BOARD PRESIDENT

Lisa Strum (she/her) is an Actor, Director & Playwright. Actor Credits: DREAM, GIRL!, Apollo Theatre; DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Broadway; KING LEAR & SOUND OF MUSIC, Utah Shakespeare Festival. Directing Credits: FALL, Ensemble Studio Theatre, TORN ASUNDER, Luna Stage, RAISIN IN THE SUN, Bristol Riverside Theatre.Awards: Young Howze Theatre Award for “Mind Blowing Shortie” of the Year for her play By the Way...; Finalist for the Doric Wilson Playwright Award; Recipient of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program; Nominated for a Best Actress New York Innovative Theatre Award; Received a United Solo Festival Best Solo Show Award for her play She Gon’ Learn; Broadway World Best Actress Award for FENCES.

BOARD SECRETARY

Sarah Dew (she/they) is a Consultant with over a decades experience in the arts and hospitality industries. She works with arts administrators to make more efficient internal systems, and promote equitable and ethical access to theater and the arts for everyone. When not working in the arts, she can be found working on creative projects, swimming, getting way too chaotic during board games with friends, and exploring Philadelphia with her service dog Ellie.

BOARD MEMBER

Dominic Colón (he/him) is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker from the Bronx, best known for his role as Manny Spamboni on The Electric Company. With over 15 years in the industry, Dominic has appeared in 60+ films and shows, including Power, Orange is the New Black, Mr. Robot, and Escape at Dannemora. His screenplay for the short film CRUSH won the HBO/NY International Film Festival competition and aired on HBO, screening at 25+ festivals. His short film SKIN also garnered acclaim, winning the 2016 BRIO Award. Both CRUSH and SKIN are currently airing on HereTV. Dominic is a two-time NALIP Latino Media Market Fellow and has taught acting and playwriting at Rikers Island and various NYC institutions.

BOARD VICE PRESIDENT

Becca Yuré, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA, (founder/director of Buddy Club™ ) has been an educator for over 20 years in the classroom, home, and community environments. She provides 1:1 direct behavioral support, consultations, supervision, parent and teacher training, leads social skills groups in addition to teaching Buddy Club classes. Becca works with Theatre Development Fund’s Autism Theatre Initiative as their Lead Autism Specialist to enable children with diverse needs and their families to attend Broadway shows in NYC. She has also taught early childhood education classes, music & movement, storybook theatre, musical theatre, reading, piano, recorder, study skills, writing, music for social wellness, and various other subjects. A true educator, it has been observed that she “reaches out to students in a unique and compassionate way and can teach them anything.” Becca has her doctorate in behavior analysis, a masters degree in education, is a Licensed, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and also has a masters in songwriting. She is the Clinical Director of By Your Side Services Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst Practice PLLC, supervises and trains providers, teachers, paraprofessionals, caretakers, and parents as well as offers one-on-one direct treatment.

BOARD MEMBER

Ben Dworken (he/him) is a neurodiverse actor/playwright/producer living with autism. Originally from Connecticut, Ben came to NYC in 2015 to pursue his dream of becoming a performing artist, and since that time he has been in various theatrical productions throughout the city. Including SHOTZ for AMiOS Theatre, Uncle Vanya for Columbia University, and his short play Interrogation of Love has had three productions over the past two years. Film credits include After You've Gone and Older Brothers in 2019 and Baristas in 2018. Ben is a very strong advocate for the arts and for disability inclusion and is proud to serve on the board of Company of Fools.