Our Mission & Leadership
Meet Our Board
Our Leadership
We believe that a community is stronger when it has a place to create. To keep our mission on track, Village Arts is supported by a Board of Directors made up of local educators, creative professionals, and community leaders. Together, they lead the behind-the-scenes work that keeps our programs running and inclusive for everyone in the San Fernando Valley.
Our Goals
Our board focuses on making a practical difference in our community by:
- Increasing Accessibility: Expanding our scholarship programs so that local families can participate regardless of their financial situation.
- Broadening our Curriculum: Introducing new classes in design and technical theatre to give students a well-rounded look at how the stage works.
- Connecting Community: Maintaining a space where kids—from 5-105—feel welcome to explore their creativity.
At Village Arts, we are dedicated to being an inclusive home for local talent and a place where our community can truly connect.
Our Officers
Molly Mills
Chairperson
Molly Mills
Molly is a graduate of UC Berkeley who recently earned her Master’s in Early Childhood Education. She is a certified Infant Specialist with advanced training in RIE Foundations.
She specializes in navigating moments of transition—particularly for families entering preschool for the first time. Molly thrives on helping parents and guiding families through the multifaceted ups and downs of child development.
A native Californian and a mom of two delightful children, she pairs her professional expertise with a heartfelt, lived understanding of the magic and challenges of early childhood.
Lindsay Gamache
Secretary
Lindsay Gamache
Lindsay Gamache is a professional actress in L.A. Originally from Pittsburgh, she earned her BFA in musical theatre from Penn State University. Upon graduating, Lindsay performed in the Japan and North American Tour of 42nd Street the Musical. She then headed to L.A. to continue her career in theatre, tv/film, and voice-over.
Most recently, she performed in the play, Simpatico at the WhiteFire Theater. You can hear her voice on the Kerrygold Butter campaign and see her on the Jersey Mike’s commercial.
She continues to coach students for their acting and singing auditions and support the arts in education.
David Cragnotti
Treasurer
David Cragnotti
Dave Cragnotti is a financial professional with more than 25 years experience in the entertainment industry. Over the course of his career, he has held roles at many Hollywood studios, including Artisan Entertainment, Lionsgate, Amblin, and Anonymous Content. He is currently the CFO of Miramax Films.
Introduced to Village Arts back in 2019, he quickly came to love what it brings to the community. Since then, both his children have come to think of the theater as their second home, growing in confidence and finding their voices through years of performances. Dave is excited to join Pam and John in helping to keep Village Arts a warm, welcoming place where the arts—and the community—can continue to thrive.
Our Directors
Karla Avelino
Member At Large
Karla Avelino
Born in San Salvador, Attorney Karla Patricia Avelino fled to the United States as a child. Raised in Los Angeles, she is a first-generation college graduate, earning a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and a J.D. from Southwestern Law School.
A partner at Rogen and Avelino Law, Karla has practiced immigration law since 2007, representing diverse clients from entertainment professionals to families seeking refuge.
Karla joined Village Arts in 2011 when her daughter, Eva, debuted in Snow Queen. Eva now continues as a volunteer, while Karla’s son, Francisco, performs in seasonal productions. Karla is dedicated to ensuring children have a safe community where their voices are valued.
Al Batiste
Member At Large
Al Batiste
Al Batiste is a multi-discipline artist and businessman with a passion for creating impactful art and experiences. With a diverse background that spans from music, graphic design to brand development, Al leverages his diverse skill set to inspire and drive community collaboration. His mission is to give back to future generations, using art as a vehicle to spark creativity and innovation in others. Through his work, Al aims to cultivate a legacy of creativity, collaboration, and positive change.
Tom Butterfield
Member At Large
Tom Butterfield
With 17 years of experience in the UK and US, Tom has served as a Producer and Production Executive at Hollywood studios, independent outfits, and government bodies like the UK Film Council. Having worked at firms such as Zide/Perry and Content Media, he possesses deep expertise in developing scripts for finance and production.
His extensive credits include the Oscar-winning Man on Wire, Fish Tank, and The Banker for Apple. Recent projects include The Critic, starring Ian McKellen, and Double Blind for Lionsgate/Universal. Tom is a member of the PGA, Producers United, and a national signatory to IATSE.
Gail Craven
Member At Large
Gail Craven
Gail Craven is an educator and community leader who has taught at Colfax Elementary and LAUSD for 40 years. Gail is the founder of and leads Turning Pages Foundation, a nonprofit which engages young people in the Studio City/North Hollywood community. Turning Pages participated in volunteer programs and community-building activities across the LA area for over eight years.
As a board member for Village Arts, Gail brings her educative and community experiences to our program.
Ben Sharabi
Member At Large
Ben Sharabi
Ben Sharabi combines a background in Theatre and English (UBC) with extensive expertise as a licensed California Real Estate professional and multi-disciplined contractor (General Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Concrete).
As a Valley Village resident and parent, Ben has seen the impact of Village Arts firsthand. He leverages his professional skills to support the organization through project management, fundraising, and strategic initiatives. Ben is dedicated to expanding the program's reach through local collaborations. He passionately believes in the transformative power of Village Arts to better the lives of children, truly making it “A place for everyone.
Susanna Weinberger
Member At Large
Susanna Weinberger
Susanna Weinberger, a Los Angeles native and Valley Village resident, is the parent of two Village Arts students—one specializing in lighting and the other in performance. Deeply connected to the organization, she is committed to supporting its growth and impact.
Susanna also serves on the Parent Association Board at Colfax Elementary School and owns a private speech therapy practice in Valley Village. She works with children of diverse needs across specialized schools and provides professional training on child development. Her expertise as a parent, volunteer, and practitioner drives her dedication to building inclusive, creative environments for children.
Our Work
Village Arts offers year-round arts programs after school, weekends and at our summer camp.
Our arts center is located at Faith Presbyterian Church of Valley Village and offer programs at Colfax Charter Elementary School as well as independent schools in North Hollywood area. Currently, our performance and visual arts programs serve a diverse population of students and offer scholarships to families in our community.
We collaborate with the local artists to develop and expand programming in visual and performing arts.
Creating Village Arts
Pam and John’s creation of Village Arts comes from their passion for theatre and education. Together they decided to build on Pam’s successful approach to teaching that allows each student to discover their way to achievement and success.
The creation of an arts center in North Hollywood is to provide a destination for the Valley Village and North Hollywood community to participate in the arts and expose children to all the arts offer.