Board Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, all board meetings take place on the first Monday of the month at 6:00pm at Jackson College Bert Walker Hall Room 146. Board meetings are open to all members for observation. Non-members are welcome at the beginning of each meeting!
- February – February 2
- March – March 2
- April – April 6
- May – May 4
- June – June 1
- July – July 6
- August – August 3
- September – September 7
- October – October 5
- November – November 2
- December – December 7
Center Stage Jackson
Welcome to the Board
You do not have to be interested in being on-stage or backstage in order to be on the board of directors, as we are always in need of those talented in business, organizational development, marketing, and more to help keep this non-profit running smoothly. We are looking for dedicated people who are passionate about bringing theater to the Jackson community, with a variety of backgrounds and talents. Do you know someone that fits this description? Feel free to forward this information to them and suggest that they contact us for more information about our needs in the upcoming season!
If you or someone you know would like to help Center Stage Jackson in its mission of cultivating, advancing, and promoting the appreciation of dramatic arts in the Jackson community, contact us at admin@centerstagejackson.org!
Board of Directors
Caryn Schoening boasts a long and dedicated history within the local theater community, contributing her diverse talents to a variety of groups across the Jackson area. Her involvement spans many years and includes collaborations with the Jackson High School Drama Department, The JCC Drama Club, the celebrated Summer Stage Jackson, The Bon Ton Room, and, in more recent years, Center Stage Jackson and the Jackson College Potter Center.
Her commitment to the theatrical arts was evident during her academic career, where she served with distinction as the president of the Jackson Community College Drama Club for three consecutive years while a student. Caryn’s academic foundation is twofold, holding an associate’s degree in art with a concentration in theater, complemented by a bachelor’s degree in business administration, a combination that speaks to both her creative and organizational strengths.
Caryn is a certified Technical Director, bringing a wealth of hands-on expertise to every production. Her technical proficiencies are extensive, encompassing set design and construction, sound engineering, stage management, and rigging operations. Prior to her recent election to the role of President for Center Stage Jackson (CSJ), her technical leadership was further demonstrated by her tenure as the Chairwoman for the CSJ Stage Craft and Technical Committee for two years.
Outside of her profound involvement in the theater, Caryn leads a fulfilling personal life. She is happily married to a fellow Techie Charles Schoening, and the proud stepmother of five children, and her home is enriched by the presence of numerous beloved family pets, including their dog Lincoln who is also a huge fan of the stage after his role in “Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang”.
Professionally, Caryn serves as the Agricultural Property Appraiser for the County of Jackson, a demanding role that highlights her precision and analytical skills. She is continually committed to professional growth in this field and is currently working diligently to obtain her next-level certification as a Michigan Advanced Assessing Officer (MAAO) through the State of Michigan.
Ultimately, Caryn’s engagement with the world of theater is driven by a deep, enduring passion—a “never-ending love story” that she fully expects and hopes will continue to flourish and define her life for many years to come.
Talon is a Business Architect and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. His work experience is generally in Business development or Business strategy and for the last 14 years. Talon has advised businesses in 3 different industries.
To sum it up, as a Business Architect, Talon is a bridge between strategy and execution. He breaks down goals, strategies and targets, assesses current state capabilities and then builds roadmaps of steps or executable efforts required to achieve those goals, strategies or targets.
Talon believes his skill set would be a benefit to Center Stage Jackson and this community and is looking forward to being more involved at many levels.
Jaime Lawrence, MT-BC (she/her)
I’m Jaime, an executive member of the Center Stage Jackson Board of Directors, and I’ve been performing with CSJ for close to 20 years, both on and off stage. As a lifelong Jackson resident, I believe deeply in the arts as a form of community care.
I’m the founder and owner of Harmony Garden Music Therapy Services, now in its 20th year of serving families in our community. Through this work, I bring experience in long-term organizational sustainability, community partnerships, and building programs that support families, youth, and underserved populations.
Within CSJ, I serve as Board Secretary (2025–current), sit on the Governance and Play Selection Committees, and chair the Outreach and Development Committee. I also write the monthly CSJ newsletters and Member Spotlights, helping share the stories of the people who make this theatre what it is.
I’m committed to honoring CSJ’s history while helping guide its future, with a focus on strengthening community connection and ensuring CSJ remains a welcoming, community-centered theatre.
experience includes many years in leadership positions with both the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Theatre of Jackson. A lifelong Jackson resident, Tom is passionate about the arts and their vital role in strengthening communities. He believes that strong performing arts organizations like Center Stage Jackson greatly enrich the quality of life for everyone.
Melissa McElhone has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Theater and English. She has immersed herself in the theater for over thirty-five years, joining Center Stage Jackson in 2013. Melissa has directed CSJ’s Youth Theater musicals for twelve years, as well as performed various roles for CSJ: actor, director, producer, Board Secretary and Board Vice-President. As a Board member, Melissa looks forward to remaining dedicated to Center Stage Jackson.
Brian is a Northwest alumni who continued his education at Michigan Tech graduating with a bachelor’s in Computer and Electrical Engineering. Throughout high school he acted in four musicals. He recently rekindled his interest in theatre, and now lends his technical prowess as Co-Chair of the Sagecraft Committee.
Tiffany Layman
Tiffany has had the pleasure of being involved with a handful of CSJ Productions since 2006. While mostly on the stage in earlier years, she has also recently enjoyed directing pits and supporting on the production staff side.
With a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a minor in Musical Theatre, Tiffany enjoys all aspects of bringing performance and audience experiences to others. She taught K-5 Elementary Music for a few years, and has had a great variety of performance and organizational experiences across many genres of music; from local A Capella groups and community choirs, to more professional groups.
She has enthusiastically sought out opportunities to support the organizations she has been a part of, from working on a board for a local Educators group, to assisting with promotion and outreach. She looks forward to being a part of the CSJ Board in similar ways.
Kary Swiontek is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Coordinator for Jackson County ISD, Director of Camp McYack, and an adjunct professor at Spring Arbor University. Her professional work focuses on communication, accessibility, and empowering individuals of all ages to build confidence and independence.
Kary has been involved with Center Stage Jackson since 2015, first stepping onstage in Gypsy as Louise (Gypsy Rose Lee). Since then, she has appeared in productions including The Guys, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jekyll and Hyde, and Something Rotten, and has a special love for ensemble work and cabaret performances. Through cabarets, she often blends singing with American Sign Language to create more inclusive and expressive storytelling.
Kary strongly believes in the power of community theatre and the meaningful connections it creates. Active both onstage and behind the scenes, sh
e contributes through set work, painting, and grant writing, and values the friendships and collaboration that make CSJ thrive. She is excited to support Center Stage Jackson in this new way as a member of the Board of Directors and looks forward to helping strengthen the theatre’s impact in the Jackson community.
Matthew Sneyd is proud to join the CSJ Board of Directors, bringing with him a lifelong appreciation for theater, a passion for technical production, and a commitment to supporting high‑quality community performances. Matthew’s love for the performing arts began in high school, where he participated in several theater and drama productions, including The Sound of Music. These early experiences sparked his interest in backstage work, stage environments, and the creative energy that thrives within community theater. Matthew officially joined CSJ in 2024 as the Tech Director for Hello, Dolly! where he quickly became known for his strong work ethic, collaborative spirit, and ability to problem‑solve under pressure. He returned in 2025 as the Tech Director for The Full Monty, taking on additional responsibilities while embracing new opportunities. During that production, Matthew stepped onstage for the first time, making his acting debut as Tony Giordono — a milestone that deepened his appreciation for the work and dedication of performers as well as the backstage crew. Professionally, Matthew works for a local manufacturing company, where he has developed practical skills in teamwork, operations, efficiency, and technical coordination — all of which translate seamlessly to the fast‑paced and ever‑changing environment of stagecraft. His professional background gives him a grounded perspective that he brings into the theater world, combining creativity with structure to help productions run smoothly from concept to curtain call. Outside of work and theater, Matthew enjoys a wide range of hobbies that fuel his creativity and curiosity. He is an avid fisherman, a dedicated LEGO builder, and a regular attendee of music concerts. He also loves watching live theater productions, which continues to inspire his work behind the scenes and his commitment to supporting the performing arts. As the new Co‑Chair for Stagecraft on the CSJ Board, Matthew is excited to help strengthen the organization’s technical capabilities, nurture new volunteers, and contribute to the creation of exceptional theatrical experiences. He looks forward to being part of a collaborative leadership team and helping to build shows that not only entertain audiences but also celebrate the creativity and passion of the entire CSJ community.
