LEDA HOFFMANN

Artistic Director

Leda Hoffmann (Artistic Director) became CATCO’s Artistic Director in August 2020. Previously, Leda was Artistic Director at Strawdog Theatre Company in Chicago. Before that, Leda served on Milwaukee Rep’s artistic staff for seven years, working in the Education and Literary departments and founding Milwaukee Rep’s Community Engagement Department. Also in Milwaukee, as the Artistic Director of Luminous Theatre, Leda produced and directed site-specific productions of Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play and The Penelopiad. Leda’s work as a director has been seen across the country at Milwaukee Rep, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Texas Shakespeare Festival, University of Miami, Door Shakespeare, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, Northbrook Theatre, The Alchemist Theatre, Max and Louie Productions, and Riverside Theater Iowa City. Leda has also been a teaching artist for over ten years, directing youth and teaching with Hartford Stage, Milwaukee Rep, Mudlark Theater, Northbrook Park District, and Skyline Studios. Leda is a proud graduate of Grinnell College, a former Milwaukee Rep directing resident, Hartford Stage apprentice, SDCF Observer and a member of Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab.

ANDREW PROTOPAPAS

Interim Education Director

A Columbus native, Andrew Protopapas is proud to be a member of the CATCO staff. He is an alumnus of both Capital University and CATCO’s acting apprenticeship program. He holds bachelor’s degrees in English literature, creative writing, and theatre studies. As an educator, Andrew has facilitated and planned workshops, classes, and residency programs in schools both inside and outside of Columbus. Apart from providing education through theatre, Andrew enjoys acting, directing, and writing for the stage.

www.andrewprotopapas.com

KRISTA LIVELY STAUFFER

Artist Educator

Krista Lively Stauffer, a graduate of Otterbein University’s Theatre Department, is a local professional actor on stage and screen. A casting associate/in-house artist with Boxland Media, Krista has been seen and heard in several commercials and voice overs. Some of her favorite stage credits include Avenue Q (Kate/Lucy), Sunday in the Park with George (Nurse/Harriet/Mrs.), and She Kills Monsters (Agnes). Krista is an artist educator with CATCO is Kids, working as the director for the Saturday Morning Musical experiences.

CHASE HOLT

Shop Foreman

A native of Columbus, Charles Holt grew up in the world of rock and roll, starting his career in live entertainment at the age of 16 with RCS and Thorn Apple Sound based out of Cleveland. Between this, wrenching on hot rods, and working for his father as a roofer, his love for building things with his hands had no limits. In 2008, he was offered a position at Bartha as a scenic carpenter. Although carpentry at this point was only a dream of his, this gave him the opportunity to learn in a fast-paced environment. Over the years he helped launch their soft goods department as well as traveled all over the country as head carpenter overseeing the set-up of massive builds for national and international clients. Also, being a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 12 Stage Hand Union for the better part of 10 years, his heart is really in the industry. With all of his hard work, and help from Opera Columbus, he has found himself in a position at CATCO that feels like home.

JOE WOLFLE

Technical Director

Joe grew up in the country just outside of Orient, Ohio. After attending Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati for theater production and design, Wolfle moved to New England to work for Bread and Puppet Theater, as well as to conduct forestry work using a team of oxen on a permaculturally-based certified organic farm. Returning to Ohio to live in Columbus, he’s worked as the technical director for several local theater and opera companies and works in his home studio creating abstract linear paintings and playful sculptures. In 2016, Wolfle founded Magic House Farms, a non-profit community-based organic farm and homestead with the mission to provide access to fresh produce in the food desert that is Western Franklinton. Wolfle has been very active within the local food access initiative to make it easier for the public to be able to grow their own food. Joe is also a high steel rigger in the local arenas and performs freelance fabrication work.

ROWAN WINTERWOOD

CPAC Facility Coordinator

Rowan Winterwood is a designer, technician, stage manager, and occasional actor and director. She holds a dual degree in cognitive & linguistic sciences and theatre studies from Wellesley College, where she was a member of the Wellesley College Shakespeare Society. She is an ensemble member of Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, where recent credits include Romeo & Juliet (stage manager), Mystery-Bouffe (director, staged reading), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (sound board operator). Recent CATCO credits include sound design for Babe and The Christmas Schooner, and lighting design for Sunshine.

CAROLINE DITTAMO

CPAC Facility Coordinator

Caroline has worked in opera theater and music as a stage manager, master electrician, and lighting designer. Her most recent work was seen as the Lighting Designer for Evolution Theatre Company’s production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Caroline is thrilled to be joining the CATCO team.

SARAH MILLS BACHA

Press Representative

Sarah Mills Bacha is a professional writer and communications/marketing consultant. As president of her own firm, SMB Communications Ltd., which she founded in 1994, she has assisted numerous national and central Ohio companies and organizations with their marketing and communications needs. Before becoming a consultant, she worked as a journalist at daily newspapers. Previous positions include business reporter at The Columbus Dispatch in Columbus, Ohio, comment page editor at The Journal-Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind., and stringer for Reuters.

JACQUELINE BATES

House Manager

Jacqueline S. Bates has served as House Manager for CATCO since 2012 and loves welcoming patrons to CATCO productions. Jackie has been active in local theatre for many years and has performed roles for Players Theatre, CATCO, Red Herring, Actors’ Theatre, and OSU Summer Theatre. Most recently she appeared as Katherine in CATCO’s Mothers and Sons and Ouiser in Steel Magnolias. She also does audio description for the visually impaired.