Artistic Director

Dana has a BA degree in Music Theatre from CMU. She has been teaching dance and theatre, directing, and performing for over 20 years. She has worked with almost every theater in Grand Junction and loves bringing the stage to life for kids. Dana finds joy in inspiring young performers and letting them find their own avenue for expression - both in dance and theatre. As the Artistic Director for The Theatre Project and Stages, she has directed hundreds of young children at a time in order to pull off the miracle that is Youth Theatre. When she is not at the theater or serving the community in numerous capacities, she is at home with her three pups.

Executive Director

Joy Potter is currently Executive Director of The Theatre Project and the owner/director of Creative Avenues, an arts-based preschool in Grand Junction.  She has over 30 years of experience in the performing arts including teaching, choreographing, and performing.  She has been involved with many other arts organizations throughout the community including Performing Arts Conservatory, Beyond Boundaries Dance Collective, Mesa County's Community Services Block Tri-partite Committee and a past board member of the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.

Besides her role on the Board, Molly is an integral part of our theatre community. A veteran of the Colorado Ballet, her background is often on display during the many dance numbers in our musical theatre productions. She shares her talents as a costumer, stage manager, and dedicated volunteer, contributing her skills to numerous productions and enriching our theatre experience both onstage and behind the scenes. Her husband and children are often with Mollie on stage, with her two daughters being heavily involved in the Stages program as well. Mollie has proven to be a valuable helping hand with Stages and is frequently seen coordinating pick-ups and drop-offs for youth productions.

Director

Lisa holds a B.A in English and Theatre and an M.A. in Dramatic Literature and Educational Leadership. With her theatre career spanning over 30 years, in educational and professional theatre environments, she has done a little bit of everything from acting to producing. Lisa's specialties are in directing, dramaturgy, and prop fabrication. Lisa loves a good farce and productions with puppetry. Lisa currently directs shows for our series at The Art Center. During the day, Lisa is the Executive Director at Independence Academy Charter School.

Music Director

Chris has been a part of the Grand Valley community for 15 years and an active performer throughout that time. He has appeared with the Western Colorado Chorale, High Desert Opera, and recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Avalon theater as John Abbott in Eclipse. With the Theatre Project, he has played The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Shrek in Shrek, and Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd. He has also served as director or music director in over 20 local productions. When he isn’t on stage or out mountain biking, he is the Director of Vocal Studies at Colorado Mesa University where he teaches voice, performing techniques, and vocal pedagogy.

Music Director

Gabe Gallegos, a proud Grand Junction native, recently graduated from Colorado Mesa University with degrees in Music Business and Music Education. At CMU, he co-founded the Rowdy Brass Band and showcased his leadership as a drum major and section leader in the Maverick Stampede Marching Band. He continues to play locally, including in the pit for CMU’s musical theatre productions. Gallegos' journey began with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, where he rose to drum major, earning awards for his charisma and dedication.

SHERRI TAYLOR-PILGREN has been involved with theater, both off and on stage, for a VERY LONG TIME! Sherri worked with several theatre companies in the Los Angeles area after enjoying theatre life at school in Arizona. When she moved to Colorado, work life consumed her with no creative outlet; that is, until The Theatre Project announced auditions for Damn Yankees, one of her favorite musicals. She has been with The Theatre Project ever since. Sherri enjoys assisting with the Stages program, performing onstage, or participating as the production staff. She’s been known to bust out some dance moves when needed, too.

Neil is in his 2nd year working with The Theatre Project after moving to Grand Junction in 2021. Since then, he has become a beloved member of multiple casts, while playing such roles as Lord Farquaad in Shrek and Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical. When the need arose, and with an extensive background in piano under his belt, he served in the position of Music Director for several Stages shows. When he isn’t helping everyone learn their harmonies or escorting kids safely to their parents’ cars, he can be found playing frisbee golf or organizing D&D campaigns for his theatre friends.