Our People

Elizabeth Namen - Artistic Executive Director

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Elizabeth, the Executive Artistic Director of Epoch Arts, heads up all artistic aspects of Epoch Arts as well as the theater department. She is the founder of the Ague Spring Players and Epoch Arts. She currently teaches 1-2 classes per semester and is the administrator of all Epoch Arts Days, Senior and Junior student plays, and the theater performances. She also devotes much of her time to volunteering for community events and fundraising for the organization. Elizabeth attended Trinity College majoring in Theater Arts. Her previous employment includes youth instruction at Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, CT and teaching artists at The Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT.

Omar Namen - Musical Director and Technical Director

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Omar coordinates all aspects of music and stage design for Epoch Arts performances. He oversees the music department and all recording sessions as well as music classes and Brookside Nights. He has experience as a journeyman carpenter and makes necessary renovations and improvements to the Epoch Arts space and provides Epoch Arts with all aspects of technical coordination for all events and performances. Omar attended Drexel University studying sound engineering and has volunteered for the organization for the past 18 years composing music, teaching classes, and designing and building sets.

Rachel Martin - Assistant Artistic Director

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Rachel has been a part of Epoch Arts for over 16 years. Beginning as an actress in the main stage plays, Rachel then volunteered her skills as teaching assistant for many classes and events. She has worked with youth in local community, church and library programs and has also traveled to work with children in China, Africa and Belize. She is a seasoned artist and has captured her love for children in her many paintings and drawings. Rachel assists the Executive Artistic Director, helping with productions, programs and planning.

Amanda Morris - Art Director

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Amanda was born and raised in Oregon and attended Oregon State University and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. She worked in advertising for ten years as an Art Director in San Francisco and as Senior Art Director in Los Angeles and Manhattan. In 1995 she left advertising and moved to La Serena, Chile with her husband for his job in astronomy. She currently lives in East Haddam with her husband and three wonderful children. This year Amanda will be teaching arts and crafts to students K-6th grade and will oversee all art programs.

Jon Schroth - Digital Arts Director

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Jon has been involved with Epoch Arts for the past 20 years. He has served various roles in the Mainstage plays from pit-musician/set-painter to graphic designer/videographer. He now teaches classes in Digital Arts at Epoch, and is working on organizing our upcoming Makerspace & Artist Studios. Jon received his degree from Ringling School of Art and Design before beginning a career in animated feature films with Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox Animation. On the side, Jon enjoys working with a variety of mediums. He has worked locally as a muralist for Kidcity museum, a photographer for contemporary dance companies, and a designer for a variety of purposes. He has taught at NYU's Center for Advanced Digital Application and now enjoys working in his childhood hometown of East Hampton with Epoch Arts. Jon lives in Middletown with his wife Elisa, and two children, Clayton and Asher.

Sam Poe Bolton - Staff

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Poe has been a part of Epoch Arts since he first fell in love with Haunted House in late 2012. After high school, Poe went on to complete his bachelors in English at Eastern Connecticut State University in 2017 before beginning a career as a librarian. A writer, director, and actor, Poe has been an active member showcasing his and other members' talents in writing, acting, and creating. And when he's not writing or creating, Poe can be found sharing the arts with the community.

Bryce Annino - Technical Director

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Bryce has been a part of Epoch since late 2007 first as an actor in the Mini Production, then later working on the technical side of the performances building sets and props. Bryce completed his Civil Engineering degree at Penn State and spent a few years working in Washington DC before returning to East Hampton in late 2018 and rejoining the Epoch Arts technical staff.

Lexi Mcguigan - Staff

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Lexi has been in epoch for over 5 years, Beginning in Epoch as a student herself. She has been working with children her whole life and loves investing time in people. Lexi started assisting with classes and events, and now teaches theater, works as Event Staff, does tech work and video editing for productions, and is a leader in the Breaking Silences girl's group. She loves photography, graffiti, and writing.

Brigette Roy - Instructor

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I'm an Artist and Art Teacher with a passion for all things creative. I have a BFA in Illustration, and my artwork tends to be bright and colorful. My preferred medium is painting, and includes oil, acrylic and watercolor. I love to explore new ways of expressing myself creatively as well, such as photography, fiber arts, and mixed media. I have been doing commissioned artwork for over 20 years and enjoy creating for others. I love to paint, but I am most at home in the classroom teaching kids about art. Creative expression is so important in our world, and I truly believe that every child is an artist.