Ryan Foy (Director of Produced Theatre & Special Programming/Director, Winter Wonderettes)
Originally from Denver, CO, Ryan attended the University of Michigan Musical Theatre program and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, Australia. While based in New York City, Ryan appeared onstage in numerous national/international tours and regional productions across America, Australia, and Asia, including performances at Radio City Music Hall and the New York International Fringe Festival. A skilled director, Ryan has also helmed a wide variety of musical theater productions from coast to coast. Ryan's theatrical experience extends beyond the stage, with work in company management, Broadway marketing/advertising, and theatrical design and production.
Heike Hambley (Director, Murder on the Orient Express)
Heike Hambley has worked extensively as director and performer in the Central Valley in the last 25 years. Originally from Germany, she has lived over 35 years in Merced, is happily married and the enthusiastic grandmother of 3 little ones. She is Merced’s “Shakespeare Lady”, the Founder and Artistic Director of Merced Shakespearefest, where she has directed close to 30 plays, and played several handfuls of roles, her favorite being Julius Caesar. Since the inception of the Gallo Center Repertory Company (GCRC), she has directed there numerous times: Inherit the Wind, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Miracle Worker, Tuesdays with Morrie, and most recently Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Patrick Norris (Director, 12 Angry Jurors)
A Central Valley native, Patrick is a Theatre Director and Educator at John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, CA. He studied Directing at Southern Oregon University and is thrilled to be directing again for GCRC following last season's production of A Christmas Story. Previous works include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, High School Musical (Director, John H Pitman), Peter and the Starcatcher, Hairspray (Asst. Director Modesto Junior College).
Jim Johnson (Director, Born Yesterday)
After 40 years of service at Modesto Junior College as a Professor of Speech & Theatre, plus Dean of the Arts, Humanities and Communications division, Jim is retired and now dedicates his time to the local theatre community. He recently stepped down from his role as the Artistic Director of the Gallo Center Repertory Company which he volunteered his time to for over a decade. He previously served for six years as the Gallo Center Arts Education Coordinator in the Pathways to Creativity program. Jim’s recent directing assignments include: The Piano Lesson, Freedom Riders, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Stand and Deliver, The Odd Couple, All Is Calm, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Twisted Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Jim currently serves as a Board of Trustee member for the Gallo Center for the Arts, and he is also a committee member for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration ceremonies. His community awards include: MJC Purdy award for excellence in education, Stanislaus County Arts Council Lifetime achievement in the arts, Stanislaus County PFLAG special honor and the Stanislaus County NAACP Special recognition. Jim holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Communication from California State University, East Bay and a PH.D. in Communication Arts and Sciences from the University of Southern California.
