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Board of Trustees

Adam Courville, President

Boston, MA - Adam Courville moved to Boston in the Fall of 2008 after six years as Program Director for Kids on the Block-Vermont, an educational puppet troupe based in Burlington. He served for three years as Box Office Manager at PST where he managed audience services and liaised with schools and community groups to acquaint a wider audience with puppetry.  Adam joined the PST Board in 2011.

Paul Vincent Davis, Trustee

Brookline, MA - Paul Vincent Davis is widely recognized as one of the foremost hand puppeteers in the country. In 1977, Paul joined the Puppet Showplace Theatre as its Artist in Residence. He has received numerous awards, including four "Citations of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry" from UNIMA-USA (the highest award given in puppetry) and the distinguished President's Award from Puppeteers of America. In addition to performing, Paul has taught puppetry at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Boston Museum of Fine Arts. And for seven years he served as a faculty member and on the Board of Overseers for the Institute of Professional Puppetry Arts at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center.

Maria Finison, Treasurer

Brookline, MA - Maria comes to PST after serving in numerous managerial and administrative capacities at national arts and culture organizations, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She also worked as education program manager at the Boston Center for Adult Education. As a new Brookline parent, Maria is thrilled to help foster the great wealth that PST brings to the community.

Ken Gatto, Trustee

Newton, MA - Kenneth Gatto is a retired educator.  He served as a teacher and principal in Newton Public Schools, a math teacher in Lexington, and a math Coach in Boston Public Schools. He joined the PST Board in 2010 and regularly advises PST on education-related matters.

John Lechner, Trustee

Needham, MA - John Lechner is an author, animator, designer, programmer, puppeteer and storyteller. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he has worked in publishing and advertising, as well as educational technology. He currently works as an art director at FableVision, an award-winning children's media company; he also serves as Co-President of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry.

Peter Reynolds, Trustee

Dedham, MA - Peter H. Reynolds is a New York Times best-selling author/illustrator and founder of FableVision, an award-winning educational multi-media company co-located at the Boston Children’s Museum. He attended shows at PST as a child and now lives in Dedham, MA, where he founded The Blue Bunny, a family-owned and operated children’s book, toy, creativity store. Much of Peter's spare time is spent giving back to the community ~ revitalizing the businesses and landscape in his beloved Dedham Square, supporting schools, caring for homeless children, promoting literacy and learning, and inspiring all of us to use our gifts to make the journey a meaningful one. To that end, Peter and his twin brother Paul, recently launched the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity (TLC). The center is a not-for-profit organization that encourages creativity and innovation in teaching and learning. It is dedicated to ensuring that all learners develop the vision, confidence, knowledge and skills needed to move their own lives forward, and to use their talents, strengths and energy to move their communities and the world to a better place.

Alice Schaefer, Trustee

Newton, MA - Alice Schaefer has been with the Puppet Showplace Theatre since 1990, when she became a member of the administrative staff. As Schaefer Shenanigans, she and her husband, Tom, presented puppetry performances. Prior to moving to New England, Alice spent 15 years as a high school science teacher. In addition to past volunteer work for Newton Public Schools, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Block Grants, and her local Neighborhood Association, Alice currently serves on the boards of the Boston Area Guild of Puppeteers (BAGOP) and the New England Friends Home, an assisted living facility. She also participates in networks for peer counseling and support for families and friends of the mentally ill.