Meet the Committee Members
Creating Accessible Theater For All
Mark Borgers
Educator Committee Member
Mark Boergers is the Chair of Visual and Performing arts, Artistic Director and an Associate Professor of Theater at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. He is is the Co-Artistic Director and co-founder of The Arc Theatre in Chicago as well as the co-founder of Shakespeare on the Ridge in Evanston, IL. He holds his MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University as well as a BS in Business administration from Marquette University. He has also a freelance casting associate for Paskal-Rudnicke Casting in Chicago. He has directed a wide variety of productions including innovative partnerships and pandemic responsive theater to highlight theater's ability to adapt, respond and remain eternally essential. Mark is passionate about storytelling; particularly 'Voices Unheard' and 'Stories Untold'. www.markboergers.com
Madeline Geier
Educator Committee Member
Madeline (she/her) is an arts educator, administrator, and accessibility specialist certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid, Autism Direct Support, and The Arc@School Advocacy. Madeline finds great joy fostering curious and empowering arts experiences for disabled and non-disabled learners of all ages and experience levels. Madeline has designed and facilitated arts programming within theatres, community organizations, emergency shelters, early childhood centers, day service organizations, schools, and hospitals. Madeline currently serves as the Program Director of Arts For Life Asheville, a chapter of a statewide organization that provides accessible arts education and enrichment to young people and families in hospitals and clinics. As a neurodivergent/disabled individual, Madeline advocates for the principle “nothing about us without us” to be applied in all facets of work and community involvement. She is passionate about advancing accessibility, interdisciplinary education, and incorporating trauma-informed, consent-forward practices whenever possible.
Sarah Laszewski
Educator Committee Member
Sarah Laszewski is a Special Education teacher in Mequon, WI, and believes that theater has the power to change lives. Sarah graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in both Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Sarah enjoys integrating theater activities into her elementary special education lessons, in order to teach all school subjects. Sarah has worked with a wide range of students and strongly believes in finding access points so that all students can participate fully in all learning activities. Sarah also has a theater background, performing at UW-Madison as a singer and as part of the long-form improv team, Iceberg Improv. Sarah is an alumna of First Stage’s Company Class program, and a former Young Performer at First Stage. Sarah is proud to be a part of the Educational Committee at Pink Umbrella Theater.
Katie Lindgren
Educator Committee Member
Katie is thrilled to be a part of Pink Umbrella! She graduated from Cardinal Stritch University in 2018 with her BA in Technical Theater and Communications. Since graduating, she has worked in a variety of roles including stage management, scenic design and stagehand work. Katie has worked previously in a variety of recreational and school settings with individuals of all ability levels. Currently she is working in a recreation program for adults with disabilities while attending UW-Whitewater for her Master's in Special Education.
Katie is passionate about accessible opportunities for all and a strong believer in the positive impact theater has on our lives and the community.
Ash Mullholland
Actors and Artists Committee Member
Ash is a local actress, singer, and performer. She studied from Cardinal Stritch University with a Bachelor of the Arts in Musical Theatre. She has performed in theatre throughout high school, college, and around the community since the summer 2007. She was introduced to Pink Umbrella Theatre in the summer of 2019 as a student. She enjoys acting, theatrical exercises, and interaction with her peers both in person and virtual communication. Since associating with Pink, she has learned new things from performers and teacher who view in different perspectives.
Megan Joelle Nemire
Educator Committee Member
Megan Joelle Nemire, MA LPC is a licensed professional counselor, multi-disciplinary visual and perfromance artist, disability advocate, and proudly disabled person. For 14 years, Megan has supported people of all ages in the therapeutic art settings, becoming an art therapist, working in schools, crisis centers, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and in home care.
​
Megan loves to sing, act, and do accessible dance and movement. She crossed the stage in high school in several musicals and straight plays under the direction of Kathy Mulay. Recently Megan collaborated as a model for editorial photography, with pieces showing in Denver and Chicago.
Megan is passionate about accessible expressive arts, creative problem solving of systemic challenges, and bringing joy to more disabled people.
Erin Oberdorf
Educator Committee Member
Erin is a performer from Wauwatosa, WI and is delighted to be a part of Pink Umbrella! Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Carroll University with degrees in Music-Liberal Arts and Educational Studies. Erin has worked with First Stage Children's Theater for their summer academy, as well as in their Next Steps program where she found a passion for working with children with Autism. Shortly thereafter, Erin started working for the Wisconsin Early Autism Project and has been a Behavior Treatment Therapist there since 2019. Erin is also a dancer with Glencastle Irish Dancers in Franklin and a member of the choir, Voces Mundi, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee. Erin is thrilled to be a member of the Committee of Therapists and Educators and can't wait to get to work!
Tim McCalister
Educator Committee Member
Tim McCalister (he/him/his) has been building theatrical scenery for the past 20 years. A Milwaukee native, he was graciously introduced to technical theatre at a young age. He earned his BA in Psychology & Theatre Arts from Beloit College, and MFA in Technical Direction from San Diego State University. He recently returned to Milwaukee to work in the Standards department for a steel fabrication company.
Tim is humbled by the opportunity to step under the Pink Umbrella and give back to the theatre community. He is an earlier supporter of the Pay Equity Standards and believes theatre should be a viable, accessible career for everyone.
Ellie McKay
Educator Committee Member
Ellie McKay (she/her/hers) is the former Director of Education at Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis, MN. Some of the highlights of her career at CTC include the adoption and implementation of the company’s gender inclusion policy; the creation of Creative Play, a trauma sensitive program using theatre techniques to provide early learners calm and joy; and the expansion and strengthening of the Sensory Friendly experiences of the mainstage productions. She is passionate about play, nurturing people's individual gifts and interests, LGBTQIAP+ rights, and ensuring safe environments for young people to thrive. In January 2021 she had a major stroke and became cognitively and physically disabled.
Abby Wesley
Educator Committee Member
Abigail (Abby) Wesley (she/her/hers) is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University. She holds a B.F.A. in Theatre Management and minors in Education and Social Justice, Business Administration, and Business Management. Abby is an arts and accessibility advocate who uses her degree to fight for arts education and accessibility programs within schools and communities. Abby has taught with First Stage, the Creative Root program at DePaul University, and Pink Umbrella Theater Company. Her practice is centered around the transformative power of art, art-making, and PLAY! You can find Abby outside the classroom making a mess in the kitchen or having full-on philosophical debates with her cat.