Board Of Directors

CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KAELYN LANGER-MENDONCA, PHD | President

Kaelyn Langer-Mendonca, Ph.D. is a teaching artist, director, and performer having appeared on stage and run youth education programs in New York and Washington States. She has been part of the EDP community for over 4 years and feels grateful to be welcomed with such open arms. She believes in the powerful effects of art and creativity, which cultivate relationship and inspire strong community connection. Kaelyn currently works as the Education Director for Dandylyon Drama and supports the education programming at Edmonds Driftwood Players. She is incredibly excited about her role on the board and excited and optimistic for the future of the theatre community.

CODY TUMLIN | Vice President

Cody began playing drums at age 18 and has played in bands and for theatrical musicals over the last twenty years. He was exposed to acting after high school when he was cast in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Since then, he has been onstage in 70 productions and participated in some fashion in more than 40 more. He as acted, directed, produced, stage managed, designed shows and sat on numerous boards over the last 20 plus years. Cody recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, with a plan to achieve his goal of completing a theatre degree at the University of Washington in the fall of 2021. He has extensive theatrical training via clinics and participation in AACT, and looks forward to discovering the amazing artistic opportunities in the State of Washington and meeting the people that bring life to the stage.

RITA BAXTER | Secretary

Rita Baxter has always had performing in her blood. She started in choir in elementary school but, really caught the acting bug in high school, taking drama classes and performing in school plays. After school she took a hiatus from the stage to find her way in life, eventually landing in the telecommunications industry. Looking to develop and grow, Rita chose to pursue further education attending the University of Phoenix. While working full time she was able to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Management. Thankfully she was able to make her way back to the stage several years ago ultimately joining the Edmonds Driftwood Players family. She feels very blessed and honored to be a part of this theater group and looks forward to many years to come.

YUSUF HANSIA | Member at Large

Yusuf has been working in the financial services industry for over 10 years having roles from teller, customer service manager, relationship banker, licensed banker and branch manager. His goal is to be his clients’ trusted financial advisor and a point person for networking. He enjoys being a part of relationships, businesses, and communities as we all grow in success.

Yusuf is on the board for Edmonds Chamber Foundation, and also participates in local/national organizations such as the United States Youth Volleyball League, Huckleberry Youth Program and Junior Achievement, YWCA.

SARA KEOGH | Member at Large

Sara Keogh loves live theater, having devoted a large part of her youth to pursuing her acting dreams. Her performing adventures have taken her across the country including nine years in New York City. Sara has never been so happy as when she was hard at work creating and performing with an unruly bunch of actors.Her Board experience includes positions as Communications Director for the Women’s Business Exchange of Seattle; Communications Director and Judicial Evaluation Committee Member for QLaw Association of Washington (LGBT Bar); and Communications Committee Member for the American Marketing Association of Puget Sound, where she was named Volunteer of the Year for 2016-2017. She is currently serving as the President of Edmonds Toastmasters. She has three beautiful daughters, and lives in Shoreline with her wife, Karen, and a menagerie of pets.

MELODY MISTLIN | Member-at-Large

Melody Mistlin has been an active member, volunteer and supporter of Edmonds Driftwood Players for many years. Although her first love is acting, she also has performed many roles behind the scenes including Document Specialist, Stage Manager, Producer, Marketing and volunteer retention. Melody has worked in electronics for over 40 years and is now enjoying retirement with her husband.

WAYNE PURSER | Member-at-Large

Wayne enjoys live theater. He started attending when his children were in drama classes during high school. With Driftwood Players’ involvement in the summer youth program, this has sparked him to volunteer on the board. Wayne says, “We are the teachers to the children; let’s keep them laughing.” As a local businessman and event organizer, he brings an insight on – reaching out to the community and protecting assets. As a Northwest native, he enjoys traveling, golf, coffee, and all the water views he can find.

ERIN SUTTER | Member-at-Large

Erin has been involved with Edmonds Driftwood Players since 2013. She is often seen bartending in the lobby during Driftwood shows but has enjoyed being a Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager for multiple shows in past seasons. Erin has a background with customer service and technology and she loves supporting theater by sharing her skills working and volunteering at EDP and multiple Seattle Theaters including ACT, Seattle Public Theater, STG, Macha Theatre Works and the list goes on.