Rhonda Wilson
Award-winning Theater Educator
Owner of Star Center Theatre
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Rhonda Wilson - Her Story
Rhonda Wilson - Her Story
Rhonda Wilson is the Founding Executive Director of the Star Center Theatre. She founded the Star Center without any funding, just a vision and hope. Rhonda is a graduate of the University of Florida and a Middle School Educator. For the past 21 years, she has volunteered her time, energy and resources to the community by using the arts to educate and empower. She understands the need for making space, not only as a Producer/Director/Educator but as a performer who didn’t find many spaces on her journey as an artist. Not only is Rhonda behind the scenes, but an award-winning actress as well.
Rhonda has been honored and recognized nationally, statewide, regionally, locally for her perseverance and hard work and even invited to do a TEDx Talk. Rhonda was recently featured in USA Today for her contributions to theater education.
Other recognitions include Excellence In Theatre Education Finalist from The Tony Award And Carnegie Mellon, National Youth Director of the Year (AATE), Allstate National Champion For Good, Sara Spencer Child Drama Award(SETC), Florida Distinguished Career Award, State Cultural Affairs Diversity And Inclusion Award, Governor’s Award For Community Investment in Youth and more. Rhonda’s dream is to continue to provide a platform where everyone can SPARKLE and SHINE!!
Board Of Directors for Star Center Theatre
Patricia Lee
President
Elizabeth Clark
Vice President
Daniel Doak
Treasurer
Toni DeWese
Secretary
Angela Terrell
Public Relations
David Fields
Executive Board Member
Annette Kleckley
Executive Board Member
Gloria Lee
Executive Board Member
Betty Reaves
Executive Board Member
Saul Rentz
Executive Board Advisor
Dr. Elizabeth P. Graham
Honorary Executive Board Member
A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Dr. Graham received her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina School of the Arts and her Master's and Doctorate degrees from Florida State University. Dr. Graham made her professional debut with the Houston Grand Opera Company in the Tony Award-winning revival of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess as both Clara and Bess. She toured these roles extensively throughout the United States and Europe. Dr. Graham recently retired as Professor of Music Emeritus at the University of Florida where she taught voice and headed the School of Music's voice area. We are so proud that Dr. Graham has volunteered her time and talent at STAR with our production of AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’. We welcome her as an honorary executive board member as she makes plans to bring an opera and other musical productions to our stage.
Dean Lucinda Lavelli
Honorary Executive Board Member
Dean Lucinda Lavelli is professor and dean emeritus for The School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Florida. Dean Lavelli earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Denison University, She also earned a master’s degree in nonprofit management and a Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts and Dance, both from Case Western Reserve University. Dean Lavelli’s passion for the arts and heroic efforts to raise the visibility and prominence of UF College of the Arts have earned her love and respect and the title, “Wonder Woman of the Arts”. She stepped down from deanship in 2018 after 12 trailblazing years. We are delighted that she has become an honorary member of our Executive Board of Directors and will provide mentorship and resources for programs here at Star Center Theatre.
Dr. Portia Taylor
Honorary Executive Board Member
Dr. Portia Taylor devoted 40 years of service to Higher Education and enjoyed a successful career at Santa Fe College. Prior to coming to Gainesville, she worked at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1986, Dr. Taylor earned her doctorate degree in Higher Education from UF. In her final 10 years at Santa Fe College, Dr. Taylor served as Vice President of Student Affairs where she enjoyed working one-on-one with students to overcome whatever obstacles they had. Dr. Taylor has a passion for the Arts. She served as President of the board for the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and continues to support organizations that engage youth in the Arts. Star Center is so excited that Dr. Taylor has become an honorary executive board member, and we welcome her expertise that she will share with our Star Kids as they continue to sparkle and shine.
Star Center Theatre Recent Awards
Star has received a National award from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT). The Award will honor and recognize Star Center Theatre for its exceptional service and contributions to community theatre with the: Distinguished Merit Award.
AS Featured on (Click on Each Image to View)
Jumping Over the Fourth Wall
Rhonda Wilson
TEDxUF
The Ilene Silverman Show is delighted to feature the Star Center Theatre with Founder and Artistic Director Rhonda Wilson, Public Relations Officer Angela Terrell, and Star Center Board President Romona Jackson
Star Center Theatre-Greater Good
Sixteen Gators were honored in the inaugural Gator Nation Leadership Awards for their championing of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Allstate Insurance Company honors Rhonda Wilson of Star Children's Theatre as a 2015 Champion for Good in Gainesville, FL.
The Florida teacher with a nonprofit theater to nurture young Black actors
Amid a tough year, these educators gave us hope with their tenacity, charm and commitment to students
HOMETOWN HERO:
Rhonda Wilson is inspiring the next generation of performers in Gainesville
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