Meet our Board of Directors
Julia Hinson (Executive Director) is a theatre and film director, producer, teaching artist, and the Founder and Executive Director of LoneTree Live, a Memphis-based nonprofit theatre company and resident company at TheatreWorks on the Square. Her work has been presented in Memphis and internationally, including at the New York and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, the Po Saule Festival in Lithuania, and the Three Branch Festival in London. Her Memphis directing and producing credits include Wire in the Garden, for which she received an Ostrander Award, In a Dark Wood, Clown Bar, A Bite of Memphis, Rites of Spring, The Parting, and 24 Hour Plays: Memphis. Julia teaches acting, theatre, creativity, script analysis, movement, playwriting, devising, and theatre history, with a particular passion for helping artists discover their own voices. Her film work includes Fortunate Country, winner of Best Nebraska Short at the Omaha Film Festival, and Ash, which premiered at Indie Memphis.
Nicholas Weaver (President) is a nonprofit leader with experience in community engagement, organizational strategy, capacity building, and board development. He currently serves as Director of Community Activation at New Memphis and brings a proven track record of helping organizations strengthen their impact and better serve their communities. Nicholas is an active performer in Memphis’ theater community and has a deep appreciation for the role the arts play in bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. Originally from Tacoma, Washington, Nicholas considers Memphis home and enjoys live music, fishing, camping, and traveling.
Marya Paolillo (Vice President) has thoroughly enjoyed working behind the scenes as a stage manager and stagehand in Memphis since 2012. She adores being around others that sincerely care to create entertaining and delightful art whether that be performance art, music, photography or graphic design. Marya is a graphic designer and photographer originally from Oxford, Mississippi. She treasures the work that LoneTree Live brings to this community and looks forward to what the future holds for emerging artists and igniting creativity among all.
Kristen Fisher (Secretary) is the Director of Production at Ballet Memphis, where she started as the Stage Manager and Production Coordinator in 2012. In Memphis, she has stage managed, done prop design/coordination, and sound design/coordination for Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Playhouse on the Square, Theatre Memphis, Lost In Found, and LoneTree Live. Kristen has a B.F.A. in stage management from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where she originally hails from.
Bob Hartmann (Treasurer) is a Senior Manager of Business Development for a Fortune 100 company and serves as Treasurer for LoneTree Live (LTL). When he isn’t working or spending time with his family, he enjoys playing soccer and watching the English Premier League on television. He is a graduate of White Station High School and University of Memphis.
Eliana Mabe earned her BA in Media Studies (Magna Cum Laude and Hall of Fame) from Rhodes College and is overjoyed to call Memphis her second home. Since graduating, she has zealously joined the local performing arts community as an actor, director, educator, and producer. She is particularly drawn to stories about childlike empathy and Latina empowerment. In 2024, Eliana portrayed Memphis Food Activist Leann Edwards in LTL's first mainstage original production, A Bite of Memphis. She was also a part of the Ostrander-winning ensemble of LTL's Dance Nation in 2025 as Ashlee. Lastly, she's had the thrill of LTL's The 24-Hour Plays: Memphis with the completed trifecta of roles (actor, writer, and director). Eliana cannot wait to continue supporting LoneTree's artistic mission and helping to spotlight new talent in our city.
@creatively.eliana | elianamabe.com
Savanna MacArthur is a born-and-raised Memphian who loves connecting with others, building strong relationships, and learning about what drives people's passions. Savanna is an HR professional passionate about creating people-first environments where individuals feel supported, heard, and valued. She currently serves as a Human Resources Business Partner Associate at Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), supporting HRBPs across the organization. Savanna’s background spans recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and day-to-day HR operations within multi-state organizations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with my husband and our two boys, exploring new restaurants, attractions, and everything Memphis culture has to offer.
Aliza Moran has a BFA from the University of Memphis ('04) in Theatre Performance and a M.A in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities from NYU ('18). At NYU, she studied abroad in Ireland and the UK studying Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) and devising processes within foreign communities. Aliza has been an arts educator and community collaborator for 15+ years within the Memphis community. She continues to produce and support new theatrical experiences by collaborating with local Memphis artists, educators, community organizations, and creatives. Aliza is the Executive Director of Les Passees Kids on the Block which provides educational puppet performances to area non-profits and educational institutions.
Lisa Sanchez-Sullivan is from the Bay Area, but has called Memphis home since 2001. She has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Sonoma State University. She has acted professionally for over 30 years, along with running her own personal training career. After watching LoneTree Live grow and flourish the last couple of years, she was ecstatic to come on the board and help further the mission of unique theatre experiences for all. She has loved being a part of LTL on stage and is looking forward to their future.
Lisa Settle is an experienced education and nonprofit executive with a career spanning organizational leadership, education, public policy, and community service. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Speech & Hearing Center of the Mid-South d/b/a Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, where she leads the organization’s educational, clinical, early childhood, and community-focused programs. Lisa holds graduate degrees in education and criminology and criminal justice and is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Memphis. She brings to board service a combination of executive leadership, governance, strategic planning, education, and nonprofit experience, along with a strong commitment to meaningful community impact.
Arshia Taqi is originally from Bombay, but moved to Memphis nearly five years ago. Being part of LoneTree Live has given her a community in Memphis where she gets to work with artists and be part of bringing art to life. Through LoneTree Live, Arshia has found new opportunities, inspiration, and encouragement to pursue her own creative instincts. She is happy to be on the board alongside warm and welcoming people who create an accessible starting point for new artists, bring unique projects to the Memphis theater scene, and introduce new experiences to people who are fascinated by the live arts.
Elheese Taylor leads with a clear mission: to inspire others to reach their full potential, both professionally and personally. Her career spans a broad range of disciplines, including demand planning, analytics, integrated business planning, operations and planning operations, retail, manufacturing, contracting, and facilities management. Most recently, she served as a site leader in distribution. Elheese brings the same energy to her life outside of work. She enjoys cooking, running, composing music, solving puzzles, powerlifting, and traveling, and she treasures time spent with loved ones.
Briana Vance is part of the Communications Team at Youth Villages and LoneTree Live. She has a deep passion for travel, music, yoga, and meditation—and, of course, advertising and marketing! Briana loves finding creative ways to connect people, ideas, and stories through meaningful communication.