Our People

John Schreiber

President and CEO

973.297.5846

“I fell in love with the theater and I thought, I don’t know how, but I want to be part of that.”

I grew up in Queens, and I lived at the last stop on the subway. Starting at the age of nine, my parents let me take the subway into the city, and they gave me $5, and I could buy a seat in the balcony at a Broadway show. I have memories of seeing Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, Angela Lansbury in Mame, Linda Lavin in It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman. And I fell in love with the theater and with what it felt like to be transported into another world. I thought that was the greatest.

And I thought, I don’t know how, but I want to do that. I want to be part of that. When I went to college, I ran a concert series, and I started a summer theater. And I just knew that I needed to be in this universe somehow. I went to work for George Wein, who was the founder of the Newport Jazz Festival. I’ve been doing this sort of thing in music and theater and television and festivals ever since. And it’s been a glorious ride.

I’m especially proud that Savion Glover has become such an engaged and active part of our family here. Savion has this amazing ability to connect and inspire young people, give them a sense of confidence in themselves, a feeling of ownership of the development of the work they’re doing.

A few summers ago, he directed and choreographed a new production of The Tap Dance Kid, which he starred in when he was 11 on Broadway. To watch him recreate this work with a bunch of kids, three quarters of whom have never been on the stage before, it’s just magical. I can’t imagine that any of the children who are in that cast will ever forget what it is like to spend six weeks with a genius who is as kind as Savion is. It’s one thing to be a genius, another thing to be kind. To combine those two things in service of young people’s growth is very moving to me. I don’t care whether they become dentists or accountants or dancers or actors or whatever, man, it’s going to stick with them.

David Rodriguez

Executive Vice President & Executive Producer

drodriguez@njpac.org

973.297.5831

“For artists, NJPAC is more than a stop on a tour—they’re part of our community.”

I was born in Newark and was a full-time musician on the road with groups ranging from Isaac Hayes to Tito Puente to the Rochester Philharmonic. Over the course of the years, I studied at Juilliard, the Eastman School of Music and Mansfield University. I worked at Carnegie Hall, Aaron Davis Hall, AOL Live and the Apollo Theater. The opportunity arose to work at NJPAC and not just fill the seats, but to create diverse programs that resonate beyond the four walls of the venue.

A lot of touring artists go on stage in a different city every night. They might have a little sign taped to the piano that says the name of the city. “I’m so glad to be here in…Newark!” What we try and do here is to make artists feel like NJPAC is more than a stop on a tour—that they’re part of our community.

Kevin Hart came here right after Hurricane Sandy, and we arranged for him to spend the day talking to local young people about comedy. He went out to dinner before his performance and was half an hour late coming back. We asked his driver, What happened? Kevin had gone out and bought thousands of dollars worth of Home Depot cards to give to first responders and families who were impacted by the hurricane. Because he interacted with our community and had a connection with our community.

When artists come to NJPAC for the second, third, hundredth time, they don’t need that little sign on the corner of their piano to remind them where they are. They remember the face of the child they met last time. This goes for our audiences as well as our artists. Once you see that you’re part of our family, you’re part of the soul of our organization—a place where you can grow artistically, spiritually, educationally, whatever it might be.

Jeffrey Jacob

Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration

jjacob@njpac.org

973.297.5140

“The arts are a forum for bridging differences throughout our community. Having that element as part of NJPAC’s mission cannot help but get you excited to be a part of something great every day!”

I was raised with a genuine appreciation for the performing arts as my parents, particularly my dad, loved live theater. As a child, I remember our annual holiday trip to Mama Leone’s (live theater in and of itself!) and a Broadway show. My earliest memories are of Annie and A Chorus Line (why not start with the classics?). Live theater was supplemented with music of almost every genre. I must admit that my musical career had an auspicious start when in week 2 of lessons, the piano teacher told me to figure out “My Country ’Tis of Thee” on my own. Shortly after quitting piano, I picked up the saxophone and played formally through high school. Thankfully, the sax was incorporated into much of 1980’s pop music so it was cool! From there, I learned to appreciate jazz, classical and anything else into which the saxophone could be incorporated.

In college at Rutgers, I discovered the student radio station and joined the sports department. Perhaps not “art” in the traditional sense, calling a sporting event on radio nevertheless involves painting mental pictures for people and adding color to an otherwise blank canvas. My job was to engage the listening audience and bring whatever event I was calling to life in their minds. Talking, reading and sharing ideas with emotion is part of what NJPAC does for people.

I have continuously enjoyed the arts, attending many shows at different theatres, sharing memberships to the area philharmonic and more. As an adult, I am always amazed at the diversity of people who show up to enjoy the arts. I have come to appreciate the arts not only for the art forms themselves but also for the role art plays in bringing people together. Having worked in mission-driven organizations for most of my career, joining NJPAC is a chance to help cultivate the arts for increasingly diverse audiences and, in turn, to bridge divides that are ever-present in our society. It gives purpose to my work knowing that I’m helping to make a difference.

Eyesha Marable

Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement

emarable@njpac.org

973.353.8058

NJPAC is where my passion and profession meet.

Recently, the Senior Management team helped usher a children’s performance at NJPAC. I was so excited, I made up a little dance for each family that I ushered, making sure the parents and kids were ready to have some fun. I want everyone who passes through our doors to feel like they’re coming home. My heart is to welcome people home.

I’m proud to say that NJPAC is the place where my passion and profession meet. I was living in Newark at the time NJPAC was being built. As a graduate of NYC’s High School of Performing Arts (LaGuardia), and a professional dancer, I said, one day I want to work there, and make it my artistic home. I worked my way up the ranks at NJPAC. My first role was as a liturgical dancer on the Prudential Hall stage as part of the MLK Celebration. Next, I was brought on as a consultant to sell tickets at local churches to Alvin Ailey performances, and I later joined NJPAC’s Faith-Based Advisory Council when I became an ordained clergyperson. (CEO John Schreiber still calls me “Rev.”) Then, I was hired by the Arts Education department. Later, my two beautiful children both participated in Arts Ed, in the jazz, musical theater, dance and vocal programs.

Now, I’m leading the Community Engagement team. And the community is right where I want to be. I’m in the community, I’m of the community, and I’m for the community. My goal is to hear the voices of staff and community partners, and apply their strength. To celebrate, amplify and elevate them. To meet the least, last, lost and left out and make sure they have access to the arts—that is my gift. There is space for everyone at NJPAC, whatever your interests, hobbies, talents or gifts. When I see you out in the community, or in the arts education building, or in the NJPAC rotunda, I can’t help but smile and say “Hi! I’m glad you’re here! Welcome home!”

Sarah Rosen

Managing Director, Women@NJPAC

srosen@njpac.org

973.297.5806

“I wanted to be part of the anchor cultural institution driving the resurgence of Newark.”

There’s three things I’m passionate about, and my job at NJPAC brings all of them together. The first is Newark. Both of my parents were born in Newark. My grandfather spent his entire career at Howard Savings Bank. I have a great-great uncle who ran for mayor of Newark in 1896. Newark has always been a big part of our family’s history, and I wanted to be part of the anchor cultural institution driving the resurgence of Newark.

The second thing I’m passionate about is women’s issues. That’s specifically why I took this role. I serve as Managing Director of Women@NJPAC, a dynamic group of women who raised over $52 million for NJPAC over the past 25 years. I’m really excited about the opportunity to use this platform to open up the doors to bring more people into NJPAC. We have an incredibly diverse community who represent not only the top corporate C-suite women and philanthropic women in the state, but women from every local community.

The third thing I’m passionate about is my son! My youngest son Jonathan attended NJPAC’s Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens program starting in eighth grade. He would come and spend from nine o’clock in the morning until five o’clock in the afternoon on Saturdays learning jazz saxophone. But he was part of this diverse group of kids and jazz teachers. If you would have asked me when he was in eighth grade whether my son was going to be a musician, it would have been the furthest thing from my mind. But he’s currently majoring in Jazz Studies at Northwestern University.

I saw the impact this arts community had on him as a young musician, and how that’s transformed his life. NJPAC was responsible for opening up a door for him, and once he walked through it he said: “Oh wow, this is a place I want to spend my life.”

Beth Silver

Vice President, Chief People Officer

bsilver@njpac.org

973.297.5148

“I became so moved by the show that I got up out of my seat and started singing and dancing in the aisle.”

My parents are big theatergoers. They took me at age four to see Hello Dolly, which was my first Broadway show. My seminal moment happened when I became so moved by the show that I got up out of my seat, started singing and dancing in the aisle and experienced pure bliss. In elementary school, I learned to play clarinet and piano. In middle school and high school I was in concert band, marching band, girls’ touring choir and performed in several musicals. I also joined the Broadway Theater Club. The first show we saw was the revival of Hello Dolly, starring Carol Channing. As aspiring thespians, we were invited to go back stage to meet Ms. Channing. That was my first star struck moment, and I loved it!

I will always remember the first show I attended at NJPAC. It was a George Winston concert right before the holidays. George came on stage barefoot and in overalls, despite the freezing cold temperatures. By contrast, the theater was warm, beautiful and uplifting. George asked each patron to bring a can of food for the needy. George’s gesture and NJPAC’s support to create a show with heart and community impact impressed me. Subsequently, I have created two solo cabaret shows for charity; both events benefitted a local food pantry. I thank George and NJPAC for that inspiration.

When a recruiter reached out to me about the head of Human Resources job at NJPAC, in my gut I knew this was the right fit. Where else could I combine the joy of what I do for a living with the joy of lifelong personal interests, in such a caring and transformative place? I feel enormous responsibility for the stewardship of our employees. I know that by doing my best to care for our employees, they in turn will do their best to carry on our very worthwhile mission and transformative activities educating children, developing diverse programming and engaging in our community.

Thanks to Hello Dolly, I’m still in awe of live performances, and grateful knowing the role I play now helps NJPAC in some way bring magic to others.

Donna Walker-Kuhne

Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

dwalkerkuhne@njpac.org

973.297.5842

“I thought, That’s something that I can do to help change the world.”

I started my career as a dancer at the age of five. My mom took my twin sister and I to see the Bolshoi Ballet in Chicago. When I saw Maya Plisetskaya, who was the reigning ballerina in the world at that time, I said to my mom, “I’m going to do that. I want to be a ballerina.” So my mom enrolled us in dance classes. In a few years, we were invited to join a dance company in Chicago. I found, for me, dance was a way that I could see the world, and also my goal had always been to change the world. At the same time, a lawyer came to our high school, and spoke at our career day panel. I thought, That’s something that I can do to help change the world. So I went to law school, and I danced every day in law school. I had ballet classes at 7 am.

Then I finished law school and I thought, well, I better hang up my dance shoes and start to really act like a lawyer. I started working at Brooklyn Family Court as Assistant Corporation Counsel prosecuting juveniles. At the same time I was starting to feel frustrated about changing the world. One of my colleagues said, “Well, there’s a performing arts organization across the street. Why don’t you go over there and see if you can do some work.” So I did. And when I walked in the room, I saw papers on the floor. Everything in total chaos. And I said, “I can organize this office. I can file this for you on my lunch hour.” So every day I went, and I taught myself how to be an arts administrator on my lunch hour while prosecuting juveniles. My lunch hour started to extend beyond 2:30 pm. It’s now 4 pm, and judges are looking for Counselor Walker. Where is she? She’s across the street.

That’s when I resigned. Because I had found my mission in life, and I wrote a proposal to pay myself a salary and gave myself a title as Managing Director of the Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center. After that I worked at the Dance Theater of Harlem, The Public Theater, The Apollo Theater as well as consulting for arts organizations before coming to NJPAC. Now in addition to working as a Senior Advisor for Community Engagement, I travel extensively around the world, teaching and lecturing about building diverse audiences and creating access to the arts.

Our
People

125 full time staff. 250 volunteers. 3,500 members.

Senior Management

John Schreiber

David Rodriguez

Tim Lizura

Sherri-Ann Butterfield

Jeffrey Jacob

Amy Fitzpatrick

Mary Jaffa

Alyson Maier Lokuta

Eyesha Marable

Andre Mutovic

Sarah Rosen

Beth Silver

Chad Spies

Katie Sword

Jennifer Tsukayama

Donna Walker-Kuhne

Evan White

OurPeople

125 full time staff. 250 volunteers. 3,500 members.

Senior Management

Sherri-Ann Butterfield

Our
People