•The Company



Founders & Staff:

Jon Douglas Rake, Founder
Managing Artistic Director
With TMP since 1994

Jon has spent nearly all of his adult life devoted to musical theater. He began his career as a professional dancer and soon discovered his unique talents for choreography and directing. Educated at the University of California, San Diego, Jon has produced, directed, choreographed or acted in well over 200 musical theater productions at the professional or community theater level on the West Coast. He founded Tacoma Musical Playhouse in 1994 to fill a gap in the Tacoma theater scene. TMP is the only South Sound theater company devoted to producing musicals exclusively. His creative energy is the driving force behind the company. Jon’s other interests include historic architecture and gourmet dining.


Jeffrey Stvrtecky, Founder
Business Manager, Music Director
With TMP since 1994

Jeffrey earned his B.M. degree in Piano from Wheaton College and his M.M. and D.M.A. degrees in Choral Music from USC. He has conducted and studied at numerous workshops and festivals including the Dale Warland Master Class, the Oregon Bach Festival and the Aspen Music Festival Choral Institute. He served as Director of Music at the First United Methodist Church of North Hollywood for 11 years and as Music Director of the Burbank Chorale, where he conducted concerts of major works including Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Durufle’s Requiem and Mozart’s Coronation Mass. He was the Founder and Music Director of Tacoma Master Chorale, founded in 1994. Jeff serves as Director of Music at First Christian Church, Tacoma. He has also maintained a studio of private voice and piano students. He was an Instructor of Music at Tacoma Community College and Charles Wright Academy.


María Valenzuela
Office & Marketing Manager, Director of Youth Music
With TMP since 1999

A former scientist and manager with the Departments of Commerce and Defense, Maria also has over 30 years of performance experience and education in music and theater. At the age of 26, she was the youngest individual ever appointed to the position of Official-in-Charge of a major National Weather Service Office. After several subsequent management positions, Maria has effectively developed the ability to balance the unique needs of the administrative, artistic, human resource and marketing requirements of a successful non-profit performing arts organization. As an actor, coach, director and professional singer, Maria's recent experiences have included everything from directing the Tacoma Children's Musical Theater productions, to regularly appearing as a member of the renowned Seattle Opera Chorus, to serving as music coach for the Pierce County Daffodil Festival, and to a performance as a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall in 2007.


Chris Serface
Director of Education
With TMP since 2008

Chris is delighted to be a part of the Tacoma Musical Playhouse team after a career spanning over 15 years in the theater. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, Chris became passionate about the theater at an early age and became involved with the local community theater scene. During his educational and professional travels, he has found himself involved with theaters from Washington to Utah, working closely with Capital Playhouse, Weber State University, Capital High School, Utah Musical Theatre, The Wasatch Playhouse, The Garage Theatre, The Abbey Players, Lakewood Playhouse, and Tacoma Musical Playhouse as either an actor, technician, director or musician. Chris is a firm believer that the discipline of theater helps to shape the youth of our communities and is excited to be returning to the educational side of theater to help build the next generation of actors that will come out of the Pacific Northwest.


Diana George
Director of Development
With TMP since 2008

Diana brings to TMP a wealth of experience and knowledge in professional leadership, event coordination, and community volunteerism. Alongside such varied positions as Research Scientist in Cancer Cytogenetics, Tap Dance Instructor, and Executive Director of the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Institute, her path and passion has always included involvement with musical theater arts. A professional dancer from an early age, Diana further developed her talent as a choreographer of musicals and ballets, an experience which ultimately led to a 14-year relationship working with Bremerton Community Theatre. Her fundraising, grant writing and event-planning experiences have included the English High Tea and Taffeta at Bremerton Community Theatre, the Wear Red for CAPRI Women’s Luncheon and Fashion Show, numerous auction and raffle events, and more. Having been literally raised on musical theater, Diana is thrilled to join the Tacoma Musical Playhouse team!


Will Abrahamse
Technical Director
With TMP since 2008

After a three year stint as the Technical Director for ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery in West Seattle, Will is thrilled to be working with the TMP family. As the TD for ArtsWest, Will also served as the Resident Set Designer and Scenic Artist. He has also worked extensively with the Drama Programs at Auburn Riverside and Enumclaw High Schools. Prior to moving to the Puget Sound Area, Will spent several seasons with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre and studied at Washington State University and the University of Idaho.


Kat & Jim Dollarhide
House Managers
With TMP since 1994


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TMP Board of Directors:

Executive Committee:
President: Wayne Gilham, Gig Harbor Yacht Sales
Vice President: Doug Phillip, Retired Army Colonel, Physician
Secretary: Lori Hardin, Community Volunteer
Treasurer: Ralph Drews, Certified Public Accountant

Directors:
John Chenault, Community Volunteer, Retired Amazon.com Engineer
Frank Hankins, Retired Pilot, The Boeing Co.
Carol Hazelrigg, Community Volunteer
Victoria Kristy Zalewski, Educator
Nigel Malden, Attorney
Jeanette Miller, Community Volunteer
Marv Rogers, Administrator/Owner, Pioneer Place Assisted Living Facility
Marvin Shain, Educator

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"Enriching lives through the art form of musical theater."
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