University of Florida Performing Arts

Robbie Stevens, Box Office Manager

Bio:

Robbie Stevens has been Box Office Manager for UFPA since 2004, having also served as Development Coordinator for one year. Prior to moving to Gainesville, Robbie worked at Columbia Artists Management, Inc. in New York City for 11 years. He also played drums and bass with numerous bands, and participated in several recording projects. Robbie enjoys spending time with his wife Allison and their two Shetland Sheepdogs. In his spare time, he can be found either at the poker table or in his studio playing and recording music.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

One moment I remember in particular was watching Stanley Clarke perform with Jean-Luc Ponty and Béla Fleck and then getting to meet him afterwards. He has always been one of my favorite bass players.

James Kersey, Assistant Box Office Manager

Bio:

James Kersey has been the Assistant Box Office Manager with UFPA since 2007. Prior to this position, he worked as both a Teller and a Supervisor in the Box Office. In addition to his work here, James is also a student pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Engineering. When not working or studying, he enjoys spending time at home with his wife and daughter.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

It’s hard to narrow down a particular moment when working here has opened me up to an entirely new world that I never knew existed. Since being give the opportunity to work here, there have been so many artists and performances that have changed how I look at things. If I had to pick a favorite though, it would be seeing David Sedaris and having him sign a copy of his book for me after the show.

Matt Cox, Operations Director

Bio:

Matt has worked with UFPA since moving to Gainesville in 2000. His work in performing arts has extended over more than thirty years, as a stage carpenter, technical director and production manager. Matt earned his M.F.A. in theatre production at Temple University, and B.A. in Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania.
Matt and the technical and facility management team are responsible for facility and stage operations for all events in each of the facilities managed by UFPA. Matt serves on or assists various University committees, including the Performing Arts Advisory and the Cultural Plaza committees. In addition to all UFPA-sponsored events, Matt works with UF departments and student groups and other community organizations to facilitate their use of UF performing arts venues.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

Most recently, backstage at the Africa Project as Béla Fleck and Toumani Diabate blended the music of Appalachia and Mali.

Jason Degen, Technical Director

Bio:

Jason Degen’s professional theater career began in the Black Box Theater of the CPA as Stage Manager for Marion J. Caffey’s production of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. After more than a decade working in various theaters, attractions & scene shops in Central Florida, he returned to the renamed Phillips Center and UFPA. One of the highlights of working with the UFPA – spending a normal work day in my office, while pianist Mariangela Vacatello rehearsed on the mainstage, my own private concert!!!”

Nicole Lee, Master Electrician

Bio:

Nicole has been working with UFPA since she moved to Gainesville in the spring of 2001. Her love for theatre led her to lighting, where she is able to use her artistic abilities to help emphasize and influence the mood of shows through light. She is instrumental in setting up lighting rigs for many UFPA performances. Together with other members of UFPA’s technical team, Nicole helps organize and advise community organizations and UF student groups on making their performances the best possible.

Eric Ross, Audio Supervisor

Bio:

A long-time Gainesville resident, Eric’s journey with UFPA began when he was hired to work with the audio crew for David Copperfield in 2003. Since then, Eric’s ability and expertise for all things audio has shown through in everything he does. He has been instrumental in improving the audio systems in the UFPA venues, and continues to work towards bettering the sound quality of all UFPA performances. Eric is an important member of UFPA’s technical team, working with others from UFPA to help community organizations and UF student groups improve their ideas and provide them with the best shows possible.

Jonathan Prevost, Event Staff Coordinator

Bio:

Jon Prevost began his career with UFPA in 2005 as a stagehand and worked his way up to Event Staff Coordinator in 2008. Jon made the decision to move to Gainesville to be closer to his grandparents. It is here that he also met his future wife to whom Jon recently became engaged and plans to marry in 2010. Jon also attended University of Florida from 1996 -1998, where he studied Applied Anthropology. When he’s not working, he enjoys attending comic book /animé conventions with his fiancé.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

I have two. The first one was when I met my fiancé during The Wedding Singer build. The second was when I first started at UFPA; I attended DJ Spooky’s, Rebirth of a Nation, a multimedia project reimagining the original movie Birth of Nation. Following the performance, I had the opportunity to have dinner with the artist at Leonardo’s 706. The restaurant was kind enough to stay open two hours past their closing time to accommodate us.

Matthew Hensberry, Event Manager

Bio:

Coming Soon!

Favorite UFPA Moment:

Coming Soon!

Chuck Turner, University Auditorium Manager

Bio:

Prior to becoming the University Auditorium Manager, chuck served at the UFPA Technical Director. Before that, he was the Master Electrician for CAMI’s Tour of the Merry Widow (London City Opera), and Technical Director of the Art Station in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Chuck earned his Associates’ Degree from St. Johns River Community College. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, collecting vinyl and is a big movie enthusiast.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

It is hard to single out any particular moment, but if I had to choose one I suppose it would be my first show in 1994 at the Phillips center (Annie) where I fell in love with technical theater.

Lizz Nehls, Baughman Center Manager

Bio:

Lizz Nehls joined the UFPA family this year and comes to us from the Hippodrome Theatre where she worked for the past six years and was the resident stage manager. Earlier in her career, Lizz lived and worked in New York City in stage management, toured with 3 Mo’ Tenors as assistant stage manager, worked on the Stage Management team on the Broadway workshops of Movin’ Out and Spring Awakening. After graduating from UF in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in acting, she worked as a backstage crew member at UFPA before becoming the assistant stage manager intern at the Hippodrome.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

Coming Soon!

Favorite UFPA Moment:

I’ve had many fantastic experiences as a head usher, but my favorite event was The Producers. It was very hilarious and had unbelievable staging.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

When I was just beginning to usher, I was assigned the elevator at a performance where the guest was Gregory Peck. I was initially disappointed to be assigned the elevator, but I ended up being the person who took Mr. Peck up in the elevator for the reception. All he said was “Good evening,” but it made my day.

Favorite UFPA Moment:

My favorite moment was ushering for Les Miserables. I signed up to usher for five performances to ensure I would have an opportunity to see all of the show, due to the uncertainty of assigned usher duty. It was a great performance!