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OUR TALENTED STAFF

The Livermore Valley Arts staff is a dedicated, diverse, small team of talented individuals who bring their energy and enthusiasm for the arts to work every day.

Chris Carter

Chief Executive Officer — [email protected]

Before being appointed as the Executive Director, Chris Carter served as the Director for Development and Communications for the Livermore Valley Arts. In his role, Carter was responsible for all the fundraising and marketing efforts for LVA. Since joining LVA, he has helped to raise more than $15 million for the arts in Livermore. He joined the LVA staff in 2014 after working more than eleven years at Saint Mary’s College of California, where he spent the last eight as a leader in the College’s development
department. His last position held was Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

In 2023, Chris was a recipient of the Alameda County Arts Leadership Award. Chris is a member of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance, APAP (Association of Performing Arts Professionals), The California Presenters Association, and WAA (Western Arts Alliance). Chris was also a founding board member of the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance. He currently serves as the Chair of the Saint Mary’s College School of Science Advisory Board, and also serves on the board of directors for Visit Tri-Valley and Livermore Jazz Society. He is an advisory board member for Three Valleys Community Foundation and the Las Positas College Commercial Music Advisory Board. An avid guitarist, Chris has performed steadily in the community for the last 25 years with his bandmate, Mike Lickiss, as a member of the LK Project. Together, they have written and recorded 4 studio albums and continue to share their love of music with anyone who will listen. Chris lives with his wife and three children in Pleasanton, and has been a volunteer for the Boy Scouts in various capacities over the last 12 years.

Reanna Bradford

Chief Financial Officer — [email protected]

Mrs. Bradford first fell in love with non-profit organizations and their unique challenges when she worked for AchieveKids, a school for special needs children in Palo Alto, California. At AchieveKids, she learned that non-profits, no matter their size, can significantly impact the community they serve. She was inspired through this experience to continue helping non-profits keep their accounting records clean, promote transparency, and remain financially stable so they can stay focused on their mission. She has over 15 years of accounting experience with expertise in small to mid-sized for-profit and not-for-profit businesses. Mrs. Bradford has an MBA specializing in Accounting from National University and resides in Brentwood, California. In her free time, she enjoys catching a show at the Bankhead Theater, working in her garden, volunteering, helping her husband run his HVAC construction business, and curling up on the couch with her two cats and a good book. Mrs. Bradford was promoted to CFO in July 2022.

Ruth Egherman

Director of Marketing – [email protected]

Ruth comes to Livermore Valley Arts with over 30 years of experience in building audiences for non-profit and commercial performing arts organizations all across North America. She has worked with organizations like San Francisco Ballet, Broadway San Jose, and the National Symphony Orchestra.  She fell in love with the theatre at a very early age when she attended Fiddler on the Roof as a youngster with her family in Chicago, Illinois. Not only did she find the performance spectacular, especially the bottle dance, but was enchanted with the chandelier hanging in the lobby and the red velvet curtains on stage. Since that tender age, she has never looked back.  

Eric Johnson

Director of Operations[email protected]
Eric has been involved in nearly every aspect of theater over the past two decades. After pursuing his early dream of performing on stage, Eric broadened his skill set, creating light designs and running sound for Broadway tours, international music and dance festivals, and corporate events. Professionally, Eric has woven his love for the arts together with his technical savvy to serve the entertainment industry at venues of all sizes, from small theaters to large-scale arenas. A Livermore native, Eric’s connection to the Bankhead Theater runs deep. During its opening year 2007, he worked in marketing, accounting, as well as backstage, and returned periodically thereafter in a variety of roles. Eric officially assumed the permanent post of Director of Operations in March 2020. In addition to his ETCP Certification in Electrical & Theatrical Rigging, Eric recently completed business and leadership courses within the MIT Executive Program. His undergraduate studies encompassed both accounting and graphic design.

Brittany Mulgrew

Director of Development — [email protected]

Mrs. Mulgrew brings 16 years’ experience in the performing arts, entertainment and ticketing. She began in ticketing at the age of 15 at Wente Vineyards and progressed to Event Management. In 2007, she joined LVA as a ticket agent for the Bankhead Theater. Later, she was given the task of Volunteer Coordinator and developed the procedure for maintaining the volunteer data base. She moved into the Development Department to oversee management of the donor database and now oversees all aspects of Membership. In addition to her career at LVA, Ms. Mulgrew has worked in fundraising with the Alameda County Fair’s Volunteer Program, the Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association. She remains active as a member of the Bay Area Professional Ticketing Association.

Carol Edwards

Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator — [email protected]

Mrs. Edwards, a Livermore resident for over 25 years, has been involved with theater since the highschool drama club and was a big part of Pleasanton Playhouse, now TVRT, for almost 10 years on stage and off.  Mrs. Edwards began her time with LVPAC as a Volunteer making phone calls for the Brick Fundraiser and then moved on to coordinating tours of the Bankhead Theater in the beginning stages of construction.  Once the Theater was open for business, Mrs. Edwards continued on as a Volunteer Usher before she was hired as a back up Front of House Manager.  In 2014, she became the Front Of House Managing Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator of almost 200 Volunteers.

Anne Giancola

Visual Arts and Education Manager — [email protected]

Anne brings strong expertise and experience in community collaboration and arts communication to the Bothwell Arts Center. Prior to joining the Bothwell, she co-founded and served as studio director for Rollstone Studios, a non-profit art center near Boston, which was a lynchpin for community revitalization in the New England mill town of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. A working artist, Anne has run a mural painting business for more than 18 years.Combining her skills as a community collaborator with her affinity for working artists, Anne brings together diverse community groups to develop exhibits, performing arts, seminars, workshops and public art projects. A graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara, she has a strong arts and communications background. Anne completed her master’s degree with distinction in Applied Communications from Fitchburg State University in 2013.

Julio Gomez

Facility Manager and IT Coordinator — [email protected]

Mr. Gomez brings 11 years’ experience in facility and building maintenance. His previous maintenance experience included sheet rock, painting, plumbing, electricity and carpentry. Additional duties at the Bankhead involve event set up/coordination and renovations of the building. Previously, Mr. Gomez worked for The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA and HVAC Systems at Adaptec Inc. in Milpitas CA. He now works with outside consultants to keep all the IT needs of the organization running smoothly.

Andrew Kracht

Marketing Manager[email protected]

Andrew comes to Livermore Valley Arts with an extensive background in customer service, marketing, fundraising, box office, group sales, event planning, community outreach, social media, and arts administration. Highlights from his past decade in the Bay Area arts scene include marketing for the Bay Area premieres of All the Way and Big Fish at the Lucie Stern Theatre, and working in group & corporate sales with high profile shows like Best Musical Tony Award-winners In the Heights, Billy Elliot THE MUSICAL, and Memphis at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Andrew is looking forward to bringing his passion for the arts and his background in administrative support, customer service, and marketing and fundraising to Livermore Valley Arts.

Allie Lopiano-Hastey

Social Media Manager— [email protected]

Allie is elated to be a part of Livermore Valley Arts and contribute to her community bringing her knowledge and passion for the arts through social media, customer service, marketing, box office, graphic design, community and cultural engagements, arts administration and arts education. A Bay Area performer and vocal coach, she received formal musical training at Santa Clara University, performed with local companies including West Bay Opera and worked at the non-profit SCU•Presents supporting all the arts on campus. After receiving her M.A. in Teaching, she taught choir, music theory and was the musical director at many high schools across the Bay Area. Allie believes the arts are a crucial pedestal in any community and loves being a part of Livermore’s.

Susan Miller

Visitor Center Supervisor[email protected]

Theater has been a very big part of Susan’s life where she sang in talent shows and was in shows such as Sound of Music, The King and I, Finnians Rainbow, Anything Go’s, Guys and Dolls, Harvey, melodramas and more. When she heard a Performing Arts Center was coming to Livermore, she made sure to come out during the construction in 2007. Within the year after opening Susan started to volunteer and in 2015, Scott Kenison said he wanted to open the lobby as a visitor center and was looking to hire someone.  Susan immediately offered her services and started the process of figuring out what a visitor center was and how to make it work.  Within the year it was up and running and eventually started Art and Wine Intertwined, an event to open the lobby to everyone.  Working for the Bankhead has been a blessing for her and she is so thankful to have had the pleasure of working here for so many years. 

Debra Olson

Box Office Manager — [email protected]

Mrs. Olson has been a resident of the Tri-Valley for over 40 years and in Livermore since 2001.  Before joining Livermore Valley Arts, Debra was an active volunteer in the local schools for many years. Passionate about theater and music, Debra is a strong advocate for local theater and is a true “people person” who enjoys working with our patrons and volunteers.

Ann Rice

Food and Beverage Manager[email protected]

Ann was born and raised in the MidWest and moved to California in 1998. In 2005 she moved
to Livermore and absolutely loves living here with her daughter. She has a background in many
industries as an Executive Assistant but was also the Development Coordinator for the
Bankhead Theater from 2008-2014. She came back to the theater in July of 2021 to join us as a
Front of House Manager and the Food & Beverage Manager. Ann loves supporting the Arts and
believes that they are a blessing to our community.

Treg Van Dyke

Bothwell Arts Center Manager — [email protected]

Mr. Van Dyke was first drawn to the arts at age seven playing Jack in a stage production of Jack in the Beanstalk. He graduated from Las Positas College in 2011 with a AA degree in Theatre Arts. He founded his film company, Way Up There Productions on June 14, 2011, where he oversaw funding, software donations, and production of their first short film, Obsession (2012).  Their next film, tentatively titled Project Z is in pre-production. He has worked backstage for the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center at the Bankhead Theater and for the city of Pleasanton at the Amador Theatre and Firehouse Arts Center.  He has been a part of hundreds of live theatre productions.

Kendra Williams

Corporate Partnerships and Events Manager[email protected]

With a passion for community engagement, Kendra serves as the Corporate Partnership and Events Manager at Livermore Valley Arts. Bringing years of experience in event planning, corporate relations, and nonprofit management, she manages collaborations between the theater and corporate partners, creating mutually beneficial relationships.

Kendra also oversees the planning and execution of events, from intimate donor receptions to large-scale galas. Her attention to detail and creative flair transform each event into memorable experiences, attracting audiences, donors, and stakeholders alike.

Justin Beasley

Marketing Associate [email protected]

Justin Beasley is never having a dull moment at the Bankhead. He is a Graduate from University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and is currently making music under his stage name JusyB. Mr. Beasley has experience in Retail, Outreach, and Customer Service. This is Justin’s first non-profit organization he has been a part of and he is thrilled to immerse himself with what happens in and around the Bankhead Theater. In the three years he has been here, Justin has worked in the Box Office selling tickets and connecting with patrons, and is now an Associate in the Marketing Department. He is the editor of the Beyond The Stage Podcast. Justin believes each day is a blessing and he hope to fill each day at the Bankhead with love, passion, and lots of singing.

Moon Coin Production Inc. Presents
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT - EAGLES TRIBUTE
FEB 6
Livermore Valley Opera Presents
DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT
SEP 28, 29, OCT 5 & 6
Box Office Hours Independence Day. Closed July 3 - 5
Pacific Chamber Orchestra Presents
PHANTOM STAR FRANC D’AMBROSIO
PCO Event 600x600 Main Image of France D'Ambrosio conducted by Lawrence Kohl
Dublin Chamber of Commerce Presents:
Dublin Chamber of Commerce 2400x600 Banner Image.
Presents:
2024 Thought Leadership Speaker Series
AN EVENING WITH TULSI GABBARD
Tulsi Gabbard main image.
Valley Dance Theatre Presents
Spring Rep 2024 Image.

Join by Mail

Download and Complete the form and then mail to us at:
Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street
Livermore, CA 94550

Our Team

Directory

Executive Director
Chris Carter
[email protected]

Director of Finance and Administration
Reanna Bradford
[email protected]

Director of Marketing
Ruth Egherman
[email protected]

Director of Operations
Eric Johnson
[email protected]

Production Manager
Gary Brunclik
[email protected]

Assistant Production Manager
Rachel Anderson
[email protected]

Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Carol Edwards
[email protected]

Facility Manager and IT Coordinator
Julio Gomez
[email protected]

Box Office Manager
Debra Olson
[email protected]

Visual Arts & Education Manager
Anne Giancola
[email protected]

Development Manager
Brittany Mulgrew
[email protected]

Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Bernice LaRosa
[email protected]

Programs Coordinator
Treg Van Dyke
[email protected]

Marketing Manager
Andrew Kracht
[email protected]

Social Media Manager
Allie Lopiano-Hastey
[email protected]

Food and Beverage Manager
Ann Rice
[email protected]

Development Assistant
Tracy Sahn
[email protected]

Visitor Center Supervisor
Susan Miller
[email protected]

RESIDENT COMPANIES

Get to Know Our Resident Companies

Home to ten Resident Companies with over 270 combined years of artistic experience, the Bankhead Theater’s state-of-the-art facilities enable these organizations to grow artistically and institutionally, develop audiences and collaborate on key projects while maintaining their respective missions and identities.

Cantabella Children’s Chorus

Cantabella Children’s Chorus is a non-profit organization located in the Livermore Tri-Valley. CCC strives to foster and promote the appreciation of choral music in the community through performances at various local corporate and civic functions and churches but above all to have fun.

Del Valle Fine Arts

Del Valle Fine Arts has been presenting outstanding classical music concerts in Livermore for over 35 years. This highly-regarded series offers dazzling performances by acclaimed professional chamber music groups and soloists from throughout North America and beyond. A particular objective of DVFA is to introduce young persons to the appreciation of fine music. To that end, children are admitted free to its concerts, and full-time students above high school can procure tickets at a special reduced price.

Livermore-Amador Symphony

Livermore-Amador Symphony – The symphony offers four concerts a year, as well as a Pops fundraiser. Symphony Guild – If you enjoy LAS concerts, join like-minded people of the Symphony Guild and support this community orchestra! Guild members encourage interest in the symphony and sponsor fund-raising activities. The Livermore-Amador Symphony has received funding from: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, City of Livermore Commission for the Arts, City of Livermore Tourism and Special Event Fund, Livermore Cultural Arts Council, Clorox Company Technical Center-Pleasanton, Target and Livermore Rotary.

Livermore Valley Opera

Livermore Valley Opera combines the talents and expertise of professional music, stage and chorus directors, principal singers, musicians, and designers with the dedication and practical abilities of a volunteer board, adult chorus, stage crew, props master, stitchers, and set builders. Each fall and spring, LVO presents locally produced, fully staged operas with orchestra. Additionally, LVO presents special concerts, events and fundraisers in the winter and “Opera in the Vineyard” in the summer. LVO promotes local talent and attracts outstanding Bay Area singers, directors and conductors.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra

The Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) is a 40 piece symphony orchestra composed of professional musicians from throughout the Bay Area. It was founded over 20 years ago by its talented conductor and musical director, Lawrence Kohl. The orchestra combines the precision of a small ensemble with surprising dynamic range and power. PCO is notable for innovative and insightful interpretations of music of all eras.

Rae Dorough Speaker Series

The Rae Dorough Speaker Series features leading thinkers in science, literature and the arts who discuss topical issues of particular interest to the Livermore community in the intimacy of the Bankhead Theater.

Sycamore Strings Academy / Bothwell Arts Center

The Sycamore Strings Academy (formerly Suzuki Strings Academy) carries on a tradition from 1984 of quality music education in the Tri-Valley area. The Academy includes certified Suzuki instruction on string instruments, licensed Kindermusik classes and a popular guitar program. Students perform across the region in year-round concert series.

Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre

Formerly Pleasanton Playhouse, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre presents a variety of audience-pleasing musical theater. As a non-profit, volunteer regional arts organization, we continue our mission to provide affordable quality theatre, training and cultural experiences, with a focus on children and family participation.

Valley Concert Chorale

The Valley Concert Chorale is a chorus of about 40 singers, many of whom live in the Tri-Valley area, including Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Danville. VCC’s director is John Bush and featured pianist is Daniel Glover. If you would like to sing with VCC, why not arrange for an audition? You can audition at any time, and then join the chorus at the beginning of the next quarter.

Valley Dance Theatre

Valley Dance Theatre is a non-profit organization committed to providing exceptional dance instruction and productions to the Tri-Valley Area. Their focus is in classical ballet and modern dance. Each year they present a full-length Nutcracker with a live orchestra, and a Spring show with varying themes.

accessibility at the bankhead

Accessibility

TICKETS
Wheelchair accessible seats cannot be purchased online. You must call our Ticket Office in advance at 925.373.6800 for seating and to ensure your needs are thoroughly met.

DROP OFF/PICK-UP
There is a drop-off/pick-up area located on Railroad Avenue, on the right side of the street, before you reach the stoplight to enter the parking garage.

PARKING
Handicapped-reserved spaces are located on the lower level of the Livermore Valley Center parking garage.

SEATING
An elevator is located on the West end of the main lobby.

LISTENING DEVICES
Assistive listening devices are available free of charge from the House Manager’s Office in the lobby. Please let us know when purchasing your ticket of your special needs.

RESTROOMS
Fully accessible restrooms are located in the main lobby and in the upper lobby.

Support the Arts

Inscribed Pavers

Dedicate one of the decorative paver blocks that frame and define the entry from the Livermore Valley Plaza to the Bankhead Theater. Each size allows you to personalize your dedication and/or message. Once you’ve placed your order we’ll contact you to help you choose the exact message for the paver you’d like to donate.

LOGO & BRICK ART
Permanently commemorate a company or brand, feature your family crest or create your own custom design while supporting the arts with an engraved logo or artistic brick. The image will be etched in black on a sand-colored paver (6×12 or 12×12) or light gray granite tile (24×24). They are visible to thousands of people each year attending a variety of events and performances on the Livermore Valley Plaza and in the Bankhead Theater.

24″ x 24″ – Madden Family Courtyard – $1,500
12″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $1,000
Logo Art Brick – Livermore Valley Plaza $500
6″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $375
6″ x 9″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $150


PERSONALIZED SEATS
Seat donations will be recognized by a commemorative medallion on your chosen chair in the Bankhead Theater as well as on the Donor Wall in the Lobby.

Grand Tier Seats $5,000
Central Tier Seats $2,500
Upper Tier Seats $1,000

Please note: donating a personalized seat does not guarantee the right to sit in that seat for a given performance.

Leave a Legacy

With a legacy gift to Livermore Valley Arts, you can be sure your charitable intentions will be realized while achieving the most favorable income tax benefits available. We are happy to meet with you to talk about your intentions and situation. However, we strongly recommend you consult with your estate planning professional or tax advisor to fulfill your goals for your financial portfolio and tax needs.

Making a legacy gift to the Center also qualifies you to join the Legacy Society, a group of philanthropic and pioneering members who share a strong bond with LVPAC and a desire to ensure a meaningful, lasting home for the arts in Livermore Valley.

If you have already included LVA in your plans (or if you intend to), please let us know. Contact Chris Carter, Executive Director, at [email protected] or call (925) 583-2311.

We accept a range of planned giving options:

In Your Will
The simplest way to leave a planned gift is to make a bequest including specific language in your will or living trust naming LVA as the recipient. The following is an example of suggested language to include in your will/trust:

“I give and bequeath to the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, a California non-profit corporation, located at 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550, the sum of $____, or ______% of my estate, to be used for the accomplishment of its general purpose (or for a specific purpose as indicated).”

Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is the easiest way to create dependable income for life and help the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer CGAs but can recommend an administrator.

Charitable Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust allows you to receive an estate or gift tax deduction and create a source of income for you or your loved ones while supporting the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer these trusts but can recommend an administrator.

Real Estate/Appreciated Assets
A variety of assets can be donated such as real estate, appreciated securities, and tangible personal property such as art or jewelry. Donating appreciated assets can help offset income and capital gains taxes. If you are contemplating gifting an investment property or a vacation home, a gift of real estate offers an excellent option for tax-wise giving. You can also include the Center as a beneficiary of real estate or appreciated assets in your will. Please be aware that as part of our gift acceptance policy, all gifts of real estate, appreciated assets and tangible personal property are examined on a case-by-case basis.

Retirement Plan Donations or Life Insurance Policies
You can name Livermore Valley Arts as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401k or 403b retirement plan or life insurance policy. This is a simple, effective way to support the arts while reducing or eliminating significant, often unanticipated tax penalties.