The Staff of the Ogunquit Playhouse

Bradford T. Kenney, Executive Artistic Director

Bradford T. Kenney
Executive Artistic Director

With a sincere sense of appreciation, Mr. Kenney continues his stewardship of “America’s Foremost Summer Theatre.” His theatres have garnered a number of nominations for the Independent Reviewers of New England Awards as well as the American Masterpiece Grant Award from the National Endowment for the Arts and Maine Arts Commission. Other Grant Awards include expanded access for visitors with disabilities as well as educational and social service outreach programs with Bank of America. Highlights of Mr. Kenney’s productions include Andrea McArdle and Ivan Rutherford in Les Misérables, Jefferson Mays in My Fair Lady, Lorenzo Lamas in The King and I, Hunter Foster in The Full Monty, Rue McClanahan in Crazy for You, Sally Struthers in Hello, Dolly!, and Leslie Uggams in Cinderella.

While at Foothills Theatre in Worcester, MA, he produced such highlights as: Miss Saigon, Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, Proof, Cabaret (National Regional Premiere), Smokey Joes Café, Dick and Jimmy Van Patten in The Sunshine Boys, Romeo & Juliet, Titanic the musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Regional Premiere), Macbeth, Chicago, Gypsy, Our Town, and Ragtime. He is also Co-founder of the Wachusett Theatre Company in Massachusetts with shows such as The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Disney/Elton John’s AIDA (Northeast Regional Premiere), Ted Lange from The Love Boat in Damn Yankees, and Eddie Mekka from "Laverne & Shirley" in Fiddler on the Roof, among others. Over the past 10 years, his children’s theatres have produced Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, Seussical TYA (Northeast premiere) and Disney’s 101 Dalmations Kids, as well as the original, Fairy Houses, The Musical, based on the award-winning series of children’s books.

In addition to his producing credits, Brad has appeared on stage in the title role of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Sorcerer with Salisbury Lyric Opera, Strephon in Iolanthe with the Savoyard Light Opera, the King in The King and I, and Oberon in Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as many other roles in shows throughout New England. He is also a fourth generation artist, having studied at Rhode Island School of Design, Heartwood College of Art and Maine College of Art.

Robert Levinstein
Associate Producer/Casting Director

Robert resides in NYC throughout the year and enjoys playing in Maine every summer. He has been involved with the Ogunquit Playhouse since 2002 when he joined the family as the Production Stage Manager and never left. Robert is grateful to Brad, and the ENTIRE Ogunquit Playhouse family. GUCCI! All my love to Alan for 13 years of loving support. Broadway: Waiting in the Wings (with the legendary Lauren Bacall), Voices in the Dark, Parade (Lincoln Center). Off-Broadway:  Clue: The Musical. National Tour: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Camelot. Regional Tours: AIDA, Fame: The Musical. Robert has also been involved as with Forbidden Broadway as one of their Tour Managers.

Marsha Jones
Business Manager

Marsha came to the Ogunquit Playhouse in 2007. She brought with her 15 years of accounting background in retail, non-profit and government accounting. She also has a degree in Computer Management and is currently furthering her education in classes specific to the needs of her job here at the Playhouse. When Marsha isn't working or studying, she spends her time with her husband, Randy, and 2 sons, Thomas and Rylee. They currently live in Sanford, ME and love movies, traveling, sports and, of course, The Playhouse.

Cheryl Farley
Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Cheryl joined the Playhouse in 2007 and is thrilled to be a part of this cultural institution and to help ensure its legacy lasts long into the future. Cheryl comes to the Playhouse after many years as the Community Relations Director for the Museums of Old York, in York, Maine. She is a graduate of the Interior Design program at University of New Hampshire and earned her BA in American Studies at Franklin Pierce College. She has been fortunate to serve as the chair of the Old York Decorator Show House, consultant for the Cabot Cove Decorator Showcase in Kennebunkport and Cottages at Hidden Pond Decorator Showcase at Goose Rocks Beach. She is the founder and past chair of the annual York Festival of Lights and has served on the Board of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, the York Beach Renaissance Committee, the Board of the Old York Garden Club, and is a member of the York Art Association and Ogunquit Rotary. Cheryl’s off hours are spent with her darling husband Kevin Farley, (Maine’s greatest Irish musician!) their four children and dog Rosa. She is a movie buff (loves the classics in particular), enjoys puttering around in her garden, is passionate about oil painting and of course – going to the theatre!

Jean Benda
Assistant to the Executive Artistic Director
Children's Theatre Administrator

Jean has been with the Playhouse since 1999 and has been in the business of theatre for over 20 years. In addition to her duties as Mr. Kenney's assistant, she serves as assistant and recording secretary for the Ogunquit Playhouse Foundation Board of Directors and tremendously enjoys her work with children's theatre!  Formerly, Jean was a ballet dancer and model. She is a certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance and enjoys time with her husband and grandchildren, hiking and ballet.

Clare Richard
Box Office & Subscription Manager

Clare’s six seasons at the Playhouse has greatly deepened her passion for Musical Theatre!  Having started off behind the scenes in Production & Wardrobe at theatres such as Circle Repertory Company and Ensemble Studio Theatre in NYC, she found her way to front of house operations & Box Office management.  She’s been working in Non-Profit Arts for nearly 20 years & is proud to be part of such a unique organization.  She especially enjoys hearing about the history of the Playhouse from audience members who have been subscribing for decades!

Jaclynn (Jackie) Jones
Director of Sales

Everything about Ogunquit is where Jackie Jones should be. She hails from Massachusetts with a  background rich in senior management positions.  Establishing her  home here in 2002, she was determined to pursue writing that book she simply must complete.  Jackie’s introduction to the Ogunquit Playhouse was through the Theatre Guild where she originally volunteered in Sales and PR capacities.  This led to her year-round  employment with the Playhouse and now to Director of Sales.  Her sales abilities grew Playhouse advertising and sponsorships  to new heights and she can be credited with bringing the ‘logos in lights’ to the prestigious theatre walls.  In addition, Jackie  serves as a  member of the Board of Directors of the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce, further testimony to her passion and commitment to Ogunquit, its uniqueness and rich heritage.

Kirk Simpson
Marketing Production Manager

Kirk Simpson joined the Playhouse in 2008 after moving from Pennsylvania where he worked for the last 10 years at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Falling in love with Ogunquit, he happened upon the Playhouse and auditioned as an actor where he was cast as Coach Bolton in our 2008 and 2009 performances of Disney High School Musical.  Learning of his graphical production background Kirk was hired as the Marketing Production Manager.  At the PA Renaissance Faire, he served in many different capacities as Entertainment Coordinator, Graphics Manager, Assistant Director of Operations, Retail Buyer, and lastly, as an Actor.  Kirk has also performed as an actor in regional and professional productions in Pennsylvania and also in Florida previous to his tenure in Pennsylvania.  With a background in entertainment and graphic arts that spans over two decades, Kirk has a great diversity in entertainment both in business as well as performance. He has been involved heavily with Professional Theme Production and Entertainment, Interactive Theatre, Children's Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Outdoor Theatre. He is excited to be a part of the Ogunquit Playhouse Family.  He currently lives in Cape Neddick with his partner Jim and daughter Rowan. He LOVES that he's a 2 mile bike ride to Ogunquit!

Robin Moebus Crosby
Media & Advertising Sales Manager

Robin joined the Playhouse in May of 2009 and is proud to be a part of such an outstanding venue. Robin’s past experience includes Membership Director of the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, printing sales, and thirty years of newspaper and radio advertising sales. Robin is a past member of the York Beach Renaissance Committee and a current board member of the Maine Beaches Association. Robin resides in York Beach with her husband Bob and her precious dogs Penny and Sadie.