Leadership

Morgan Schreiber
Board President

Morgan Schreiber is a Business Consultant and Coach and the Owner of The Process Strategist. She’s been involved in theatre for nearly 30 years, and has worked in several capacities with arts organizations including the Denver Art Museum and Curious Theatre Company. While her career has moved more into Operations and Business Development, her love of theatre brings her back regularly to perform in and direct shows and immersive events in Denver and Chicago.

Morgan brings her experience in business development, event planning, and grant writing to ACAD, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with local artists and organizations and contribute to the development of the District. She’s a published author, entrepreneur, and still works with theatre companies on occasion, and strongly believes in supporting organizations that foster diversity, inclusion, and authenticity. In her free time, Morgan enjoys discovering new immersive experiences, writing her next book, and working on creative projects with friends.

Iris Hentze, MPA
Secretary
Public Policy Specialist

Iris Hentze is the current Board Secretary of the Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) and has been volunteering with the organization since 2021. Iris is a resident of Northwest Aurora and East Colfax and deeply believes in ACAD’s mission to encourage artistic and cultural creativity through advocacy, support our multicultural urban community and provide opportunities for diverse expression. Iris brings nearly a decade of diverse public policy experience to ACAD including government, nonprofit and campaign experience. Iris currently works as a Senior Government Affairs Associate at Aponte & Busam Public Affairs Consultants. In her role, she helps the firm provide high caliber government relations services and legislative and regulatory results for a variety of clients in the health care, education, nonprofit and business sectors. Prior to her current role, Iris worked as the Senior Legislative Analyst for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), the agency that administers Medicaid in Colorado. Prior to her work with HCPF, Iris worked as a nonpartisan policy analyst at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) focusing on employment and labor policy. Iris has a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver. Iris is originally from the rural, western Colorado town of Delta where she attended Delta High School.

Kena Peterson
Board Member and Webmaster

Kena Peterson is the proud owner of Bright Ideas Website Design, LLC. Kena has been involved in the graphic design, website development and public relations arenas for various employers and colleagues for over 20 years. As a part of her experience, she has worked with various clients and organizations and enjoys learning more and more with each project. She enjoys working with WordPress and its various plugins, programs, themes, builders, and more.

Kena has enjoyed working with various nonprofit organizations and is proud to have served on the board of the Parker Area Chamber of Commerce and, most currently, the Aurora Cultural Arts District. She is a wife and proud mom to three children. She lives in Parker, Colorado, and enjoys volunteering, exploring the outdoors, sampling craft beers, and participating in her children’s extracurricular activities.

Richard Cowden
Board Member

Richard R. Cowden comes to the Aurora Fox Arts Center from his most recent role as General Manager & Executive Director of Denver’s Mizel Arts and Culture Center, where he oversaw all the Center’s cultural activities including the Wolf Theatre Academy, Denver Children’s Theatre, the Neustadt JAAMM series, and other programming. He is also the former Director of the Arts at Vermont’s Castleton University, where he led the departments of art, music, and theatre, while also serving as director of the campus’s fine arts center; he also served as the Head of the Department of Theatre Arts at Colorado Mesa University from 2006-2010. He is the creator of the CICERO public speaking system, which he used to provide high level presentation coaching to celebrities, political leaders, and Fortune 500 executives from his base in New York City.

As a director with over 50 productions to his credit, Richard was the Associate Artistic Director of Denver’s Edge Theatre Company, where he directed the world premiere of Jonson Kuhn’s NEWARK VIOLENTA and received a Broadway World award as Best Director for his direction of the regional premiere of BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO. Other professional credits as an actor, singer, and director include sharing the Carnegie Hall stage with Stephen Sondheim as a member of Essential Voices USA, starring in Iceland’s top-rated comedy series SPAUGSTOFAN, and appearing as a featured soloist for the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Richard holds an MFA in directing from the Ohio University School of Theater and a BA in Music Theatre from Colorado Mesa. A sought-after presenter and teacher, he has taught acting, directing, playwriting, improvisation, script analysis, and theatre history for over 25 years.

He wrote and directed the Wolf Theatre Academy’s post-pandemic “comeback” production, EMERGENCE, in 2021 and has also directed 2022’s MATILDA and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), and PUFFS for WTA, as well as recently helming the Denver Children’s Theatre production of THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE. He also serves on the executive committee of the Collaborative of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

Stacey D’Angelo
Board Member

Stacey D’Angelo (she/her) has been a proud member of the Community College of Aurora community for the past 17 years as faculty in Theatre, Chair of Visual and Performing Arts and currently serves as Interim Dean of Academic success within the Office of Innovative Arts. Stacey is a passionate educator specializing in acting, movement, voice, directing, and creating original theatre to foster community, dialogue and elevate our student voice. She he has directed/devised over 45 productions and showcases for CCA over the years and is proud to serve in her position as Dean to support the future of the Innovative Arts! She holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College and an M.F.A. in Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. Stacey has been recognized for innovation in teaching and directing with a Top 40 Under 40 Award with the American Association for Women in Colleges, Outstanding Faculty Award with the Colorado Community College System, and Faculty of the Year for the Community College of Aurora.

Stephanie Hancock
Board Member and Past President

Stephanie Hancock has been a prominent figure in Arts & Entertainment for many years, with experience as an actor, singer, songwriter, and co-owner of an award-winning theatre company. Her dedication to the Aurora Cultural Arts District (ACAD) is driven by her vision of transforming it into a thriving incubator for artists across all disciplines, fostering arts and culture throughout Aurora, and setting the gold standard for creativity in the country. She currently serves a Ward IV City Council Member.

Michael Hancock
Board Treasurer

Michael Hancock is a retired high-tech technology and business executive. He is now dedicated to supporting a variety of community efforts in Aurora, Colorado. Michael’s extensive business and technology experience, combined with his passion for giving back, drive his commitment to making a positive impact locally.