About Clear Space Theatre Company | Directors & Staff

Executive/Artistic Directors | Staff | Arts Institute Faculty | Board of Directors

Ken Skrzesz, Executive Director

Ken Skrzesz is the Executive Director of Clear Space Productions. He is an active master teacher of acting and movement, a guest choreographer throughout the United States and his long-term teaching posts have included the Carver Center (a performing arts high school in Baltimore), Goucher College, Southwest Missouri State University, University of North Carolina and private schools throughout the country.  Ken has served as the Executive Director of Kinetics Dance Theatre and the Director of Student Life for the School of American Ballet in New York City.  He specializes in the modern dance technique of Jose Limon and the Stanislavski acting technique.  His extensive theatre background includes professional theatre performances in over 20 roles and the direction and/or choreography for more than 50 plays, musicals and operas.  Ken earned his MFA in dance performance and choreography from UNC-Greensboro and received his BFA in performance and choreography from Towson University.  Ken was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Towson University in 1992 and from UNC-Greensboro in 2008.  In 1995, Ken received an award from the National Endowment of the Arts through the Howard County Arts Council, and was awarded the Individual Artist Award for Excellence in Choreography from the Maryland State Arts Council in 1995, 1999 and 2001.  In 1985 Ken received the Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts and in 1997 Ken was nominated for the Governor’s Award for Arts Educator of the Year.  Ken is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and a Registered Yoga Teacher.  Ken’s former students have appeared on Broadway in MAMMA, MIA!, CHICAGO, THE LION KING, HAIR and HAIRSPRAY, and appear in numerous professional dance companies, television shows, movies, regional theatre productions and national tours. 
Ken@ClearSpaceTheatre.org

Doug Yetter, Artistic Director

Doug Yetter guides the aesthetic development of Clear Space Productions while serving as musical director, conductor, accompanist and composer for the Theatre Company, musical director, arranger and faculty member for the Arts Institute. He has been in the musical theatre business for over 35 years as pianist, director, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, and composer for hundreds of productions across the country.  His works for the musical theatre stage include SCROOGE!, THE STREETS OF NEW YORK, CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, DRACULA and THE WATCHERS.  His opera, THE SCARLET LETTER, premiered in Baltimore in 2002, and two of his musicals - DIVINE TERROR and A CHRISTMAS CAROL – had limited runs in New York City.  Doug graduated Summa cum Laude from University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in composition and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program of New York University.  Doug is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Organists and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Doug@ClearSpaceTheatre.org

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David Button, Company Manager

David Button received his B.A. in Theatre from DeSales University, with a focus on Acting and Directing.  He has previous experience in box office management in regional and university settings, clerical work, retail sales, and personal assistance.  He has directed productions for the Main Street Theatre, ACT 3 Children’s Theatre, Second Street Players, and won awards for his direction of THE LOVE TALKER at DeSales University.  His extensive acting career includes work with the regional Main Street Theatre in productions of HOW TO SUCCEED..., RAGTIME, MAME, WEST SIDE STORY, BARNUM, and GOOD NEWS! The City Theatre at the Wilmington Opera House invited Button into THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW.  While at DeSales, David performed in productions of CABARET, HELLO DOLLY!, WEST SIDE STORY, SOME ENCHANTED EVENING, THE FOREIGNER, CAROUSEL, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, and THE MEMORANDUM. After college, he returned to Delaware and discovered Clear Space Theatre Company where he has been involved in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, SIX ROOMS, SHERLOCK HOLMES, HELLO DOLLY!, THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND, and two New Works Festivals. Button has also been seen in local productions with Second Street Players and at Possum Point.
David@ClearSpaceTheatre.org

Sherry Chappelle, Dramaturg

Sherry Chappelle spent decades as a classroom teacher and a lifetime as an aficionado of the arts: dramatic, literary and musical. A member of the Clear Space Singers and the Rehoboth Art League Writers and the leader of the Browseabout Book Store Book Club, Sherry resides in Rehoboth Beach with her husband Bruce and two spoiled Maine Coon cats.

Willard Clark, Costume Designer

Willard Clark is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received a bachelor’s in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.  Throughout college, he designed and directed for the University’s student theatre.  Willard is thrilled to have recently joined Clear Space Productions as Costume Designer.
Bill@ClearSpaceTheatre.org 

Elaine Faye, Marketing Director

A transplant to Rehoboth Beach from Washington, DC, Elaine Faye is the owner of E-Lane Studio, a small graphic design firm. Elaine has more than 25 years professional experience designing exhibits and marketing communication pieces for print and web. Clients have included Family Circle Magazine, NY; Ringling Brothers Circus, VA; Marriott International and The Tivoli theatre, DC. Locally, she has worked with Clear Space Theatre Company and the Rehoboth Beach Museum.
Elaine@e-lanestudio.com

Jen Hayward, a Michigan native who has called Delaware her home since 2001, holds a B.S. in Physical Education and Exercise Science from Michigan State University and is a certified yoga instructor.  She has worked as an Exercise Specialist in Cardiac Rehabilitation, a Certified Fitness Instructor in a variety of gym and wellness center settings, and as a Sports Conditioning Coach in football, soccer, ice hockey and figure skating.  Jen had a 35 year career as a competitive figure skater and Professional Figure Skating Coach.  Her management experience is through her years of self- employment as a Professional Figure Skating Coach and personal fitness instructor.  Jen handled contracts with various facilities and parents/students of whom she coached; all billing for services; establishing programs for development of students and organization of schedules for multiple students that were anywhere from 15 minute to 60 minute increments and/or group classes.  Jen has also been involved in a variety of networking with diverse groups of people including skating judges, other coaches, community leaders, and rink/wellness and fitness center managers.  She was also the board liaison between the professional staff and the skating board for two years.  Jen volunteers for the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes and the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization.  She resides in Milford with her husband Rick and her two children, AJ and Meghan.
Jennifer@ClearSpaceTheatre.org

Mary Lou Tietz, Fundraising Consultant

Mary Lou Tietz spent more than 30 years working in the nonprofit sector in the Washington, D.C area.  She began her career in the late 70’s at Home Buyers, Inc., beginning a lifetime of work on behalf of low-income residents of the District of Columbia.  Following stops at Lutheran Social Services and So Others Might Eat, Ms. Tietz arrived at Community Family Life Services (CFLS) in 1988.  She began her work at CFLS as Director of Transitional Housing and later was promoted to Deputy Executive Director and eventually to Executive Director.  As E.D., Ms. Tietz was responsible for managing a 55-person staff, developing and managing up to 13 different programs that assisted homeless and low-income families, and raising funds to meet a budget that exceeded $6 million each year.   Since her retirement from CFLS in 2005, Ms. Tietz has continued to spend her time working on behalf of nonprofits in the District and in her adopted home state of Delaware.  Most of this work has been in the development arena, including raising funds for general operations, special programs, and capital campaigns for various organizations. In addition to fundraising, she continues to use her many years of experience in nonprofit management to assist organizations with strategic planning and program development.  Ms. Tietz received her Masters Degree in Human Services and Community Development from the University of Maryland in 1988.

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Melanie Bradley

Melanie Bradley is a resident of Lewes, where she lives with her husband and two boys. She received degrees in piano performance from Ithaca College and the University of Maryland, College Park. She most recently was the pianist for the Clear Space production of HELLO, DOLLY and for the Clear Space Children's and Community Choruses as well as musical director and pianist for the Milton Theatre production of THE FANTASTICKS, the Possum Point Players production of PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and the 2nd Street Players production of CABARET.

David Button

(Read bio above)

Elaine Faye

Elaine Faye has been a professional actor for over 25 years and has performed in theatres from New York to Florida. She trained in NYC at the HERBERT BERGHOF STUDIO & with NIKOS PSACHARAPOULOS, ELAINE AIKEN, TONY GRECO, & DAVID BLACK. She currently studies at the Arts Institute with KEN SKRZESZ and has been a instructor for various classes. She has appeared in numerous shows with Clear Space, including THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE CRUCIBLE, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. In NYC: THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA, ORPHEUS DESCENDING, and GYPSY (national tour). In DC: Kennedy Center Youth Theater’s EAST OF THE SUN and ALICE IN WONDERLAND, directed by Pat Carroll; Signature Theater’s UNIDENTIFIED HUMAN REMAINS (Helen Hayes Award nominee). Elaine is a member of Actors Equity.

Stephanie Nerbak-McLaughlin

A native of New Jersey, Stephanie began her dance training at The School of The Garden State Ballet. From there she went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance from Point Park University.  There she had many opportunities to perform in a wide variety of dance performances ranging from ballet to jazz and modern dance. In the years to follow Stephanie danced professionally for companies such as the West Virginia Dance Company, Theatre West Virginia, Trillium Performing Arts Collective, Collage Dance Theatre, (now known as Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre), and Naomi Goldberg's Los Angeles Modern Dance and Ballet. She has been teaching dance to people of all ages for the past 15 years and has worked in an array of settings that includes local dance schools in Delaware, New Jersey, California and West Virginia, State Dance Festivals, and Universities.  Stephanie is delighted to be teaching Clear Space Theatre's adult ballet classes, as well as the H.O. Brittingham's after school program.

Christa Pardocchi

Christa Pardocchi took her first dance calls at age three and a life’s passion was born. She hails from New York, the “Dance Capital”, and brings more than 30 years experience to Long Neck area. Pardocchi was educated at Adelphi University and trained with Martha Graham, Phil Black, Alvin Ailey, Elliot Feld Ballet, and the Eglevsky Ballet. She has performed and choreographed in reginonal productions, as well as bing a touring dancer with National Recording Artists. Assistant teaching and choreographing at the Nassau College and Hofstra University led to being Artistic Director of the Lindenhurst Youth Center and the accomplishment of teaching for 25 years in Long Island. She currently owns Dance Unlimited in Long Neck and lives with her husband and two girls.

Dana Peragallo

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Marcelle Schiff

Marcelle Schiff is an active teacher, performer, accompanist, adjudicator and clinician. As full-time faculty at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore she teaches studio voice and music education methods. She is also Director of Music at the Unitarian Universalist of Southern Delaware in Lewes. Ms. Schiff is in the dissertaion phase of her doctoral degree at Boston University after having earned a Master of Music with distinction from Westminster Choir College.  She has taught preschool through college and beyond, in the classroom, rehearsal room, and private studio and began her accompanying career at the University of Delaware.  Ms. Schiff presents seminars on vocal health and production, and workshops on the developmental psychology of music and the creation of meaningful music experiences. She recently presented research at the Eastern Regional Conference of the National Association of Music Educators. Ms. Schiff also performs a broad range of repertoire from Vivaldi to Cole Porter. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Director's Association and NAFME, and was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the Music National Honors Society, in 1995.

Ken Skrzesz

(Read bio above)

Doug Yetter

(Read bio above)

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Dennis Wayne Chupella, Director

Dennis Wayne Chupella, native Washingtonian (DC), graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1997 where he had been a weekender for 20 years and is currently a real estate consultant with RE/MAX Realty Group.

He has spent the better part of his career in the retail industry for such companies as Swatch Watch, Hutzlers, Hecht Co. and Woodward & Lothrop.  His diverse management background includes both marketing and sales.  His expertise focuses on, identifying and capitalizing on trends, special events, promotions, sponsorships and visual presentation and new product launches.

At Swatch, he was a regional sales manager responsible for 18 states and DC; as well as the primary liaison for Swatch with ACOG (Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games), May Company, Belk and Dillard's Department stores and Reeds & Mayors Jewelry stores.

Dennis is on the Board of Advisors for the Beebe Medical Foundation.  He has chaired and co-chaired the Beebe Ball for 6 years. Dennis was an outside marketing consultant for The Henlopen Theater Project and also worked as a liaison with Rob White between HTP and the Venice Theater, bringing the productions of Greater Tuna and Patsy Cline from Florida to the Delaware Shore. 

Nancy Feichtl, Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Consultant

Nancy Feichtl holds an Ed. D from the University of Maryland, a Master’s degree in English from Salisbury State University, and a B.A. in English from the University of Delaware. She represented Delaware, and was selected as a presenter, at the Harvard University Graduate School Principals’ Academy.  Nancy authored, established and directed the Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences, ranked first of forty-three middle schools in Delaware, was the Headmistress of the Jefferson School and was the District Director of Instruction and Special Education for Cape Henlopen School District.  She was the Principal of Shields Elementary and a teacher of English at Indian River High School.  Nancy is a College Graduate Instructor for University of Delaware, Salisbury University, Wilmington College in English-Language Arts, Adolescent Psychology, Exceptional Children and School Law.  She was a presenter for World Future Society throughout Maryland and Delaware as well as nationally (San Francisco, Atlanta, Toronto, etc.) and a member or officer 20+ Executive Boards, including News Journal Advisory Board,  Delaware Association of School Administrators, International Reading Association, National Council of Christians and Jews.

Fran Feighery, Director

Fran Feighery, is a retired Curriculum Reading Specialist who worked for 34 years in a school district in central New Jersey. Fran holds a Bachelor’s degree in music and a Master’s degree in Reading. During her career in New Jersey, she attended Lincoln Center Institute in New York City for six summers and took studio classes. During that time, Fran was asked to write a teacher's guide for one of the drama productions offered by the Institute for performance at participating schools in the New York metropolitan area. She volunteers teaching English as a Second Language in Frankford, Delaware.

Pamela Fitzgerald, Director

Pam retired in 2003 from Florida Commerce Credit Union in Tallahassee, Florida as its first Director of Human Resources. She worked there for ten years and oversaw this fairly large credit union of approximately 100 employees. She was responsible for hiring, firing, coaching and counseling, designing and updating benefits and compensation packages, designing and implementing recognition programs, and all training. Pam’s educational background consists of a B.A. from Elmira College in Sociology and Psychology and a Masters Degree in Education and her job experience includes recruiting for Federal Electric Corporation, training and recruiting for Anchor Savings Bank, and 8 years as an elementary school teacher. Currently, Pam serves on the boards of several political organizations, is a member of Winning Women of Delaware-Class of 2005, and tutor English and Math.  Pam also formerly worked as a part-time instructor in English at James Grove High School in Georgetown.

Robert M. Fitzgerald, Director

Bob is retired and a resident of Rehoboth Beach since 2007. Previously he resided in Dewey Beach where he has owned property since 1977. Bob holds a B.S. Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University, M.S. Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, and had additional graduate work in mathematics and operations research. He had forty plus years of professional experience in the private sector include the following positions: principal with the computer software consulting firms of Arthur Young and Booz Allen and Hamilton, and vice president with the computer software and aerospace engineering practices of Computer Sciences Corporation (Technical Director of their NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Division) and Jackson and Tull Aerospace Engineering (Strategic Planning and Development).  Bob’s primary responsibilities included the management direction of large, technically oriented organizations and the acquisition of new business. Bob served as a resident commissioner in the Town of Dewey Beach and as a member of the Pastoral Council of St Edmond Church, Rehoboth Beach. He is a member of the board for the Mid-Atlantic Symphony.

Sharon Gambill, Director

Sharon Gambill moved to the East Shore from Columbus Ohio and is a retired Head Start Teacher. Sharon attended Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University and has a degree in Child Development.  Sharon was also a member and committee chair for the Columbus, Ohio Goodwill Industries Business Advisory Board and a graduate of the Columbus Area Leadership Program class of 1993.  Locally in addition to being a member of Clear Space’s Board of Directors she has also served on the F.A.C.E.S. Advisory Board for the Carl M. Freeman Foundation and is currently a CASA volunteer for the Sussex County Family Court System.  

Cheryl Graves, Director and Special Events Coordinator

Cheryl Graves is a native Sussex county resident having been born and raised in Seaford, Delaware. She moved to Rehoboth Beach in 1984. Cheryl lives with her husband and two sons and prior to becoming a mother worked at a law firm for 13 years as an administrative assistant. She is very active as a volunteer in many organizations in Sussex County including service on several school committees, chairing many fundraisers and was the coordinator of volunteers for Rehoboth Elementary School. She also mentors elementary school age children. Cheryl is the Secretary of the Episcopal Church Women for All Saints Church where she also works in the Thrift Shop, sings in the choir, and has taught Sunday school. Cheryl is currently the Community Liaison for the ENCORE Thrift Shop, the newest endeavor of Clear Space. When given the opportunity, Cheryl also performs with the Theatre Company. 

Valorie Jarrell, Vice President

Valorie Jarrell is currently a pharmaceutical representative Boehringer Ingelheim and prior to that worked for six years as the Director of Development at the radio station for Temple University. Valorie holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware where she caught the acting bug in a production of THE DUTCHMAN. Since moving to Lewes in 2002, she has become a founding member of the improv troupe Delaware Comedy Theatre as well as a board member for Clear Space Productions. 

Polly A. Mervine, Director

Polly resides in Bridgeville, Delaware with her husband, Jay and son, Stephen. A native Delawarean, she graduated from Woodbridge High School, and then headed to Richmond, Virginia to attend Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion. After graduation, Polly worked as a manager in a bridal salon in Washington DC, before moving to Okinawa, Japan where her husband was a pilot in the Marine Corps.  Upon returning to the US, Polly continued her studies receiving a teaching certification in Elementary Education from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. As Delawareans often do, the Mervines made their way back to Delaware and Polly taught second grade at North Laurel Elementary School until the birth of their son, Stephen.  She is now co-owner of Fauxbulous FX, Inc., a faux finishing business with offices in Bridgeville and Rehoboth Beach. Polly uses her creative flair to design fabulous wall and decorative finishes.  Her work ranges from contemporary to historic restoration projects. She is a founding member of The Fund for Women and a member of Union United Methodist Church in Bridgeville, DE.

Mary Kay Ryan, Director

Mary Kay Ryan is a retired lawyer having served 30 years as a senior executive in federal and state regulatory agencies overseeing staffs of attorneys and investigative professionals.  Before attending graduate and law school, Mary Kay served overseas with the U.S. Department of State in Sri Lanka and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Volunteer community activities have included service as president of a local development corporation, staff work for an arts festival and founder/president of a professional woman's organization. She remains active in public policy issues both nationally and locally.  Mary Kay has extensive experience as a public speaker and holds a law degree from Harvard, an MBA from Boston College, a BA from Emmanuel College with a language major. 

Joan E. Thomas, Director

Joan E. Thomas is a native of Michigan, lived and worked in Maryland, and for the past 10 years Bethany Beach has been her home.  Joan graduated from the Detroit Business Institute prior to moving to Maryland where she worked for eleven years as the Executive Assistant to the Director of Development at Georgetown University Medical Center.  After retiring and moving to Bethany Beach she reentered the work force once again as the Development Assistant to the Executive Director of the Beebe Medical Center Foundation until her second retirement.  In these two positions her primary responsibilities included prospect management, identification and cultivation of prospects, and coordinating sponsorship and underwriting efforts for major fundraising events.

She is a member of the Friends of the South Coastal Library Board of Directors and was the Co-Chair of the Library’s successful $2.5 million campaign to rebuild and expand the existing facility.  She is and has been a member and committee chair of the Beach and Bay Cottage Tour committee, a major fundraising annual event, supporting the library programs. 

Currently she is the president of the AARP South Coastal DE Chapter with over 500 members working to identify essential social needs or projects in the community and to stimulate appropriate Chapter involvement of resources to meet the needs or assist the projects. She is a member of the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of their Fundraising Committee.  She has volunteered as an ambassador for the Middle Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. 

Diane Whitty, President and Fund Raising Consultant

Diane Whitty is a senior sales and marketing executive with experience in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.  She spent 18 years at Avon Products Inc. and held multiple positions from Regional Sales Director to Area Vice President and Senior vice president Marketplace Planning U.S. She worked at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Development and Communication for almost ten years and retired in 2005. She currently is working as a consultant for the Partnership for a Drug Free America in the capacity of Sr. Advisor to the President. Diane moved to Milton, Delaware four years ago with her husband Jack and together they have raised 10 children.

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