OUR TEAM
Photo by Melisa Cardona
Stephanie McKee-Anderson,
Executive Artistic Director
Stephanie McKee-Anderson is a performer, choreographer, educator, facilitator and cultural organizer born in Picayune, MS and raised in New Orleans.
She is the founder of Moving Stories Dance Project, an organization committed to dance education that provides opportunities for dancers and choreographers to showcase their talents. In 2007, she was awarded The Academy of Educational Development/New Voices Fellowship, an award for emerging leaders.
For the past 20 years, Stephanie has been involved with Junebug Productions as an artist and educator. Most recently she served as Associate Artistic Director of the first annual Homecoming Project 2011, a place-based performance project that addresses the Right of Return and what home means to communities in post-Katrina New Orleans. In 2006, Stephanie was one of ten artists who collaborated to create the original production, “UPROOTED: The Katrina Project,” co-produced by Junebug Productions.
As an artist and cultural organizer, Stephanie is deeply committed to creating work that supports social justice and aligns with the FST and Junebug legacy.
Mariana Sheppard,
INTERIM EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Mariana Sheppard is an arts administrator with over a decade of dedicated service in the non-profit sector. Mariana specializes in arts management and public programming, demonstrating a passion for fostering creativity and community engagement.
Currently serving as the Managing Director at Junebug Productions, Mariana provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to the organization, driving its mission to amplify underrepresented voices and promote social justice through the arts. She orchestrates the execution of both short-term initiatives and long-range plans, ensuring the organization's continued growth and impact.
Prior to her tenure at Junebug Productions, Mariana held the position of Associate Director of Education and Public Programs at the Contemporary Arts Center. She played a pivotal role in solidifying the Center's reputation as the premier cultural destination for contemporary art in the city of New Orleans. Through innovative K-12 and adult educational programming, Mariana enriched the cultural landscape of the city and nurtured a deeper appreciation for the arts among diverse audiences.
During her tenure at Scholastic Inc., Mariana led the company's philanthropic endeavors on both domestic and global scales. Her commitment to leveraging the power of education and creativity to effect positive change is a testament to her unwavering passion for social impact.
Mariana is a 2017 Salzburg Global Fellow. She holds a BA from Louisiana State University and an MA from Columbia University.
Michele Frentzos,
Finance/Operations Manager
Michele Frentzos is the Finance/Operations Manager at Junebug Productions.
With over 18 years of accounting experience, Michele has worked in several fields of accounting ranging from the Oilfield to the Restaurant Industry, Property Management to Non-Profit.
Michele currently serves on the board for TrainingGrounds as Treasurer.