Lisa Ellis // Executive Director & Elementary Director
lisa@fireandlightproductions.com
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communications from Butler University in Indianapolis. She has acted on various Fort Wayne stages since she was 12. She formed F&L in the fall of 2010 at the request of several families who knew she had a heart for kids and a love of theatre. Favorite shows to direct have included, Seussical Jr., 42nd Street, and Korzak’s Children. In addition to productions such as Emma, Turtle Soup and Radium Girls, Lisa also performed at First Presbyterian Theater and the Youtheater. Kids are her passion, she and her husband, Terry, have five of their own.
Gwen Hyde // Administrative Director
info@fireandlightproductions.com
Lifelong theater-enthusiast, Gwen is grateful to have a handful of her five children involved in various ways with Fire and Light. If the word "organization" is involved, Gwen is probably not far behind. Graduate of Miami University (OH) with a degree in Organizational Communication, she can be found compiling rosters and calendars, coordinating and connecting with volunteers, or crashing the costumers backstage during tech weeks.
Kris Botas // Facilities Director & High School Director
Kris Botas is a Christ-follower and passionate about children and families. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education area K-12 from Ball State University, and spent her teaching years back at her alma mater in the 1990’s. She has worn many hats over the years; music educator at the high school level, conductor of musical theatre orchestras, administrative assistant, director of a registered ministry daycare and children’s ministry director, and violinist for the Orchestras of the Lakes. Kris is thankful to be a wife, a homeschool mother of 3, and is able to use her life experiences to support a fabulous theatre company.
Sara Scantlin // High School & Elementary Director
Sara and her children have been actively involved with Fire & Light since its inception in 2010. Sara has a strong background in music, youth and women’s ministries. Over the years, she has lead ensembles, served in the tech booth and provided administrative assistance for our growing organization. Sara is also an associate with Keystone Realty.
Audrey McCann // Assistant Director
Audrey has been acting and dancing since she was five, however she’s been around the arts her whole life. She earned an outstanding performer award and ranked first for a theater scholarship to what is now Purdue Fort Wayne. Audrey taught dance for many years as well as instructing dance, acting, and sign language for a special needs theater company named Jesters. She has performed at local shows and helped direct 9 productions for her alma mater before coming to Fire and Light. When she’s not at theater, she’s spending time with her husband, or doing therapy for children on the autism spectrum and in foster care.
Patrice Fox// Foundations & Assistant Director
Patrice has toured and performed throughout the United States for over 24 years as a vocalist with Jay Fox and the Jammin’ Germans. She has entertained the troops both in the US and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and is a classically trained vocalist . She is the founder and director of Fort Wayne Tanzer, a prominent authentic German dance troupe. She has been a Vocal Director and Choreographer with F&L , as well as assistant director on productions such as Anne of Green Gables, Korczak’s Children, and Cinderella. Patrice is full of fun and so encouraging to both reluctant and enthusiastic actors.
Allison Mooibroek // Foundations & Assistant Director
Allison has a bachelor's degree in Music Education and taught music in the public schools prior to staying home full-time to raise and homeschool her daughters. As someone who's always been drawn to the arts, she loved performing in musicals and plays in high school, as well as playing in many pit orchestras and ensembles both large and small through the years on french horn. Watching students gain skills and confidence as they enjoy the beautiful gift of the performing arts is one of her very favorite things, so she feels so blessed to be part of the Fire & Light team.
Greg Otis// Vocal Director
Greg’s experience runs the gamut; from a private vocal coach, to participating and coaching barbershop quartets, to serving in music ministry as the Director of Worship Arts for Trinity United Metjhodist Church in Huntington. He has served as vocal director for such productions as The Sound of Music, Carousel, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie. Greg has also been active with the Huntington Theater Guild, conducting performances for The Sound of Music, working as Music Director for Li’l Abner, and electronically creating the orchestral accompaniment for Cinderella. These days he seeks to fill his free time by traveling, often to attend theatre, musical theatre, and concerts.
Doug Reynolds // Vocal Director
Doug is the Director of Parish Ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne since January, 2021. Prior to that he was Family Life and Music Director for 21 years at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne. He also currently has a VERY part-time job as a Shipping Specialist at Sweetwater, and accompanies the A Capella Choir at Concordia Lutheran High (CLHS). He has played the piano in several high musicals at CLHS, his favorites being Fiddler on the Roof and Newsies. Doug got involved with Fire & Light just last year as Vocal Director with the High Schoolers in Matilda, and with the Elementary show Beauty and the Beast, Jr.
Sally McGovern // Lead Costumer
Bio in progress!
Jeanette Hendrix // Lead Costumer
Jeanette earned her bachelor's at Purdue University in Apparel Design and Technology with a Minor in Art and Design - theatre has always been a special calling. The creativity, compassion, prayer, insight, servant nature, growth, and experience in this group (from the young to the not quite as young) is a joy to behold. For a long time Jeanette has felt loved and humbled as she remembers the verse in Ephesians that says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 KJV
Lisa Pontecorvo // Lead Costumer
Lisa has an A.S. Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Vincennes University. She has been sewing since 6th grade and has a passion to create things from clothes to quilts to houses. Even though theatre is not her background, she has been able to use her creativity and sewing experience in making costumes for shows like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Lisa considers it a great joy working with and getting to know the kids at Fire & Light. She also loves hanging out, laughing and sewing with her friends at theatre.
Laura Maxwell // Stage Manager & Choreography
Laura has been involved in the arts since she was seven years old. Her love of performing came from her involvement with local dance group Fort Wayne Tanzer, where she has been a member for 12 years. She has been with Fire and Light since 2016 and has enjoyed many roles both on and off the stage. She has been part of 25 shows with F&L, some of her favorites being Tuck Everlasting, Newsies, Around the World in 80 Days, and Clue. Her involvement with F&L over the years has helped spark her love for dancing and choreography, specifically in partner work and tap. She has been a local stage manager for the past two years and can not wait to work on this upcoming season at Fire and Light.
Holly Hemsoth // Set Design
Holly has been crafting and creating since she was little - so helping with sets and set design has been a seamless fit. All four of her children are involved in the Academy, so while they are learning to tell the story, Holly is right there beside them working with the Directors to bring the stories to life through incredibly meaningful sets. There is no design too large or detail too small that Holly can’t take on!
Bev Stacey// Choreographer
Bev danced professionally for years, and Fire & Light kids are blessed to have her wisdom and vision in our productions. Bev has choreographed tap numbers for 42nd Street and Newsies. As well as lyrical numbers for Frozen Jr., and our upcoming Wizard of Oz.
Linda Mullenhour // Tap Teacher
Linda has been a tap dancer from the age of five. She started teaching dance when she was a sophomore in high school and has taught Middle Eastern, Disco, Jazz, Acrobatics, Aerobics, and Water Aerobics. She started dancing with the Alley Kats sixteen years ago, and now directs the program. Linda also worked as a full time job beautician for 44 years. She loves dancing and socializing with all types of individuals.
Stacy Munsie // Consulting Director
Actress, singer, visual artist and director, Stacy Munsie is a seasoned veteran of the stage, landing dozens of leads in around 40 productions. She began writing, directing, singing, producing and performing small scale traveling music/comedy reviews professionally at the age of 23. Her voice talent extends to voice-over, jingles, radio work, film and TV for the last 20 years. Stacy has worn several hats at F&L, forming the Summer Camp Program and later our Community Theatre. She has directed favorites such as Disney’s Mulan, Thorton Wilder’s Our Town, and 2019’s, The Music Man.
Not Pictured:
Kenneth Loechner, Projection Specialist
Special Thanks to our Loyal Board Members:
Peter Kujak, President of the Board
Terry Ellis, Tech Consultant and Product Marketing Manager for Box
Robert Bruchner, Former Pastor, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
Jeanne Nolan, Treasurer, Self-Employed Bookkeeper
Kris Botas, Secretary, Fire & Light Productions
Lisa Ellis, Executive Director, Fire & Light Productions
Active Members: Sara Scantlin, Kenneth Loechner, Audrey McCann, and Bill Munsie
Fire & Light is always in need of volunteers! As a nonprofit organization here in Fort Wayne, we’re actively seeking vocal directors, set builders, choreographers, and technicians who have a passion for God, for youth, and the mission of Fire & Light. If you or someone you know can help, please get in touch here.