William Anawalt has long enjoyed a passion for theatre, attending plays at the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre as a high school student and going on to earn degrees in theatre and English from Occidental College and an MFA from Brandeis University in playwriting.   As an audience member, he was deeply inspired by the work produced at Boston Court Performing Arts Center and very quickly become involved with the organization in a significant way.  He has served on the Board since 2004, currently serving as its Chair.   His tenure has been marked with outstanding dedication and leadership as Boston Court has grown into an important and dynamic feature of the local arts landscape with a long-term future as a Pasadena arts institution.  Anawalt is an accomplished playwright and is also Anawalt Lumber Company President.

Vivacious and assertive, Michele Engemann graduated from USC’s theatre department, where she fell in love with acting and the theater.  In her defining role as chair of the Pasadena Playhouse, her theatre experience, leadership skills, considerable business aptitude and dedication to the community have shined brightly as the organization has faced the tough decisions of the last few months, staring down its financial realities with an unflinching resolve.  As Playhouse chair, she has given unsparingly of her time and personal resources to support the institution during this critical period.  Driven by a passion for creating opportunities for young people, she has also performed with the Nine O’Clock Players Theatre for Children in Los Angeles for three decades, appearing in more than 60 productions for audiences who are mentally or physically challenged or have limited access to live theatre.   

Melinda Shea’s love of music began early, growing up in a family of musicians, and she began college as a music major.  She went on to graduate with a psychology degree and to receive a master’s degree in interior architecture.  She and her husband Tim moved to Southern California in 1987 to pursue careers in the architectural realm and she is now Vice President for Design and Planning at Capital Group Companies.  Shea has never been far from her music roots, however, and has loved the Pasadena Symphony since she moved to the area.  She joined the Symphony board four years ago and currently serves as its President.  She takes “immense pride” in working with gifted musicians and dedicated trustees, and brings her ability to see a project in multidimensional ways to the board table.  As Board President, she has led the way through the rugged financial terrain that so many arts institutions have had to navigate recently, with grace, determination and a deep caring for the individuals involved and the future of the organization.