Board Members
Melissa Souers
Co-Chapter Director
Melissa Souers is one of the Co-Chapter Directors for the NM Thespians. Melissa currently teaches at Rio Rancho High School. She previously taught theatre for 9 years at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington, NM. She also works as a professional Stage Manager. Some of her favorite stage management experiences were working with Lee Blessing's on the premiere of his play "A Body of Water" and with Stephen Nathan on the premiere of his play "The Ways of Necessity". Melissa is an alumnus of Fort Lewis College with a BA in Theatre. She loves working with kids and inspiring them. Melissa wants you to know she is here to help you with anything you need so please reach out!
Gael Natal
Co-Chapter Director
Gael Natal has been teaching in New Mexico for 24 years, 17 of them have been at Rio Rancho High School.
Richard Hogle
Treasurer
Richard teaches technical theatre classes at Albuquerque Academy where he is also the Technical Director for the Performing Arts and the Performing Arts Department Chair. Richard has a Master's of Fine Arts in Lighting and Scenic Design from the University of Washington. In addition to teaching, Richard Designs Professionally for regional theatre, dance, and opera companies, and has been the resident lighting and scenic Designer for Fusion Theatre Company in Albuquerque, NM since 2006.
Melissa Munoz
Scholarships and Student Engagement
Melissa Munoz has been a theatre arts teacher at Mayfield High School for the past 25 years and Picacho Middle School for 4 years. She is currently serving as a board member with Doña Ana Repertory Theatre and the New Mexico Theatre Association. In addition to producing shows at her schools, she also has been a performer and designer for local theatre companies such as DART, Doña Ana Lyric Opera, Las Cruces Community Theatre, and No Strings Theatre Company. She earned hers Master's Degree in Theatre Production and Design from Southern Oregon University.
Vivian Isaacs
Advocacy
Vivian graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a Bachelor’s in English and Communication/Theatre; later completing her Master of Arts in English. After being in the classroom for 25 years, Vivian retired in 2016. She has been active with the New Mexico Thespian Board since 2006 and a Board member since 2010 attending and planning numerous theatre festivals as well as participating in Educational Theatre Association’s Leadership Summits. In 2018, she became a member of the Leadership Advocacy Network working with other members from across the US. She also serves on the Chapter Leader Advisory Committee. In addition, after retirement Vivian spends most of her time in Ruidoso where she serves as Vice President of the High Mountain Youth Project, which is committed to creating “a loving and caring community where all youth are protected, empowered, loved, respected and treated with dignity.”
Ashley Williford
STO Advisor and Student Engagement
Ashley oversees student engagement for the NM Thespians and serves as the STO Advisor. She possesses a strong enthusiasm for the art form, particularly in educational theatre. Ashley formerly served as a theatre instructor at Farmington High School for five years before leaving to pursue her Master of Theatre Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Ashley graduated from Fort Lewis College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education. She is enthusiastic about collaborating with the State Thespian Officers (STOs) throughout New Mexico to advocate for diversity and inclusivity among our students.
Damon R. Carbajal (he/él)
DEIA Director and Secretary
Damon R. Carbajal (he/él) is a gay, queer Chicanx educator, scholar, and activists. He holds an M.A. in Chicana/o/x/e Studies, graduate certificate in “Race” and Social Justice, a B.A. in Secondary Education with concentrations in Communicative and Performing Arts and minor in Theatre from the University of New Mexico. He currently is the Manager of Community Mobilization for GLSEN, Inc. and an instructor at Central New Mexico Community College. Mr. Carbajal’s work focuses on the LGBTQIA2S+ and Chicanx communities and aims at centering lost voices. His work centers equity and social justice frameworks because all, regardless of identity, deserve to have their voice not only heard but centered. ¡Sí Se Puede!