Meet the Team
OnStage Board & Staff
Managing Staff
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James P. Darvas
Executive Artistic Director
With a lifelong passion for theatre and vision for serving the community through art, James brings an innovative and professional style to OnStage.
Board of Directors
Ashley Gardner
President
Ashley has been involved in San Diego's non-profit, arts and cultural community since her arrival here from Canada in 1980. Her background includes radio, television, theatre and arts administation.
Holly Stephenson
Vice President
A San Diego native, Holly has spent the past 20+ years involved in the region’s theatre as an actor, director, producer and stage manager. With previous OSP board service and past experience as President of the board for Executive Women International - San Diego Chapter, Holly brings with her a unique set of leadership skills to put to good use for OSP’s theatre worth talking about.
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Emily Candia
Secretary
Originally from Bakersfield, Emily became a part of the San Diego theatre scene in 2017. Earning her BA in Theatre at CSU Bakersfield, she has mostly been on the stage with credits at OSP, Lamplighters, Broadway Vista, and Scripps Ranch.
Sandra Ruiz
Member at Large/Director of Education
For over 20 years, Sandra Ruiz has been part of the theatre world in San Diego working as an actor, director, costume designer, casting assistant, and teaching artist. Born & raised in San Diego, a graduate of UCSD, she is proud to be a part of the next generation of theatre makers here in Chula Vista.
Greg Newman
Member at Large
Greg is excited to join OnStage Playhouse after recently moving to Chula Vista from Los Angeles, where he was involved in live improv and online marketing.
Markuz Rodriguez
Member at Large
Markuz Rodriguez is a San Diego based actor/writer/director with credits at OSP, Diversionary, La Jolla Playhouse, Moxie, San Diego REP, Old Globe and more.
Vanessa Lopez
Member at Large
Vanessa Lopez is an actress, poet, and teaching artist from San Diego, whose passion for theatre and the arts drives her to bring her love and light into what she does. She is very excited to join Onstage Playhouse and continue bringing live theatre to the community.
Lynn Batchelor
Member at Large
Lynne has been part of OnStage Playhouse for over 20 years and works closely with our ushers and house management.
Marie Zhivago
Member at Large
Aurora-Marie Dolopo Zhivago is an American Cartoonist and Published Children's book Author based in San Diego, California. Marie is a Lead Teaching Artist in Media Arts at the ARTS, A REASON TO SURVIVE center in National City, a center for arts and culture in the borderland region that empowers families and community members to build healthy, resilient, and equitable communities.
Open Positions
Members at Large
We're looking for new Members at Large! Please reach out if you’re interested. Email us or fill out the form below for further information.
