JORDAN BACHMANN, PRESIDENT
Jordan Bachmann first joined PM as an actor in high school 10 years ago, playing Rolf in the Sound of Music. He rejoined the organization after college with Sweeney Todd (2017), and R&H’s Cinderella in 2019. It was this production that inspired him to run for the Board, experiencing first-hand the talents and potential of this wonderful community. Then, after 2 years of Covid, he had the honor of serving as President this past year as we all geared up for our big comeback performance.
Outside of PM, Jordan works as a 401k Operations Analyst at Paychex and as the Bass Soloist at Asbury First UMC. He studied Vocal performance in college and received his BA in Voice from SUNY Geneseo in 2017. He pursues voiceover as a profession and as a hobby, managing and directing several small indie videogame projects. He has performed in dozens of shows over the years, both at school and in the Rochester community, with groups such as JCC CenterStage, Blackfriars Theatre, Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theater, Webster Theater Guild, and others.
Jordan is grateful and proud to be ending his first term on the PM Board of Directors on such a high note. It has been a unique three years for the organization, for obvious reasons. Every success and every failure has been a valuable learning experience, and he intends to carry each of them into the next 3 years with this incredibly resilient and passionate group. Term ends January 2026.
RACHEL BENJAMIN
Rachel Benjamin joined the Pittsford Musicals community back in 2019 with the cast of R&H’s Cinderella. After the COVID-19 hiatus, Rachel is thrilled to be back performing in Beauty and the Beast. Aside from Pittsford Musicals, Rachel has had the pleasure of participating in other theatre groups such as OFC Creations. Rachel started performing in productions at 9 years old and is passionate about keeping theatre as a part of her life. She hopes to help provide this same opportunity for others by serving on the board of directors.
Rachel majored in Spanish education with a minor in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College. She currently teaches at the West Irondequoit school district as a middle school Spanish teacher. In the past, Rachel has worked with other school districts as a vocal coach for the school musicals and has had leadership roles in her church’s music group. These experiences have helped to develop the skills necessary to be on the board such as clear communication, exceptional organization, and endless creativity. Rachel would be honored to serve on the board of such an outstanding organization and is looking forward to many more productions in the years to come.
KATE BOND
Kate Bond moved to Rochester in 2012 from New York City and was welcomed into the PM community with open arms. Truly, it is what has kept her from running away screaming from the suburbs. Kate has been on stage with PM in A Little Night Music, Curtains, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, The 50 Years of Song and Dance Concert, and Beauty and the Beast; as well as many wonderful shows with JCC CenterStage Theatre and Webster Theatre Guild.
For the PM Board, Kate has been President and Secretary, and has enjoyed designing several programs. Kate loves singing and plays piano, guitar, flute, piccolo, saxophone, drums - and the accordion if absolutely necessary. By day, Kate is a full-time parent to four young children and moonlights as a graphic designer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University.
MARY P. DUBOIS
Mary P. DuBois joined the Pittsford Musicals Family with the 2003 production of Music Man and quickly fell in love with this wonderful community theater group. With over 40 years of community theater experience onstage, offstage, and behind the scenes, Mary understands all the work that goes on well before opening night and how valuable each member of the production team and cast & crew can be for the success of the show. Mary first worked with Charleston Light Opera Guild’s (WV) production of Grease as Marty. She joined their Board of Directors while continuing to participate in shows on and offstage. After moving to Rochester in 1991, Mary began to help her husband direct and stage musicals with the youth of Third Presbyterian. She enjoyed serving on the PM board for two terms with a focus on PR. Recently retired from teaching in the Brighton School District, Mary has more time to devote to doing the important work of the board. While she has enjoyed working with several theater groups in the area, Mary wants to be a part of Pittsford Musicals’ efforts to stay connected throughout the pandemic and to get Pittsford Musicals back onstage! Term ends January, 2024.
LINDA GRESSELL
Linda has been involved in community theater since she was 12. A Pittsford Sutherland grad, she received her degree in Vocal Performance from DePaul University in Chicago. Linda is passionate about community theater and loves the way it brings people of all backgrounds together.
With Pittsford Musicals, she has performed in A Little Night Music, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz and Sweeney Todd, and previously served on the board for two terms. A collaborator at heart, she hopes to bring new ideas to the organization while maintaining what the heart of PM stands for.
Linda has worked at the University of Rochester for 20 years in Advancement. She and her husband Chris are parents to two beautiful boys, Noah and Hudson. They reside in Pittsford.
RONALD S. HERMAN, VICE PRESIDENT
Ron’s first show with PM was way back in 2002, when he joined the South Pacific cast. Since then, he has done 9 more shows with the group. His two favorite roles have been the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz and Cornelius in Hello Dolly. PM has truly become one of his favorite connections to the Rochester theater world! Off the stage, Ron worked as an elementary school teacher at Churchville-Chili for 33 years but retired shortly before the Pandemic started. (Thank Heavens!) He now works at SUNY Brockport supervising student teachers. He is very active at his church where he often leads their general board as well as leads and participates in many musical activities there as well. He hopes that he can help PM to move forward into the next few years. Working on a Board of Directors can be hard work, but it should also be enjoyable. I hope to bring the fun along with the chores and envisioning! Term ends January, 2025.
LAUREN MACDONOUGH
Lauren is so happy to have an opportunity to serve on the Pittsford Musicals board. She has been a part of PM since 2011 when she played Marta in Company. Lauren has since been a cast member in Chicago, A Chorus Line, Curtains, Cabaret, (I think those are all the C shows in existence), Sweeney Todd, and 50 Years of Song and Dance. She has served on the Webster Theatre Guild Board, serving as liaison to TheatreROCS!, managed a Fringe venue for a couple seasons, and is currently serving on the board of Out of Pocket Productions.
Lauren received her bachelor's in Communications (Broadcast Journalism) from Syracuse University and master's in Integrated Marketing Communications from Nazareth College. She currently serves as the Marketing Manager for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Term ends January 2025.
ROBIN MORRIS-GAYLORD
Robin is honored to serve on the Pittsford Musicals board. She’s been a part of PM since 2017 when she played Mrs. Fogg in Sweeney Todd, was a member of the Ensemble for the 50 Years of Song and Dance in 2018 and was an enthusiastic and “enchanted” Ensemble member in PM’s 2023 production of Beauty & the Beast.
Robin has been cast and performed in multiple productions locally as lead and supporting roles with Webster Theater Guild, Everyone’s Theatre Company, NTID Performing Arts Theatre, Penfield Players, Out of Pocket Productions, Off-Monroe Players, JCC CenterStage, and many others. She’s a member of the Rochester Oratorio Society and has appeared as a featured Soprano soloist in several of their concert performances since 2014. She’s also had the pleasure of serving on the Off-Monroe Players Board of Directors and created several logos and production print and digital advertising pieces for OMP, the former Rochester Lyric Opera, the Rochester City Ballet, and the Rochester Oratorio Society.
Robin received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications (Graphic Arts) from the State University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science in Advertising from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She currently works as a Purchasing Area Manager for Wegmans Food Markets’ Corporate team where she spends her time assisting with supplier contract negotiations, analyzing and reporting on commodity market trends, and sourcing items and ingredients for Wegmans Retail and Manufacturing divisions. In earlier parts of her career, she spent time as a Manufacturing Buyer, Supply Chain Analyst, Logistics Coordinator, and as a Wegmans Retail Project Manager.
She has a passion for food, but especially a passion for the arts, and will use her diverse portfolio of skills to serve the Pittsford and local theatre community by assisting PM in their continued efforts to provide high quality community theatre to Rochester and its surrounding areas.
WILLIAM RUIZ, SECRETARY
William Ruiz joined the Pittsford Musicals family in 2012 as a cast member in the production of Chicago. Since then, Will has remained involved with the organization as a cast member in many productions and as a past member of the Board of Directors. As a cast member, some of Will’s favorite performances with PM include Cinderella (2019), The Wizard of Oz (2016), Cabaret (2015), Curtains (2014), and A Chorus Line (2013). As a member of the PM Board of Directors, Will has previously served two 3-year terms, taking on the roles of President, Secretary, and Chair of Marketing along the way.
In addition to his experience with Pittsford Musicals, Will has also worked with many other theatre groups across Rochester, including GEVA, Blackfriars Theatre, Webster Theatre Guide, Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theatre, and the SUNY Brockport Theatre Department. Will also served as Assistant Director and Choreographer for the East Irondequoit Middle School Drama Club during his 10 years at the school as a Spanish Teacher.
Will currently works at SUNY Brockport as the Associate Director of the Center for Graduate Studies. He looks forward to using his skills and experience to contribute to the ongoing success of Pittsford Musicals.
SCOTT SHUTTS, TREASURER
Scott has a long, sordid history with La Musicals de Pittsford, dating back to the MySpace dark ages of 2005 with Fiddler on the Roof....a show that famously ended without a curtain call, so it’s about time he gets some darned recognition! 😜 In all seriousness, though, he has been part of the PM family in multiple production cycles, whether it be as a cast member, crew, magical trap door puppeteer, cast party crasher, or ambassador to that rich ladies’ luncheon at an old mansion down on East Avenue. He feels a strong sense of attachment and indebtedness to this Rochester institution that has afforded him so much opportunity and enriched his life with friendships and fun. As such, Scott would be honored to add Board Member to his list of involvements.
Scott brings with him 9 years of experience serving on the board of the Webster Theatre Guild, another institution of Rochester community theatre with an 80 year history. In his capacity with WTG, he has served as chair of numerous committees such as Publicity, Program, Storage, and even run elections such as this very endeavor. He has also produced high school and middle school shows as WTG’s youth coordinator for several years. Scott understands the level of commitment necessary for being an effective member of a working community theater board. He doesn’t take that commitment lightly and is prepared to help PM remain the gold standard for community theater in Rochester’s ever-evolving theatrical landscape.
In addition to his experience with WTG, Scott has also been involved with Blackfriars, The JCC, RAPA, ETC, and OFC Creations. He works as a Data Control Manager for Monroe 1 BOCES, and since he barely leaves his house anymore, he would really welcome those monthly zoom calls. Term ends January, 2024.
MARTIN YARAVITZ
Martin has been involved with Pittsford Musicals since the fall of 2019 in Cinderella. He has been an active member of the Rochester theater scene both on and off the stage for years performing many roles including set building, stage crew, acting and more. In his spare time, he is an avid woodworker, designing custom wooden creations, and creative baker creating delectable, sweet treats.
Martin is a part owner and Senior IT Engineer at Bar None Design. He looks forward to sharing his years of theater experience to help the organization flourish and succeed. Term end January, 2025.