• Cordelia Zars, Founder, Executive Director & Playwright

    (She/Her/Hers) Cordelia is a classically-trained pianist, vocalist, and composer. She combines her passion for music with ten years of radio-broadcast journalism to create stories for the stage that explore timely social and environmental issues. Her first musical, Man Up, explores the roots of gender violence in America, and has had several successful runs in Boulder, as well as being selected for a reading at Relative Theatrics’ Playwrights’ Festival in Wyoming. Her second musical, co-authored with Alex Walker Jr, explores tensions between Indigenous land rights and rural economies in America, and recently completed a sold-out workshop run in Boulder. In her free time, Cordelia can likely be found on a mountain bike or skis in the backcountry.

  • Alex Walker Jr., Co-Author & Advisor

    (He/His) Alex Walker Jr., (Mesquakie) works with ETP as an artistic collaborator, cultural advisor, and editor. He’s co-authoring “We’re Still Here” with Cordelia, and is a Sundancer, Tribal Elder, and Vietnam Veteran. Alex earned his BA in teaching from MSW. He served as Tribal Chairman (Sac & Fox) as well as Tribal Consultant for native inmates in Iowa prisons. “We’re Still Here,” explores tensions between Indigenous land rights and rural economies in America.

  • Max Middleton, Production Director

    (They/Them/He/Him) Max Middleton is an accomplished theater director who has been involved in the arts his entire life. Originally from Maine, Max began acting and performing at a young age, eventually transitioning to directing while in college. With a keen eye for detail and an innate ability to bring out the best in his actors, Max has become an integral part of ETP as our Production Director. He has a natural talent for fostering empathy and creating electrifying performances that leave a lasting impression on audiences. Max's experience in the arts has also made him a valuable member of our community, and he has helped to bring a diverse range of voices to the stage. In addition to his work with ETP, Max works at the Museum of Nature and Science in Denver, where he continues to inspire and engage audiences of all ages. In his free time, Max enjoys playing D&D, reading, and exploring Denver's vibrant arts scene.

  • Bianca Acosta, Cultural Director

    (She/They/Ella) Bianca is a queer mixed indigenous/Mestiza woman from Mexico. She describes herself as a student and steward of Tonantzin Mother Earth, a nature based storyteller and a weaver of post-colonial eco-futures where humans and Nature thrive in harmony. She is the founder of Medicine Theater CO whose mission is to spread the medicine of creative collaboration through organic theater, storytelling, play, somatic healing and flor y canto (poetry and song) while breaking grounds for fruitful conversation and community building. She is proud of her indigenous roots and her life's prayer is to be an active co-creator of a more beautiful world by sharing her gifts and embracing the multi-dimensionality of their being.

  • Saraphina Redalieu, Producer

    (She/Her/Hers) Hailing from Vermont's Green Mountains, Saraphina is a screenwriter and filmmaker now local to Colorado. She recently worked in post production for the Emmy award winning documentary film company, Sender Films (Valley Uprising, The Alpinist). With a Bachelor's degree in playwriting and screenwriting from SUNY Purchase, Saraphina has gone on to write multiple feature length scripts, one of which has received accolades from the New York Script Awards, The Script Lab, and The Inroads Fellowship. Saraphina is thrilled to join ETP as a producer for the One Voice Monologue Series.

  • Solomon Chapman, Music Arranger & Composer

    (He/His) Solomon's musical journey began with piano lessons at nine. He became lead pianist at St. John Church of God in Christ in Denver and expanded to gospel accompaniment. Graduating with honors in 2011, he earned scholarships and a 2016 Bachelor's in Music Composition from Metropolitan State University. His compositions have been featured in various ensembles, and he's set to release his debut jazz album in fall 2023, supported by the Boulder County Art Alliance's grant.

  • Amanda Aurigemma, Choreographer & Scheduling

    (She/Her/Hers) Born in Japan, raised in Hawaii, Chemical Engineer by day, dancer by night–Amanda strengthens both administrative and creative dimensions at ETP with her wild fusion of life experiences. With a degree from School of Mines, Amanda’s capacity for data management, scheduling, and meticulous organization goes unparalleled. Her artistic spark for dance and dance education is no smaller a flame. Amanda is the kindest and most giving human being we know, and we are overjoyed to have her on our team.

  • Ani Yahzid, Media Designer

    (He/Him/His) Ani recently graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in film studies, and is a talented photographer and videographer. Ani helps design our show invites, programs, and media content.

  • Aric Vyhmeister, Arranger

    (He/Him/His) A talented composer, arranger, and pianist, Aric helps bring our original scores to life. Aric earned his Master of Music in Collaborative Piano at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is a frequent recitalist in the Denver area, and as a composer has written and arranged extensively for ensembles across the United States. Fun fact: Aric used to be an aerospace engineer, and worked on NASA’s Orion. Ask him any question about stars, black holes, or the unfathomable expanse of the universe, and he won’t disappoint.

Board of Directors

Megan Hayes, President

Sara Gleason, Vice President

Mark Russell, Secretary

Cordelia Zars, Treasurer