Board
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 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 Strategic Planning Committee and the Fundraising 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 Strategic Planning 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 production of Urinetown: The Musical in the summer of 2021 and is currently co-directing the Holiday Show for the fifth time. Sarah is the Director of Business Operations at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. She previously worked in NYC as the Line Producer/General Manager of Remarkable Entertainment, an immersive theatrical company whose projects included several shows for Virgin Voyages cruise line, the Big Apple Circus, and an upcoming immersive nightlife venue located in the heart of midtown. She also worked as the Theatre Manager of Soho Playhouse and Box Office Manager of many theatre festivals around the city. 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.
Lisa Ossman is a Business Analyst for Leidos Corporation. She was one of the producers for the Crofton Middle School shows “Hello Dolly” in 2010 and “The Pajama Game” in 2011. Her son, David, performed in many TMC holiday and summer shows from 2010 through 2015. Lisa has been a Box Office Chair since 2012, has helped out with auditions and is also involved with fundraising activities, including starting the sale of cast member buttons and the “yellow buckets” drive.
Deborah Potter, from Severna Park, is an attorney. She is the parent of Talent Machine alum, Whitney Green, who performed in shows from 2006 through 2020. Debbie was involved with the “yellow bucket” fundraising, as she is passionate that all gifts, big or small, add up to help the Company’s mission. She was also a box office and lobby display parent.
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.
A senior at Archbishop Spalding High School, Daniel has been performing since the age of 8. His most recent shows include The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Addams Family (Gomez), Legally Blonde (Carlos/Ensemble), and TMC’s Holiday Wishes. Daniel has helped choreograph many school shows and was the Assistant Director for TMC’s Beauty and the Beast. He has received performance education under the instruction of Stageworkz, C&C, MDM Management, and his voice teachers. He is a Vocal Scholar and a part of the Tri-M Music Honors Society at Spalding, and is the first male on the Varsity Dance Team. Daniel is honored to be on the Board and is looking forward to a thriving future with The Talent Machine Company.