Our Team
director@operahousearts.org
Erika Sanger has dedicated her career to building public engagement in American arts and history. She served as the leading ambassador and advocate for museums at the Museum Association of New York where she worked with the board and staff to double membership and revenue and reach thousands of people across the nation with virtual programs. Sanger has held positions at renowned institutions including the New-York Historical Society and the Brooklyn Museum where she produced traditional music, jazz, and folk arts programs as well as panel discussions, lectures, and film series. She lived and worked in rural Western North Carolina for 10 years first as Director of Development at Penland School of Crafts and then as Curator of Education at the Asheville Art Museum. Sanger holds a B.F.A. from Clark University, and an M.A. from NYU. She and her husband live on the west side of Stonington.
artisticdirector@operahousearts.org
Kathryn is a director, actor, writer, and creative entrepreneur. She is the co-curator of Plays For Us, finding and developing new work with substantial roles for women, and has been a featured artist at Symphony Space, Merkin Concert Hall, and In Your Face New York. She is an audiobook narrator, a comedy writer, one-third of the satirical country band The Chalks, and a solo performance artist. Her career spans New York, regional and international screens and stages, from Broadway to Stockholm with many stops in between. A native Vermonter, Kathryn spent 20 summers working in theatres around New England and the Northeast, and is thrilled to connect and create with the folks of Deer Isle and Opera House Arts. Proud Member of Actors Equity, SAG-Aftra, the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and the Writers Guild of America.
tegan@operahousearts.org
A proud island native currently residing in Stonington. Her career at the Opera House allows her to combine her passion for the arts with her expertise in customer relations, where she plays a key role in supporting both the artistic community and the guest experience. A seasoned professional with extensive experience in customer service and management, she excels at creating meaningful connections with others and ensuring smooth, efficient operations. Tegan is a passionate advocate for the quiet beauty of island life, finding inspiration in the natural surroundings, the changing seasons, and the peaceful rhythm of daily life in Stonington. Whether in her creative endeavors, her gardening, or her outdoor adventures, she approaches everything with a deep respect for nature and a creative spirit that infuses all aspects of her life.
productionmanager@operahousearts.org
Starting as a carpentry intern and eventually landing in Project Management, Braden has worked in all levels of theater production. Some of the highlights include his time with the Orlando Repertory Theater, Wallis Annenberg Center, Pig Iron Theater Company, The Public, Monomoy Theater Company, David Stark Design, Iron Bloom, Production Glue, and of course, with Opera House Arts. A former military brat, and native to nowhere, Braden is slowly feeling more at home on the island thanks to the connections he’s been making through the Opera House.
jessica@operahousearts.org
Jessica L. Shively has a Masters of Letters from Drew University where she studied creative writing and the psychological fascination with modern ruins. As a horror writer and photographer she is thrilled to be working in a space dedicated to the arts. Jessica comes from a background in merchandising, marketing, journalism, and event planning. In 2021, Jessica relocated from New Jersey to Maine to work as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Maine Maritime Academy and joined Opera House Arts in August of 2024. With a deep love of the ocean, she is constantly enthralled with her island home.
doreen@operahousearts.org
Doreen relocated to Maine in 2024, fulfilling a long-held dream of a life Down East. With an eclectic background spanning marketing, media, operations, client relations, and event planning, she has curated and produced exceptional experiences for diverse audiences worldwide. Doreen now brings her creative energy to Opera House Arts, blending her skills with a passion for supporting the arts. As a maker, she is dedicated to design, fiber arts, collage, and sustainable living through gardening and beekeeping. Doreen holds a BA in business and art history from Kent State University and studied fashion design and art at the Fashion Institute of Technology and School of Visual Arts in NYC. She lives in Brooklin with her two dogs, cat, and a variety of peninsula wildlife.
tech@operahousearts.org
Sonny is a Downeast native from Sedgwick, Maine. They graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2025 with a bachelor’s in music composition. Holding a lifelong love of the performing arts, they performed in several musicals and bands throughout high school and college. In their work-study position, Sonny worked alongside musicians as a recording technician and stagehand. This piqued their interest in the technical aspects of the entertainment industry. Sonny joined the Opera House in the summer of 2024 as a part-time stage technician to pursue this interest and learn more while working in the field. They are happy to call Opera House Arts their home as they take the next step in their career.
We’re hiring! Come work with Opera House Arts in beautiful Stonington, Maine.