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VOPA'S 20th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SPECTACULAR |
Feb 28 - March 1
@
MainStage |
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FRITZ COLEMAN'S UNASSISTED RESIDENCY |
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ABOUT US
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North Hollywood, CA 91601
ADMINISTRATION OFFICES & MAILING ADDRESS
North Hollywood, CA 91601
818-508-0281 General inquires and rental information
PEGGE FORREST
Executive Director, P.R. / Marketing, Curator Judith Kaufman Gallery
Pegge Forrest, a native New Yorker grew up in Weschester County surrounded by Broadway actors, writers and producers. As an intern at Time Life magazines while in college at Wagner and Columbia University (majoring in Public Relations and Marketing) she lived the dream of a young professional working directly with famous journalists and photographers. She then explored television at NBC (NYC) in the junior executive training program and abruptly changed her career path. This led to an employment in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on WANE-TV as the youngest Woman Program Director in the USA. Other TV followed at WTVT in Tampa, WCCO, KSTP, KMSP in Minneapolis, writing, producing and starring in with two award winning children’s shows with her television newscaster husband David Lee. Her theatre aspirations were sparked in Minneapolis with the opening of the Guthrie Theatre and her personal friendship with Tyrone Guthrie. She worked in both pr and marketing for the Guthrie Theatre’s Grand Opening. Theatre has been her total focus since 1980 with the Long Beach Civic Light Opera as the Executive/ Managing Director for 14 years at the 3,000 Seat Terrace Theatre, followed by Managing Director of John Houseman’s Acting Company (Off Broadway) on an NEA Grant, Florida Studio Theatre, Civic Light of South Bay Cities and Hermosa Beach Playhouse (Public Relations Director). With former El Portal Manager Jay Irwin, Ms. Forrest proudly pioneered the reopening of the historic El Portal Theatre in the heart of NOHO - in 2000.
2026 marks the 26rd Season at the helm of this unique professional theatre with two spaces (360 Seat Debbie Reynolds MainStage) and (96 Seat Monroe/Forum). She has proudly co- produced shows with Debbie Reynolds, Bea Arthur, Ed Begley, Sally Struthers, Jo Anne Worley, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Charles Nelson Reilly, Rip Taylor, Sam Harris, Jimmy Kimmel, and Adrienne Barbeau. Ms. Forrest's proudest achievement - her daughter - Broadway actress Heather Lee who was featured in the New York Times and her multi talented son-in-law Greg Thirloway.
ANN POTENZA
Managing Director
Born in Brooklyn, Ann Potenza began her career in theatre at a young age, making her off-Broadway debut as Astyanax in The Trojan Women. That early experience sparked a lifelong passion for the performing arts and the creative industry.
After relocating to Las Vegas, Ann performed in numerous school productions while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Theatre from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She later transitioned into on-camera work, joining the Screen Actors Guild after appearing in a Caesars Palace commercial. This led her to Hollywood, where she pursued screen acting, studied the Meisner technique at Playhouse West, and met her future husband and creative partner, Josh Smith.
Ann expanded her career into production with Dick Clark Productions, contributing to major television events including the American Music Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Daytime Emmy Awards. Through her work with SAG and the American Film Institute, she became actively involved in independent filmmaking and artist development.
Together with Josh, Ann produced and performed in stage productions such as Dear Friends and Twelve Angry Women (Men), establishing a long-standing creative home at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Over the past two decades, she has written, produced, and managed a wide range of live events, festivals, and theatrical productions, including The Italian Feast of San Gennaro, POP SK8 Live ,and staged shows Dragapalooza Live Concert Series and The War of Roses. In 2025, she launched the podcast Women Who Kick Glass.
With a deep respect for every role in the creative process, Ann brings a collaborative, hands-on approach to her work. As El Portal Theatre celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, Ann is honored to join the organization in Theatre Management and looks forward to contributing to its next chapter.
STEVE SHEDD
Front of House Operations, Box Office Supervisor
After graduating from Northwestern University in Chicago, Steve moved to Los Angeles in 1990 and began working at Hanna-Barbera Productions as a writer on the animated series “The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest” as well as other specials for the Flintstones and Scooby-Doo! After the Cartoon Network took over, he decided to move on, switching gears and working as Creative Director for Lumiere Films, the production company behind the Oscar winning “Leaving Las Vegas”. He supervised several features including “The Magic of Marciano”, “Somebody to Love” and “Touch” starring a variety of indie actors such as Robert Forster, Harvey Kietel, Stanley Tucci, Quentin Tarantino, Bridget Fonda and Christopher Walken. After Lumiere closed its doors, Steve worked at the Universal Amphitheatre as assistant manager of “Special Events” which really meant “Latin Events” organizing concerts for Latin Stars such as Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez and Ana Gabriel. Some of the perks of this job was getting to party backstage with big name stars such as Prince and David Bowie. After a lot of partying, Steve decided to calm down and get back to his roots – the theatre. In 2003, Steve ran into Jay, his NU college buddy and he began working as front of house manager at the El Portal. He’s worked on shows starring Debbie Reynolds, Bea Arthur, and many others. Steve has lived in NOHO for 10 years and watched the neighborhood become a hot spot for arts and entertainment. He enjoys walking to work.
EDWIN PLEITEZ
Technical Supervisor
A true native of NOHO , Edwin graduated from North Hollywood High School and then ITT Tech. In his youth he was a stuntman at Universal Studios.
Edwin is a Master Electrician with background at Long Beach Convention Center and then for the Long Beach Grand Prix.
He worked as a rigger with the National Tours of of GREEN DAY, MADONNA, and AEROSMITH. For the past nine years Edwin has been an essential staff person at the El Portal Theatre as Technical Supervisor for all productions on the MainStage — close to 500 productions. He is the proud fther of Edwin Jr., and Lila.
BERNARD AND JUDY KAUFMAN
GARY AND SHARI GOODGAME
Owners
ALEXANDRA BARRETT
Concessionaire
DAVID NAVARRETE
Maintenance
HEATHER LEE
Office Coordinator
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