Tom Tkach, Director

Growing up outside of Manhattan gave Tom an appreciation for the arts, an appreciation that has stayed with him through his 12-plus years at Popejoy Hall.

Tom has a Masters of Arts in Arts Management from City University London and a Bachelor of Science degree from Montclair University. He’s worked in arts management in New Jersey, where he served as project coordinator for Very Special Arts New Jersey and as Arts Grant Coordinator for the Middlesex Community Cultural and Heritage Commission. Tom was also Executive Director of the Count Basie Theatre/Monmouth County Arts Council.

In his spare time, Tom reads, paints, and works in his garden. One of his favorite duties as Popejoy Director is previewing Broadway shows. He counts Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera as his favorite and most memorable Popejoy shows.

Anne Balboni, Development Coordinator

Anne works alongside the Director. She also serves as liaison to external and university constituents. Anne enjoys that every day of her 13 years at Popejoy is different and challenging.

Anne has participated in visual arts since grammar school. She previously worked for the graduate school at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Anne’s first show at Popejoy was in 1996 at the hall’s re-opening, when she sat on the floor at the back of the balcony for Guitar Summit. Anne’s favorite shows to grace the Popejoy stage are Master Class and Mamma Mia!

Brian W. Colburn, House Manager

Brian first worked at Popejoy as a student employee. He was thrilled to get paid to enjoy a great show while ensuring that others had the same experience. Brian describes the role of house manager as “catch-all.” The job includes anything that provides Popejoy patrons and volunteers with safe and enjoyable experiences.

Brian holds two degrees from UNM. He earned his BBA in 2002 and his MA in Education in 2008. In addition to his 11 years at Popejoy, Brian teaches for Albuquerque Public Schools and runs a small local business. In his spare time he enjoys camping, hiking, and riding bikes and scooters.

Brian's first Popejoy show—a concert by the UNM Wind Symphony—was also his first date with the woman who is now his wife.

David J. Bentley, Jr., House Manager

Dave earned his BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT. He was a career chemist and moved to Albuquerque for his retirement. He volunteered as a Popejoy usher before becoming House Manager in 1997.

In his early years, Dave listened to the Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera and attended the Boston Pops and pre-Broadway shows in Boston that sparked his interest in the arts.

Dave enjoys seeing Popejoy patrons experience special service that adds to their enjoyment of the show. He thought the talented cast of Blast performed an enjoyable show that lived up to its high-energy name.

Terry S. Davis, Senior Public Affairs Representative

Terry oversees all communication from Popejoy about the shows it presents to the public. He began working at Popejoy in 1996 while the hall was being renovated. Startled by the hall’s emptiness during construction, he was excited about the potential. He loves inviting people to live performances.

Terry earned his MFA in Dramatic Writing from UNM. He also has a Bachelor of Arts from Eisenhower College. Terry worked on the Paramount Pictures promotion account at Rick Johnson & Company and as marketing director for New Mexico Repertory Theater Company.

Terry began performing on stage his sophomore year of high school. Since then, he’s kept his hand in theater as an actor, director, producer, and writer. He’s written three shows for Mystery Café.

Rosemarie DeLeo, House Manager

Rosemarie has been ensuring smooth front of house operation at Popejoy for 11 years. She holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from the Robert O. Anderson School at UNM. Rosemarie is a volunteer DJ at KUNM radio. Before Popejoy, she worked for America West for 10 years as a flight attendant and customer service representative and for two years as a production/promotion secretary at KOB-TV for 2 years.

Rosemarie’s first show in the hall was Bonnie Raitt in the late 1970s. Her most memorable Popejoy moment was the first time The Phantom of the Opera came to the hall. She got to chat with “the Phantom” in his dressing while he was getting his makeup done. Rosemarie is happy to contribute to patrons’ positive and memorable experiences at Popejoy.

Bill Eyler, Accountant

Bill has crunched numbers at Popejoy for eight years. His favorite part of his job is reporting profitable shows because it means keeping Popejoy’s mission alive. Bill holds a BA from Louisiana Tech University. He worked at ACLOA (Musical Theatre Southwest) from 1989 to 2001, a job that gave him ties to Popejoy Hall, which housed most ACLOA performances.

Bill has been a square dance caller and country-western dance instructor for 25 years, and he has been singing with the New Mexico Gay Mens’ Chorus since 1998.

Listening to the Glenn Miller Orchestra at Popejoy evoked memories of the music Bill’s mother introduced him to in childhood, so he counts that show as one of his favorites.

Laura A. Maness, Education & Community Outreach Supervisor

Laura is an educator and administrator. She most enjoys booking the Schooltime shows, researching and writing the "Dream Catchers" study guides and experiencing the unbridled enthusiasm of children and adults as they watch a show together.

Laura graduated from college with two Baccalaureate — one in anthropology, the other in theatre arts. Her first career was as a research archaeologist for various universities across the U.S. Her second career began in 1995 during the renovation of Popejoy. She became the first full-time House Manager at the hall and built the volunteer coprs, concessions, merchandise and other front-of-house programs as the Patron Services Manager. Laura also has an MA in Theatre Arts specializing in Education and Outreach.

Since July 2005, she has supervised the development of the Education and Outreach division and is responsible for the Schooltime Series, Senior Program and Education Outreach. In her spare time, Laura participates in the US Naval Academy Parents Club, Wounded Warriors Project fundraising, and theatre and arts education committees. She has also been a proud soccer mom for almost two decades.

Judi Mersereau, Production Service Manager

Judi has a long history with Popejoy. She worked full-time at the hall from 1980 to 1990, part-time from 1995 to 2000, and full-time again since 2004. Judi’s current duties include yearly maintenance schedules for equipment and making sure stage crews are properly equipped.

Judi has a BFA in Studio Art and an MA in Art Education, both from UNM. She taught at Highland High School and worked for the Albuquerque Board of Realtors. She also worked at the Pit & Balcony Theatre in Saginaw, Michigan.

Judi first attended Popejoy for ACLOA’s 1979 production of Pippin. Her most memorable Popejoy moment was seeing the empty, stripped auditorium, prepped and waiting for the installation of new seats.

Tram Nguyen, Patron Services Manager

Tram manages Front of House and is responsible for House Management and Volunteer Management. Prior to her 4 years at Popejoy, Tram worked for UNM College of Education and APS; she also managed a multicultural community center in Washington, DC. She attended the University of Maryland, where she received her Associates Degree.

Tram’s first Popejoy show was STOMP in 2002, shortly after she moved to New Mexico.  In discovering Popejoy Hall, she appreciated that she could experience Broadway shows and cultural events similar to the ones she’d seen back home.

Outside of work, Tram enjoys camping and traveling. Returning lost glasses to Bruce Willis is one of Tram’s favorite Popejoy memories, because he acted like he was any other patron. Tram is expecting her first child in September 2009.

Patricia O’Connor, Marketing Representative

Patricia holds two BAs from UNM, one in Foreign Languages and the other in English. She is currently pursuing her MBA in Marketing. In her spare time, Patricia reads, attends concerts and attempts to entertain her dog, Brady.

Patricia’s has worked at Popejoy six years. Her duties include writing, editing, coordinating student employees, assisting with show booking, and maintaining Popejoy’s online presence, including e-marketing, social networking, and website work. She loves introducing patrons to shows they may never have heard of.

Patricia’s first Popejoy show was Margaret Cho in 2001. As a UNM student, she was pleased to discover that a performing arts venue like Popejoy existed on campus. One of her favorite shows was Hairspray with its contagious spirit and fun music. In high school, Patricia’s Irish pen pal introduced her to the music of Riverdance. She had watched the show on PBS, but seeing it live for the first time made it one of her most memorable Popejoy experiences.

Janice Page, Senior Graphic Designer

Janice has been with Popejoy for two years and designs marketing materials such as season campaigns, advertising and playbills. One of her favorite parts of the job is hearing the children's laughter as they enter for Schooltime Series shows. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Illustration from the Kansas City Art Institute. Janice also studied vocal music and painted sets for high school and community theater productions.

She enjoys traveling—especially to destinations near water—and loves collecting antiques. One of her favorite Popejoy experiences was during a concert by Bobby McFerrin, when he passed the microphone through the house and improvised vocally with audience participants.

Cheryl Sims, Coordinator, Special Events

Cheryl has a BA in Political Science from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. She has been at Popejoy since October 2008, where her duties include overseeing lounge volunteers and setting up the lounge. Interacting with members is Cheryl’s favorite part of her job.

Cheryl also works as an independent contractor and arranges meetings and special events for corporate groups. Since her job often takes her out of New Mexico, Cheryl appreciates the community ties provided through her Popejoy position.

In her spare time, Cheryl surfs, travels and spends time with family and friends. Her favorite Popejoy show is Mamma Mia!

Billy Tubb, Associate Director of Production Services

Billy earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Technical Theatre at UNM. As a student, he worked at Popejoy from 1984 – 1987. In 1990, Billy joined as full-time Popejoy staff. He enjoys that the job of technical director lets him work with cutting-edge technology and with people.

Billy was involved in drama productions throughout high school. When he got cast as a dead body in a show, he turned his attention to lights and sound. He established and administered the first nationally recognized theatrical apprenticeship in New Mexico. Billy also owns Albuquerque Performing Arts Consultants and has worked on over 4,000 live productions.

Billy likes to spend his spare time with his wife Karen and their children, Sammy and Zach. Billy’s most memorable Popejoy experiences span nearly his whole life and include: seeing Jesus Christ, Superstar when he was 5 years old and thinking it was loud; sneaking into the hall while he was in high school; and catching the chandelier 32 times during the first run of The Phantom of the Opera.

Herb Wright, House Manager

Herb has worked at Popejoy for eight years. Working with patrons and volunteers and letting both groups know they’re appreciated is one of Herb’s favorite parts of his job.

Herb has a Bachelor of Science in Business. He’s also done graduate work in computer sciences. In Sacramento, CA, Herb spent two years as part of the stage crew for Music Circus and worked for 5 years as a volunteer house manager for B Street Theatre.