HEATHER GRAYBERG
Executive Director
MANDIE CURTIS BANKS
Director of Education
Mandie Curtis Banks brings 28 years of experience in the performing arts and more than 13 years in artistic and educational nonprofit administration. Her career spans performing, teaching, directing, choreographing, and arts leadership, giving her a broad perspective on both the creative and administrative sides of the field. A highlight of her performing career was appearing in the national touring production of Grease, featuring Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, and Fabian.
Mandie has held a variety of leadership and educational roles, including Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department at The Episcopal Academy, where she taught theater, directed and choreographed productions, and established the school’s dance program. Her additional teaching, directing, and choreographing experience includes Strath Haven High School, Upper Darby Summer Stage, Young People’s Theater Workshop, and the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, where she also served as Executive Director and Engagement Manager. Additional nonprofit administration experience includes programming and event coordination roles with ADVIS (Advancing Independent Schools) and the Scott Arboretum at Swarthmore College. Mandie also brings extensive experience as a yoga and wellness educator, with certifications in Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Children’s Mindfulness & Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, and Postnatal Yoga.
Mandie holds a BA in Theater from West Chester University, an Elementary Education Teaching Certification from Moravian University, and has completed coursework in Arts Administration at Drexel University.
CAITLYN COLGAN
Studio Program Director
Caitlyn Colgan is a 2017 graduate of York College of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a minor in Speech Communications and Musical Theater. Since graduating, Caitlyn has built a strong career in social media and marketing, joining Uptown in October 2024. She started as the Digital Marketing Coordinator before jumping into the Box Office and Communications Manager position last year. Caitlyn began working with Uptown Studio in the Spring of 2025 as the director for Frozen JR and immediately loved Uptown Studio. In addition to her work at Uptown, she collaborates with several high schools in their theater programs. Caitlyn directs the fall play at Phoenixville High School and choreographs the spring musical at Spring-Ford High School. In 2017, Caitlyn choreographed the award-winning world premiere of Dorian Gray: The Musical for the New York Musical Festival.
KENNEDY BERNARD 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.
GEORGE KOENIG
Technical Director
George has been studying sound for over twenty-five years as a performer, producer, recordist, and sound 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, before relocating to West Chester. George began working at Uptown in June of 2022 as a Production Tech running monitors and front of house sound on a variety of programming. Over time he became Sound Designer for Uptown Studio theatrical productions under the direction of Therese Walden-Murphy. 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 production tech work, George enjoys getting outdoors, visiting family or friends and exercising.
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!
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.
KATHY BOYLE
House Manager
When she’s not helping people everywhere achieve whole-body wellbeing, she can often be found in nature with her camera. She is a photographer and deep thinker, passionate about discovering the beauty in the world around her. Stepping away from the daily routine and into nature helps her maintain balance in life. Her role is to guide others, support them in developing new habits, and empower them to make healthy decisions that lead to lifelong transformation. Alongside her is Maggie, her pup and master explorer, with a nose for fun and adventure!
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.
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!
Board of Directors
Kevin Ahearn
Stuart Brooks
John Ciglar
Andrea Ferment
Chris Lang
Bob Lohrmann
Tom McEvoy
Robert Miller Jr.
Molly Morrison
Mike Norris
Mark Partridge
Daria Porreca
A. Roy Smith
Robert Sparre
Peter Spiers
Howard Sundwall
Laurie Waddy