HEATHER GRAYBERG
Executive Director
GEMMA AMREIN
Executive Assistant
THERESE WALDEN-MURPHY
Education Director
Director of Uptown Studio, which she founded in 2009, Therese is a professional actress who has performed in New York City, Los Angeles as well as regional theaters across the country. She holds an MFA in Classical Theatre from the Old Globe Theater Professional Actor Training Program and has been seen and heard in Commercials, Voice-overs, TV, Soap Operas, Industrials, Film, and on Stage. Therese joined the closing cast of the 1997 Broadway Company of Annie as Martin Charnin’s assistant director and continued on with the National Tour. Therese received a Best Actress Dramalogue Award for her work as Grace in Annie and was nominated for a Best Actress Robby Award for her work as Fiona in Brigadoon, both while working in Los Angeles. In addition to performing Therese has taught Musical Theatre, Shakespeare, Acting and Speech for over 30 years at many theaters and performing arts schools across the country. Therese is a proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA.
Therese@uptownwestchester.org
MIA MCDERMOTT
Assistant Director of Education
Mia McDermott is a theatre artist from Bucks County, PA. She’s been involved in the performing arts since elementary school, where her love for the performing arts began. Mia holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from West Chester University. Since graduating she has been working in the teaching artist field, working with theatre companies in both Philadelphia and West Chester. In her spare time, Mia is also a Magic Maker with a local West Chester company, Magic By Mom, where she brings joy and enchantment to children on special occasions. Mia joined the Uptown team in Spring 2024 as a Teaching Artist, and is thrilled to continue her journey here. She is most excited to have the opportunity to work with their talented and creative performers!
Mia@uptownwestchester.org
KENNEDY BERNARD
Education Coordinator &
Box Office Manager
Kennedy Bernard has been involved in the performing arts since the first grade when she first fell in love with the art of performing. She began by taking acting classes and being part of the cast for shows. She then began stage managing at 16 and teaching classes at 20. She has been with the resident theater school, West Chester Studios, since 2012 and has loved every second of it.
Kennedy is thrilled to be part of the team bringing the arts to West Chester and to grow with Uptown!
Kennedy@uptownwestchester.org
CHARLOTTE KROFT
General Manager
Charlotte Kroft is one of two Administrative staff at Uptown! In addition to general administrative duties such as box office, house management during performances, and coordinating memberships, Charlotte is on point for scheduling and training the theater’s cadre of volunteers. Prior to joining the staff, Charlotte volunteered at Uptown! and enjoyed a long-term and diverse career at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. She was a member of Concordia Choral Arts for many years and served as both Secretary and President. At Uptown!, Charlotte enjoys the diverse and fast-paced nature of the theater, especially interacting with patrons and tremendously talented performers!
Charlotte@uptownwestchester.org
KAREN AHEARN
Hospitality Manager
Karen is the Hospitality Manager for Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center. She manages operations for Mac’s Foxhole – the bar at the Theater. In addition, Karen is responsible for planning, scheduling and project management of our events such as the Annual Gala, Donor Appreciation Night, and other catered events. She has extensive experience in and out of the kitchen for food service and catering businesses and ensures all our patrons have the best experience possible.
Karen@uptownwestchester.org
KATHY BOYLE
House Manager
When I’m not helping people everywhere achieve whole-body wellbeing, you can find me in nature with my camera. I am a photographer and deep-thinker, passionate about seeing the beauty in the world around us. Stepping away from the daily routine and into nature supports me in keeping my life in balance. My role is to guide you, support you in developing new habits and empowering you to make healthy decisions that lead to lifelong transformation. And with Maggie, my pup beside me as the master explorer. She has a nose for fun and adventure!
Kathyb@uptownwestchester.org
WENDY BUCKLAND
House Manager
Ben Smith was performing here in 2018; that was my first show – as a patron. I fell for Uptown on the spot and was volunteering with Charlotte the next day. Today I’m a part-time house manager. Uptown speaks to me. It’s electric. Come see a show. You will be blown away. Definitely West Chester’s super power.
Wendy@uptownwestchester.org
MEL MAGEE
House Manager
Mel joined Uptown as a volunteer during its early formative years and has seen it grow into an exciting West Chester entertainment venue. Now a House Manager, Mel works closely with our dedicated volunteers, talented staff and visiting artists to deliver unforgettable experiences for our patrons.
Mel@uptownwestchester.org
CHIP SIMMONS
House Manager
A lifelong live entertainment aficionado and hospitality sales and marketing specialist – Hotels and Big Data – Chip fell for Uptown with Spam-A-Lot then deepened his love of Uptown as a volunteer soon thereafter. An attendee of over 500 live music events and countless theater productions working at Uptown is a natural extension of that passion. As House Manager delivering the visions and aspirations held by so many artists, patrons and volunteers is a joy and a delight. Come join us. You won’t regret it!
Chip@uptownwestchester.org
GEORGE KOENIG
Technical Director
George has been studying sound for over twenty years as a performer, producer, and designer. After learning instruments and music theory in middle school, he studied jazz and classical guitar at school in New Hampshire. Years later he went on to complete a bachelor’s in audio production in Philadelphia, where he currently resides. George began working at Uptown in June of 2022 as an Audio Technician under Josh Zettlemoyer. Over time he became the Monitoring Engineer for concerts, as well as Sound Designer for Uptown Studio Theater under the direction of Therese Walden-Murphy. He is currently pursuing the Dante Certification Program through Audinate. His favorite show at Uptown has either been the Relache Ensemble’s performance of Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Lodger” or Uptown Studio’s performance of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods”. Outside of theater work, George enjoys hiking the Wissahickon trails with friends and exercising.
Techdirector@uptownwestchester.org
Board of Directors
Theater Representative
Holly Brown, – At Large
Kane Bender
Lillian DeBaptiste
John Cigler
Blayne Easter
Chris Howe
Eric Lorgus
Richard May
Robert Miller
Laurie Waddy
Tom Wilcox