Consultants
Leayne Dempsey, Dramaturg
Lindsey Barr, Dramaturg
Carolyn Donarski, Graphic Design Advisor
Gold Dog Communications, Creative Advisor
Kim Peter Kovac, Artistic Curator
Olivia joined NTF in October 2017 as the Assistant Manager. In 2019, she was promoted to Director of Operations after taking on the management of the capital projects and finances, while maintaining oversight of the community programs and operations for the nonprofit. Most recently, Olivia has taken on the Interim Executive Director position, where her vast institutional knowledge of The National and her range of experiences including programming, events, fundraising, capital projects, and operations will support NTF during this period of transition. Prior to NTF, Olivia co-produced a runway fashion event for the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia. Olivia completed the Certificate in Project Management program through Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies in 2020 and received her B.A. in Global Developmental Studies from the University of Virginia.
202.783.3371 (o)
Jared Strange joined The National Theatre Foundation as the Education and Community Programs Manager in May of 2023, and previously worked as Dramaturg for Teens Behind the Scenes from 2019 to 2022. He holds a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Maryland, where he was a Mary Savage Snouffer fellow, and an MFA in Playwriting from Texas Tech University, where he later served as the Arts Coordinator for the $24.5million East Lubbock Promise Neighborhood Grant. Jared writes locally for Washington City Paper and DC Theatre Arts; his articles and reviews can also be found in American Theatre magazine, 3Views on Theater, Theatre Research International, Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, Comparative Drama, and Theatre Journal. As a playwright, dramaturg, and director, Jared specializes in new play development, audience engagement, and educational programming, and has developed projects across the United States and in Europe. His educational career has seen him teach students of all ages, devise and implement a range of arts enrichment programs, and work locally with such organizations as Young Playwrights’ Theater.
Lizzie Taylor joined NFT as Development Manager in May 2023 and was promoted to Senior Development Manager in October 2023. Lizzie has over five years of fundraising experience focusing on arts and culture centers in D.C. She has worked in a variety of fundraising roles, most recently in the central office of Institutional Relations at the Smithsonian. Lizzie brings a passion for the performing arts to her role at NTF, she performed on stage and worked behind the scenes in her college theater program. She holds a B.A. in Conflict Analysis and dispute resolution from Salisbury University. Since graduating, Lizzie has participated in courses in Arts Management at the DeVos Institute for Arts Management and the Harvard online Kennedy School of Executive Education.
202.783.6854 (o)
Madeline joined NTF as Executive Assistant in 2023. After taking on HR and Finance responsibilities, Madeline has been promoted to Administration Manager in September 2023. Madeline is an experienced arts administrator and educator with a passion for supporting the arts community in the D.C. metro area. She has worked as an educator in voice and acting at West Virginia University and in drama in Prince George’s County. Most recently, Madeline served as the Cultural Arts Manager at the Pozez Jewish Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia. While at “The J”, she assisted in programming their Performing Arts Series, Literary Series, the Northern Virginia Jewish Film Festival, and the Reel-Abilities Film Festival. She also assisted with the exhibit curation of the Bodzin Art Gallery. Madeline is a seasoned performer in both theatre and music and has continued to enjoy performing in her spare time. Madeline holds her M.F.A. in Acting from West Virginia University and her B.A. in Theatre from Appalachian State University.
202.783.3370 (o)