Board of Directors
Kathleen Tissot, President, served as Program Director and Stage Director for our Musical Theatre Connections: Costa Rica program in 2013 and 2014, and organized FCCMT's first-ever radio play in December of 2013. Kathleen was the drama advisor/play director at Oregon High School for nearly 15 years, and has worked with many of the theatre groups in Madison, Wisconsin in the areas of acting, props design, costume design, and directing.
Michelle Boesch, Secretary, volunteered on-site for FCCMT as the Technical Director of Oliver! in 2010, and joined the Board in 2012. As a Mandarin-speaker who has lived in China twice, as a student and as a teacher, Michelle has been working to build the foundation for a sustainable FCCMT in China.
Juliet Lamb, Treasurer, is a founding Board member and served as Board president from 2012-2015. A conservation biologist, Juliet has spent time in the field around the world, including several Latin American countries, and is fluent in Spanish and French. Juliet is a lifelong musical theatre enthusiast, and enjoys playing the French horn in pit orchestras for local musical theatre productions.
Luis Dario Villalobos Castro is a native of Monteverde, Costa Rica, and participated in FCCMT's first musical theatre production at the age of 11. Dario has been involved in nearly every production since, whether as performer, musical director, or community liaison. He is now a B.A Theatre major at St. Olaf College in Minnesota where he also works for the institution's theatre department as a lighting and sound technician. Dario is also the recipient of both theatre and international student scholarships.
Christie Coran is a working actor in Chicago, and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Acting. She was an intern and guest performer for FCCMT's production of In The Heights. She has worked in theatre education in the Chicago Public Schools, with the Annex Theatre Company, and The Garden summer program at Lawndale Community Church. Christie has been involved in theatre in Russia and Turkey and is interested in finding new locations for FCCMT projects.
Rebecca Easton is a director and teacher, and a graduate of Columbia University’s MFA directing program. She co-founded the award winning and critically acclaimed theatre company Band of Toughs, based in Boulder/Denver, Colorado. In 2015, she was the Program Director for MTC: Costa Rica, where she worked with the teens in creating their first original musical, Juego Malévolo. When not directing or teaching, Rebecca travels as a tour manager for companies such as Pilobolus Dance Theatre, the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, and Cirque Dreams.
Angelina Guindon grew up in San José, Costa Rica, and lived more than half of her life in San Diego, California, but now resides in Monteverde year-round. She got involved with FCCMT in 2010 due to her grandson getting a part in the production of that year. From that moment on, her main goal has been to help the parents of cast members become more involved with the shows that happen every year and serve as a link between Far Corners and the Monteverde community.
Michelle Boesch, Secretary, volunteered on-site for FCCMT as the Technical Director of Oliver! in 2010, and joined the Board in 2012. As a Mandarin-speaker who has lived in China twice, as a student and as a teacher, Michelle has been working to build the foundation for a sustainable FCCMT in China.
Juliet Lamb, Treasurer, is a founding Board member and served as Board president from 2012-2015. A conservation biologist, Juliet has spent time in the field around the world, including several Latin American countries, and is fluent in Spanish and French. Juliet is a lifelong musical theatre enthusiast, and enjoys playing the French horn in pit orchestras for local musical theatre productions.
Luis Dario Villalobos Castro is a native of Monteverde, Costa Rica, and participated in FCCMT's first musical theatre production at the age of 11. Dario has been involved in nearly every production since, whether as performer, musical director, or community liaison. He is now a B.A Theatre major at St. Olaf College in Minnesota where he also works for the institution's theatre department as a lighting and sound technician. Dario is also the recipient of both theatre and international student scholarships.
Christie Coran is a working actor in Chicago, and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BFA in Acting. She was an intern and guest performer for FCCMT's production of In The Heights. She has worked in theatre education in the Chicago Public Schools, with the Annex Theatre Company, and The Garden summer program at Lawndale Community Church. Christie has been involved in theatre in Russia and Turkey and is interested in finding new locations for FCCMT projects.
Rebecca Easton is a director and teacher, and a graduate of Columbia University’s MFA directing program. She co-founded the award winning and critically acclaimed theatre company Band of Toughs, based in Boulder/Denver, Colorado. In 2015, she was the Program Director for MTC: Costa Rica, where she worked with the teens in creating their first original musical, Juego Malévolo. When not directing or teaching, Rebecca travels as a tour manager for companies such as Pilobolus Dance Theatre, the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak Dance Company, and Cirque Dreams.
Angelina Guindon grew up in San José, Costa Rica, and lived more than half of her life in San Diego, California, but now resides in Monteverde year-round. She got involved with FCCMT in 2010 due to her grandson getting a part in the production of that year. From that moment on, her main goal has been to help the parents of cast members become more involved with the shows that happen every year and serve as a link between Far Corners and the Monteverde community.
Staff
Lisa Whitson Burns, Executive Director, founded Far Corners Community Musical Theatre and served on the Board of Directors from 2009-2015. Lisa served as the Program Director for MTC: Costa Rica from 2009-2012, and as Music Director for FCCMT's productions in Costa Rica and China from 2005-2011. She also founded the Community Arts Workshop while teaching at the American International School of Mozambique. Lisa is a musical theatre composer and holds an MFA from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Her original music has been performed at New York City venues including Merkin Concert Hall, Joe's Pub at the Public, Galapagos Art Space, and the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center. Lisa teaches choral music at the Brooklyn Friends School.
Luis Eladio Campos Solis, Monteverde Coordinator, is a Monteverde native who performed in FCCMT's 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 productions, in roles ranging from Winthrop in The Music Man to the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Luis is working to develop year-round theatre activities for the youth in Monteverde, and currently runs a weekly improv group for the teens. He is also working with local parents, community leaders and funders to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for our annual musical theatre camp. In addition to working part-time for FCCMT, Luis is pursuing his degree in Biology and English at the University of Costa Rica, and working at Cabañas Los Pinos in Cerro Plano, Monteverde.
Luis Eladio Campos Solis, Monteverde Coordinator, is a Monteverde native who performed in FCCMT's 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 productions, in roles ranging from Winthrop in The Music Man to the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Luis is working to develop year-round theatre activities for the youth in Monteverde, and currently runs a weekly improv group for the teens. He is also working with local parents, community leaders and funders to build a stronger and more sustainable foundation for our annual musical theatre camp. In addition to working part-time for FCCMT, Luis is pursuing his degree in Biology and English at the University of Costa Rica, and working at Cabañas Los Pinos in Cerro Plano, Monteverde.