EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Adrienne Willis is a nonprofit leader with a background in theater, strategy, and communications. Since 2010, she has served as Artistic and Executive Director of LUMBERYARD, leading its relocation to New York and launching initiatives to address systemic challenges in the arts. Earlier in her career, Adrienne worked as a director, producer, designer, and stage manager with renowned theater companies, including Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lucille Lortel Theatre, and Westport Country Playhouse. She also founded Willis Strategies, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm that provided messaging, strategy, and communication support to NGOs, political organizations, and corporate clients. Additionally, she served as Director of Strategy and Communications for Veterans for America (VFA) and the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF), co-directing national programs for National Guard members and wounded warriors. Adrienne holds an M.S. in Global Affairs from NYU.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Ruth joined LUMBERYARD as part of the curating team in 2011 and was named Performance Series Director in 2012. Ruth now serves as LUMBERYARD’s Producer and has produced over 70 performances and world premieres for the organization in Rockville, Maryland, New York City and Catskill, NY. Prior to that she was the producer for the Sarah Lawrence College Theatre Department. Director of Production for the Westport Country Playhouse 2000-2010. Production Management for Mabou Mines, Shakespeare and Company, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Classic Stage Company, Under the Radar Festival, Colorado World Theatre Festival, The Jerash Festival in Amman Jordan, Berkshire Public Theatre, New York Theatre of the Deaf, East Coast Arts, Hudson Theatre NY, The Court Theatre, Black Ice Entertainment. Film, including work for HBO, Lakeshore Entertainment, Spats Films, Bad Dog Films and Blue Bug Productions.

FACILITIES MANAGER

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Jason Forrester is Director of Programs at LUMBERYARD, for which he created Fresh Start. Fresh Start – which directly supports the ground-breaking juvenile justice changes in Raise the Age – prepares inmates and youth in the justice system for life after incarceration/detention by providing performing arts instruction and an understanding of how skills acquired in the program can be used to facilitate successful re-entry. Fresh Start also brings leading performers into the youth justice system to broaden the experiences and understanding. LUMBERYARD aims to make Fresh Start a standing program at Hudson Correctional Facility (HCF), where the program began. LUMBERYARD is also in the process of expanding Fresh Start to facilities run by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Jason is also the co-director of LUMBERYARD’s newest program – Seats on the Spectrum

From 2009-2015, Jason served as an appointee of President Barack Obama in the Pentagon, making him one of the longest-serving appointees in the Obama administration. His ultimate assignment was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, which is the civilian equivalent of a three-star general, where he was responsible for the well being of the 1.1 million members of the National Guard/Reserve. From 2007-2017, his work has focused primarily on improving the lives of members of the military and their families, especially smoothing transition to civilian life.

Mr. Forrester has also worked in Congress, on multiple presidential campaigns, at various think tanks, and with award-winning advocacy groups. Mr. Forrester has served as an advisor in every presidential election cycle since 2000. His areas of expertise include preventing nuclear terrorism and promoting democracy.

Mr. Forrester is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and The Army and Navy Club, and he was a Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellow, an NCAA Postgraduate Scholar, and a National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame Schol- ar-Athlete. He was educated at Tufts University and Sewanee: The University of the South.

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ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR