BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Blount

President
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Chris Blount is an artist, writer, producer, podcast creative and owner of On Purpose Studios in Tacoma, Washington.  As a native in New Orleans, he grew up inspired by art and music.  Under his father he would study at his community theatre where he learned the importance of storytelling, acting and inner workings of community organization.  He then fell in love with hip-hop in high school and dove deep into the culture where he would perform with friends for over 10 years.  Since 2007, Chris has released over two solo albums, countless writing credits for himself and others while still carving out an occasional performance.  Chris would continue to perform at local venues and festivals such as SXSW, where he would gain accolades for his second solo album "I Win".

Chris has always believed in the evolution of artists so it was natural from him to delve into other aspects of creativity.  While living at his current residence in Tacoma, he developed a love for conversation and a renewed interest in storytelling.  He would then create On Purpose Recordings, which was developed as a safe haven for artists and fun hub for storytelling.  Chris also was reunited with his love for theater by joining the Board of Directors at Lakewood Playhouse where he is the current President.  His work and dedication to artistry and community continue to shine in his professional and personal endeavors.

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DIANE TILSTRA

Treasurer
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Diane Tilstra is deeply invested in Arts and Culture in the community.  After many years of working with non-profit organizations and raising resources to support a wide variety of missions, she now serves the Lakewood Playhouse as a member of the Board of Directors.  She is committed to promoting the theater’s capacity to create community.

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Stephanie Huber

Secretary
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Stephanie Huber has been involved with theater, and more specifically the Lakewood Playhouse, for almost 20 years.  She has been involved in the arts since she was young starting with choir before moving into the theater world.  She studied theater in college at Pierce Community College under Patrick Daughtery.  There she learned more about theater as an art by studying masters from Tadashi Suzuki to Uta Hagen.  For a few years she also helped run a homeschool theater program, teaching kids from age 10-18.  She has been able to work in many different roles in theater from acting to sound/costume design.  Outside of theater she works in the back office of a Washington based bank.  She is grateful that her job allows her to continue exploring the arts.  She was honored to be asked to join the Lakewood Playhouse’s board last year.  She is looking forward to working with the rest of the board and the staff on making the Lakewood Playhouse a space where all can feel welcomed.

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THOMAS CHARBONNEL, MD

Board Member
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Thomas was born in Japan in 1942.  When his father died during WWII, his mother remarried an American and they came to the USA in 1953.  He received a BA and MD from the University of Colorado.  He did his residency in Pediatrics in an US Army Hospital, leaving the Army after 3 years in Germany.  He worked at the University of Oklahoma Medical School, Tulsa branch, for 2 and a half years before rejoining the Army to do a fellowship in adolescent medicine.  He then stayed in the Army and served a total of 21 years, his last post was at Madigan Army Medical Center.  Thomas married Sharon Rodley in 1973 and they have 4 children who all live in Washington.  He has worked at the same pediatric practice in Tacoma since 1991.  Thomas became a board member of Lakewood Playhouse in 2022.

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DARRYIN B. CUNNINGHAM

Board Member
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Darryin B. Cunningham is excited to join the Lakewood Playhouse family!  He is an Actor/Writer/Director in the South Sound area.  He attended Pacific Lutheran University (PLU), where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree (Acting and Directing) and he also studied Creative Writing!  Darryin is all about pushing theater outside the box, advocating for representation and telling stories of those whose voices often get drowned out in society.  He wears his heart on his sleeve, and can’t wait to add to the upward momentum of Lakewood Playhouse!

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KATIE HODGE

Board Member
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Katie Hodge is a Financial Services Professional with New York Life, who works with clients to create a solid retirement, preserve family legacies and assist individuals to grow or improve their current net worth.

Katie believes that creating a solid foundation not only brings a sense of peace, but allows business to grow at exponential rates.  She is a register representative with NYLIFE Securities.  Among her many talents she has danced professionally since the age 10 and works closely with arts organizations to volunteer teach a variety of dance classes including ballet, tap and jazz.  Katie holds a BA in Business from the Evergreen State College and is a current member of the American College to obtain her FSCP and RICP designations.  She is a member of the Pierce Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and a new board member with Lakewood Playhouse.

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MAISHA RICE

Board Member
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Maisha Rice has been involved with Lakewood Playhouse since the Spring of 2023.  Since then she has been a volunteer usher, assistant stage manager, and a stage manager.  She has quickly come to know and love the Lakewood community.  She decided to join the board to further her outreach to the community both in and around the Playhouse.

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JEAN WATLEY

Board Member
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Jean is the life skills instructor at Adonai Counseling and Employment, serving individuals in the State of Washington.  As a life coach, Jean helps folks find their authentic voice, and is fascinated by how actors assume the voices of their characters.  Life is not very much different in their real worlds.  Whatever you believe, you attract the resources to prove it.

Jean served as Dean of Instructions at Bates Technical College, Co-founder and Managing Editor of the Northwest Dispatch newspaper, and traveled around the world to places like Siberia, Taiwan, Panama, and throughout the United States as part of a team working with groups of people figuring out how to tap into their potentials.  Jean was involved with the Black Panther Party in Chicago in the late sixties and early seventies.

At the age of 75+, life is still excitingly challenging.  In 2011, Jean was completing her final residency in Antioch University’s Leadership and Change Doctoral program in Santa Barbara, California when she had a life-threatening brain aneurysm.  She did not die, but did gain an uncanny insight into life.  Finally, Jean has written a couple of books, “Questions” and “Eggshell Walking”.  They mostly reflect on lessons learned on her life’s journey.