John J. Wooten
Executive Director Theatre Management & Programming
As Executive Director, John supervises theatre management and programming operations for the University. He also serves as the Producing Artistic Director of Premiere Stages, the Equity theatre in residence at Kean, where he has developed and directed numerous critically-acclaimed productions of new plays, many of which were subsequently published, including Scab, Dark Part of the Forest, Any Other Name, ODD, Soldier’s Heart, The Beautiful Dark and The Good Counselor. The latter two productions were also honored by the American Theatre Critics Association, along with the sold-out run of Follow Me to Nellie’s, Dominique Morisseau’s first play. Plays he has authored have been produced commercially Off-Broadway, internationally and in regional theaters across America. Published plays include: Trophies (Dramatists Play Service),
Humbug (Concord), The Role of Della (Playscripts, Inc.), and Kiss the Bride (Dramatic Publishing Company). John wrote the screenplays for The Role of Della (Toronto, Ft. Lauderdale, Cleveland and DC Film Festivals) and Cat in the Pan (Montreal Film Festival). Awards: the 2023 Star Award from the New Jersey Theatre Alliance for his outstanding contributions to professional theatre; two NJSCA Playwriting Fellowships, including one in 2021 for his play Fading Grace; a Best New Play Nomination from the American Theatre Critics Association for his play The Mission Home; multiple Best Director nominations from the Newark Star-Ledger; and the 2017 NJ Cultural Access Leadership Award. John teaches Playwriting and Acting as a Profession at Kean University.
Steve Cochran
Manager of Kean Stage
Steve comes to Kean Stage after 18 years working with TheatreWorks USA, bringing theater to young audiences across North America in his capacity as Tour Manager and Marketing Director. An eclectic career in theater has found him as an actor, company manager and stage manager on national and international theatrical tours. His first job as an Actor’s Equity member and probably his most memorable, Wile E. Coyote in the international touring production of Bugs Bunny Meets the Superheroes with Madison Square Garden Productions. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and William Paterson University in NJ.
Photo credit: Kevin Lazo
Christina Hoffman
Director of Marketing and Audience Development
Christina Hoffman joins Premiere Stages and Kean Stage after helping to open The Avenel Performing Arts Center (APAC) in Avenel, NJ in Spring 2019. As Marketing Manager of APAC, Christina oversaw the marketing for over 200 performances in the performing arts center’s inaugural season. Prior to APAC, Christina worked at TheaterworksUSA, for seven years, first in the marketing and sales department before getting promoted to General Manager. She is a graduate of New York University’s Performing Arts Administration Graduate Program (class of 2011) and William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.
Photo credit: Kevin Lazo
Jennifer Clapp
Box Office & Front of House Supervisor
Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Kean University, where she volunteered with many charitable organizations, including Sigma Beta Chi. Jennifer started working for the University during her time as a student. Upon graduation in 2005, she continued to work for Kean Stage. She was soon promoted as Front House and Box Office Supervisor, responsible for overseeing patron services, events happening on Kean Stage venues, and ticketing operations.
Photo credit: Kevin Lazo
Pat McMullen
Production Supervisor
Pat joined Kean Stage in March of 2019 after having worked in
production and event management at SUNY Purchase, Berkshire
Theatre Group, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Atlantic City Ballet, and
Ocean City Theatre Company. Some of the artists that he has
worked with include Arlo Guthrie, Art Garfunkel, The B52’s, Rick
Springfield, George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Branford
Marsalis, The Wailers, Norm Lewis, Ralphie May, and Trevor
Noah. Pat is a graduate of Stockton University and holds a B.A. in Theatre Production/Design.
Paddy Shaw
Associate Production Supervisor
Paddy has worked with Kean Stage since 2003. He has been very involved in the artistic aspects of production, primarily in lighting design, but has enjoyed carpentry, costume design, scenic design, scenic painting, and prop construction. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and a Masters of Arts from Seton Hall University.
Photo credit: Kevin Lazo
Yadira Hernández
Yadira has been part of the Kean Stage and Premiere Stages family since her undergraduate years at Kean University. She holds a BA in Art History and various certificates in graphic design and front-end development. Her love for the arts propelled her to experience myriad fields, from being an usher, a box office clerk and coordinator to an Exhibitions Associate at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey. Now you can find her coding and designing to bring the performing arts’ magic to the small screens.
Photo credit: Kevin Lazo