The Waldo Theatre has announced some new faces and new roles on the theatre’s staff and board of directors. Current board members Ken Stevenson, Maya Crosby, and Keri Lupien are taking on new roles, and they’ll be joined by new board members John Mullaney and Kimberly Sampson. Two volunteers are moving to part-time year-round staff roles. The theatre’s rapid growth and program expansion have exceeded expectations and accelerated the need for change to keep pace. 

Keri Lupien – Board president to concert booker on staff 

Keri Lupien has served on The Waldo’s Board of Directors for the past seven years, the last three as board president. The theatre has made huge strides under her leadership and has presented some amazing concerts as a result of her determined efforts as a music booker. Although she has stepped down from her presidential role, she has (happily) joined the staff, where she will continue to secure a wide range of exciting musicians, both new and familiar, for our audience to enjoy. Keri and her family live in Waldoboro, where Tyler, owner of Moose Crossing Garden Center, has deep roots. 

Ken Stevenson – Board secretary to board president 

In the past seven years on the Board of The Waldo Theatre, Ken Stevenson has made the transition from member at-large, to secretary, and now to president. Ken is a familiar face in the area, as a respected former Lincoln Academy instructor, administrator, and coach. In his current role as community development officer for the Island Institute, he supports island students and teachers by helping coordinate the Teaching and Learning Collaborative program. Ken spent time as a child on his grandfather’s farm in Waldoboro, on which he now lives with his family, plus assorted pets and livestock.  

Maya Crosby – Member at-large to board secretary 

Raised in Belfast and Washington Maine, Waldoboro resident Maya Crosby is a passionate academic, educator, and instructional designer with a graduate degree in marine science from the University of Maine. As director of applied learning at Lincoln Academy, and now as The Waldo’s board secretary, she hopes to leave a lasting impact on her students and the wider community. Maya joined The Waldo board in late 2023 as a member at-large, because of her belief in the powerful effect of a small community coming together for the benefit of all of its citizens. 

John Mullaney – New board member at-large, development 

John Mullaney is a retired philanthropy and nonprofit executive, having spent most of his professional career helping organizations articulate and implement their missions and address their sustainable impact on communities. Prior to his 21 years in philanthropy, John held a variety of roles at the Institute for International Development at Harvard University. He has served on numerous boards and is excited to assist The Waldo with a broad range of development projects in his role as member at-large. John currently resides in Woolwich. 

Kimberly Sampson – New board member at-large, volunteer coordinator 

Kimberly Sampson is an early childhood educator and director of the Little House School, which is located on their small family farm in Damariscotta. She and her husband were drawn to the prevailing sense of community and down-to-earth lifestyle here in the Midcoast. Kimberly places great value on helping people connect with each other and is excited about taking on the role of volunteer coordinator for The Waldo. Her enthusiasm is much appreciated by her students, her farm animals, and her new friends at The Waldo. 

Deborah Michaelsen – New part-time staff: development assistant 

A resident of Waldoboro for 25 years, Deb Michaelsen is transitioning from IT professional and Waldo volunteer to part-time staff member. She is excited to bring her technical skills to support the Waldo and will be instrumental in streamlining our digital infrastructure as well as building out our business partnerships. When not playing with spreadsheets, Deb is chasing chickens out of her gardens and greenhouse. 

Barbara Boardman – Voted onto her final 3-year term 

Barbara Boardman has been an integral member of The Waldo’s board of directors since 2016 and has been voted into what will be her final three-year term. Barbara is an architectural and landscape designer and certified organic farmer who fell in love with Maine while attending College of the Atlantic. A Waldoboro resident since 2000, she is an active member of the Waldoboro Planning Board, the Comprehensive Plan Committee, and the Waldoboro Farmer’s Market. As member at-large and head of the building committee, she strongly feels that The Waldo’s reinstatement into the cultural life of our community is key to the economic development of the area. 

Shanna Castner – stepping down 

Washington resident and retail loan administrator for First National Bank, Shanna Castner joined The Waldo Board of Directors in early 2023. Her belief in The Waldo’s mission has not waivered, but recent obligations have prevented her from contributing her time in the way she envisioned, so she has decided to resign her position as member at-large.   

More information is available at thewaldotheatre.org.