EMILY LANGDON - PRESIDENT

 

Emily grew up in the Central Valley and loved theater in high school, doing shows at Fresno Community Theater (A Christmas Carol and The Children’s Hour) and Roger Rocka’s Good Company Players (The Music Man).  If only she could carry a tune,  she would have moved to NYC!  However, with no vocal skills, she went to college.  She moved to Merced in 2006 with two babies and her midwestern husband, who actually CAN carry a tune!  He was in FDR’s Cabinet in Annie.  Her girls took many classes in the PM Conservatory and did the summer program every year starting with The Aristocats in 2010.  Emily has only performed in one show at Playhouse Merced, portraying Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible, with her daughter playing one of the afflicted girls.  Emily joined the Board of Directors in 2014, serving as the Gala Chair, Fundraising Chair (she invented that job title after realizing that fundraising was more than just throwing a Gala), and Vice President.  Her proudest Playhouse moment is still getting the entire 2018-19 season sponsored with then-President Jenni Samuelson.   Her favorite Playhouse production to date is Noises Off! And she hopes to someday see The Prom, Billy Elliot, and Hedda Gabler on the stage at Playhouse. 

KORY BILLINGS - VICE PRESIDENT

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Bio coming soon.

MARIT A. MEDEFIND - SECRETARY

 

Marit A. Medefind is a Merced native who made her debut on the Playhouse stage as Annie Warbucks in 2000. Favorite roles include Annie (Grace; Playhouse Merced), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Banks; Playhouse Merced), Princess Ida (Princess Ida; Agassiz Theatre), and Into the Woods (Jack's Mother; American Repertory Theater). She graduated from Harvard in 2012, and from Johns Hopkins with her Master's in Nursing in 2018.  She is a pediatric oncology survivorship nurse in the Central Valley. In her spare time, she loves to cook, read, and spend time with her dog, Prim (who made her own debut as Sandy in Annie at PHM in 2018).

ANDY BOYD - CO-TREASURER

 

Bio coming soon.

CAROL LONGOBARDI - CO-TREASURER

 

Carol was born and raised in NYC but moved to southern California to escape the New York winters. She was married in Las Vegas, had a couple of kids, and moved to Merced in 1988. Carol worked for Transcounty Title Company until she completed her Accounting degree and began her employment with the Atwater Elementary School District as the Business Manager. After 21 years she is now looking forward to retirement!  When Carol first came to Merced, she attended performances at the “Theater on the Square” but didn’t join the Board until her daughter expressed an interest in acting. Carol has been on the Board of Playhouse Merced since 2006 and was acting Treasurer for three terms.

TINA SOGOCIO - FUNDRAISING CHAIR 

 

Bio coming soon.

JONATHAN GRADY - MEMBER

 

Jonathan R. Grady, Ph.D. is a social justice educator, scholar, author, and serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students at the University of California, Merced. Passionate about theatre and the performing arts as a way to inform, engage, and empower, Dr. Grady is commited to serving on the Playhouse Merced Board to inspire transformative action. From watching his first musical “The Wiz” to starring in a variety of plays and musicals such as “Othello,” and “Little Shop of Horrors” growing up , theatre has positively changed Dr. Grady’s life. As a result, Dr. Grady has dedicated his life to ensuring that everyone recognizes their inner strength, brilliance, and magic.

MATT THOMAS - MEMBER

 

Bio coming soon.

TRACY PROIETTI - MEMBER

 

Bio coming soon.