Cultural/Performing Arts
Tina graduated from Ravenna High School in 1984. Her interest in the theater began while attending Brown Middle School when her eighth grade history teacher, Ms. Linda Simon, assigned the class to create a project for “History Day.” Tina and five fellow students wrote a play about Susan B. Anthony, which placed third in the nation. She was hooked! Tina worked on every theatrical production while in junior high and high school. She graduated from Kent State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatrical technical design. Tina began working around the country in various regional theaters, mostly in stage management, but was also involved in designing on the side. She moved to New York City in 1998 and began stage-managing Off-Broadway. Tina had the opportunity to work with a number of very talented and well-known actors and authors, such as Eddie Izzard, Sandra Burnhard, Horton Foote, Mason Adams and Estelle Parsons. Working Off-Broadway and with Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus, as well as a number of other workshop productions, she was finally brought on board a project that she knew would have a very bright future. “Say Goodnight, Gracie,” starring Frank Gorshin as George Burns was her first big opportunity on Broadway. Tina was hired as the Production Stage Manager. “Say Goodnight, Gracie” was nominated for a “Tony,” and ran until August 24, 2003, after which it went on a national tour. In July of 2003, she moved to a new Broadway musical called “The Boy from Oz” starring Hugh Jackman. While working at a regional theater in Kalamazzo, Michigan, Tina met her husband, Mark Willoughby, who also works in technical theater, and runs his own production management company in New York City.