Who we are
At Miami Theater Center our diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or differing abilities, feel fully valued and respected. MTC is committed to a nondiscriminatory approach to staffing and provides equal opportunities for employment and advancement throughout the organization. MTC respects and values diverse life experiences, perspectives and heritages, and ensures that all voices are valued and heard. We’re committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for the entire arts industry of the nonprofit sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. Miami Theater Center sees diversity, inclusion, and equity as deeply and essentially connected to our mission and critical to ensuring the well-being of our staff and the communities we serve.
VICTORIA ROW-TRASTER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Victoria Row-Traster is Miami Theater Center’s Artistic Director and curates live-performance and film presented at MTC. Row-Traster also oversees all partnerships and educational programs, creates arts curriculum and facilitates the professional development for the MTC Teaching Artist Ensemble who deliver high-quality education programs supported by the work on MTC’s main stage.
Previous to this, Row-Traster was a member of the Primary and Early Years Program developing at The Royal National Theatre, London delivering arts curriculum connected to the main-stage and touring productions for four seasons, and Curriculum and Publications Manager at The New Victory Theater, New York for 5 seasons. Row-Traster received a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from The Central School of Speech and Drama, London, and Master of Arts in Educational Theatre from NYU Steinhardt, New York.
YOLIMA DE AVILA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Yoli is the glue that holds MTC together since 2008. She quickly became instrumental in organizing grants, meetings and events. With progressive responsibility, she transitioned into the role of general manager and did an outstanding job keeping up with our building (circa 1946) and introduced renting the venue as another source of income. To date, she has added an extra $200,000 to our budget for continued Educational programming. As Managing Director of MTC, she brings strong organizational skills and knowledge of the non-profit industry. She coordinates with our Grant writers and has strong writing and editing skills. She plays a key role in ensuring our organization uses its financial resources in the most effective ways possible. She works with other department managers to develop and approve workable budgets, expenditures, and improve our marketing efforts. Yoli holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Florida International University.
EVENTZ PAUL
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Eventz Paul serves as the Technical Director at the Miami Theater Center (MTC) and is also the Productions Manager for Miami Light Project (MLP), an organization housed within MTC. He joined MLP in 2011 and initially participated in their Technical Fellowship Program to enhance his theater skills, benefiting from mentorship by industry experts. Eventz has since become a respected leader in Miami's technical field, collaborating with various arts organizations and venues, including the National Young Arts Foundation and the Colony Theatre. He now shares his expertise by instructing audiovisual classes for incoming technical fellows, contributing to the development of future professionals in the industry.
TERRENCE BRUNN
EDUCATION MANAGER
A native of St. Thomas, USVI, Terrence Brunn is an arts administrator and designer with a B.A. in Business Management from the University of Miami. Terrence is the program coordinator for Miami Theater Center, facilitating artistic and education programs for young people. Prior to MTC, Terrence worked with Miami Light Project, a not-for-profit organization that presents live performances by celebrated dance, music, visual and theater artists. Terrence currently resides in Miami and enjoys traveling when not working.
MANUEL & MIGUEL BONILLA
FACILITY MANAGERS
Manuel and Miguel Bonilla are Cuban-American twin actors and MTC's Facilities Managers. Their day-to-day tasks include leading tours for potential renters, while simultaneously upkeeping and maintaining the overall standard of the mid-century theater. Both FIU graduates with BFA's in Acting, Manuel and Miguel's long and winded journey grows by the day, and has allowed them to transform into multi-functional artists with aspirations and capabilities of creating work within the ever-growing theater community of Miami. Some of their passions include, basketball, film, and confusing people into thinking they're the same person.
NIA NICHOLS
ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Nia plays with light and color whilst programming the lighting board. She also assists Eventz during productions, and the day-to-day technical upkeep. Following a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from FIU, she participated in the Technical Fellowship at Miami Light Project, and subsequently worked there for many years. She loves creating art, writing, acting, funning, travelling, reading, cooking, baking and food history.
Lakeisha Frith
PRESIDENT
Adrienne Arsht Center
Miami, FL
Victoria Row-Traster
Miami Theater Center
Miami Shores, FL
Yolima De Avila
Miami Theater Center
Miami Shores, FL
Hollie Altman
Consultant,
JGL Consultants
Miami Shores, FL
Lauren Arrigo
IHC Agency
Miami Shores, FL
Beth Boone
Miami Light Project
Miami Shores, FL
Irmine Butts
Division of Academic Support Education Transformation Office of MDCPS
Miami, FL
Gina Margillo
Independent Artist
Biscayne Park, FL
Sherika Shaw
Militia Design
Miami, FL
Carter A. Winkle, PhD
Barry University
Miami Shores, FL