Theatre of Youth

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	Welcome from the staff of Theatre of Youth, Since our founding in 1972, TOY has continued to gain expertise and experience in our field and grow in our dedication to bringing theatre into the lives of young people. Our plays are performed by professional adult actors in full-scale mainstage productions. Our professional staff have excellent training and many hold advanced degrees in their fields.
	Meg Quinn, Artistic Director Meg Quinn was a founding member of Theatre of Youth and has held several positions with the company over 27 years – Actor, Teacher, Marketing Director and Artistic Director for the 19th year (Meg has directed nearly 100 plays for children). She has also been the Marketing Director of the Nazareth College Arts Center and Managing Director of The Mime Workshop, both in Rochester, NY. Meg holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Daemen College and a MS in Creativity and Creative Problem Solving from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College. Meg studied children's theatre with Grigore Pogonat of the Ion Creangă Theatre of Romania and Reg Bolton of The Long Green Theatre Company of Scotland. Meg received the first Artie Award for Supporting Actress for her performance in Equus. She was presented with the 2000 Outstanding Citizen Award from The Buffalo News upon the opening of the Allendale Theatre. In 2001, Meg was selected by Atlantic Corridor USA to participate in a cultural exchange program in Ireland. She was honored with the Alumni Award for Outstanding Service to the Community from Daemen College in 2006 and the 2011 Career Achievement Award at the ARTVOICE Artie Awards. In 2008, TOY developed a series of plays for young people focused on Health & Wellness. Meg has written several plays for the series that include: INSIDE OUT, addressing the issue of childhood obesity opened TOY's 39th season; and a her newest work about bicycle helmet safety, HEADS ON WHEELS, toured schools in spring 2011. Meg and her husband Chester Popiolkowski (TOY's Resident Composer and Production Manager) have two children. Joe is a reporter with The Buffalo News; Amanda is a pediatric nurse at Women and Children's Hospital; and daughter-in-law, Pam, is an editorial assistant at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
	Robert H. Brunschmid, Managing Director Robert joined TOY in 2000 and was appointed Managing Director in April 2004 after having served TOY in several other administrative roles. Robert was graduated from Medaille College with an MBA; he received a B.S. in Biology from Niagara University and was certified in Program Planning & Proposal Writing through the Grantsmanship Training Center of Los Angeles, CA. Robert was the Co-Chair of Curtain Up! 2009 and currently serves on the Curtain Up! steering committee and as President for the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo. Robert is also a 2010 Business First of Buffalo 40 Under Forty Honoree and a proud member of the Leadership Buffalo Rising Leaders Class of 2005.
	Kenneth Shaw, Head of Design This will be Ken's 15th season as Head of Design for Theatre of Youth. In that time he has designed the scenery and costumes for over 80 TOY productions and received the Artie Award for outstanding design 10 times. In 1998, Ken was the recipient of the David Fendrick Award for his adaptation of NANCY DREW AND THE MYSTERY OF THE CRANDALL JEWELS. He has also adapted the stories of PINOCCHIO and THE HARDY BOYS IN THE CLUE OF THE SCREECHING OWL for the TOY stage. Born in Toronto, he was graduated from the National Theatre School of Canada and apprenticed at the International Theatre Institute in Prague. His assistantship at the Shaw Festival Theatre completed his training and while there he designed THE MAN OF DESTINY. Other local credits include BAREFOOT IN THE PARK for Studio Arena Theatre, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, and JULIUS CAESAR for Shakespeare in the Park.
	Chester Popiolkowski, Resident Composer/Production Manager/Sound Designer Chester holds a BFA in Theatre and an MA in Theatre and Media. He has created sound and music for almost 90 TOY productions. He has been composer/music director of the popular TOY productions of STUART LITTLE and CHARLOTTE'S WEB. Chet produced sound and music for Studio Arena's productions of A CHRISTMAS STORY, A THOUSAND CLOWNS, THE DRAWER BOY, ART, THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE, HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, and GREETINGS. He also composed original music for the Just-for-Kids audio tour at the Albright-Knox Gallery. Chet has been a keyboard artist for many music ensembles in the Northeast and was the Musical Director for National Touring's production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Chet has taught radio drama as part of an arts-in-education program and has presented seminars in audio technology and sound design. He is also a NYS certified EMT and President of the Lancaster Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
	Barbara Priore, Head of Wardrobe Barbara celebrates her 12th season with TOY, having built costumes for over 55 productions. In the past she has worked with Shakespeare in the Park, Studio Arena Theatre, several community theatres, schools and competitive dance teams. Barbara has also designed costumes for TOY's productions of THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, THE HARDY BOYS IN THE CLUE OF THE SCREECHING OWL, and TUCK EVERLASTING. Barbara and her husband, Robert, have two children, Sarah and R.J.
	Eva-Marie Edukonis, Marketing Manager Eva-Marie is enjoying her first year with Theatre of Youth and she looks forward to many more. A graduate from the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, Eva continued her education at SUNY at Buffalo and was graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Teacher Education. She received an M.L.S. from SUNY at Buffalo's School of Informatics and is a NYS certified Social Studies teacher and Library Media Specialist. Having been involved with TOY as a child, Eva-Marie can attest to the power of theatre on young children and how that influence can inspire a child to reach new heights. Eva-Marie looks forward to promoting TOY's mission and bringing the joy of theatre into the lives of children all over Western New York. Eva is also the proud mother of two young girls, Sophie Lorraine and Laila Marie.
	Theresa DiMuro-Wilbur, Theatre School Coordinator Theresa has a long history in both theater and education. After having attended Daemen College, majoring in theater, she moved on to perform and teach with the TOY’s stock company for five seasons, taught acting classes at the Studio Arena Theater School, and worked extensively with the cross-platform organization Western New York Institute for Arts in Education before moving to Los Angeles where she excelled as a teacher and administrator for fifteen years. After recently returning to Buffalo, Theresa has immersed herself in the local arts and education community. She currently works at a Waldorf based Early Childhood Center, The Rosegarden located on Buffalo's West side, not far from where she resides with her four cats and one husband.
	Maureen Anne Porter, Theatre School Teacher A Niagara University Theatre graduate, and member of Actors Equity, has been acting professionally for 25 years. She teaches Acting and Voice and Movement at Buffalo State College as she works at receiving her M.A. in English Literature. Theatre credits include Crazy Mary, The Children's Hour, The Baltimore Waltz, The Miracle Worker, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Love Letters, My Fair Lady, Idols of the King, The Cripple of Innishman, Blithe Spirit, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Agnes of God, Three Sisters, Othello, Hamlet, and Comedy of Errors. Film and television credits include Manna from Heaven, General Hospital, and America's Most Wanted. In 2007, Maureen created the company The Second Act, dedicated to awakening humanity in the workplace. She travels extensively producing customized presentations for corporations, agencies, and universities with regard to sexual harassment, diversity, emotional intelligence, and many other workplace issues. A playwright, Maureen recently finished a one woman play about breast cancer. In 2006, Maureen was inducted into the North Tonawanda Hall of Fame for her work in theatre.
	Marilyn M. Littles, Accountant
	Tim White, Box Office Manager
	J.P. Thimot, Brochure Design and Illustration