OUR BOARD & STAFF
StageQ is currently run by a group of dedicated volunteers who meet monthly both as a board and as various committees. We are also fortunate to have a wide network of volunteers and staff who help StageQ's various committees and fill various roles within the company. All of these individuals are critical to StageQ's existence and have been since the beginning.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Julien Poplawski (he/him, they/them) - President
There is perhaps nothing so powerful as a story. It is our stories that make us human - the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we're told, and the stories we tell together. Julien's own tale began backstage as a stagehand and stage manager in their grade school theater, where they found a home as a youth. The subsequent journey through college and the workforce beyond could not dim their passion for storytelling; in time they would find a new theatrical home in Madison, forever drawn to the collaborative magic of theater. Julien now serves as StageQ's president and producer for several of StageQ's shows. They are determined to use their position to ensure queer stories continue to be told - now more than ever.
Ren Kaspar-Tracy (they/them) - Vice President
Ren is a pan, trans, disabled, theater loving silly goose! They grew up working in theaters with the family business, and have been doing theater productions consistently since 2007. They've done everything from producing, choreography, acting and even stage managing! As long as they're in a theater, they're happy. They've been working with StageQ since 2019, and are excited to continue working to make an impact with StageQ telling the queer stories that need to be told in today's climate.
Birdie La Barre (she/they) - Secretary
Birdie is an aspec sapphic actor, writer, and director born and raised in Madison who has been involved with theatre locally since she was six years old. They hold a BFA in Musical Theatre from AMDA College of the Performing Arts, and have been acting, directing, and production managing for StageQ since 2024. She has always been a lover of stories, whether they be books, films, or theatre, and she aspires to bring to life the beautiful complexity of the human experience in as many of these mediums as she can. Birdie is also proudly autistic, and feels strongly about telling stories that uplift queer, neurodivergent, and disabled voices.
Kalea Bicoy (she/her) - Treasurer
Kalea is a queer woman with a long history of love for Theater. Since graduating from UW-Madison she has started to help StageQ both on and off the stage most recently starring Patty in The Secretaries and previously as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. As treasurer she takes her years of experience in the banking industry to the Board of Directors helping StageQ continue to prosper. Going forward, expect to see her either up on stage or in a corner hunched over some spreadsheets.
Avery Taylor (she/they/zir) - Member-At-Large
Avery is a loud and proud Nonbinary Lesbian who is just happy to be here. A late-comer to the community theatre world, they fell in love with directing in 2025 and immediately slipped and slid her way onto the board and now she's going to haunt the place. A former Professional Wrestler and habitual band starter, Avery is no stranger to the thrill of performing in front of an audience, and is grateful to be able to transfer her hair-brained ideas and diy work ethic into StageQ.
Jasmine Ridler (she/they) - Member-At-Large
Jasmine is a proud bisexual femme, queer advocate, and aspiring theatre administrator. Within the theatre world, she works as a director, producer, production manager, dramaturg, and playwright, and occasionally performs as an actor, singer, and comedian. She holds a BA in Theatre from Heidelberg University and has a background in classical voice. As a member of the StageQ board, she is committed to cultivating and amplifying queer voices while helping create safe, affirming spaces for Madison’s LGBTQ+ community.
Peter Turino (he/him) - Member-At-Large
Peter is a comically inclined, queer, one of a kind nerd. He has loved the performing arts since a very young age. With a formal education in improv and a less formal education of life lessons, he has spent many years being involved in theater. Whether it be in the director’s chair or running the light board, ushering or running the concessions, Peter is the jack of all trades for theatrics. With this new chapter on the Board of Directors, he hopes to take a more active role in creating safe spaces for people like him in the arts he loves so dearly. Peter has been off the stage for a few years, but is predisposed to take up acting again if he gets the itch.
STAFF & COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRODUCTION MANAGERS:
Tatyana Nahirniak
Julien Poplawski
Zak Stowe
Jasmine Ridler
ARTISTIC COMMITTEE
Avery Taylor - Chair
Birdie La Barre
Jasmine Ridler
Kalea Bicoy
Brittany Loughman
Abby Pawelski
Max Young-Jones
The Artistic Committee is open to non-Board members. If you are interested in StageQ's work and would like to be involved on a committee level, please consider joining!
Past Board Members
Thank you for your service!
Lu Meinders (they/them) - Vice President, Member-at-Large
Lu M. Meinders is thrilled to be on the StageQ Board and have the opportunity to encourage and support the theatre community in the Madison area. They received their Theatre Arts: Technical Design Management degree from Edgewood College in 2018. Since moving to Madison, they have worked with various theater companies including Edgewood College Theater Arts Department, Children's Theater of Madison, and KR Women's Theatre. When not stage managing or designing, they spend most of their time acquiring new crafting skills and stalking the local art stores for supplies.
Shawn D Padley (he/they) - Vice President, Member-at-Large
Shawn is a queer, transmasculine theatrical artist based out of Madison, WI. While primarily an actor and director, he's worked both on and off stage with Madison College Theatre, Edgewood College Theatre, Children's Theater of Madison, and Forward Theater; and he has undertaken work with nine productions in 2022 alone. Shawn's acting and backstage work have earned him numerous accolades, including three Irene Ryan nominations for outstanding performance with the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. They've worked with StageQ as a Director (Molinda Falls and The Agency), Assistant Stage Manager (CapitalQ Theatre Festival), and Lightboard Operator (Queer Shorts: Spirit of Stonewall) in the past and are very excited to join the board!
Abby Pawelski (she/her) - Member-at-Large
Abby is a proud butch lesbian who loves theatre! She originally moved to Madison to attend UW-Madison and stuck around afterwards because the city was so cool. She has been in several StageQ productions including Act a Lady and Secretaries. She also recently directed and playwright managed for the 2024 CapitalQ Theatre Festival. She wants to use her position on the board to promote fun and impactful queer stories for all of the Madison community.
James Van Abel (he/him) - Member-at-Large
James is queer, trans, and passionate about theatre. He has always loved theatre for its ability to build communities and provide healing/respite through storytelling, and was drawn to the StageQ theatre company by its additional mission for representation. Combining his love for the arts and social justice, James has a particular interest in making theatre equitable and accessible for all who wish to participate (as actor, production staff, audience member, etc.). He hopes to use his position on the board to help the theatre continue and grow into a space where all members of the queer/LGBTQ+ community can be seen, can be heard, and can just be.