Leadership

Dane CT Leasure

EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/FOUNDER
HE/HIM/HIS

Dane CT Leasure is the founder and Executive Artistic Director of Rubber City Theatre. Primarily a director, Dane has directed productions ranging from A Midsummer Night's Dream to Pippin. In recent years, Dane has turned to new works, particularly musicals in development. Dane holds a M.Litt and MFA from Mary Baldwin University in Shakespeare and Performance. Dane is a proud member of SDC. ​

Artistic and Production

Brian C. Seckfort

DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS
HE/HIM/HIS

Brian is the Director of Artistic operations for Rubber City Theatre. Brian's professional theatre background includes working as a Scenic Designer, Scenic Carpenter, and Scenic Painter for large regional theatres and summer theatre companies.He has worked with Rubber City Theatre as a scenic designer and Technical director since 2019. He received a dual BFA focusing in acting and Scenic Design from Florida Southern College and is currently pursuing an MFA in Scenic Design and Technology at Kent State University.

Kendra Strickland

COSTUME DEPARTMENT HEAD
​SHE/HER/HERS

For the last 18 years Kendra has been a Costume Production Assistant and the Wardrobe Supervisor for The University of Akron’s theatre, dance, opera, and Dance Institute productions. Her outside costume designs include CLUE, ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, DREAM GIRLS, SWEENY TODD, and THE 39 STEPS. She is a proud Union member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stagehand Employees (IATSE). She’s been working as a stagehand/dresser for the last 10 years for Locals 48, 27, and 883, and is currently serving her second term as an Executive Board Member. ​

Eugene Rogers

LIGHTING/SOUND DEPARTMENT HEAD
​HE/HIM/HIS

​Eugene has been a Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, Light Board Operator, and Sound Board Operator for both amusement parks and University theatres. He earned a BA in Art (Studio Emphasis) from the University of Akron, followed by a Certificate in Entertainment Arts and Technology - Sound, and a second BA in Theatre Studies from Kent State University. Eugene has been a proud member of the IATSE Local #48 since 2012.

Coming Soon.

Scenic Department Head

Coming Soon.

Patrick Lee Johnson*

Resident AEA Stage Manager 
He/Him/His

Patrick is thrilled to join Rubber City Theatre as their Resident Equity Stage Manager.
Previously, he served as a Stage Management Apprentice at the Walnut Street Theatre in
Philadelphia for their 2019-2020 mainstage season. Other stage management credits include
Porthouse Theatre (SM/ASM) and Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (ASM). Patrick holds a
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Stage Management from Kent State University. He would like to
thank Dane and RCT for giving him this opportunity and his family and friends for their constant support. www.patrickleejohnson.com

Julia Fisher

RESIDENT INTIMACY DIRECTOR
SHE/HER/HERS

Julia Fisher is an intimacy director, playwright, actor, and director, and her work has been seen in professional theatres throughout Northeast Ohio. She has trained with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, Theatrical Intimacy Education, Movement and Combat Education, Cleveland Play House, and the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. She is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
www.juliachristinefisher.com

Education and Youth Theatre

Sarah Bailey

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION/YOUTH THEATRE PRODUCER
SHE/HER/HERS

Sarah Bailey is a professional voice instructor, director, acting teacher and choreographer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in voice performance from Ohio Northern University and her master’s degree in music performance and pedagogy from the prestigious Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Sarah has been working in educational theatre for well over a decade. ​

Administration 

Cennidie Hall

TICKET AND OFFICE MANAGER
​SHE/HER/HERS

Cennidie received her degree in Theatre with a Discipline in Stage Management from The University of Akron in the Spring of 2021. Cennidie is pursuing her master's in Arts Administration from UA to learn how to better serve and engage audience members. Throughout  undergrad, Cennidie stage managed numerous productions, acted as a director, built and designed costumes, and performed as an actress. Additionally, Cennidie was the Production Assistant for Rubber City Theatre's 2020 Production of A Christmas Carol and Akron Civic's All City Musical: West Side Story in 2020. ​

Marketing and Advertising 

RCT is excited to be collaborating with AMP Strategy for Marketing and Advertising. 
www.ampstrategy.com ​

Board of Directors 

Danielle Gruhler
Sarah Heid (Vice-President)
Pam Horning
​Sharon Jackson
Ken Klika (President) 
Dane CT Leasure (Founder, Ex-Offico) 
​Casey Robinson  
Chris Simmons (Secretary) 
Donald Snyder (Treasurer)
Jared Sparks
As of 1/1/22.
Interested in Serving on the Board? Please email Dane CT Leasure: dane@rubbercitytheatre.com.

Artistic Committee

​India Nicole Burton
Lana Sugarman
Jailyn Sherell Harris
Katie Wells
Christine McBurney
Lysander Mills
Ansley Valentine
Denise Astorino
Alex Montavon
Dane CT Leasure
Alex Funk
Sarah Bailey
Brian Seckfort

Professional Affiliations 

Rubber City Theatre operates under a Small Professional Theatre (SPT) contract.

Rubber City Theatre's Scenic and Costume Shop Employees and Stagehands are members of I.A.S.T.E., Local 48.

Rubber City Theatre is an Affiliate Theatre of the Dramatists Guild of America.