The Staff of the Ogunquit Playhouse
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.
Jayme McDaniel
Associate Producer
Jayme is most happy and grateful to return to the wonderful Ogunquit Playhouse after he directed and choreographed Singin’ in the Rain here in 2009 and received an IRNE nomination for his choreography.
Previously he acted as the Associate Artistic Director at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN where he had the fortunate opportunity to produce and direct several highly acclaimed and commercially successful productions.
As a Stage Director he directed/choreographed Joseph… at North Shore Music Theatre, Singin’ in the Rain, Grey Gardens, Yankee Doodle and The Rocky Horror Show at the Ordway; The Student Prince at Paper Mill Playhouse; Zorba & H.M.S. Pinafore for the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Violet, Candide & Drood with Connecticut Repertory; It’s a Fabulous Life, Chicago, Zombie Prom, The Merry Widow, People Like Us, They’re Playing Our Song and many others.
As an Associate Director and/or Choreographer: Laughing Room Only (Broadway), White Christmas, Wonderful Town, Sound of Music, (5th Ave Theatre), Yankee Doodle Dandy (5th Ave), Dallas Summer Musicals (Theatre of the Stars) Camelot and Rags (Paper Mill), Nefertiti (Parker Playhouse), Crazy for You (Musical Theatre West) and The Music Man (CLOSBC).
He’s also enjoyed a career on the stage as well. Most notably in the final national tour of Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing.
In 2007 the Minneapolis Star Tribune lauded him as the Outstanding Director of a Musical.
Cheryl Farley
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Cheryl is thrilled to be a part of this cultural institution and to help ensure its legacy lasts long into the future. Cheryl worked many years as the Community Relations Director for the Museums of Old York, in York, Maine where she headed the Marketing, Publicity, Special Events and Fundraising for the museum, as well as chaired many of the Old York Decorator Show Houses. She earned her BA in American Studies with a minor in Business Managment at Franklin Pierce College and a Certificate of Interior Design from the University of New Hampshire. 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 10 years, at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, Mount Hope Estate & Winery. 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 and as understudy in The Producers. Learning of his graphic 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 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 Ogunquit with his partner Jim and daughter Rowan. He LOVES that he's a 1 mile bike ride to work!