Leadership
Artistic Director & President of the Board:
Lea Capps
A performer since the age of three, Lea Capps has been in such shows as Evita, Singin’ in the Rain and A Chorus Line, and has performed on national television and at the White House. For the past 20 years, however, Lea’s most inspirational role has been to lead The Talent Machine Company – an organization dedicated to giving children the opportunity to experience the transformative power of musical theater. Lea took over as Company President and Artistic Director in 2001 after the unexpected death of her mother and Company founder, Bobbi Smith.
Under her leadership, the Company has earned several awards for excellence in musical theater, has expanded its reach and added a partnership with The Penguin Project, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to giving young people with disabilities the chance to perform on stage, supported by peer mentors. Talent Machine and Penguin Project have presented three annual spring productions thus far, with more than 30 artists and 30 mentors in each show.
In addition to her leadership role with the Company, Lea also often serves as director and choreographer for many Company productions. Lea has a degree in psychology from UMBC and considers two of her best “credits” her husband, Michael Blonder, and their daughter, Samantha Blonder, a Talent Machine alum and now a marine biologist. Lea can be reached at info@talentmachine.com.
Executive Director:
Kelly Balmaceda
Kelly Balmaceda is the Company’s first Executive Director, bringing with her nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit arts leadership, music education, performance and community engagement. Kelly has dedicated her career to creating meaningful artistic opportunities for young people and building vibrant arts communities.
Board of Directors
Officers
A performer since the age of three, Lea Capps has been in such shows as Evita, Singin’ in the Rain and A Chorus Line, and has performed on national television and at the White House. For the past 20 years, however, Lea’s most inspirational role has been to lead The Talent Machine Company – an organization dedicated to giving children the opportunity to experience the joy and power of musical theater. Lea took over as Executive Director after the unexpected death of her mother and Company founder, Bobbi Smith.
In addition to her leadership role with the Company, Lea also often serves as director and choreographer for Company’ productions and supports area middle school theater programs as well. Lea has a degree in psychology from UMBC and considers two of her best “credits” her husband, Michael Blonder, and their daughter, Samantha Blonder, a Talent Machine alum and now a marine biologist.
Lea also serves as the Company’s Artistic Director and the Board’s Chair of the Artistic Planning Committee.
Judy is an Anne Arundel County Public School Media Teaching Assistant with Crofton Elementary School. Judy’s daughter, Sam Curbelo, performed in Company holiday and summer shows from 2000 through 2013. As a Talent Machine parent, Judy served as a producer, worked on costumes, sets, box office, summer camp coordinator, breakfast show coordinator and, whatever else was needed. Judy continues to volunteer as show producer and company manager and helped plan the Company’s first-ever, highly successful Gala in 2021.
Judy also serves as the Co-chair of the Operations Committee.
Susan is a business manager at Northrop Grumman. Her daughter, Taylor Rector, performed in Talent Machine holiday and summer shows from 1996 through 2008. Throughout her daughter’s performing years, Susan was an active volunteer, serving as a show producer and supporting all activities and performances of the company. Most recently, she was a member of the planning committee for the 2021 TMC Gala. Susan is very excited to continue her involvement with the company, to support its vision to assure performing opportunities continue to be available for our youth.
Susan also serves as Chair of the Finance Committee.
Mary is a retired attorney in Annapolis whose daughter, Beth Lepley, performed in Talent Machine holiday and summer shows from 1996 through 2006. While an active Company parent, Mary worked on costumes, sets, concessions and, like most TMC parents, whatever else was needed. She chaired the Company’s first-ever, highly successful Gala in 2021 and is now also helping lead TMC’s new strategic planning initiative.
Mary also serves as Co-chair of the Executive Committee.
Directors
Donna Arbogast is a public relations and marketing consultant for hospitals, health systems and nonprofits, and was previously Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing for MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She helped launch Crofton Middle School’s musical program in 1998. Her sons, Greg and Devin, were then very fortunate to also get involved with TMC. As a volunteer parent, Donna worked on publicity, costumes and stage crew. She is excited to be involved in TMC’s strategic planning initiative, ensuring the Company is here for children and youth for years to come.
Donna also serves as the Co-chair of the Executive and Marketing committees.
Sam is a recent graduate of The University of Delaware, where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Master’s degree in anatomy and clinical health science. She recently completed a sports residency with Rehab 2 Perform and is currently practicing as a Senior Physical Therapist with Rehab 2 Perform in Frederick, Maryland. Sam performed with The Talent Machine from 2000 through 2013. She choreographed the Company’s Camp Rock in 2015 and choreographed some numbers for the holiday shows in 2017 and 2020. Sam loves coming back to the Company as a choreographer and is honored to serve on the board.
Sam serves as the Co-chair of the Community & Alumni Relations Committee.
Pam, a litigation attorney, grew up in the Severna Park area. She began performing at the age of six. She was in the very first Talent Machine show in 1988 and numerous others. The TMC family is strong and Pam built life-long friendships that endure today. She continued to support TMC through the years, bringing her children to the performances and assisting where needed. She happily became a Board member and is passionate about continuing TMC’s mission.
Pam serves as the Co-chair of the Community & Alumni Relations Committee.
Sarah performed with The Talent Machine Company from 1998 to 2010. She directed TMC’s productions of Young Frankenstein in 2024, Urinetown: The Musical in 2021 and is currently co-directing the holiday show for the 8th time. Sarah also co-founded TMC’s new adult cabaret series. Sarah is the Director of Business & Finance Operations at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. She previously worked in NYC as the Line Producer/General Manager of Remarkable Entertainment, an immersive theatre company. Sarah graduated from Oklahoma City University with a B.S. in Entertainment Business, with an emphasis in Theatre Management.
Sarah also serves as Co-chair of the Operations Committee.
As the proud parent of Talent Machine alum, Madeleine Wojcik, Rich worked on the stage crew and as stage manager from 2003 through 2011. Rich was also instrumental in starting the first stage crew show, which is now still a beloved tradition among cast and crew! In addition to his extensive volunteering with the company, Rich is the owner of the local landscaping company, Ultimate Landscapes, and in that capacity, he has donated invaluable resources and equipment to Talent Machine over the years. He is pleased to join the Board, thanks to his love of the arts and a desire to give back to the Talent Machine community that has meant so much to his family over the years.
Belinda Sims, PhD, is a developmental psychologist and resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland. She came to know The Talent Machine Company through her daughter’s interest in performing arts. Belinda volunteered with TMC summer and holiday shows from 2015 to 2019, primarily on the costume committee. Belinda served as a Co-chair of costumes for the 2017 production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and the 2018 production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”
Belinda also serves as the Co-chair of the Operations Committee.
MaryLouise is Director of Marketing Operations with the American Psychological Association in Washington DC. MaryLouise’s children, Kelsea and Samuel Edgerly, performed in The Talent Machine Company’s holiday and summer shows from 2001 through 2007. As an active Company parent, she worked on sets, stage crew, publicity, and whatever else was needed! She helped plan and implement the Company’s first-ever, highly successful Gala in 2021.
Mary Louise also serves as the Co-chair of the Marketing Committee.
As a junior at Archbishop Spalding High School, Ivy has performed in 15 Talent Machine shows and mentored artists in both the 2025 and 2026 Penguin Project productions as well. A natural leader and energetic volunteer, Ivy participates with Caring Cupboard in the community and in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honors Society, Track and Field, Varsity Cross Country and Tri-M at school.