Meet the Board

President
Michael Anthony Ready

Michael Ready has been involved in Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre since 2010 when he was a stagehand for our production of Children of Eden and had had been an audience member for many years prior to this. His first time on stage was in the production of Anne of Green Gables in 2012 and soon began to take on more production related roles. Michael serves as the companies lead costume manager since 2014. He is very passionate about theatre and education, and currently teaches in the Kalama School District. Michael is working on his Masters in Holocaust and Genocide Studies through Gratz College in Pennsylvania. He has over a decade in theatre experience as either an actor, director, or production/backstage work. “As I work with TYHT I am constantly reminded of the wonder community theatre brings to our world, and the work we do consistently adds more to the South Thurston area. As we move towards our long-term goals and plans, I hope to see our name become common place in the greater Washington community.”

Vice President
Tim Butterfield

In 2001 Tenino Young at Heart Theatre offered Tim the opportunity to play one of his favorite characters in one of his favorite shows; Sancho Panza in the musical Man of La Mancha. This experience began a relationship with TYT that has lasted for two decades. As actor, Dramaturge, stage manager and prop builder, Tim has had the chance to participate in many productions over the years.  Some of his favorite shows include Children of Eden, The Secret Garden and Mary Poppins to name just a few.  Tim has also performed in The Olympia Little Theaters production of Shadowlands and The Evergreen Playhouse production of Gifts of the Magi and preforms with the Capital City Chorus. Tim lives in Olympia with his wife Peggy, son Carl and a small menagerie of pets.

Fundraising
Jenny Hall

Jenny became involved with Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre when her child was first cast in Annie in 2013. “When TYT opened their arms to us, we both fell in. TYT creates an environment that is inclusive and supportive to all involved. These are people with whom I choose to surround myself.” Although not an actor or musician herself, she believes in the value of all the arts and the mission of Tenino Young-at-Heart Theatre to cultivate community, build relationships, and promote individual growth through the joy of theatre. She is honored to be a part of this wonderful community and am excited to see our small-town theatre company grow! Jenny joined the board of TYT in 2017. She also serves on the board of Tenino Arts. Jenny and her husband own and operate Hall Crystal Flutes.

Secretary
Courtney Stanley She/Her

Courtney joined TYT as an actor in the summer production of Seussical the Musical, after being a years-long audience member. Courtney joined the board in 2017 and is currently the acting secretary. She assists with the administrative functions of the board of directors. Courtney loves this theatre and hopes to see it continue to grow in the South Sound community! She currently works for the State of Washington and enjoys running, reading, and playing D&D with her friends.

Managing Director
Bob McKenziesullivan

Bob, with his sons and a group of neighborhood children and their parents began Tenino Youth Theatre in 1990. He has been involved in every show the company has done and in most of our workshops.  Currently he is the company’s Managing Director. It is one of his great joys to journey with TYT. He us a retired music and theatre teacher and currently a musician at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Olympia. He is married to Eileen who is also retired.  They have busy lives working with senior citizens, substitute teaching, making art through music and theatre. And they enjoy their sons, their wives and grandsons. 

Artistic Director
Isaac McKenziesullivan

Isaac is one of the founding participants of TYT. His early experiences with the company lead him to participate in school productions and earn a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts from Central Washington University. Since then, he has directed countless productions for TYT, and participated in various positions in productions with other local companies. He joined the board as Artistic Director in 2012. In his spare time Isaac works for the Thurston County Food Bank and hangs out with his wonderful wife and son.

Treasurer
John O’Conner

John O’Conner joined the TYT board in 2022 as a Member-at-Large, transitioning into the Treasurer position. He received a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Montana in 1981. The year after graduation he was a Business School graduate assistant and passed the CPA exam. At college John was in multiple operas and played in the orchestra pit for performances with both the university and the Missoula Children’s Theatre. After moving to Olympia in 1985 he was in the Olympia Symphony Orchestra and Masterworks Choral Ensemble. He has played in the TYT orchestra pit since 2009 and is a regular pit member with the Centralia Community College theatre. In addition, he spent several years as a teacher’s aide for the Pope John Paul II High School choir. For the past four years he has been president of his neighborhood HOA.

Vesta joined TYT in 2015 as an actor in Seussical the Musical after being an audience member for many years. Vesta joined the board in 2017 working in website support and digital visual design. Vesta still performs with TYT as well as other support in TYT’s creative works. In 2022 they along with other members of the board started TYT Reads, a readers theatre project. Thier biggest passion is making theatre accessible to their community. In Vesta’s free time they enjoy making art, playing video games, and spending time with their family and three Bosten Terroirs.

Member-at-large | Fundraising
Clara Keller

Clara is a newest addition to the TYT board. Joining in 2022, she has helped for many years ‘behind the scenes’ supporting her theatre friends and family. As an active member of the TYT board, Clara plays a vital role helping our fundraising efforts and community outreach. When she is not helping at the theatre, you can find her outside working on her farm. Clara enjoys riding her horses, walking her dog and tending to her field and gardens.