Board of Directors

All board members serve as volunteers; their interest in serving the theatrical community through SSPA is founded in years of support for and involvement in the craft of the art.

Treasurer - Penny Thill

Penny brings more than 40 years of accounting and human resource expertise to SSPA. She is currently a staff accountant at DiPietro & Thornton. Penny’s thirty years of experience in construction accounting has given her the experience to deal with budgets, schedules and time restraints on all types of projects, large and small, that SSPA undertakes.

Advisor - Polly Boardman

Polly is excited to join the Board of Directors at SSPA in 2020! A lifelong resident of Northern Nevada, she is a strong supporter of the local performing arts scene and was introduced to SSPA by one of her daughter’s involvement in musical theatre. Polly is an Associate Vice President at Michael Baker International, Inc., an engineering, architecture, and mapping consulting firm. She will be heading up the Fundraising and Events Committee for SSPA and looks forward to seeing everyone at the 15th Anniversary Event in August 2020!

Advisor - Kelly Gundersen

Kelsey was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Her mother, Lisa Gunderson, was a founding member of Sierra School of Performing Arts. As a child, Kelsey was involved in the early days of SSPA and is now happy to return as an adult. Kelsey is currently an attorney at Woodburn and Wedge. She graduated from the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law in 2019, and Rollins College in 2015. Kelsey is excited to bring her love of theater, as well as her legal knowledge and experience to the SSPA Board of Directors.

Advisor - Beth Honebein

Beth has found a niche writing grants and keeping an eye on the website for Sierra School of Performing Arts. With a professional background in advertising and marketing, she spent 10 years at advertising agencies in San Francisco and Indiana. In 1994, she moved to Reno and started her own manufacturing business, AuntieA's. As an entrepreneur, she is involved in every aspect of business, from making products and ordering inventory, to sales, marketing, and accounting, even sweeping the warehouse floor. Beth has put this ability to do whatever needs to be done to work in a variety of volunteer endeavors. She is proud to lend these talents to the amazingly creative people of SSPA.

Advisor - Justin Impossible

Former resident magician at Tamarack Junction Casino in Reno, Justin travels around the world performing for major corporations, universities, and celebrities. Specializing in corporate trade shows & events, he regularly performs for companies like Google and Microsoft. He was recently featured on Good Morning America and performed a four month contract at the Eldorado Casino in Reno.

Justin is a third generation magician learning magic from his grandfather. His dream of becoming a professional magician was transformed into an obsession at a very early age. He is author of the award winning picture book series, “The Amazing Alexander.” Fellow magician Lance Burton says of the series, "This is an amazing story!"

Justin is also a performing member of the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood and former president of both magic organizations in Reno: The Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He teaches the art of magic to over 100 students world wide and is the owner of the Impossibles Magic Shop & Theatre in Reno.

Justin is very excited to be part of SSPA bringing his marketing and production talents to assist with making sure each production is a huge success as well as to bring attention to the organization and enhance its ability to make the art of theater accessible to all of the Truckee Meadows and beyond. As a magic teacher, Justin gives the gift of life skills that children do not receive in the "normal" classroom. As an SSPA board member, Justin's mission is to share the love of performing by promoting all that SSPA has to offer both children and adults.

Advisor - Joe Linscott

Joe is a local business owner and real estate professional. Joe was born and raised in Reno Nevada, and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Business Management. Joe is a supporter of local arts and has participated in and enjoyed performing arts in the area from a young age—including appearing in past SSPA performances as a young adult. Joe appreciates the life benefits he has experienced from developing performance skills, and he looks forward to continuing the wonderful future of Sierra School of Performing Arts.

Advisor - Serena Robb

Serena spent 36 years as an educator, ending her career as principal at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno. Earlier, she was a speech pathologist and high school counselor. After retiring from the Washoe County School District, Serena began a second career as a small business owner. In 2005, she opened Shoe, in the South Creek Retail Center on South Virginia Street in Reno. The boutique features European footwear. When her granddaughter became involved with SSPA, Serena was impressed with the educational mission of the organization. She is delighted to serve on the organization’s board and assist in expanding the educational opportunities and grant funding for SSPA.