Meet the artist-administrators who make it all happen.

 

Maria Manness

Managing Director

Maria is an enabler of the performing arts through use of her management, building and craft skills, and love of spreadsheets.

Ryan Dunn

Resident Graphic Designer

Ryan is a Seattle-based lighting and scenic designer whose work has been seen at Book-it Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre Festival, On the Boards, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Village Theatre Kidstage, ArtsWest, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and Café Nordo, among others. A proud Seattle native, Ryan graduated from the University of Washington with a BFA in Visual Communication Design in 2014. Ryan is a third-year company member of WET, the Resident Designer for The Horse in Motion, and an affiliate artist with Umbrella Project. Ryan also works as a freelance graphic designer who specializes in working with arts non-profits, and has had the pleasure of working with organizations like Seattle Repertory Theatre, KEXP, MoPOP, Intiman, Teentix, and Seattle Arts and Lectures.

Elana Lessing

Associate Technical Director

Elana Lessing is a technical director and scenic designer based in Seattle and a recent graduate from University of Washington with a specialized degree in Drama Design. Elana has previously designed for UW School of Drama’s CabLab production of Frozen and Ada and the Engine along Undergraduate Theatre Society’s productions of The GoatRemarkably Normal and others. Elana filled the role as technical director for Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE production of Jasper in Deadland, the first production on mainstage since 2020Elana enjoys the challenge of creating art out of unexpected materials and found pieces, playing with space and the interaction between artist and audience, and facilitating stories through those spaces in between. Apart from folding complex, modular origami, Elana is often reading, crocheting, and organizing.

Antonieta Carpio

Production Manager

By way of LA, Antonieta is a hyphenated artist working in all things theater and music. Prioritizing performing as we move forward through this Seattle artistic landscape, they also call themselves a designer, manager, teacher, and a producer. They live their life prioritizing community, intersectionality and social justice in their work and most recently, themselves. @antonietacarpio

Amber Tanaka

Marketing Director

Amber Tanaka has been performing new works, old works, and works-in-progress around Seattle for the past 8 years or so. They’ve been honored to work with ACT, Seattle Children’s Theatre, 18th & Union, Intiman, Horse in MotionPork Filled Productions, and of course W.E.T. They look to break expectations anywhere they can. When they aren’t performing perhaps they  are creating installation art, or wandering a mountain. Amber completed her BFA at Cornish and R.A.D.A. in 2018, and has a certificate in Computer Science from Ada Developer’s Academy. Thankful to be here, but mostly thankful you’re here.

Andreya Pro

Ensemble Member

Andy  Walker

Casting Director

Andy Walker (he/they) is a Seattle based actor and director originally from Whidbey Island. Previous acting credits include The Watsons Go to Birmingham (Seattle Children’s Theatre), As You Like It (Seattle Rep), and Twelfth Night (Seattle Shakespeare). As a director, they shadowed Maggie Rogers on Tin Cat Shoes and will be assistant directing Arlington this spring with Washington Ensemble Theatre. Andy is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado.

Suz Pontillo

Company Manager

Suz Pontillo (she/they) is a first-generation Chilean-American multi-hyphenate queer artist from Miami, Florida. Since moving to Seattle in 2020, Suz has had the opportunity to work with Tacoma Arts Live, Burien Actors Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and Dacha. They are a proud founder of Queen City Theatre and member of Washington Ensemble Theatre.

Sasha Bailey

Ensemble Member

Hannah Gibbs

Ensemble Member

Hannah is a Seattle-based lighting and projection designer, and a second-year company member of WET! She has had a hand in creating design work across the country, including with ACT Theatre, ArtsWest, Village Theatre, Montana Repertory Theatre, and Georgia Ensemble Theatre. She is currently working as a production coordinator with EXP Events, creating events, experiences, and really big ideas. Hannah received her Masters of Fine Arts from University of Montana in 2022, with a focus in lighting and projection design. She is passionate about showcasing the world’s stories through art and design, especially the process of bringing new works to the stage. 

Monty Rozema

Ensemble Member

Nelle Tankus

Literary Manager