Two new Board Fellows will begin their terms as part of the Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellowship. Congratulations to our newest Board Fellows — Kaylee LaClair and Samantha Thompson.

In 2014, USITT’s Secretary, Sherry Wagner-Henry, conceived and launched the USITT Board Mentorship Program. With feedback from former participants, and renamed in her honor, the program has refocused to become a flexible, 12-18-month long Fellowship with particular emphasis on finding the future leaders of USITT and investing in their growth.

This opportunity serves as a bridge to connect emerging professionals with current leaders in the theatre and entertainment industry, as well as an opportunity to learn new skills that will help the Fellow develop valuable expertise on their journey to nonprofit leadership. This Fellowship provides an open door to the Executive Director and board Members of USITT, as well as, positions on Committees and a greater understanding of nonprofit governance structures.

Kaylee LaClair

Kaylee LaClair (she/her/hers) is a production manager, stage manager, and performing arts educator based in Great Falls, Montana. She currently serves as Vice President of the Board and Production Manager for the Great Falls Theatre Company, a local non-profit community theatre. Her previous production credits include General Manager of Events & Production at The Newberry concert hall, and many roles as a freelance stage manager across Montana and Orlando, Florida, with a focus on youth productions and large-scale musicals.

Kaylee holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics and undergraduate degrees in Theatre, Dance, and Business Administration from the University of Montana. She is also currently serving as the Director of Strategy and Operations for Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana, where she applies her theatrical operations education and talents to help make wishes come true. Additionally, Kaylee supports her local community as a high school dance team coach and dance/theatre instructor.

"I would like to thank the Great Falls Theatre Company for helping develop and support my board leadership training, as well as my mentors in production management, stage management, and leadership that have helped encourage, development, and inspire me.

By being able to participate in the Sherry Wagner-Henry Board Fellowship I am able to take the education I learn back to my community to help serve the local performing arts community. I have been heavily involved in many programs and opportunities with USITT since 2019, and I am looking forward to giving back to USITT and my community."

Instagram: @Kaylee.sm.dance

You will also see Kaylee around Long Beach as the selected 2026 Satter PMMP.

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Samantha M. Thompson

Samantha M. Thompson is the Assistant Professor of Stage and Production Management at Millikin University, where she also serves as the Production Manager for the School of Theatre and Dance.  Samantha holds a BFA in Technical Production from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with International Honors, and a MFA in Stage Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her stage management work has taken her across the country and across the ocean, and spans from regional theatre to opera, from immersive experiences to Vegas shows.  Samantha brings her diverse theatrical experience to the classroom, where she works with & mentors undergraduate students on their own stage management journeys.

Some recent highlights of her stage management work include Bayview Music Festival (Stage Manager), Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE (On-Call ASM), Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE (On-Call ASM), and America’s Got Talent LIVE! (On-Call ASM).  Other credits include Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Stage Manager), Norwegian Cruise Line (ASM), Nevada Conservatory Theatre (Production Stage Manager), and Cape Fear Regional Theatre (Resident Stage Manager). Samantha is a proud Member of USITT, The Stage Manager’s Association, and Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society.

"I would like to thank my colleagues at Millikin University for their support of my work with USITT, especially Professor Jana Henry Funderburk. I’d like to thank my high school technical theatre supervisor, Kevin Kimberly, for starting me on this path, and to my faculty at UNCG & UNLV for their support and mentorship, especially Chip Haas, Ken White, Noah Davis, Matthew W. Shiner, Katrina Hertfelder, David Shouse, and Daniel Ware (rest in peace).  Thank you to my parents and brother for learning about this wild and wonderful industry right along with me, and my students for always keeping me humble. To the mentors, colleagues, friends, and family I have made in my work over the past decade, thank you for everything. 

I am beyond grateful to receive this award from the USITT Board this year. This is an opportunity to work closely with an organization I have admired for years, and I look forward to supporting the Board throughout this fellowship."

Instagram: @samthompson2519

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To learn more about Sherry Wagner-Henry and the Board Fellowship, click here.