Our Team

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Joel Settles joined The Shakespeare Center Los Angeles as Director of Development in April of 2024. He brings over 15 years of experience as a nonprofit arts administrator to the SCLA along with a passion for theater arts and a commitment to public service. He began his career as a teaching artist working with youth and adults in community based arts programs in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. From 2006 to 2018 he led a variety of arts education and performing arts initiatives with the City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department, SAY Si youth arts organization, and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. As his career progressed, he began to transition to the development side of the field, applying his experiences in program management and community outreach to nonprofit fundraising. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio and in his free time he enjoys writing and performing his original music around the city.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Amanda McRaven is a director, producer, and educator who has worked in Shakespeare and community-building for thirty years. Originally from Virginia, where she started her career at The American Shakespeare Center, she has called Southern California home for 15 years. After receiving her MFA in Directing at UC Irvine, she was a Fulbright award recipient to New Zealand, where she worked in community-based theater of all genres. She taught social justice performance at Cal State Northridge and at Massey University in New Zealand. She specializes in teaching theater to systems-impacted folks, having worked in carceral institutions in both Virginia and California. 

She is an Ovation-award winning director and a proud Drama League Fellow, Artistic Director of Coeurage Ensemble, and the founder and producer of Los Angeles Lady Arm Wrestlers: queer performance events that fundraise for community orgs. When she is not in a theater, she is being a plant mom, escaping to the woods, wandering through a flea market, or in search of the next best happy hour.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

Dana Kelly joined The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles as Director of Finance in July of 2022. She brings over 20 years of experience as a finance professional to SCLA along with extensive work in nonprofit theater and the arts. She began her career as the Director of Accounting and Administration at RKO Pictures in 2005, and has also worked with such organizations as Center Theatre Group. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Oregon.

SHAKESPEARE & SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Marina Oliva is a graphic designer, stage manager, and producer. Marina was introduced to the company in 1999 as a participant of the Will Power to Youth program and made her debut in a production of Hamlet. In 2001, Marina was asked to join the Shakespeare Center family as the Program Associate where she assisted the Youth & Education Department. Now with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Marina is the Shakespeare & Social Justice Program Director for The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles.

ADMINISTRATIVE & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Emily Walborn brings administrative experience in the film industry and a lifelong passion for theater and the arts to the SCLA. She is excited about the opportunity to learn more about nonprofit arts organizations and to contribute to such an important institution. She holds an MA in Playwriting from the University of Manchester and a BA in Media Arts Production from Emerson College. In her free time, you can find her tracking down new play readings or at the movies.