Madison Smith
Producing Artistic Director
madisonsmith@mdplayhouse.com
Madison Smith is a director, producer, and playwright from Chicago, by way of Omaha. Madison spent 8 years serving as the Artistic Director of Death & Pretzels, a New Works focused storefront company, as well as the owner operator of Nox Arca Theatre, a black box venue in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago. With D&P, Madison directed seven Chicago Premiere and four World Premiere productions. Beyond her work with D&P, credits include work with Hell in a Handbag, Metropolis, Actors Gymnasium, RedTwist and The House Theatre, among others in Chicago, and Le Petit, River Region Drama Guild and The Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans. Madison earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Directing and Management, as well as Performance, from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film within the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and her Master of Fine arts from the University of New Orleans. Madison has earned recognition for her directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Excellence in Directing for productions in 2023 and 2024), The Chicago Reader (Best Director, Best of 2022), and has earned recognition for her writing, alongside her writing partner Brendan Bourque Sheil, for their play Dogrose Patrol (Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference Finalist 2023, American Blues Theatre Blue Ink Award Semi-Finalist 2023, Moondance International Film Festival Winner 2022).
Paula Jones
President, Marketing
marketing@mdplayhouse.com
Paula crossed off a bucket list item when she first auditioned for a play at M&D 15 years ago. Since that time, she has experienced some amazing moments in live theater, both on and off the stage. She is excited to work with the board to help maintain the high-quality theater M&D is known for, and also looks forward to building upon the proud legacy of the historic Eastern Slope Playhouse. Paula works as a freelance graphic designer.
Lisa Somerville
Vice President
Bio coming soon!
Karen Gustafson
Secretary, House Manager
Karen has been volunteering at M&D Playhouse since 2006, helping in whatever way she can, and has appeared in numerous productions. She received a B.A. degree in speech/drama and secondary education from North Park College in Chicago and worked as an educator for 30 years before retiring in 2022. Karen has been a Mt. Washington Valley resident since 1985.
Barbara Plonski
Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
Members at Large
Christopher Bellis
Christopher has been active in the local community for the past 13 years as
former owner of the Cranmore Inn and Chef’s Bistro restaurant, volunteer (treasurer, box office manager, director, actor, lighting designer) with M&D, former Mr. Mt Washington Valley, founder & President of White Mountains Pride, volunteer with SCORE, and others. In addition to business and volunteer efforts, Christopher worked as a fundraiser for many non-profits including Lambda Legal (2004-2012). Since 2012 he has led the fundraising team at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. Christopher and Eddie have also been busy raising two children, David (20) and Sherie (18).
Pamela Memmolo
Bio coming soon!
Siobhan Stevens
Bio coming soon!
Kristen Groves
Bio coming soon!
Ryan Orlando
Bio coming soon!
Gary Plourde
Bio coming soon!
Deborah Jasien
Bio coming soon!
Staff
Eric Jordan
Technical Director
Bio coming soon!
Tracy Orlando
Bookkeeper
finance@mdplayhouse.com
Tracy joined the board in January 2017. She started out life in Western Maine before moving on to see the world, having lived in Friedberg, Germany; Amman, Jordan; Dubai, UAE; NY, KS, KY, HI, MD, VA, NH; and now again in Maine. She has a BS in business management and an MS in acquisition and contact management. When not tending to her three kids, two bonus kids and husband, Tracy is working as the Director of Contracting for The Echo Group. Tracy started acting in community theater in 2008 and has volunteered in stage management, set painting and concessions. She wed her husband, Ryan, on the M&D set of Five Women Wearing the Same Dress in 2011, so M&D will always hold a special place in her heart. Tracy is beyond excited to expand her involvement with M&D and to help in any way she can to foster the arts in our wonderful community.
Advisors
Ken Martin
Co-Founder
M&D was started on the premise that theater was more than just mindless entertainment. Theater has a place in the community that brings forth the best in people. Through the past twenty years, Ken has watched this company grow, from a gypsy caravan theater troupe without a home, to taking over the historic Eastern Slope Inn Playhouse in the heart of North Conway Village. It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but he is proud of the people who make M&D their home. Ken has performed in several local theaters including the Papermill Theater, now called Jean’s Playhouse, and at Winnipesaukee Playhouse, as well as at M&D. An NHTA award-winning Director, Ken has overseen many productions here at M&D and served as the Artistic Director for nineteen years. This theater is his legacy, and even when he is gone, he knows it will play an important part of life in the MWV.
