Board of Directors
Officers:
President — Malhar Pagay
Mr. Pagay is a business lawyer whose practice focuses on the development and implementation of strategic alternatives for and against distressed businesses. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” in the field of Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights every year since 2009 in a peer survey conducted by Law & Politics and the publishers of Los Angeles magazine, an honor bestowed on only 5% of Southern California attorneys. Mr. Pagay holds an AV Preeminent Peer Rating (Martindale-Hubbell’s highest recognition for ethical standards and legal ability). He has been listed among The Best Lawyers in Americain the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy and was named to the 2023 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers. Mr. Pagay is a graduate of Yale University and received his J.D. from the University of Southern California. He has been a member of OFTC’s Board of Directors since 2007.
Secretary — Ina Shumaker
Ina was fortunate to have discovered her theatrical home, the Open Fist Theatre Company, while taking acting classes there in 1990. She joined the company in 1991 and has served in many capacities as an actor, stage manager, producer, director, prop designer and company production manager. Her lifelong connection to OFTC is forged in the mutual belief in the power of theater to be transformative. She currently resides in Eugene, Oregon with her husband James and 2 impish cats.
Education:
University of Santa Clara and UCLA
Political Science; Theater Arts
Treasurer — Richard M Knolla
Directors:
Martha Demson
Ms. Demson believes passionately in the voice and role of theatre in our communities.Highlights of her award-winning career with the Open Fist Theatre include: As a producer: THE GARY PLAYS (Mednick), THE COSMONAUT’S LAST MESSAGE TO THE WOMAN HE ONCE LOVED IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION (Greig), HOW TO EXPLAIN THE HISTORY OF COMMUNISM TO MENTAL PATIENTS Read More…
Elizabeth Gerberg
Elizabeth is an L.A. native growing up in what was then just plain “Atwater”, and received a BA in Drama from U.S.C. Post-graduate studies included acting and playwriting intensives at South Coast Repertory. Always seeking and enjoying the artistic diversity of the Los Angeles theater scene, not to mention the opportunities grown from non- traditional casting, she has worked extensively with L.A. theater groups intent on breaking barriers. For East L.A. Classic Theater, she appeared in “Hedda Gabler” directed by Tony Plana. One of the early members of The Open Fist Theater Company, Elizabeth appeared in over a dozen plays including the award-winning “The Architect and The Empress of Assyria” and the US premiere of April De Angelis’ “Hush”. At Playwright’s Arena, Elizabeth originated the role of Jan in “Riffs & Credos” by Nick Salamone, directed by Jessica Kubzanski. She also appeared in a long run of Salamone’s two- character play, “Red Hat & Tales” directed by Jon Rivera which played to sold-out houses in Los Angeles and Edinburgh and received a Backstage West Garland Nomination. Elizabeth is a current board member of The Open Fist Theater Company. She is also a member of Town and Gown of U.S.C. serving on their Scholarship Committee and the U.S.C. Board of Governors representing the School of Dramatic Arts She is a mom, lives in Silver Lake, and loves to travel. She was, is and always will be “another actor for hire.”
Christopher Lore
Schuyler Mastain
Schuyler Mastain is a Southern California native and an actor / playwright / director / educator. He has been a member of Open Fist since January 2020 and has served as Member Representative to the Board since October 2021. He currently lives in South Pasadena with his wife and son and teaches middle school drama and media production.
Charlie Otte
Staff:
Producing Artistic Director — Martha Demson
Associate Artistic Director — James Fowler
Associate Artistic Director — Amanda Weier
Box Office Manager — Carmella Jenkins
Literary Manager — Barbara Schofield
Membership Manager — Beth Robbins
Outreach & Community Engagement — Dionna Veremis