Meet The Staff

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  • Chief Executive Officer

    Tamela has more than 30 years of experience as a professional actor, teaching artist and non-profit arts leader. She has worked with New Victory Theater, New York Public Radio, BAM and Disney Theatrical Productions.

    She started as a member of OMB’s professional acting company in 2008 and led the first expansion project of the organization as the Washington, DC Regional Director. Tamela became the Executive Director of Only Make Believe in 2018 and under her leadership the organization has expanded to 16 new cities.

    Tamela has presented at the National Organization of Arts in Health Conference and was awarded The James Hammerstein Award for her dedication and commitment to Only Make Believe. Tamela received her BFA from Howard University, and completed the 2- year professional acting program at William Esper Studio in NYC.

    Tamela is a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA & a DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Fellow 2015-2026.

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  • Chief Programs Officer

    Chris joined Only Make Believe in 2012. With over fifteen years of experience in the theatre industry, he has worn many hats. As an actor, Chris has performed professionally around the D.C. area. Some theaters include: Ford’s Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Imagination Stage, and Round House Theatre. Chris is also an Arts Educator, Playwright, and Director. His works are often devised, and specifically geared toward empowering Elementary-aged youth. As a Teaching Artist, Chris has worked with Imagination Stage, Jamestown Elementary School, and Elementary/Middle School Special Education classes at Katherine Thomas School. In addition, he is a grant panelist for local arts funders, as well as a judge for The Brandon Victor Dixon Awards (aka The Jimmy Awards) recognizing high school talent in the DMV. Chris holds a degree in Theatre from the University of Maryland at College Park.

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  • Director of Operations

    Jaime joined Only Make Believe in June 2010. Prior to that Jaime worked for many years with Bear Stearns and was also busy writing and producing his first two music albums under “The Faceless Project”. He graduated with a music degree from Center for the Media Arts.

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  • Production Coordinator

    Kyle (he/they) is an AEA theatre artist and educator based in NYC and originally from Texas. He has worked for Center Theatre Group, Deaf West Theatre, ACT Theatre, Teatro San Diego, San Diego Symphony, Circle Theatre, Uptown Players, Actors Co-op among other theatres and international tours. BFA (TCU), MFA (SDSU). Follow his music on IG @forandymixtape or @frostactor for other shenanigans.

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  • Program Manager

    Kayliane (she/her) is an AEA stage manager based in NYC. She has worked for The Public Theater, Bay Street Theater, Florida Studio Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Diverging Elements Theatre Co. She grew up in Syracuse, NY and earned her BFA in Stage Management from Syracuse University. When she isn’t working, she enjoys camping and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

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  • Program & Volunteer Manager

    Sean is a teaching artist and musician from Central New York, who joined Only Make Believe in the early winter of 2020. Sean is an experienced pianist and accompanist, and holds a BS in Music Education from Hartwick College. He has worked for several arts organizations as an administrator and musician including the Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse, NY and Arena Stage in Southwest D.C.

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  • Assistant Program Manager

    Bonnie is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker based in NYC. Prior to joining OMB, she worked at venues including the McKittrick Hotel, the Daryl Roth Theatre, and Theater for the New City. She holds a BFA from The New School. When not working, she can usually be found trying to catch up on her reading list.

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  • Program & Marketing Manager

    Megan (she/her) is a DC-based theatre artist whose work has been seen at Arena Stage, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Theatre, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Folger Theatre, Mosaic Theater Company, Solas Nua, and others. She has been an OMB company member since 2015. Education: BFA in Acting, Shenandoah Conservatory.

  • Development Associate 

    Maggie is based in NYC and joined the Development Team at Only Make Believe in 2024. In addition to a passion for helping people, she brings years of practical experience from many fields, such as grassroots politics and independent film. Maggie holds a BA from Wesleyan University. 

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  • Corporate Partnerships Associate

    Sara Gonzalez is a writer born and raised in New York, with a background in Public Relations. She’s always had a passion for children’s media and a love for the arts, including theater and animation. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English: Creative Writing before going on to work at small publishing companies and providing administrative assistance in production of events such as fashion week events and volunteer events.