patti Butler
Jeff Glidden
Matthew Kesselhaut, MBA
Melissa McKersie
Allison McLaughlin
Julie Ouellette
Cameron Peden
Katie Porter
Heather (Robinson) Hochstein, CPA, SHRM-SCP
Manasse Shingiro
Jeff Zachau
Maya Williams
Advisory Council
2024-2025
Ula Polsky, President
Deb Deatrick
John Adelman
Lindsay Alexander
Liz Armstrong
Michael Bourque
Jim Brady
Elena Brandt
Kathy Coster
Jennie Coyne
John DeQuattro
Chris Dougherty
Dawn Gerding
Barbee Gilman
Shawn O. Gorman
Jennifer Jacobs
Tabitha Lamontagne
Jim Marcisso
Timothy Masse
Marci Murphy
Ashley Pilsbury
Pamela Plumb
Harry Pringle
Michael Quinlan
William J. Ryan, Sr.
Linda Shary
Mary Howe Stewart
Wendy Suehrstedt
Fred Thompson
Tiffanie Winters