Gulfshore Playhouse Celebrates Judy Cheteyan Fellowship Program

Published on August 04, 2026

Summer Fellowship Provides Emerging Arts Professionals with Hands-On Experience In Production, Marketing, and Advancement

Naples, FL - Gulfshore Playhouse is proud to celebrate the successful completion of the inaugural Judy Cheteyan Fellowship, a transformative summer program designed to prepare the next generation of arts professionals through immersive, hands-on experience in production, marketing, and advancement.

Over the course of two months, three emerging professionals joined the Gulfshore Playhouse team, working alongside theatre leaders while contributing to the organization's daily operations and artistic mission. More than an internship, the fellowship offered meaningful mentorship, professional development, and firsthand experience inside one of the nation's fastest-growing professional LORT regional theatres.

The fellowship was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Judy and Michael Cheteyan, whose longstanding commitment to nurturing emerging talent inspired the creation of the program.

"The Judy Cheteyan Fellowship represents exactly the kind of investment that strengthens not only Gulfshore Playhouse, but the future of our industry," said Kristen Coury, Founder, CEO & Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse. "We are deeply grateful to the Cheteyans for believing in our vision and creating an opportunity that allows talented young professionals to gain real-world experience while making meaningful contributions to our organization. Their generosity will have an impact for years to come."

Throughout the summer, each fellow focused on a different area of theatre administration and production while collaborating across departments and gaining a comprehensive understanding of how a professional regional theatre operates.

The inaugural fellowship class included Parker Mitchell from the University of Alabama, Bria Weisz, a 2027 MFA candidate in Arts Leadership at Virginia Tech, and Elizabeth Montgomery from Pitzer College. Together, the three fellows represented the next generation of theatre professionals, each bringing unique talents, curiosity, and enthusiasm to Gulfshore Playhouse.

"We intentionally designed the Fellowship program to provide a well-rounded experience that extends beyond hands-on training," said Brandon Horwin, Chief of Staff at Gulfshore

Playhouse. "With the enthusiastic support of our staff, Board members, and generous donors, fellows receive meaningful hands-on training and educational experiences across every area of the organization. By introducing them to every facet of a LORT theatre's operations, they gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to bring professional theatre to life while discovering how their own passions, talents, and career aspirations can contribute to the future of our industry."

In addition to working alongside Gulfshore Playhouse staff, the fellows participated in executive learning opportunities, curated meetings with several board members, mentorship from department leaders, and individualized professional development designed to prepare them for successful careers in the arts.

Throughout the summer, the fellows took on meaningful projects that contributed directly to Gulfshore Playhouse while developing professional skills that will serve them throughout their careers.

Marketing Fellow Parker Mitchell, a Musical Theatre student at the University of Alabama, helped create marketing campaigns, produced digital content, and developed a professional portfolio while working alongside the Marketing team. Among her accomplishments, Parker created, edited, and published Gulfshore Playhouse's season recap video, which became the organization's most-viewed video within its first hour of release. She also traveled with the artistic team to New York City, where he observed casting sessions for The World Goes 'Round and participated in workshops for Kristen Coury's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, gaining firsthand insight into the artistic development process.

"Gulfshore Playhouse has not only given me an expansive portfolio in marketing for a professional regional theatre, but also invested time and energy into my education in so many other areas," said Mitchell. "Access to the entire Gulfshore Playhouse staff, C-suite, and Board members has given me industry experience and connections that I am so grateful to take into my post-grad career."

Advancement Fellow Bria Weisz, a graduate of Rice University and a 2027 MFA candidate in Arts Leadership at Virginia Tech, worked alongside the Advancement team on fundraising initiatives that directly supported the theatre's mission. During the fellowship, Bria drafted a grant proposal for a $200,000 English Language Arts education initiative, helped plan opening night donor receptions, researched prospective donors in support of Gulfshore Playhouse's $8 million annual fundraising goal, and participated in major gift cultivation.

"The Advancement Fellowship at Gulfshore Playhouse has allowed me to apply what I've previously learned in textbooks at a professional level," said Weisz. "My supervisors treated me like a staff member, giving me the autonomy to take on major responsibilities within the department. I'm confident this fellowship has prepared me with the skills needed to succeed in a career in arts fundraising."

Production Fellow Elizabeth Montgomery, a Theatre and English student at Pitzer College, rotated through multiple production departments, gaining experience in lighting, costumes, scenic design, and technical production. She assisted the lighting team during Freaky Friday, learned AutoCAD to create scenic construction drawings, and worked with the costume shop to develop draping and pattern-making skills for A Christmas Carol.

"The Cheteyan Production Fellowship at Gulfshore Playhouse has provided me with the space and resources to explore my various interests in theatrical production," said Montgomery. "Whether it was learning how to organize a props bible, programming light cues, or creating scenic drawings in AutoCAD, my colleagues continually set aside time to teach and support me as I begin pursuing a career in theatre."

The inaugural fellows also made meaningful contributions to Gulfshore Playhouse throughout the summer while building professional relationships, expanding their skills, and gaining valuable insight into careers in nonprofit theatre.

"Watching these three fellows grow in confidence, curiosity, and professionalism over the course of the summer has been incredibly rewarding," said John Perine, Director of Education. "They embraced every opportunity, asked thoughtful questions, and became valued members of our team. We are excited to see where their careers take them and are proud that Gulfshore Playhouse could be part of their journey."

The success of the inaugural program reinforces Gulfshore Playhouse's commitment to developing future arts leaders while strengthening the national theatre community.

Gulfshore Playhouse extends its sincere gratitude to Judy and Michael Cheteyan for their vision, generosity, and belief in the importance of investing in emerging professionals.

"The Cheteyans’ generosity created so much more than a summer fellowship," said Coury. "They created opportunities, relationships, and experiences that will influence these young professionals long after they leave Gulfshore Playhouse. We couldn't be more thankful for her partnership and for the legacy this fellowship is already beginning to build."

Building on the success of its inaugural year, the Judy Cheteyan Fellowship will return in Summer 2027 with an expanded scope, continuing our investment in the next generation of theatre professionals. Applications for the 2027 fellowship will open in Winter 2026. Those interested are encouraged to follow Gulfshore Playhouse on social media and visit GulfshorePlayhouse.org for updates. PHOTOS: Photos of the fellows can be found HERE.

ABOUT GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately committed to enriching the cultural landscape of our region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic standards and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure, and excitement. The work of Gulfshore Playhouse is inspired by a belief in the magic of theatre to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in its audiences an understanding of our common humanity. This belief drives the care with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community.

Gulfshore Playhouse is now producing in the state-of-the-art Baker Theatre and Education Center. Located at the corner of Goodlette-Frank Road and 1st Avenue South, the gateway to downtown Naples, the facility houses a 350-seat mainstage theatre and a 125-seat studio space, in addition to numerous events, rehearsal, and educational spaces. Naming opportunities are still available. For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY.