Staff & Board Members

Gary Bernstein founded Wingspan Arts in July 2001, bringing over 25 years of professional experience and background in business, marketing, producing and arts management to the non-profit organization. Prior to founding Wingspan Arts, Gary spent eleven years on the Board of Directors for Blue Heron Theatre where he was named Managing Director in 1994. Under his leadership as Executive Director, the Blue Heron Arts Center opened in February 1999 on East 24th Street in Manhattan.

During his tenure at Blue Heron, Gary’s production and touring highlights included the Audelco Award winning drama We Are Your Sisters, a riveting tale about slavery seen by over 25,000 young people nationwide, Tony Vellela’s Admissions, the true story of racial quotas at colleges, and a 25th anniversary revival of the Drama Desk Award nominated play Medal of Honor Rag, depicting Vietnam veterans suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Rescuers, a drama about Christians who rescued Jews during the Holocaust, was presented by special invitation at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

Gary’s Off-Broadway production credits include the 1999 co-production with Roger Alan Gindi of Tony Vellela’s What We Don’t Confess. Working with Queens Theatre in the Park, Gary developed and marketed Celebrating Our American Heritage, a theatre series for young audiences. Gary has also served as an evaluator for the Rockefeller Foundation MAP grants for theatre.

A graduate of Cornell University, Gary spent sixteen years as a marketing executive at leading New York advertising agencies, where he worked with a variety of clients including Hershey Foods, Sheraton Hotels, Panasonic and Merck. Throughout the 1990s, Gary was a consultant and producer developing independent television, video and educational projects. Credits include ‘Brooklyn, USA’ a documentary hosted by Oscar-winning actor Vincent Gardenia which aired on local CBS affiliates nationwide, ‘What’s Up?’ a tourism video featuring Regis Philbin, and ‘A Walk on The Wild Side,’ a marketing video for the New York Zoological Society hosted by the late legendary actor, Jerry Orbach.

Paul Ashley has been a key member of Wingspan Arts’ growth as an arts education provider in the New York region for the past 7 years. Paul has a strong connection to the arts and education communities in New York City and has represented Wingspan at many events and conferences, including the 2009 AATE/ATHE: Risking Innovation Conference. In his time with Wingspan he has been involved as a teaching artist, site director, Director of Afterschool Programs, Education Director and – as part of the summer conservatory – directed Blood Brothers, How To Succeed and choreographed The IT Girl.

Before Wingspan Arts, Paul spent a number of years traveling nationally and internationally as an actor. His many stage credits include Crazy For You (National Tour), Mame (w/Carol Lawrence and Loretta Swit), and Forever Plaid. In New York he was seen in The Donkey Show (DJ) and in the Fringe Festival award winning a cappella musical, Minimum Wage: Blue Code Ringo!

Paul holds a BA in Musical Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado and attended Columbia University’s Institute for Not-For-Profit Management in 2008.

As Producing Artistic Director, Jessica serves as the creative leader for Wingspan Arts Productions, Special Events, as well as developing curriculum and performance choices for Wingspan’s Conservatory programs.

Prior to joining Wingspan Arts, Jessica worked as an actor and director. She co-founded the Dodger Stage Holdings Children’s Theatre Outreach Program and co-wrote and directed their first production, Jack and the Giant. In 2000, Jessica began working with kids, teaching acting in New York while on tour with Twelfth Night. She began working with Wingspan Arts in 2004 as a teaching artist, and became the company’s first Producing Artistic Director in 2009.

A graduate of Boston University, Jessica holds a BFA in Acting.

As Education Program Director, Jessica designs and implements in-school arts curriculum in elective and integrative programs.

Before the world of Wingspan, Jessica was “Ms. K.” in her middle school classroom in the South Bronx. There, she learned the necessity of cross-curricular teaching learning. She watched her students become truly invested in academic projects that included elements of dance, music, theatre or visual art. Jessica is committed to introducing students to the arts and working to ensure every child has the opportunity to explore their interests.

Jessica holds a BA in Communications and a BA Political Science from the University of California, San Diego and a Masters of Education from Fordham University.

As Business Manager, Emily is responsible for the financial maintenance of Wingspan Arts. She spends much of the day clutching her calculator and munching on numbers. Before Wingspan, Emily ran Ever After Productions, a youth theater company in Michigan. There she honed her skills in teaching, directing and, of course, business management.

Emily holds a BA in Arts Management from Eastern Michigan University.

As the Associate Artistic Director, Marissa works closely with the Producing Artistic Director in matters concerning Wingspan Arts Productions and Special Events. She also co-directs the Wingspan Conservatory programs as well as teaches classes and directs productions.

Marissa holds a B.S. in Theatre from Skidmore College and is currently pursuing her Masters in Educational Theatre at The City College of New York. She joined the Wingspan team in 2007 and since then has held many positions within the organization including site director of one of our afterschool programs. Before joining Wingspan, Marissa spent her time studying theatre and performing.

Brooke has been working with Wingspan Arts in different capacities for many years, and is very excited to be working for them once again – now in a full-time capacity. Her role is to implement and manage the Wingspan Arts Afterschool Programming.

Brooke has been working with children since she was one herself, cutting her teeth in the world of Outdoor Education, leading Wilderness Trips for girls. She began her career in Afterschool Education while living in Seattle, working for a program called Mad Science. There she discovered a passion for the world of hands-on, extra curricular education, be it through science, outdoor education or the arts.

Brooke brings with her a wide range of experiences, including Camp Director, Parent Coordinator for a NYC Charter School, and Conference Center Manager – all of which have prepared her for the multi-purpose role of Education Program Manager here at Wingspan.

Brooke holds a BA in Literature and Theatre from Reed College.

As the Education Program Manager, Laura Lee contributes to the coordination and supervision of Wingspan Arts Afterschool Programming.

Before joining the education team, Laura Lee worked as both an in-school and afterschool teaching artist for Wingspan Arts and several community-based organizations throughout New York City. Her residencies ranged from elementary school theatre arts classes and middle school social studies drama integration to leadership training facilitation and forum theatre workshops.

Laura Lee holds a BA in Performing Arts from Iowa State University and an MA in Educational Theatre from New York University.

Before joining the Wingspan team, Meredith worked as a production stage manager in New York City for companies such as Labyrinth Theater Company, the PublicLAB, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, and The Actors Company Theatre. Since 2007, Meredith has also worked as the Associate Director of the Cherubs program in Evanston, IL. Her primary responsibility has been to provide day-to-day assistance in the planning and implementation of the theater program for high school students.

Meredith holds a BA in Dramatic Art with a minor in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.