Lisa Johnson, Board President

Lisa Johnson has been involved with Open Door Theatre for the past seven years, beginning her service to the organization as the Artistic Director for five seasons. She is currently the Community Outreach Coordinator at KCTS 9 Public Television. A former teacher and chidren's theatre director, Lisa's dedication to young people extends into her personal life as well. She was a foster parent for seven years and adopted three siblings from the state foster care system. Lisa believes that all children have the right to a safe and healthy childhood and it is the responsibility of all adults to make sure that our most vulnerable citizens have that opportunity.

Laurie Schreiber, Board Secretary

Laurie Schreiber joined the ODT board in 2004. As an elementary counselor in the Lake Stevens School District, Laurie has scheduled productions of Stop It Now and Talk about Stuff for both primary and intermediate students for the past several years. In her experience, ODT productions have played a vital role in helping abused children feel empowered to disclose sexual abuse and get help to stop it. Live plays engage children in a creative, unique way that videos cannot. Laurie believes that being a member of the ODT board offers adults a unique opportunity to promote personal safety and empowerment of our children. It is Laurie’s goal as an educator/counselor to continue to advocate for the emotional and physical wellbeing of all our children and serving on the board of ODT is one way to meet that goal.

Gloria Chase, Board Treasurer

Gloria Chase has served on the board since 1998. She feels very strongly about Open Door Theatre’s mission and wants to bring personal safety information to as many children as we can possibly manage. She has retired from a career in nursing, but continues to work at Cascade Valley Hospital part-time. She has been married to Gene Chase for 37 years, and has 4 children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren! They are big UW Husky fans, love to travel with friends and family, and they enjoy spending time at the beach and outside! They recently purchased a house in Arizona, and will be doing some snow birding.

Bill Evans, Board Member

Bill Evans is a long-time member of the Open Door Theatre Board, both as an active and most recently an Advisory Board Director. In November of 2009 he rejoined the Board as an active member, after a hiatus, for geographical reasons, of several years. Bill joined the Board in the early years of the Theatre, in the late 80's. A recently retired career educator, Bill has long appreciated the work in which the Open Door Theatre has been engaged these many years, and is honored to be part of an organization that serves young people so well. Bill has been involved in actor training, parent and school presentations and even had an "acting" role in the theatre's first promotional video, filmed at the school in which he was the principal at the time. Blessed with a loving wife of 35 years plus, as well as two grown sons, Bill lives in Bellingham and hopes to once again make a contribution to the Open Door Theatre. One of Bill's Board tasks is helping to write and submit grants to further the aims and goals of the Theatre.

Sarah Kishpaugh, Board Member

Sarah Kishpaugh is a Northwest native with a broad background in teaching and social work. She has worked as an Elementary Spanish teacher in Seattle public schools, a youth specialist for at-risk Hispanic families, and as a project coordinator and trainer for KCTS 9 public television. Currently, she works as a Family Support Specialist for the Everett Community College’s Early Childhood Education Assistance Program. When Ms. Kishpaugh is not working, she enjoys spending time with her two young children, Eliza (7) and Will (4), her husband Miles, and their dog Simcha.

Waneta Larios, Board Member

Waneta Larios has been an elementary teacher in the Northshore School District for twenty years. Her interest in Open Door Theatre (ODT) began when she experienced the primary level "Stop It Now" performance of ODT with her second grade students. Children were fully engaged in the interactive performance and workshop that followed. Afterward, it was clear that they felt empowered and knew that if they should ever feel unsafe, or even confused, by an interaction that they would know what to do and would continue to pursue help until they received it. Waneta joined the board in May 2009 and hopes to find ways in which she can communicate, to schools throughout the area, the often over-looked need for personal safety training for all children.

Wayne Robertson, Board Member

Wayne Robertson is excited to re-connect as a member of the Board of Directors of Open Door Theatre. His experiences as a school superintendent in the Lakewood, Edmonds and Conway School Districts, as a school administrator in Lake Stevens, and his teaching with Western Washington University have convinced him that the partnerships schools have with organizations such as Open Door Theatre can greatly add to the quality of the school and community experience for children and their families. Children cannot learn unless they are safe and know that the adults around them will care for them and teach them, both at home and at school. Wayne and Betty Robertson live in Marysville, Washington and are both enjoying their retirement after years of serving their communities as educators and active community leaders. In addition to Open Door Theatre, Wayne has served on numerous Boards and committees, including United Way of Snohomish County, Workforce Development Council, Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce and others. Organizations such as Open Door Theatre are greatly dependent upon the donations of a caring community and take great pride in the careful management of these resources.

Bonnie Thielke, Board Member

Bonnie Thielke is a retired educator with over 35 years in her chosen profession serving as both classroom teacher and administrator. She has seen firsthand the positive impact that Open Door Theatre productions have had upon the youngsters in school settings. Retirement from the public schools has given her the gift of TIME that can then be channeled into giving back to the larger community. She serves on her Homeowner’s Association Board, as President of the Stanwood Friends of the Library, and as Council Member for her timeshare. She recently joined the Board of ODT. She sees this position as an opportunity to further the mission of empowering children, educators, and others to help reduce the sexual exploitation of our youth - our future’s gift. She believes that teaching personal safety skills is paramount to ensuring our children a brighter, richer future. Her husband and two adult children fully support her volunteer activities.