A New Chapter for Only Make Believe: Announcing Leadership Evolution and Exciting Growth Ahead!
Dear Friends, Supporters, and the Only Make Believe Community,
As we enter 2026, Only Make Believe is experiencing a season of remarkable momentum. To meet the growing demand for our interactive theatre programming and to scale our impact for the future, we are thrilled to announce an evolution within our executive leadership team.
These changes clarify our strategic focus as we expand our reach to children in hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities across the country.
We are delighted to share that Tamela Aldridge, formerly our Executive Director, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Having been the driving force behind our recent growth, Tamela will now steer our long-term strategic vision and fundraising initiatives as we expand our footprint. Joining her in this new executive structure is Christopher Wilson, who has been appointed Chief Programs Officer (CPO). Formerly our Director of Programming and Communications, Christopher will now oversee the design and innovation of all OMB programs, ensuring excellence as we evolve our curriculum and scale our operations to serve even more children nationwide.
This strengthening of our executive core is mirrored by growth within our regional offices, as we build the infrastructure necessary to support our 2026 programming. We are proud to announce that Kayliane Burns has been promoted to Program Manager, NYC, where she will lead the delivery of our performances across our flagship New York City partner facilities. Simultaneously, Megan Graves has been promoted to Program Manager, DC, joining Sean Carpenter as co-leader of our Washington, D.C. office. Together, this talented regional team will manage our growing presence and partnerships across the NYC, D.C., and Philadelphia regions.
The Road Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment as we execute our most ambitious roadmap yet. Over the next year, our team is dedicated to:
Expanding our in-person interactive performances to new partner hospitals and schools throughout NYC, DC, and Philadelphia.
Launching our brand-new Virtual CCTV Studio, a state-of-the-art space that will allow us to broadcast high-quality, interactive theatre programming to children in 15+ cities nationwide.
Deepening our impact through 5-week performance residencies, fostering long-term emotional and social growth through the transformative power of play.
These titles represent more than just a change in words; they signify our commitment to operational excellence and our belief that every child -regardless of their health or location - deserves a chance to step into the spotlight.
We are incredibly excited for this next chapter and look forward to building on our 25-year foundation with your continued support.
With gratitude,
The Only Make Believe Team