MJ Bruder Munafo
ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 508-696-6300 X 113, MJ@MVPLAYHOUSE.ORG
MJ Bruder Munafo has served as the Artistic & Executive Director of Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse since 1995, but she’s been working at the theater since 1986. She is responsible for the management of the Playhouse and the production of well over 250 plays during her tenure. In June of 1997, she graduated cum laude from Harvard University’s Extension School, earning her ALB with a Concentration in Drama. Her work as a stage director spans over twenty-five years and over fifty plays; including, most recent, Our Town. MJ is committed to developing new plays and educating children and adults in theater arts. She is a member of SDC and a recipient of the 2005 Creative Living Award from the Permanent Endowment Fund of Martha’s Vineyard. She and her husband Paul live in Vineyard Haven.
Geneva Corwin
MANAGING DIRECTOR, 508-696-6300 X 118, GENEVA@MVPLAYHOUSE.ORG
In 2021 Geneva assumed the role of Managing Director at the Playhouse, where she has performed many duties in the last 15 years, starting with intern. She graduated from Emerson College in 2007 with a BFA in Stage Management. She grew up in Connecticut and now lives on the Vineyard with her husband, Calvin, and their daughters, Snow and Aurora.
Jenny Allen
LITERARY MANAGER
Jenny’s off-Broadway acting credits include Imagining Madoff, Love, Loss, and What I Wore, and her solo show, I Got Sick Then I Got Better. Her writing has been published in the New Yorker, The New York Times, and many other publications. A collection of her essays, Would Everybody Please Stop?, was a finalist for the Thurber Prize.
JP Hitesman
PRODUCTION, MARKETING & BOX OFFICE, JPHITESMAN@MVPLAYHOUSE.ORG
JP has been involved with the Playhouse since 2015 and appreciates his lifelong connection to Martha’s Vineyard. He has worked at regional theaters across the US and in the UK, and holds degrees in theatre and related subjects from Hampshire College, California Institute of Integral Studies, and Wayne State University.
Katherine Reid
DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING & DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS, KATHERINEREID@MVPLAYHOUSE.ORG
A native islander and UVM Theatre, Art, and Anthropology graduate, Katherine has been playing and working at the Playhouse since age 8. She has worn many hats at the Playhouse and throughout her theatrical career, on and off stage, including working on the development team and directing Summer Stars Children’s Theater Camp and Winter Stars After-School Program.
Ernest W. Iannaccone
PRODUCTION MANAGER & LIGHTING
Ernest has designed lights and sets for numerous productions on Martha’s Vineyard at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse including CHILMARK, PASSIONATA, RED, THE SECOND GIRL and at The Yard for choreographers Gus Solomons Jr, Shapiro and Smith, Doug Elkins and others. Ernie has a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from New York University in Lighting Design and a BA in Music Education from New Jersey City University. He plays bassoon, performs comedy improv and is a Project Manager in the System Sales Department for High Output/Boston.
Paul Munafo
FACILITIES MANAGER & MASTER CARPENTER
Paul has been a familiar face at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse for over 30 years. You may have seen him on stage, singing or acting. You can also find him in the scenic shop, where he works as the Master Carpenter, building scenery for all our productions. He also manages the care of our beautiful restored historic theater building.
Laura Jahn
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT & BOX OFFICE
Since joining the office staff in 2018, Laura has taken on many tasks to help the Playhouse run, from selling tickets to compiling news archives to distributing flyers for the latest show. Laura’s family washed ashore in 1991 and she’s lived in Vineyard Haven ever since, graduating from the MV Public Charter School in 2008. After performing with Island Theater Workshop growing up, Laura returned to the stage for the Playhouse’s Our Town in 2019.
Brendan Rome
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT
Brendan Rome began working seasonally for the MV Playhouse in the summer of 2012 as an assistant stage manager in the amphitheater’s production of Henry IV. Since then, he has moved on to becoming the light and soundboard operator during the summer productions at the playhouse. He hopes to appear on stage soon and lives year-round on the island.
Mona Hennessy
A professional actress for 40+ years, Mona loves every aspect of the theater experience. She’s performed in plays ranging from Beckett, Ibsen, to musical theater, and most recently in Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike. Mona served as MV Playhouse Props Coordinator for two seasons, and works with the Literary Team and Jenny’s Drama Salon.