Meet the 2026 Board Nominees

Emily Anderson

Midland, Michigan - Region III

Emily Anderson currently serves as the Nominating Chair for the AACT Board of Directors. She has performed, directed, and worked backstage for over 50 productions at Midland Center for the Arts and Chicago’s 611 Theatre Company. No stranger to the world of AACTFest, she has performed in national award-winning productions of Urinetown the Musical as Little Sally in 2011 and Venus in Fur as Vanda Jordan in 2017.

Emily brings experience in strategic planning, communications, marketing, branding, and programming, along with a strong passion for community-based arts programming as a way to make the arts accessible to all. She has served on the AACT board and on multiple committees and task forces, including two of the organization’s last three strategic planning committees. She has also participated in festivals as a performer, adjudicator, representative, and workshop leader.

Emily loves adjudicating for young artists and has done so for high school one-act productions and forensics at the district, regional, and state levels. She works in marketing and recruitment for the Department of Theatre and Dance at Central Michigan University. When not at the theatre, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and rooting for the Green Bay Packers.

What value will you bring to the AACT Board? 

I strive to be a leader in my own community and within my role with AACT. As we navigate a time of growth in AACT, I am excited to be part of the implementation of the strategic plan. I believe I have both a good understanding and energy for the vision of AACT moving forward as well as the institutional knowledge to have respect for our history and the ability to foresee possible challenges.

Allen Ebert

Monona, Wisconsin - Region III

Allen Ebert joined CTM in 2015 and has built a career defined by theatre leadership, production expertise, and a deep commitment to the arts. Before joining CTM, he worked as a Production Manager for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His background also includes serving in Vicenza, Italy, as the U.S. Army Entertainment Director of the Mediterranean Region, and he is a proud military veteran.

Allen continues to produce, act, direct, and champion theatre, bringing both practical experience and strategic insight to his work. His areas of expertise include nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, governance, fundraising, marketing and communications, arts education, community engagement, and relationship-building across the arts sector. He is especially interested in organizational sustainability, board development, access and inclusion, and building stronger connections between arts organizations and the communities they serve.

Allen has already contributed significantly to AACT through his service on the national board and as chair of the strategic planning task force. He brings a collaborative, thoughtful approach to governance, along with a strong belief in the role community theatre plays in strengthening local communities, developing artists, and expanding access to the arts. His continued service reflects a deep commitment to helping AACT grow its impact and relevance in an evolving field.

What value will you bring to the AACT Board? 

I will bring both practical leadership and deep passion for the mission of AACT. After more than 25 years in arts administration, I understand the realities theatres are facing from fundraising pressure, volunteer sustainability, governance needs, audience shifts, and the need to stay relevant without losing heart. I offer strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a strong commitment to education, advocacy, and service. I know how to build partnerships, support boards, and help organizations move from good intentions to clear action. Most importantly, I believe community theatre is not just about productions; it is about belonging, leadership, and transformation. I would bring energy, perspective, and a genuine desire to help AACT elevate and strengthen theatres across the country.

Katy Merriman

Des Moines, Iowa - Region V

Katy Merriman is a singer, actor, director, and the current Artistic Director of the Des Moines Playhouse. Before moving to Iowa in 2013, she appeared as a concert soloist with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and as an opera chorus member with the Indianapolis Opera. She also served as interim managing director for Summer Stock Stage during her time in Indianapolis.

Since relocating to Des Moines, Katy has performed in numerous roles with Iowa Stage Theatre Company, the Repertory Theatre of Iowa, the Des Moines Symphony, and the Des Moines Playhouse. She has become deeply involved with AACT over the past eight years through committee service, webinars, roundtables, and leadership in both education and youth programming. As chair of the 2025 AACT YouthFest, she demonstrated strong event leadership, collaboration, and execution.

In 2024, Katy received the AACT Shining Star Award. Her nomination materials emphasize her strategic thinking, collaborative spirit, and perseverance, noting that even after a previous board nomination did not result in election, she continued to serve AACT with energy and dedication. She currently serves on AACT’s Education Committee and remains committed to supporting theatre education, leadership development, and the future of community theatre.

What value will you bring to the AACT Board? 
 

I have been an Artistic Director and AACT member for a little over 5 years and feel I've finally hit the "not new" mark.  I bring enthusiasm and curiosity to my AACT conversations now, and I'm excited to bring that to the board level. Much of my job so far has taught me how to facilitate teamwork and conversation between people with different perspectives. I'm a people-centered leader who enjoys ensuring everyone feels valued and heard. I think this brings forth our best ideas and helps an organization grow.

Jon Montgomery

Albuquerque, New Mexico - Region VI

Jon Montgomery is an accomplished theatre leader and the current Executive Director of Albuquerque Little Theatre. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and a longtime member of the Texas Educational Theatre Association. Since June 2023, Jon has also served as a Board Member-at-Large for the American Association of Community Theatre. His areas of expertise include artistic operations, organizational leadership, community engagement, marketing, development, acting, directing, choreography, and theatre education.

Jon’s theatre education journey has taken him from Del Mar College to the University of Northern Colorado to Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Over the course of his career, he has cultivated meaningful relationships with theatres and arts organizations across the country, including Albuquerque Little Theatre, HITS Theatre, Zoom Shakespeare Productions, Basin Theatre Works, The Depot Theater, Pasadena Little Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Harbor Playhouse, Aurora Arts Theatre, Port Aransas Community Theatre, The Rialto Theatre, Rockport Little Theatre, and the Union Colony Civic Center. His professional leadership experience includes executive and artistic roles in New Mexico, Texas, Kansas, and beyond, as well as service in arts education and community partnerships.

In addition to his executive leadership, Jon has served as Special Interest Chair for the K-12 Education Committee of the Texas Educational Theatre Association and as an Advisory Board Member for the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also a founding member of Dead Creek Theatre Company and a co-founder and co-director of Artists Crafting Theatre. Jon brings practical, field-informed leadership that connects big-picture strategy to the day-to-day realities of community theatre, along with a strong commitment to helping AACT remain relevant, responsive, and accessible to the theatres it serves nationwide.

What value will you bring to the AACT Board? 

I bring practical, field-informed leadership that connects big-picture strategy to the day-to-day realities of community theatre. As Executive Director of Albuquerque Little Theatre and a Board Member-At-Large for American Association of Community Theatre, I understand both local operations and the national landscape. My experience across artistic, operational, and community engagement work allows me to think holistically and translate priorities into clear, usable actions. I offer a grounded perspective shaped by managing staff, budgets, and audiences, while maintaining strong connections across the field. This positions me to help ensure AACT’s work remains relevant and accessible to the theatres it serves nationally.

Rhonda Wilson

Gainesville, Florida - Region IV b

Rhonda Wilson is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of Star Center Theatre in Gainesville, Florida, where she has spent more than 25 years building a community-centered organization rooted in storytelling, education, and access. What began as a vision without funding has grown into a thriving cultural hub serving youth, families, and artists through year-round programming, productions, and educational initiatives. A dedicated educator and arts leader, Rhonda has used theatre as a powerful tool to empower thousands of students and community members.

Rhonda’s work spans producing, directing, teaching, and community engagement, with a strong emphasis on equity, access, and representation. She has directed more than 150 productions and developed partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations to expand opportunities in the arts. Nationally recognized for her impact, she has received numerous honors including an AACT Special Recognition Award, the Governor’s Award for Community Investment in Youth, the State of Florida Diversity and Inclusion Award, and recognition as a finalist for the Tony Awards’ Excellence in Theatre Education Award.

A self-described “ARTivist,” Rhonda is deeply committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and inspired through the arts. Her leadership extends beyond her local community through national cohorts and organizations that support theatre education and leaders of color. She brings a visionary and collaborative approach to theatre-making, along with a passion for ensuring community theatre remains inclusive, sustainable, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
 

What value will you bring to the AACT Board? 

I bring a combination of visionary leadership, grassroots community engagement, and a deep commitment to equity in theatre. With over two decades of experience building and sustaining a community-based theatre organization, I understand both the challenges and opportunities facing theatres of varying sizes and resources. My strength lies in developing inclusive programming, fostering partnerships, and expanding access to underrepresented communities. I also bring national perspective through my board service and participation in theatre leadership cohorts. I will contribute strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and a passion for ensuring that community theatre continues to evolve, remaining relevant, responsive, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves.