BETH CLARK
Beth works for The Department of Human Services and has been a member of the BCT board since 2015. She oversees the box office for a show (if she isn't in it or another show somewhere else). Beth enjoys running the box office and especially selling concessions and watching children's faces light up as they choose their candy. She likes the board for the people, their friendship, and dedication to improve BCT. Beth would like to thank her fellow board members and her family for their support of her efforts.
Beth works for The Department of Human Services and has been a member of the BCT board since 2015. She oversees the box office for a show (if she isn't in it or another show somewhere else). Beth enjoys running the box office and especially selling concessions and watching children's faces light up as they choose their candy. She likes the board for the people, their friendship, and dedication to improve BCT. Beth would like to thank her fellow board members and her family for their support of her efforts.
CARLOS CONTRERAS
Carlos discovered his passion for theatre while doing tech for his favorite musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at UC Riverside in Fall 2016. This passion was cemented when he portrayed the King's Officer in Tartuffe in Winter 2017. After earning his BS in Sociology/Law and Society, Carlos moved back to Bakersfield in Summer 2017 and, since then, has been working in all aspects of local productions. He is happy to be part of such a great community at BCT, and he looks forward to being a Board member - which allows him the opportunity to be a bigger part of theatre.
Carlos discovered his passion for theatre while doing tech for his favorite musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at UC Riverside in Fall 2016. This passion was cemented when he portrayed the King's Officer in Tartuffe in Winter 2017. After earning his BS in Sociology/Law and Society, Carlos moved back to Bakersfield in Summer 2017 and, since then, has been working in all aspects of local productions. He is happy to be part of such a great community at BCT, and he looks forward to being a Board member - which allows him the opportunity to be a bigger part of theatre.
TIM FROMM
Tim began his theatre life in high school where he did every show he could and occasionally performed in college where he originally studied Veterinary medicine before switching to Education. Tim was introduced to BCT by a dear friend who loved theater as much as he did and has been on stage, directing, and working backstage for over 30 years. Tim's favorite part about BCT is the people that make it a true community theater. He's been on several stages and loves the community feeling that comes out of doing a show at BCT. When not on stage, Tim can be found in the audience section of other local theaters, usually with his friend Julia or working on reports and accounting for BCT.
Tim began his theatre life in high school where he did every show he could and occasionally performed in college where he originally studied Veterinary medicine before switching to Education. Tim was introduced to BCT by a dear friend who loved theater as much as he did and has been on stage, directing, and working backstage for over 30 years. Tim's favorite part about BCT is the people that make it a true community theater. He's been on several stages and loves the community feeling that comes out of doing a show at BCT. When not on stage, Tim can be found in the audience section of other local theaters, usually with his friend Julia or working on reports and accounting for BCT.
JAN HEFNER
Jan discovered theatre as a senior in high school. After graduating, she attended a production of Funny Girl at BCT and was entranced. Within a month, she had landed a part in her first show, Harvey, which opened at BCT in January 1973. Jan has worked in nearly every capacity of theatre for 18 years, then stepped away from the stage to pursue other interests. She missed theatre while living a fulfilling life away, and she returned in 2007 and has been acting and directing ever since. Jan has had a long career in management positions for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, which has been a good background for her current position as Executive Director of BCT, a position she has held since 2015.
Jan discovered theatre as a senior in high school. After graduating, she attended a production of Funny Girl at BCT and was entranced. Within a month, she had landed a part in her first show, Harvey, which opened at BCT in January 1973. Jan has worked in nearly every capacity of theatre for 18 years, then stepped away from the stage to pursue other interests. She missed theatre while living a fulfilling life away, and she returned in 2007 and has been acting and directing ever since. Jan has had a long career in management positions for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, which has been a good background for her current position as Executive Director of BCT, a position she has held since 2015.
EMERSON HERZOG
Emerson was bitten by the acting bug when they first appeared as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol as a child. Moving to Bakersfield a few years ago, they began to appear on stage in various roles at local theaters. Their love of theatre has brought them to become a member of the Board at BCT. Emerson loves to collaborate on projects and is excited to be able to work for such a respected theatre. Emerson's other passion is writing both for the stage and for the screen.
Emerson was bitten by the acting bug when they first appeared as Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol as a child. Moving to Bakersfield a few years ago, they began to appear on stage in various roles at local theaters. Their love of theatre has brought them to become a member of the Board at BCT. Emerson loves to collaborate on projects and is excited to be able to work for such a respected theatre. Emerson's other passion is writing both for the stage and for the screen.
PORTER JAMISON
Porter has spent almost twice as many years in theatre as those he's lived away from it. After a surprise relocation to Bakersfield, his first local involvement was co-designing the lighting for "Tracers" at BCT, followed by a series of directing, design, and acting credits here before co-founding Pyramid Productions (which eventually morphed into The Phoenix Theatre, a part of which later became The Empty Space under Brian Sivesind's leadership). He returned to BCT as Artistic Director from 2015 to Spring 2019, and is delighted at the teamwork of the BCT board as they reconnect the theatre to the Bakersfield community. In his bread jobs, he's a clinical reading tutor and a teaching poet in state prisons.
Porter has spent almost twice as many years in theatre as those he's lived away from it. After a surprise relocation to Bakersfield, his first local involvement was co-designing the lighting for "Tracers" at BCT, followed by a series of directing, design, and acting credits here before co-founding Pyramid Productions (which eventually morphed into The Phoenix Theatre, a part of which later became The Empty Space under Brian Sivesind's leadership). He returned to BCT as Artistic Director from 2015 to Spring 2019, and is delighted at the teamwork of the BCT board as they reconnect the theatre to the Bakersfield community. In his bread jobs, he's a clinical reading tutor and a teaching poet in state prisons.
JACQUIE THOMPSON-MERCER
Jacquie has been involved in theatre for 50+ years - as a director, actor, stage manager, and educator. She is a member of the California State Thespian Board, was named California Educational Theatre Association's Outstanding Theatre Educator in 2009, and was inducted into the California Thespian Hall of Fame in 2010. Some favorite shows Jacquie has directed are Footloose, One Lane Bridge, and Noises Off! As a happily-retired theatre teacher from Bakersfield High School, she is excited about the people, talent, and opportunities here at BCT. She loves the collaboration and creative opportunities of working on productions. In addition to theatre, Jacquie enjoys taking piano lessons, yoga classes, and volunteering with Marley's Mutts with her husband Mark and their three Golden Retrievers Teddy, Rainy, and Clive.
Jacquie has been involved in theatre for 50+ years - as a director, actor, stage manager, and educator. She is a member of the California State Thespian Board, was named California Educational Theatre Association's Outstanding Theatre Educator in 2009, and was inducted into the California Thespian Hall of Fame in 2010. Some favorite shows Jacquie has directed are Footloose, One Lane Bridge, and Noises Off! As a happily-retired theatre teacher from Bakersfield High School, she is excited about the people, talent, and opportunities here at BCT. She loves the collaboration and creative opportunities of working on productions. In addition to theatre, Jacquie enjoys taking piano lessons, yoga classes, and volunteering with Marley's Mutts with her husband Mark and their three Golden Retrievers Teddy, Rainy, and Clive.
DEVA WILOTH
Deva began her acting career in junior year of high school. Since then she has been involved in countless local productions; both on stage and behind the scenes. Deva enjoys acting primarily, but also enjoys directing and running tech. When she isn't at the theatre, Deva is running between her two jobs as a barista at Starbucks and an After School Activity Leader with the Boys and Girls Club. She is excited to be part of the Board at BCT, and feels extremely lucky to be doing what she loves with people she respects and enjoys working with.
Deva began her acting career in junior year of high school. Since then she has been involved in countless local productions; both on stage and behind the scenes. Deva enjoys acting primarily, but also enjoys directing and running tech. When she isn't at the theatre, Deva is running between her two jobs as a barista at Starbucks and an After School Activity Leader with the Boys and Girls Club. She is excited to be part of the Board at BCT, and feels extremely lucky to be doing what she loves with people she respects and enjoys working with.
REBECCA WORLEY
Rebecca has been involved in theatre for over 30 years as a director, producer, actor, stage manager, technical, and set design. Rebecca graduated from CSUB with a BA in English and Theatre and from CSU Dominguez Hills with a MA in Humanities. She taught English at North High for 18 years and is currently the Drama teacher at Foothill High School. Rebecca will see her favorite musical, Pippin, whenever she can. When not busy with theatre projects, she loves reading, taking day trips to the LA area, and caring for her beloved dogs Lola and Penelope.
Rebecca has been involved in theatre for over 30 years as a director, producer, actor, stage manager, technical, and set design. Rebecca graduated from CSUB with a BA in English and Theatre and from CSU Dominguez Hills with a MA in Humanities. She taught English at North High for 18 years and is currently the Drama teacher at Foothill High School. Rebecca will see her favorite musical, Pippin, whenever she can. When not busy with theatre projects, she loves reading, taking day trips to the LA area, and caring for her beloved dogs Lola and Penelope.