Staff

Legal

  • A. Craig Brown, Esq. Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, P.C.
    60 State Street Northampton, MA 01060

Communication Consultant

  • Kristen A. Cole

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Before joining the Academy of Music Theatre, Debra J’Anthony served as the executive director of the Shea Community Theater in Turners Falls, Mass., for sixteen years. During her tenure there, she was awarded the Community Theater Association Back Stage Award and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Senate Official Citation. In addition to her work at the Academy, Debra teaches flute and chamber music at Stoneleigh-Burnham and Eaglebrook schools, and has performed as a musician throughout North America and Europe. Her passion for the arts takes many forms. Debra is a published poet, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and a member of the national planning committee for SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day.

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Thomas Sampson’s expertise in the theatre spans all aspects of technical production, including such work as scenic design, carpentry, and rigging. Thomas has worked stage productions for Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Brown University and Lost Nation Theater. And, he has served at Brown University as an Assistant Technical Director, teaching stagecraft. Thomas received his Bachelor of Arts degree in theater studies (Design/Education) from Emerson College and is a candidate for a Master’s degree in Technical Production from the University of Connecticut..

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Jessica Abbate brings 14 years of customer service experience to the Academy’s Box Office. She has previously served the public at venues throughout the nation, including Yellowstone and Sequoia national parks. In the Pioneer Valley, Jessica served as a nature specialist at YMCA of Springfield Camp Weber before turning her attention to the arts. Prior to the Academy of Music, she worked for City Stage/Symphony Hall Box Office as box office manager.

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Melissa Cleary Pearson is a graduate from UMass-Amherst with a concentration in Theater Production. She later attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and Broadway Dance Center in New York. Melissa has performed in various regional plays and musicals and also directed and co-produced an Off-Broadway production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” in New York City. Melissa has also worked for the Marvel Character Appearance program providing educational shows around the country for the last 10 years. She has taught the Academy Summer Musical Theatre Workshops and co-directs the Academy Youth Productions.