Hosted by WAM Theatre, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts (MCLA)’s Fine and Performing Arts Department and MOSAIC Gallery 51
LENOX, MA (March 19, 2026) — WAM Theatre is thrilled to partner with MOSAIC Gallery 51 and MCLA to present our 2nd Annual Women in Leadership Panel—a day of dialogue, inspiration, and connection that centers arts leaders alongside the voices and lived experiences of women and creative leaders in non profits, cultural organizations, business and entrepreneurship.
Rooted in WAM’s mission to advance gender equity through art and advocacy, this program reflects our belief that creativity and civic engagement are deeply intertwined. We cultivate ecosystems where artists belong, advocacy is a daily practice, and communities thrive. Through these conversations, panelists will share how they navigate systems, confront gender bias, build inclusive spaces, and harness creative practice to transform their communities.
“The partnership between MCLA’s MOSAIC and WAM Theatre to bring the Women in Leadership Panel to downtown North Adams is a collaboration between two like minded entities,” noted Lori Spencer, the program manager at MOSAIC. “Both organizations are committed to community serving cultural programming that brings people together through acts of artistic and cultural exchange in order to learn about each other, exchange ideas and build the commonalities that define communities. I look forward to this community exchange on April 14th!”
This year’s program will feature two dynamic 90-minute panels, each thoughtfully designed to blend storytelling, conversation, and engagement. Each session will include a 15-minute keynote, a 45-minute panel discussion, and a 20-minute breakout conversation, offering attendees the opportunity to connect directly with panelists and one another.
When: April 14th, 2:30pm & 4:30pm
Where: MOSAIC Gallery 51 (49 Main St, North Adams)
Tickets: Registration Required, the event is free and open to the public, with a suggested $35 donation.
Register: https://www.wamtheatre.com/leadership-panel/
2:30pm – Panel 1
Love Letters to Place: The Power of Placemaking
- Keynote Speaker: Nicole Orabona
- Moderator: Dr. Frances K. Hurley
- Panel Members: Ngoc-Tran Vu, Milena Dabova, Lauren Fritscher
How do extraordinary experiences transform ordinary places into sites of belonging? This panel explores gathering as both a creative practice and a tool for community building, featuring artists and cultural leaders whose work illuminates the power of place to inspire, connect, and sustain communities.
4:30pm – Panel 2
Bossed Up & Breaking Barriers
- Keynote Speaker: TBA
- Moderator: Shela Levante
- Panel Members: Abigail Marcelo Horace, I’in Purwanti Cox, Yina Moore
Women entrepreneurs and creative leaders are reshaping what leadership looks like in our region. This panel will examine resilience, innovation, and allyship, celebrating leaders who create space for others to flourish while addressing systemic barriers and gender bias. Attendees will leave with insight, inspiration, and actionable strategies for advancing equity in their own work and communities.
As a reminder, the program is free and open to the public, with a suggested $35 donation.
This event creates an intergenerational platform where students, community members, and creative professionals can exchange ideas, share experiences, and build meaningful networks. Beyond fostering dialogue and connection, the program will activate the downtown, support local businesses, and highlight the vital role of arts and culture in civic life.
“Last year’s Women in Leadership Panel came at a pivotal moment for me,” says Lauren Fritscher of Berkshire Muse, a featured panelist. “ As a new business owner still finding my footing in a new community, sitting in that room and hearing from women who had built such meaningful lives and legacies in the Berkshires was deeply inspiring. It reminded me that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I am so excited to return this year not just as an attendee, but as a panelist and to contribute to a conversation that I know firsthand has the power to move people.”
By hosting this event, MOSAIC Gallery 51 and MCLA help foster a vibrant cultural conversation and strengthen their roles as hubs for creativity, civic engagement, and community impact.
“What made last year’s panel so meaningful was the way it moved beyond inspiration into action—grounded in real experiences, real challenges, and real strategies for change,” added moderator & WAM board member Shela Levante. “I’m excited to return to WAM Theatre for Bossed Up & Breaking Barriers and to continue that work, helping to surface the ideas and practices that can drive more equitable leadership across our communities.”
MEET OUR PANEL
Panel #1 – The Power of Placemaking
Key Note – Nicole Orabona, Co-Artistic Director of cirqueSaw, Actor & Producer
Nicole Orabona (keynote) is an award-winning actor, producer, and committer to the bit who splits their time between NYC and The Berkshires WAM Theatre: Fragments of Outside; Alien Girls, The New Galileos (Fresh Takes), Teaching Artist (devising theatre online) Selected Theatre Credits Elsewhere: POV: You Are an AI Achieving Consciousness; labRats (cirqueSaw), World Builders (Opera House Arts), Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Emit Theatre) Additional Artistic Credits: TV/Film: Law and Order (recurring), Poker Face, The Hunting Party, Fleishman is in Trouble. Co-Artistic Director of cirqueSaw Creative inspiration: Nicole is inspired by the power of a stupid idea, exploring the intersections of digital and analog, and by works that challenge the traditional spectator and performer relationship. Community Engagement/Activist work: Creator and curator of community zines donating over $1,000 to social justice organizations. Volunteer with I Need an A. Membership/Affiliations: Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and Ring of Keys Selected Training: Boise State University (BA), Frantic Assembly, SITI Company, Punchdrunk Enrichment Awards: with cirqueSaw: IndieCade 2026 Live Action Award, GDC Experimental Games Showcase, AMAZE./Berlin Nominee, NarraScope 2025 Featured Showcase (labRats), RnD Immersive Production of the Year, No Pro Editor’s Special Award (POV: AI). 2023 R.Evolución Latina Doreen Montalvo “Do It Anyway” scholarship finalist. Member of 2024 A4A Pittsfield Capacity Building Grant Cohort. Connect: www.nicoleorabona.com // IG: @knuckle_sando
Moderator – Dr. Frances K. Hurley, International Advisor, Child Development
Dr. Frances Hurley is an early childhood specialist. An accomplished academic, Dr Hurley finished first in her undergraduate studies in education and was awarded the University medal for this accomplishment. Her master’s thesis (an ethnographic study of language/literacy in early childhood) won the College Reading Association best thesis award in a North America-wide competition.
As a promising scholar, she was invited to present the results of this study to an audience of experts in Washington, D.C. She then attended both Oxford and Harvard Universities, graduating from Harvard with both a second master’s degree and a doctoral degree (human development & psychology; literacy & gender.) Since then, Dr. Hurley has built an international consulting career advising clients such as the World Bank, UNICEF, State Federal Governments, PBS, and PBS KIDS. Social Media Handles: linkedin.com/in/DrFranHurley/
Panelist – Lauren Fritscher, Founder Berkshire Muse & Co-Founder Social Circle
Lauren Fritscher, founder of Berkshire Muse, an event planning and creative production company, and co-founder of Social Circle, a community-based gathering series. Social Circle was founded on the belief that the most meaningful connections are made in person and that real community is built face to face, in shared spaces, and in real moments together.
A New Orleans native who spent 15 years in New York City’s fashion industry, I fell in love with the Berkshires and made it my full-time home in 2023, immediately setting out to pour into its rich culture and community. Over the last year I have hosted nearly 1,000 people across six Social Circle community driven events, partnered with leading cultural organizations throughout the region, currently serve on the Berkshire International Film Festival Social Club Council, and proudly serve as the event planner for WAM Theatre’s Summer Soirée. My work is driven by a deep passion for connection & curating spaces where people feel like they belong, shining a light on local venues and talent, and building a community that celebrates everything the Berkshires has to offer.
Panelist – Milena Dabova, Co-Artistic Director and Board Co-President of Double Edge Theatre
Milena Dabova is Co-Artistic Director and Board Co-President of Double Edge Theatre, where she has been an ensemble member since 2011. As an actor, choreographer, and co-creator, her work is rooted in multidisciplinary performance and a deep commitment to ensemble process. Alongside her artistic practice, she helps shape the company’s artistic and organizational life and contributes to the development of Double Edge’s Farm Center for Art, Living Culture & Art Justice.
Originally from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Dabova trained in rhythmic gymnastics, aikido, and dance before turning to theatre. She holds a BA summa cum laude in Theater and Dance and Psychology from Amherst College.
Panelist – Ngoc-Tran Vu, Vietnamese Multimedia Artist, Organizer, and Creative Leader
Ngoc-Tran Vu is a Vietnamese multimedia artist, organizer, and creative leader based in Boston’s Dorchester community. Her socially engaged practice spans photography, painting, sculpture, and installation, exploring themes of diaspora, memory, healing, and justice. Tran is leading the 1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Memorial, a community-driven public art project honoring Vietnamese refugee histories and intergenerational resilience in Boston’s Little Saigon Cultural District. She is also currently the Benedetti Teaching Artist in Residence at MCLA, where she supports creative learning, civic engagement, and arts leadership. www.tranvuarts.com | @TranVuArts
Panel #2 – Bossed Up and Breaking Barriers
Moderator: Shela Levante – Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, MCLA
Shela Levante is a dedicated philanthropist, connector, and advocate committed to advancing equity through the power of community and storytelling. She currently serves as Senior Director of Philanthropic Engagement at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she leads a $30 million campaign and oversees strategic communications with alumni and donors. With over a decade of experience in fundraising across higher education and community foundations, Shela brings deep expertise in donor engagement and social impact.
A passionate advocate for gender equity, Shela chairs the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, where she collaborates with local and state leaders to promote fundamental rights and opportunities for all women and girls. She also co-chairs the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, supporting bold, community-driven solutions to gender-based disparities and investing in women’s leadership across the region. Outside of her professional and volunteer leadership roles, Shela is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting children navigating the foster care system with compassion and commitment.
Originally from Arizona, Shela has proudly called the Berkshires home since 2015. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Arizona State University. She is a 2024 AFP Leadership Institute cohort member, an active participant in AFP Western Massachusetts and PGGNE, and has been published in The Volunteer Management Report and the Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing.
Whether mobilizing resources, amplifying marginalized voices, or creating space for change, Shela brings purpose, passion, and deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of equity-driven work.
Panelist – Abigail Marcelo Horace, Founder & Principal Designer, Casa Marcelo
Abigail Marcelo Horace is the founder and principal designer of Casa Marcelo Interior Design Studio, located in South Egremont, MA. With over a decade of experience in high-end residential design in New York City, Abigail launched Casa Marcelo in 2020 to build a wellness-driven design practice rooted in transparency, creativity, and integrity. After 4 years of business in 2024, Abigail was a Frederic Magazine “IT List” Award recipient, an award which recognizes up and coming Interior Design talent, globally.
Abigail holds a BFA in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Technology. Her approach is deeply client-centered. She thrives on understanding each homeowner’s unique needs and envisioning a property’s full potential from the start. Known for creating elevated yet livable interiors, she excels at combining thoughtful sourcing with a clear design vision.
Drawing inspiration from nature, travel, historical architecture, and her family, Abigail leads Casa Marcelo with the belief that a healthy home begins with a healthy process—for both the client and the team. A wife and mother of two young sons, she values work-life harmony and is committed to fostering a supportive, communicative, and inclusive studio culture.
Panelist – I’in Purwanti Cox, Founder, OUTPOST
I’in Purwanti is an award-winning producer and co-founder of OUTPOST, a production company blending storytelling, art, and community impact. A graduate of the University of Indonesia (BA in English Literature) and the City College of New York (MFA-Media Arts Production, Writing/Directing Documentary Film), she has produced countless short and feature films for commercial, brand, and nonprofit clients for more than two decades. With a background in journalism, human rights advocacy and a keen eye for vérité storytelling, IIN’s work captures the soul of human emotion and fosters cross-cultural understanding across the globe.
Panelist – Yina Moore – Founder & Artistic Director of The Adams Theater
Yina Moore is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Adams Theater, where she has spent the past five years spearheading the revitalization of a historic cultural landmark. Yina has an interdisciplinary background that includes two decades of work in arts, design, architecture, finance, and non-profit organizations. Born and raised in Shanghai, China, Yina came to the United States to attend Hamilton College in NY and graduated as the valedictorian with a double major in Economics and Studio Art. After a 12-year career on Wall Street, she left her Director position at Credit Suisse and obtained a Master of Architecture Degree from Harvard University. Yina’s work as an architectural consultant led her to Berkshire County. Revitalizing Adams Theater through community building, design thinking, and creative collaborations lies at the intersection of Yina’s various skills.
ABOUT WAM THEATRE
WAM Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Berkshire County, MA, that operates at the intersection of arts and activism. Now celebrating its 16th Season, WAM creates theatre for gender equity and has a vision of theatre as philanthropy. In fulfillment of its philanthropic mission, WAM donates a portion of the proceeds from their Mainstage productions to carefully selected recipients. Since WAM’s founding in 2010, they have donated more than $105,000 to 26 local and global organizations taking action for gender equity in areas such as girls education, reproductive justice, sexual trafficking awareness, midwife training, and more. WAM Theatre has been widely recognized for having a positive impact on cultural and community development in the region. WAM Theatre is certified as a women owned and operated business by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the recipient of the Creative Economy Standout Berkshire Trendsetter Award and previously, was named Outstanding Philanthropy Corporation of the Year by the Western MA Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. For more information, visit wamtheatre.com
WAM SUPPORT
WAM Theatre is certified as a women owned and operated business by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. WAM Theatre is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). WAM Theatre’s Season is also supported in part by grants from Beacon Bank, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Brabson Education & Library Foundation, The Feigenbaum Foundation, GKV Foundation, Lee Bank Foundation, Scarlet Sock Foundation; as well as grants from the Alford-Egremont Cultural Council, Lee Cultural Council, Lenox Cultural Council, Otis Cultural Council, Richmond Cultural Council, Sandisfield Cultural Council, Stockbridge Cultural Council, and Washington Cultural Council. WAM’s sponsors include Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Muse, Berkshire Roots, Blue Spark Financial, Baystate Financial Wealth & Wellness Team, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Guidos Fresh Marketplace, Handful Photography, Higher Bar, Mill Town Foundation, Inc., Heller & Robbins Attorneys at Law, Interprint, Onyx Specialty Papers, Outpost Productions, RB Design Co., T Square Design Studio, Toole Insurance, Dr. Sax House, BerkChique, Outpost, Outdoor Chronicles Photography, WANDER, Downright Productions, Brook Farm Inn, Parent Artist Advocacy League, and WomenArts.