Get to know the incredible individuals who make everything we do possible!

Our Staff

Melissa Bernstein (Artistic Director) founded the Newton Theatre Company in 2013 and has directed most Newton Theatre Company shows including Wonder, Our Town, The Song of Achilles: Parts I and II, The Imaginary Invalid, Junie B. Jones and That Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, The Importance of Being Earnest, Agamemnon, Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Bourgeois Gentleman (or The Would-Be Hipster), The Oresteia, Junie B. Jones Sneaky Peaky Spying, Ethan Frome, Natural Shocks, Ada and the Engine, Iphigenia at Aulis, Living in Exile, Mansfield Park, Women, Exhibiting, It's a Wonderful Life, Helen, The Witches, Marie Antoinette,Pinocchio, Sorry, Wrong Number, The War of the Worlds, Rebecca, All About Eve, Under Milk Wood ​and The Mrs. She was the founder and Executive Director of the Newton Youth Players, housed in the Newton Cultural Center at City Hall. Over the program's history she has directed over 50 productions involving close to one thousand youth actors. Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Colorado at Boulder, an MFA in Playwriting/ Theatre Education from Emerson College and a BA in Theatre from SUNY-Binghamton.  
Rosalind Bevan (Creative Producer) engages with Boston's theatre scene in several ways -- as a director to a producer to a dramaturg to a critic to an administrator. She currently is the Casting & Producing Associate at the Huntington Theatre Company. She recently directed two virtual productions at Newton Theatre Company– Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 and And Then We Baked Bread. She directed Echoes by  Patrick Gabridge and The 54th in '22 by Kirsten Greenidge, two short audio plays at the Huntington, as well as an in-person production of Proof at Boston University. She assistant directed Greater Good by Kirsten Greenidge at Company One, and dramaturged Choir Boy at SpeakEasy Stage Company.
Abby Lass (Director of Digital Programs & Director of Education) has been with Newton Theatre Company since its inception. In addition to her performances in Wonder, Our Town, The Song of Achilles Parts I and II, Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, and The Oresteia, Abby has been providing Newton Theatre Company with marketing and educational support for the past five years. Having worked with a variety of local arts organizations (including New Repertory Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Cappella Clausura, the Newton Mayor’s Office for Cultural Development, and more), Abby is an energetic and flexible member of the Greater-Boston arts world. In addition to her experiences as a director, dramaturg, designer, and intimacy coordinator, Abby is a dedicated proponent of arts accessibility and finds great joy in helping people of all ages experience the power of theatre. During her time as an undergraduate at Vassar College, Abby dedicated herself to studying the intersection of art and socioemotional wellness, completing an independent research project on the psychological benefits of theatre education for adolescents and presenting a TEDx talk about the intersection of arts education and scientific research. When not working, Abby enjoys baking and cross stitching.

Our Board

Courtney Cole has lived in Newton for 15 years, and she and her husband, Jason, are the proud parents of two high-school-aged daughters.  Courtney first became familiar with Newton Theatre Company and Melissa Bernstein when her daughters participated in Newton Youth Players.  Courtney received an A.B. in German and Art History from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard University.  She was Director of Strategic Research and Analysis at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from 2002 to 2007. Since 2007, she has worked as an independent consultant to arts organizations, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and Boston Ballet. Courtney has served on the Newton Theatre Company board as Treasurer since 2018.
Gena Hooper has worked with Newton Theatre Company on many plays, including Marie Antoinette, The Witches, and Iphigenia in Aulis. She was also a staple in Newton Theatre Company's Zoom Radio Hour series, appearing in War of the Worlds and Rebecca. Gena studied theatre at Rice University. When not onstage, Gena volunteers with local nonprofits, pretends to write, and is trying to namaste her way through these very challenging times.
Vivian Liu-Somers is an actor/writer/director based in the Boston area who has performed or participated in readings with the Asian American Playwrights Collective (AAPC), Asian American Theater Artists of Boston (AATAB), the Newton Theater Company, TC Squared, the Nora Theater Company, the Umbrella Stage Company, Company One, Fresh Ink, Pao Arts Center, the Boston Theater Marathon, Boston One Minute Play Festival, and SlamBoston. You can see examples of her work at rebrand.ly/vliusomers
Tamika Olszewski is a Newton resident and parent. As a board member for Newton Theatre Company and Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ), and as a representative on the Newton School Committee, Tamika is a powerful voice for change within our community. She was recently seen in Newton Theatre Company’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life.
Shalini Prasad is an integrative designer and brand consultant who practices under DeSha Creative, and teaches at Lesley University College of Art & Design. In addition to her role as a designer, artist and educator, she is an avid dancer, choreographer and actor and has performed in a myriad of venues. Her interdisciplinary background in both the creative arts (architecture, graphic design and art) and performing arts (classical Indian dance and theatre) allows her to seamlessly transcend platforms, and fearlessly redraw boundaries. Shalini moved to the US twenty years ago from India and has made Newton her home for the past three, where she lives with her husband, two daughters and dog. She enjoys improv cooking, karaoking, running and hiking. She is currently in the process of resuming her guitar lessons so she can master 'landslide' by Fleetwood mac... some day. She is excited to share her creative repertoire, learn and grow ideas as a new member of the Newton Theatre Company family.
Karen Woodrow is the owner of Visiting Angels Senior Home Care, covering the Newton/Canton and Chelmsford/Burlington areas. Her award-winning agencies empower seniors and adults with disabilities to live independently in their own homes. As a Newton business owner and long-time resident, Karen understands the benefits of bringing quality, thoughtful, local theatre to our community. She has been involved with Newton Theatre Company since its inaugural show Wonder in 2013 and as a stage mom since 2009. She is an avid theatergoer and subscriber to many theatre companies throughout the Boston area. Karen has over 25 years of business experience and holds an MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.