Company
Our Staff
New Edgecliff Theatre is supported by a small group of dedicated individuals with diverse backgrounds. Together, they contribute their unique skills and enthusiasm to help our organization thrive.
Michael Shooner | Jim Stump | Matthew Wilson | Devon Campailla
Melissa Bennett | Jonn Baca | Aaron Edge | Justin Baldwin
Michael Shooner
Executive Director
mshooner@newedgecliff.com
A Cincinnati native and theatre alumnus of Edgecliff College in Walnut Hills, Michael co-founded New Edgecliff Theatre in ’98 after a 17 year odyssey that took him to Seattle, Los Angeles, and then across the US, Canada and Japan with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. While producing and serving as NET’s Executive Director, he occasionally gets on stage there, most recently in Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross and American Buffalo, which garnered him Acclaim for “Lead Performance, Alternative Theatre.” He has also appeared as guest artist with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in The Weir, Romeo & Juliet, and All My Sons. He received an Acclaim Award for his performance in the Xavier University production of Bryony Lavery’s Frozen. He thanks the Cincinnati Playhouse for his first Equity contract, The Hostage, in 1977.
Jim Stump
Artistic Director
jstump@newedgecliff.com
Mr. Stump is well known and respected in the Cincinnati theatre community. He earned his B.A. in Theatre from Indiana University and went on to graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. As a performer, he has appeared frequently on multiple area stages, including Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Know Theatre, Stage First, New Stage Collective, the Carnegie Theatre, Human Race Theatre, as well as New Edgecliff. He served as President of the League of Cincinnati Theatres from 2005-09, and continues as member-at-large. He’s chalked up administrative theatre experience with such organizations as Cincinnati Costume Company, Cincinnati Arts Association, Madcap Productions and The Whodunnit? Players.
Matthew Wilson
Associate Artistic Director
mwilson@newedgecliff.com
Mr. Wilson began his theatrical career 15 years ago as a shy and indiscernible passenger in a Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre production of Anything Goes, where he would quietly try to teach himself how to tap dance backstage. Strangely enough dance seemed to come easily to him, and through a series of fortunate events people took notice leading to larger roles in CYPT as well as work aboard the Showboat Majestic, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre and Kings Island. Matthew completed his BFA in Theatre at Northern Kentucky University in 2003, graduating Cum Laude. Shortly thereafter he moved to New York and spent several years working with the Roundabout Theatre Company. Upon his return to Cincinnati he ended a 5 year hiatus from the stage and began burgeoning work as a Director and Choreographer.
Devon Campailla
Managing Director
dcampailla@newedgecliff.com
Devon Campailla holds a BFA in acting from Miami University (OH). She has been involved with many theatre companies in the region as an actress and stage manager, including The Rising Phoenix Theatre Company, Clear Stage Cincinnati Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and the Showboat Majestic. Before joining the staff of New Edgecliff Theatre, she appeared on their stage in Lives of the Saints and An Evening in Durang(o) and called cues for numerous productions at the Columbia Performance Center. Devon was brought onto the NET staff in 2007 for her meticulous eye for detail and creative presence. Since that time, she has helped develop the educational outreach program, theCincinnati Directors Competition, and Sweet Suspense (NET’s radio drama fundraiser).
Melissa Bennett
Technical Director
mbennett@newedgecliff.com
Melissa is a Cincinnati native who has worked as a designer, technician, fight choreographer, and actress around the country. She is an Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors and an Associate instructor with Dueling Arts International. When not working with New Edgecliff, she is freelancing, working for such companies as Decoworks and the Cincinnati Opera. Aside from her work with NET, her credits include Fight Choreographer for Covedale’s Guys and Dolls, Scenic Charge and Props Mistress for Commonwealth Dinner Theatre, and Fight Director for Kentucky Symphony Orchestras West Side Story.
Jonn Baca
Educational Director
jbaca@newedgecliff.com
Jonn Baca is a graduate from Miami University with a BFA in Acting. He has directed several shows, most recently The Grapes of Wrath at the Aronoff Center for Clear Stage Cincinnati. He is also an Advanced Actor/Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, and has been performing and choreographing fights professionally in the region. He teaches Stage Combat at Northern Kentucky University and is the Assistant Instructor at Xavier University. He also works for the University of Cincinnati’s Preparatory Program as an Acting, Movement and Stage Combat Instructor. Jonn is also a member of the Cincinnati Actor’s Studio.
Aaron Edge
Master Carpenter
aedge@newedgecliff.com
Aaron Edge joined the NET family for the 2009-2010 season. Aside from being our Master Carpenter, Aaron fills many roles at the theatre, including stepping in as TD when Mel’s hands are full, set designer (on shows like Cyrano [Rehearsed]), and occasionally the muscle man. Previously in the Cincinnati area, he has worked with The Know Theatre and The Carnegie Center for Performing Arts. He holds a degree in theatre from Ball State University.
Justin Baldwin
Associate Managing Director
jbaldwin@newedgecliff.com
Justin Baldwin graduated from Miami University in 2008 with a B.A. in theatre. He is thrilled to be moving back to Cincinnati after a three year stint with the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival where some performance credits include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Measure for Measure, and Pericles. Justin could have been seen previously in Cincinnati in The History Boys at New Stage Collective, or in A Christmas Carol with the Childrens Theatre of Cincinnati. He is the directing intern for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati for the ’10-’11 season, and the Associate Artistic Director of his own small theatre company This Ain’t Real Theatre Co.
