Angela Park, Executive Director of the nonprofit 52sumner.com/Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, has a deep passion and commitment to enhancing the performing arts and building community in her home town of Springfield.  She and Board of Directors member Dan McKellick spent a year renovating the old church at 52 Sumner Avenue addressing everything from wiring to heat to creating a state of the art performance space and new professional sound and lighting system. Officially offering her first performances and community events in February 2024, the site is now the home to MOSSO, the Springfield Chamber Players, and the new Springfield Community Theater of MA.

The mission of 52Sumner is to spark the artistic spirit within our urban community, providing a haven for creative expression, cultural enrichment, and personal growth through the arts. We are committed to breaking down barriers, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can access, participate in, and be inspired by the arts. Through education, performance, and outreach, we strive to foster a more vibrant, connected, and culturally enriched city, promoting unity and understanding among all our residents.

Vana Nespor, Artistic Director and Founder of the Springfield Community Theater of MA, brings a wealth of experience in creating innovative and captivating productions. With a passion for storytelling and building community through theater productions, she has directed more than 80 productions and written and produced four musicals based on real stories for communities in Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indonesia, and now Massachusetts. Her day job, as a college administrator in required that she complete four master’s degrees and a doctorate from Columbia University. Yet, finding community talent and helping it shine on the stage is her greatest joy. 

The Mission of Springfield Community Theater of MA is to build a stronger more caring and creative community through high quality, low cost live theater experiences accessible to everyone. We do this by showcasing local talent and celebrating local stories. Choosing shows that touch the heart and mind, that inspire us to laugh, cry, cheer, and make life better for those around us. www. springfield-community-theater-of-ma.org

Roxanne Gambill -  Production Manager - Is thrilled to be joining Springfield Community Theater of MA. Her love for musical theater began when she was 8 and performed in her first musical theatre production which was half sung in Russian. She has been hooked ever since. Roxanne has been both on stage and off stage and has worked in over 100 productions in various aspects including stage management, casting, costuming, props, makeup/wigs, lighting, sound and assistant directing to name a few. Roxanne has worked in theatres from elementary schools to the West End. One of her favorites was stage managing the world premiere of Pincher Martin an Opera, at the Royal Music Academy in London. She has worked in the entertainment industry for over 10 years, working on set/backstage with children, as a chaperone/teacher, being a parent advisor as well as talent manager. Roxanne is also the Owner/Creative Director of Enchanted Storybook Portraits, a theatrical photography business she runs in her free time. When not working, Roxanne loves traveling with her family, gardening, seeing musicals, reading, holiday designing and spending time with her friends, family and pup Harlowe.