Board of Trustees
June 2026 - June 2027

Lynda Mondragon

Lynda has been a part of the Santa Maria Civic Theatre since the 1998-1999 season. Since joining, Lynda has been an actor, stage Manager, tech booth operator and director for productions. Off stage, she has been a long standing board member who has pushed for more community collaboration, diversity of productions, and is especially passionate about production based on literature, that can introduce theater to much younger audiences!

 Lynda has also been focusing on upgrading the theater and was able to help get the dressing room made over, procured grants to help fund the new lighting system and continues to find opportunities to improve the space. Lynda is also passionate about increasing the number of community members who direct shows at SMCT and has liaisoned several directors through their first productions to get their directors legs! 

John Shade

John began his journey in theatre during high school, working the interplays his senior year before joining The Other Little Theatre while stationed in Maryland. There, he wore many hats—stage managing, directing, and acting in a multitude of productions. Since joining Santa Maria Civic Theatre, John has directed three comedies and two Readers Theatre productions, and performed in several shows. His first SMCT role was in Over the River and Through the Woods (2012), where he played an 80-year-old man. Among his favorite performances are Edna in Hairspray (2017), the waiter in First Date (2023), and Kiki in Legally Blonde (2018).

In addition to performing and directing, John has managed SMCT’s Box Office since 2015 and recently took on the additional role of Hospitality Chair starting this 2025-2026 season. He’s proud to support the theatre both onstage and behind the scenes, helping ensure every patron’s experience is as memorable as the performances themselves.

James Henry II

This picture is the headshot used when he directed "Evil Dead the Musical," isn't theatre fun?!

James "Jaime" has been doing theatre since he was 3 years old. Having done numerous productions in school and in community theatre, he is happy he has his SMCT Family. He is currently celebrating 10 years with SMCT. He has worked as an actor, box office, stage manager, and director in this theatre. Acting roles include Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors - 2018), Jesus (Godspell - 2024). Directing Credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2019), Evil Dead: The Musical (2023), RENT (2025). As a board member, his mission is to bring in new actors through shows he directs. He hopes to direct more risky shows like Evil Dead and RENT in the future. 

Kyle Ruiz-Hawkins

Kyle has been active with SMCT for years as an actor and director.  

Debbie Roberts

" I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”

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I love this quote from Oscar Wilde that Lompoc Theatre Project posted on their front door. Having recently directed my first play at SMCT, The Humans, I have had humanity on my mind and heart for much of this year. We may have different ideas about how to walk through this life, but what we have in common is greater than all the differences; how to love, laugh, grieve, learn, fear and trust. Let’s celebrate that and each other! I look forward to bringing a sense of connectivity to the SMCT community. 

Lauren Marszalkowski

Lauren  has spent more than two decades onstage, backstage, and behind computer screens promoting theatre. Since moving to the Central Coast, in 2022, Lauren has appeared in five SMCT productions, including: Almost, Maine (Hope & others), First Date the Musical (Casey), The Prom (Shelby), Elephant and Piggie's: We Are In A Play (Squirrelle), and RENT (Ensemble), and had the honor to direct the 2025 summer fairytales production, The Emperor's New Clothes, an original musical composed by her husband, Paul.  Lauren is grateful for the opportunity to harness her background in copywriting, UX design, marketing, and graphic design to help local residents get involved with this gem of a company while introducing new audiences to the magic of live performance! She hopes you'll find a theatrical home at SMCT just as she has.

Aiyani Mersai

Aiyani is someone you may recognize from some shows, you also might not recognize her at all, and that's ok.  As the newest board member she has "all" the questions.  While serving she intends to find ways to make members more active with what's going on over here, help create and implement ways for actors, crew members, and directors to give feedback to each other and the board effectively so people are protected, respected, and heard; providing a better experience for those who participate.  This place is about creating art and being supportive, with dignity and professionalism, even if it's "just" community theatre.

"We can be better in many ways, and I'm here for it with my size 11 shoes on" 

SMCT Members

Members can attend the monthly board meetings.  Ask questions, offer suggestions and help build the community and function of our little theatre.