Board Members

Jarrett is the President of McAlester Theatre, where he has served on the board since 2022. His journey with McAlester Theatre began at the age of seven when he participated in the summer youth productions under the direction of Shelly Dugan. After high school, Jarrett pursued studies in musical theatre before transitioning to earn an associate degree in arts, eventually completing a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education. Currently, Jarrett is the Assistant Director of Bands and the Musical Coordinator for McAlester Public Schools. In addition, he has successfully produced several high school musicals for the district. Outside of his professional endeavors, Jarrett enjoys a variety of hobbies, including cooking, working out, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with his AussieDoodle, Choc.

Jami Hilburn currently serves as Treasurer for the McAlester Theatre, where she is proudly serving her second term in this leadership role. With nearly nine years of dedicated involvement alongside her daughters, Jami has become a familiar and valued presence within the theatre community. Throughout her time with McAlester Theatre, she has been blessed to direct two musicals and one comedy production, while also contributing her time and talents to numerous other shows behind the scenes. Her passion for the arts, combined with her steady leadership and commitment to excellence, reflects her deep belief in the power of community theatre to inspire and unite. Jami eagerly anticipates the upcoming season and is excited to see how McAlester Theatre will continue to enrich and impact the community for years to come.

This is Gwen’s second year serving on the McAlester Theatre Board. She has also served on the board in previous years. Gwen and her husband have been involved with McAlester Theatre in various capacities for over 20 years. She has directed productions and performed in several shows, giving her a well-rounded understanding of both the creative and operational sides of the organization.Through her experience, Gwen understands the importance of funding, strategic growth, and sustainable operations in order for the theatre to reach its fullest potential. Her primary goal is to help advance the fine arts and expand the educational opportunities the theatre provides to the community. In addition to her work with McAlester Theatre, she has served on other nonprofit boards, where she gained valuable insight into organizational leadership, mission advancement, and long-term impact.

Shannon is proud to serve as Vice President of McAlester Theatre, where she supports board leadership, contributes to strategic planning, and helps advance the organization’s mission to provide high-quality experiences for the community. She brings a deep commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and confidence through the performing arts. Shannon has several years of experience teaching arts education in both classroom and community settings, and her production experience includes serving as lead director, co-director, and/or music director for numerous youth productions. She also serves as the Coordinator for McAlester Theatre Academy, where she leads a dynamic team dedicated to providing meaningful, age-appropriate theatre education that supports both artistic growth and academic learning. Shannon believes theatre plays a vital role in empowering young people, strengthening communities, and creating inclusive spaces for storytelling, and she is honored to serve alongside a board of directors that wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of theatre.

Christopher Meek is a creative community leader and published author with a passion for the arts, mentorship, and local engagement. He has served as a full-time Kids Pastor since 2011, creating meaningful, faith-centered experiences for children and families. He is the Founder and President of BiG Ministry (Believe, Inspire, Guide), a faith-based 501(c)(3) mentorship organization that partners with churches to invest in the next generation. Through this work, he leads in volunteer and relational development, program design, and community engagement. As a published children’s author, Christopher writes faith-centered books that inspire families through imaginative storytelling and intentional life lessons. In addition to his ministry leadership, he performed as Bert in Mary Poppins in 2025 and now serves on the 2026 McAlester Community Theater Board, committed to supporting a welcoming and inspiring space for artists and audiences alike.

This is Amanda’s 10th year as a board member for McAlester Theatre. The years have taken her through many facets of the organization, from stage help on youth productions to organizing parade floats, but this will be the first year she has been a part of directing an actual project. “I am excited to see the fruit from seeds planted over the last ten years come to life on stages all over Oklahoma and beyond through continued investment in our young actors and youth programs.” Amanda adds, “The youth program has always been a highlight of our seasons, but 2016 saw the beginnings of a major pivot to grow the local theatre community from the bottom up. This is a testament to a forward thinking board looking to expand opportunities for talent and living up to the mantra- ‘A stage for every story.’” Throughout the years, Amanda and her family have been involved in many non profits and partnership work, including McAlester Area Arts and Humanities Council and The Therapeutic Equestrian Association of McAlester. She was also named the Volunteer of the Year award from McAlester Main Street in 2019 for her partnership work benefitting both McAlester Main Street and The Arts Council. Through that partnership, the community again became interested in the revitalization of The Okla. In her spare time, she enjoys reading-preferably by a large body of water in the sun, and spending time with her family.

Lori Few is a dedicated leader and lifelong advocate for her hometown of McAlester, Oklahoma. Since 2014, she has served as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Public Relations Director for McAlester Public Schools, where she plays a key role in advancing public education and community engagement. A proud graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Lori holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Lori is deeply involved in civic and nonprofit leadership. She is a past President of the McAlester Rotary Club and an active member of Beta Iota of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International. Her service includes leadership roles with the McAlester Regional Health Center Foundation, Oklahoma Project Woman (Board Secretary), Keep McAlester Beautiful, the McAlester Pink Ribbon Committee, McAlester Theatre (Board Secretary), and the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. She was recognized in 2019 and 2025 as one of The Journal Record’s Top 50 Women in Oklahoma Making a Difference. She also serves as Executive Director of the Miss McAlester Scholarship Organization and founded the Few Family Foundation in 2015, which awards annual scholarships to high school seniors who have overcome adversity. Lori and her husband, Justin, Mayor of McAlester, are celebrating 21 years of marriage and are proud parents of their son, Noah.

Mandy Loman is serving her third year on the McAlester Theatre Board of Directors, currently as a Member at Large and previously as Vice President. A Haileyville resident, she has served as Stage Manager for four productions and Co-Director for two. In addition to her work in the arts, she leads the TFC Homeschool Support Group as President. Community theatre is the heart of a town beating out loud—it’s where strangers become family to create something magical.

Loren Weiher, a hair stylist for eight years, has developed a passion for enhancing the beauty of theatrical productions through hair and makeup. Her newfound passion for the arts is evident in her work on numerous shows, such as Annie, Mary Poppins, Beetlejuice Jr., and more! She has contributed not only as a stylist but also as a creative collaborator, helping to bring characters to life on stage through creative costuming for productions like Beetlejuice, Jr. As a board member, she is excited to bring more of her experience and passion for beauty and creativity to the organization. She is thrilled to begin learning more about how she can assist the non-profit arts sector in fostering an environment where the arts are thriving in McAlester and the surrounding areas.