Michael C. Whitham
President of the board

Michael has had a very successful career in Information Technology spanning 40 years, the last 25 of which were focused in Project & Portfolio Management. He is also a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Michael has demonstrated high level skills in leading diverse teams to deliver complicated projects on time, in budget, and with a high degree of quality. As an accomplished Events Planner leading teams of all sizes and skills, he has put on a variety of single and multi-day events with attendance upwards of 6,000 people. In addition to his degree in Computer Science, Michael holds a degree in Business Administration; outside of his career, he has used his education to create/lead many community service organizations and charitable initiatives, including forming several non-profit organizations. His active imagination and love of storytelling led to a long and varied history of writing and directing across a wide spectrum of mediums. Coupled with a passion for film that began in high school, this would evolve into a love of multimedia and theatrical arts, wherein writing and directing would be joined by acting. In his work with IMAGINEX, Michael aims to create a production company unlike any other theater group, keeping things new and exciting for all involved.

Kelly Whitham
Secretary

Kelly has 12 years of experience as a school counselor, currently working for the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts High School in Hartford, CT. She holds a B.S. in Music Education with a concentration in Vocal Performance from Hofstra University in NY as well as a M.S. in Education in School Counseling from Central Connecticut State University. She is currently pursuing a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership through Quinnipiac University. She also serves on the Connecticut School Counselors Association (CSCA) Board currently as Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Chair. Outside of education, Kelly is a semi-professional vocalist with classical training. Prior to the birth of her daughter, Kelly was an active performer in community theater/musicals in CT and Long Island including but not limited to South Glastonbury Community Theater, Southington community theaters (Summer Stage, Steeple Players, St. Thomas Passion Play), The Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island (GASLOCOLI), The South Shore Syncopators, and Hofstra Opera Theater. She looks forward to her continued work with IMAGINEX both on-stage and behind the scenes

Len Specht
Board member

Len is an experienced producer and digital designer who is recognized in Connecticut for the unique productions and visionary designs that he has created for major corporations, businesses large and small, museums, and non-profit organizations. He works in all areas of digital design including desktop publishing, package design, exhibit design, indoor and outdoor signage, website design, and the production of audio and video projects. Len’s career has included work as the Director of the Gengras Planetarium at the Science Center of Connecticut, heading the audiovisual unit of CIGNA’s Corporate Communications unit, Producers Two, Inc. as an audio engineer and producer, at the Audio Visual Rental Center staging major events for their clients, and at G. FOX & CO. establishing its audiovisual department. In 1999, Len established Studio Specht (Sp8) in order to provide clients with creative design solutions in traditional media as well as emerging technologies. In his work with IMAGINEX, Len continues to bring a seasoned, creative approach to marketing and graphic design that attracts a broad audience.

Jerry Rankin
Board member

Jerry has had a successful career as a court reporter for over 40 years. He served Honorably in the United States Marine Corps for six years. Jerry’s theater credits span over two decades, in a variety of community theater productions in the central Connecticut area. His experience in and passion for theater, has driven him to join the IMAGINEX board, wherein he looks to expand his horizons both onstage and in the workings behind the scenes.

Alex Whitham
Treasurer

Alex has years of experience in the electrical, manufacturing, and construction trades. His current position is as an estimator with a Connecticut based abatement company. Additionally in his prior position, he worked with budgeting through associations and private homeowners in the insurance world involving private residences and high rise buildings up to several million dollars. Alex is recognized for strong organization and high attention to detail. Outside of the workplace, Alex has been involved in a plethora of charitable organizations in leadership positions and community service. He is a self-taught musician who has played drums with various bands,ensembles and community theaters. In addition to managing the finances as treasurer, Alex brings his carpentry background toward prop design and construction, utilizing his creativity to create staging and props in unique ways. Alex has always had a passion for audio/visual effects; his goal is to put himself in the seat of the audience, immersing them in the scene through audio/visual choreographing and complementing not just the actors on stage but the story itself to activate an emotional response. He is thrilled to continue to lend his skills to the behind-the-scenes work at IMAGINEX.

John M. Barrett
Board member

John has enjoyed a long career in Graphic Design, Advertising, Website Development and Publishing. He is also an Army National Guard Veteran. As an active member of his local community and within elected leadership roles, John has participated in and lead/planned multiple community events in outdoor venues with attendees of over 5000 people. Currently he is Sales Manager of a medium-sized manufacturing company and is the owner of a home refurbishing and flooring company. Over the years, he has also been afforded opportunities to hone his passion for acting through local television advertising, a supporting role in the movie, Birth of a Party, local community theater, and Pod Casting. As a member of the IMAGINEX board, John intends to utilize his accumulated experience to aid in creating a dynamic theater group that stretches the imagination and the theater experience.

Liston Filyaw
Board member

Liston N. Filyaw is a Playwright, Director and Singer. He is the co-founder and Vice President of the “Journey Writers, Inc.,” and founder of “Unity Writers & Voices.” He has worked/performed with the Day of Tears Co., Vital Element Productions, Alliance Theatre, New England Academy of Theatre, Ivoryton Playhouse, Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Phoenix Theater, UMass Theater Department. He has performed in Day of Tears, The Amen Corner; Purlie; Raisin; Godspell; Black Nativity; Hell in High Water; Of Mice and Men; A Christmas Carol; etc. His plays have been performed throughout CT. His play, Pender County was performed at the Wadsworth in Hartford, CT. His play If You Can’t Say Amen, Say Ouch, was performed in CT, NY, NC, and TX. He received numerous awards, citations and proclamations for his work. Additionally, Liston appeared in a number of commercials and taught theater to children at Oddfellows Playhouse, the Hartford Conservatory, and Footlights Center for Performing Arts. He has worked at Eastern Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut, and Manchester Community College. He holds a B.A. in Sociology, from the University of Connecticut; M.S. in Elementary Education, from Eastern Connecticut, and M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling, from the University of Connecticut. Liston is excited to lend his talents to IMAGINEX both onstage and as a member of the board.

Timothy Patrick Brady
Board member

Timothy has nearly 35 years of experience in insurance law and claims handling. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Fairfield University, a M.A. in Divinity from the University of Chicago, and a J.D. from Boston College. Timothy’s passion for theater began in college and has continued throughout the years as he has taken part in various productions throughout the state both on stage and behind the scenes.

Leslie Bivans
Board member

Ms. Bivans holds an MA in English and Creative Writing and a BA in Communications and Culture. A Greater Hartford native, Leslie is a published poet and writer, playwright, and actress, with stage, audio, and film experience. She has presented works of all types as a director, costume master, and producer - including creating an original fairytale. She is also a frequently hired storyteller of vignettes and poetry. She is a staunch community advocate with a steadfast resolve to remain committed to involvement in the Arts as a social action and combating racial injustice.