Wealthy Theatre Staff

Erin Wilson
Theater Director

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Erin moved back to Grand Rapids after living in New York City and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he bartended in the East Village at night, and taught English to immigrants during the day.  Born in Muskegon Heights, he now lives within five blocks of Wealthy Theatre, where he's raising a family with his partner, Amy, who is a ballet dancer and instructor.  Erin started with CMC as a MoLLIE instructor and web-design teacher, then transitioned to GRTV, where he became a manager.  In 2006, CMC Executive Director Laurie Cirivello tapped Erin to begin work at Wealthy Theatre.

Jessa Dutton
Office Manager

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Jessa moved back into the West Michigan area after a few years running a venue in Pennsylvania, touring the country in a motor home with her husband and touring across the country again, only that time providing tour management, support and merch sales for her husband’s band.  Gabe, her husband, plays with many different bands, most recently with American Idol season 8 contestant, and K-zoo home-town favorite, Matt Giraud.  Originally from the mitten, she never thought she’d be back (the snow might have been the deal breaker!).  But with a Master’s Degree on its way from GVSU, a great job at an amazing downtown theatre and a home near Heritage Hill, she’s got too many reasons to let the snow get in her way!

Jeff Hudson
Technical Operations

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Geoff left the cornfields of a tiny town in southern Michigan to travel to the "big city" of Grand Rapids in the late 80s and has been involved with the local arts and entertainment scene ever since.  His long string of unusual public-access productions includes Nothing TV and The Great Daryl Nathan Entertainment Show. He was Art director for Slak Magazine and Music Revue and played for a number of years with a band called LSDudes.  Currently he is a professional DJ hosting a retro night at a local dance club under the name Jef Leppard and of course works at Wealthy Theatre.

Brooke LaLonde
Operator

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Brooke was born under the waning moon and into the realm of her own reality, which was temporarily placed in Bay City, MI.  Brooke eventually moved on through the age of reason, many Science Olympiad competitions, and up and down the Mississippi River. Grand Valley State University allowed Brooke’s mind to wander into a new world and into the school of film and video.  She started at GRTV as an intern; she finished her degree and became a production assistant; now she's the manager.  And she assists at Wealthy Theatre every week.  

Ryan McCarthy
Events Coordinator

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Ryan wound up at Wealthy Theatre the old fashioned way: he earned it.  Ryan started volunteering in 2008, first in concessions, then with sound/lights; and finally he parlayed his skills into a staff position.  His big break was the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ production in late '08 - a 57-hour week "crash course."  Ryan also works as a consultant for the CMC.  He is a musician, singer and songwriter looking to put a band together soon and take over the town.  Ryan has a show on WYCE as ‘Danny Van’, Monday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Ryan loves the Community Media Center.

Tom Schwallie
FOH Operations

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A life long Michigander, Tom has been with CMC for over four years, starting as an Americorps Vista with the former GRIID affiliate.  One of the original CMC staff moved to the Wealthy Campus, Tom has been involved with much of the issue-oriented programming at the Theatre.  Currently Tom manages the Common Lens Documentary Series, part of the Wednesdays at Wealthy program.  He produces Catalyst Radio, a weekly production on 88.1 FM WYCE.  He often can be spotted in the concessions stand, doing his best to not burn the popcorn. 

Ted Diedrich
AV Tech

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The Abbreviated Biography of Ted Diedrich: Ted, a native Grand Rapidian, began an internship with the CMC in 1998; after which he accepted a part time position at GRTV, a position he’s now held for nearly a decade.  Now his work includes teaching classes, aiding CMC members with GRTV operations, and helping out at the Wealthy Theatre wherever and whenever he’s needed. Points of Interest: Ted was born on the 9th Floor of St. Mary’s Hospital on the 9th Day of the 9th Month weighing 9 Pounds 9 Ounces. Ted’s favorite number is 7. Ted sinks like a rock. Ted rocks!