About MPTT

Gary Bolen is retired from Monterey Peninsula College where he was chairman of the Theatre Arts Department for over 10 years. While he acted in over 20 productions during that time he is perhaps better known on the Peninsula as a director. Amongst his more memorable productions while at MPC Theatre was a record setting production of Les Miserables in 2013, Oklahoma in 2014 and his final production, Evita. 

Dr. Seán Boulware is a sought-after conductor, adjudicator, clinician and vocalist throughout the United States and Europe. He is in demand as a consultant for choral organizations in the areas of chorus management, audience development, performance tours, and technology implementation. Seán conducts choirs and orchestras regularly at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. As a vocalist, he has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, Los Angeles Renaissance Consort and others. Seán is currently the Conductor of the Monterey Peninsula Voices, Aria Women’s Choir, The California Central Coast Chorale, Novus Diem Chorale, and the new professional choir, Inspirare, from Monterey. He also teaches music theater at Pacific Grove Middle School and High School.  He lives in Salinas, CA with his wife, Michelle.

Faith Collins–Beety grew up doing theatre on the Monterey Peninsula. She studied under Morgan Stock and Peter DeBono and graduated from MPC majoring in Theatre Arts going on to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts –West. Faith received her B.A. Degree in Acting and did post graduate work in Acting, Directing and Make-Up Design at Humboldt State University.  She went on to do theatre productions in Seattle and Houston.

Dr. Eric Del Piero has served on the Trust Board since 2014. Along with his wife, Teresa, he was named “Champions of the Arts” for philanthropy in 2012 by the Arts Council for Monterey County. Eric was born and raised in Monterey County and returned in 1985 to open his ophthalmology practice. He served as president of the Monterey County Medical Society twice and he was a Trustee of the California Medical Association. Eric is passionate about early California art and also served on the Monterey Museum of Art Board.

Lyla is honored to be invited to join the Monterey Peninsula Theatre Trust Board of Directors and brings a unique blend of artistic and professional expertise, both in front of audiences and behind the scenes. She has appeared in numerous productions throughout California and Washington State, as well as touring productions. She has also served on production teams, as a lighting designer, costume designer, and has taught performance seminars for all ages. Her experience spans classical to musicals, and recently reached beyond her comfort zone to sing with a band! Beyond the stage, Lyla holds a faculty appointment at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where she nurtures creativity in often austere spaces. She is passionate about fostering creativity and collaboration, and is grateful for the opportunity to support MPTT in its mission to enrich the community through nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

Mrs. Jill Miller is humbled and grateful to be joining the Board of Directors for Monterey Peninsula Theatre Trust.  Jill studied musical theater dance at Chico State and has worked all over California and Kansas as a performer, choreographer and theater educator. Performance experience ranges from Shakespeare to musical theater, but Jill is most notably a “song and dance girl”. Beyond her arts experience, Jill brings professional skill honed from her nearly 20 year career as a city planner with City of Salinas and City of Pacific Grove. Jill has taken great pleasure in transitioning into theater education and is dedicated to bringing the arts into the next generation and maintaining a rich arts community on the central coast.

Jennifer Newman is an Advanced Placement English teacher by day and an actor and singer by night. She has performed at many theatres in the area including: MPC, The Western Stage, and Pacific Repertory Theatre. She earned her degree in Theatre Arts from California State University, Sacramento. She also served on the board of directors for S.T.A.R. Foundation of Monterey. She was raised in a home where philanthropy is priority and a passion. She spends her summers either traveling the world performing with a choir or acting locally.

Walt deFaria, producer, writer, director. DeFaria’s career encompasses motion pictures, television and theatre. He directed Taffeta Christmas, A Year With Frog and Toad, Anything Goes and Funny Girl The Concert at MPC. He has directed yearly musicals at the outdoor Forest Theater such as Peter Pan, Oliver, Beauty and The Beast, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Hello, Dolly. He and the late Steve Tosh wrote ten youth oriented musicals.  He owned the rights to The Borrowers books out of which he produced two motion pictures and television movies, a television series with the BBC and a theatrical musical. His productions have received 11 national Emmy nominations and won three plus an international Emmy award and two Cable Ace awards. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

Teresa graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Acting. Soon after moving to Monterey with her husband, Dr. Eric Del Piero, she was appointed to the newly formed Monterey County Film Commission and served as its president twice. Teresa also served on the Board of Directors of the Monterey County Theatre Alliance and the Carmel Art and Film Festival. She performed on many of our local stages and was a member of SAG-AFTRA.