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. 
kskrzesz@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).
dyetter@ClearSpaceTheatre.org

^ back to top

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.
dbutton@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.
wclark@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.
jhayward@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.

^ back to top

Jerry Birl

Jerry Birl is a native of Lewes and studied Vocal Performance at the University of Delaware. His life is kept busy with several local theatre groups where recent productions have included SIX ROOMS, INTO THE WOODS, SCROOGE!, ALL MY SONS, EINSTEIN'S BREAKFAST, A DAY IN THE DEATH OF JOE EGG, ANNIE, and SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE EARLY YEARS. Jerry teaches private voice and piano as an instructor with the Clear Space Arts Institute, and serves as Minister of Music at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior.

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)

Linda Chambers

Linda Chambers’ plays have been produced in New York, Stones, Avalon, and in Los Angeles, as well as in her hometown of Baltimore; her work has also been produced in film (her name is in cement in front of the Senator Theatre in Baltimore) and television. She teaches residencies in playwrighting and screenwriting at Carver School for Arts and Technology, where she is Playwright-In-Residence. She has also written countless scripts for clients as varied as the Internal Revenue Service, M.I.T.’s Research Science Foundation, and the Red Cross; recruitment scripts for Johns Hopkins University, the College of Notre Dame, and Morgan State University.  She taught Creative Drama for Hope Village at Fells Point Corner Theatre; mentored middle and high school students and has given private tutorials in screenwriting. She teaches playwrighting, screenwriting and directing for the stage at Villa Julie College.  Linda was co-director/producer/scriptwriter for the Women’s Project at Theatre Project through five productions.  Her recent directing credits include An Inspector Calls (Cockpit-In-Court), Enchanted April (Vagabond Players), The Trojan Women and The Scarlet Letter (Villa Julie College), Beauty and the Beast (non-musical) and The Hobbit (Pumpkin Theatre).  She serves on the Vagabond Players Board of Governors.

Michael Matthias

Michael Matthias graduated magna cum laude from Catawba College with a B.F.A. in Acting. He has been an instructor with Clear Space's Theatre Arts Academy and Broadway Bound program, performed in several of their productions, and was an instructor with Possum Point Players' summer academy. He has also directed a children's production of The Wiz and student productions at Catawba College.

Nancy Sherman

Nancy Sherman, a free-lance director and teacher, holds a Master's degree in Theatre with emphasis in Directing from the University of Maryland at College Park. She taught full-time for Baltimore County Board of Education in Maryland for 32 years, chairing the Theatre Magnet program at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts since its inception. She also taught classes at Villa Julie College and the Community Colleges of Baltimore County. In addition to teaching, she has designed and has written theatre curriculum for high schools, arts schools, and colleges.

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

(Read bio above)

Ken Skrzesz

(Read bio above)

Doug Yetter

(Read bio above)

^ back to top

Henry Cox, Director

Henry Cox, who lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland and Lewes, Delaware, retired from a career in commercial real estate in 2002 and now runs several internet businesses in partnership with the Cape Gazette. With an MBA in Marketing from Tulane University, Henry thrives on the challenges of today’s ever changing business world and brings an entrepreneurial spirit to Clear Space.   He has both love and appreciation for theatre and is dedicated to promoting the arts in southern Delaware.   Cox’s prior board experience includes co-chairing The Georgetown Symphony in Washington, DC. He currently serves as Secretary for the Rehoboth Art League’s Board of Trustees. 

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. 

Wendy Harrold, Director

Wendy moved to Lewes, Delaware in 2005 where she owns and operates Comfort Zone Center For Whole Self Healing with her husband, Ed. Wendy is responsible for the sales, marketing and operations of the business.  In 2010, Wendy established the Institute For Whole Self Health; a non-profit organization designed to educate individuals, communities and health care organization on holistic health. Wendy serves as the Executive Director.  In addition, she’s nationally certified and licensed in various massage therapies and yoga teaching certifications. Wendy’s business background began in banking. Her career included internal & external marketing, product development, branch sales management, customer service and regional sales manager.

Rick Hayward, Director

Rick Hayward, PT, OMPT, OCS, CEES is a native of Michigan, but now calls Delaware home.  He is the Physical Therapy Manager for Bayhealth Medical Center. He graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S. in Physical Therapy and completed a two-year residency program in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy.  He is a certified ergonomist and a certified Orthopaedic specialist in Physical Therapy through the American Physical Therapy Association. He has been the treasurer for the Sports Boosters’ at Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences in Georgetown for the past three years. He was President of the church council at Peace Lutheran Church in Michigan and was co-director in developing the counseling center that is now housed at the church. He was also a part of the Nehemiah Project which was in charge of capital fundraising, design and construction of the church expansion. He enjoys being an active part of his children’s lives and currently resides in Milford with Austin, Meghan and his wife, Jennifer.

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. 

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.

^ back to top