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.

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.  

Devin Slattery
Assistant to the Director

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Posters, programs, tickets, fliers, postcards, and signs for Wealthy Theatre and CMC is where you will find Devin's masterpieces. When not designing, she can be found in the box office selling you tickets, in concessions handing you popcorn, or walking around the lobby answering questions and carrying tables. Outside CMC, Devin is a full-time student working on her Masters Degree in Fine Art at Kendall College of Art and Design. She spends all of her time drawing or curled up with her cats and a good book.

Francesca Amari
Administrator

Francesca directs audio books for Brilliance audio, teaches Creative Drama at Grand Valley State University, and teaches and directs children’s theatre throughout West MI. She has a long history of doing p.r. and marketing for area nonprofits, including the YWCA of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Library, Planned Parenthood and United Way.  A versatile vocalist, Francesca sings everything from jazz standards to pop to musical theatre to folk and is working on her first solo CD. She travels throughout the Midwest with her popular vocal trio, Boogie Woogie Babies, which just released its second CD, "Boogie, Beehives & Beyond." She also sings with Rhythm Section Jazz Band and The Fabulous Eastones.

Jeanne Welch
Adminstrator / Operator

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Jeanne Welch has been working in community building and outreach with diverse populations for the last 20 years.  After returning from her Peace Corps work in West Africa, Ms. Welch graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Masters degree in Health Education/Outreach.  Jeanne teaches video production to urban youth.  What she enjoys most about Community Media Center (CMC) is building community.  Ms. Welch enjoys working with both people and technology, community outreach through digital technology, and she does both at Wealthy Theater!

Jeff Hudson
Theatre Operator

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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.

Sarah Pierantoni
Americorps Vista

Sarah is currently an Americorps* CTC VISTA volunteer at the CMC.  She grew up in the Detroit area and studied film and video production at GVSU.  In 2007, Sarah came to the CMC when her video installation was exhibited at Smart Festival. Attracted to what the CMC was all about, she soon joined the team.  In the education department, she works with the MOLLIE program creating video projects with youth, and has worked specifically with LGBT youth creating digital stories.  She has developed a serious addiction to lighting events at the Wealthy Theatre and also is translating CMC educational materials into Spanish.  

Ted Diedrich
Theatre Operator

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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!

Tom Schwallie
Adminstrator / Operator

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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.