Jan. 13, 2021 — Non-profit youth theatre organization, CROW, recently announced the addition of four new members to its board of directors for the 2021-22 term. 

“It has been an important goal for us to expand our board, and we are excited to have accomplished this task,” said Melanie Heard, CROW’s Artistic Director and Founder. “We believe that continual growth, introspection and improvement are central to the long-term success of CROW. Our new board members will bring a fresh and energetic perspective to our organization, as we navigate the difficult path to re-opening post-COVID.”

CROW hopes to re-open in Summer 2021, pending the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and guidelines set forth by state government.  

Meanwhile, new board members include:

• Lori Grimmett, whose creative spirit of the arts and entertainment industry began over 30 years ago building unique experiences for software developer conferences worldwide. Taking the knowledge and experience, Grimmett refocused into distinctive guest experiences for Casinos in North America, building and directing numerous event platforms. She has driven multi-channel event revenue streams as well as managed a substantial event staff for music festivals in the Pacific Northwest. Grimmett says her true passion is “grassroots and community” and that she is excited to be part of CROW team.  

• Alicia Hickson’s introduction to CROW began in 2015 through participation in The Holly Jolly Follies. She was invited to play an elf named “Prissy,” who swoons and faints over the elf, Elfis, portrayed by her husband and Siuslaw Newspaper editor, Ned Hickson. She remembers her schooldays fondly and says “Choir was composed of 4th to 8th graders and choir selection happened in 3rd grade. To be a part of it was something special so when I was selected, I was so excited. For the children of our community to have these opportunities, to be a part of something special, to be excited — that is something special.” 

• Jennifer Marus lives in Florence with her partner and their 14-year-old son. During her workdays, she exercises her left-brain doing taxes and bookkeeping for Buckwald & Hornung. During her free time, she flexes her right-brain with all sorts of creative activities, but most know her as “the belly-dancer.” She has been studying Middle Eastern dance for just over a decade and has branched into other dance forms, such as Bollywood. Jennifer loves performing, and all aspects that go into creating theatre magic and “hopes to lend her support for the arts in any way she can while serving on the board for this wonderful organization.”

• Amy Owens has been involved with CROW since the beginning. When her kids were cast in their first CROW show in 2011, she volunteered to help backstage. That ultimately led to her discovering her love for the performing arts. Since then, she has performed in several shows, learned to make props, helped out with costumes, assisted with microphones and has worked backstage filling in whenever there is a need for every CROW show to date. Owens says she has “treasured the time she has gotten to spend with her children and getting to know many of the amazing kids in our local community that have participated in CROW.”

Heard says, “CROW is excited to welcome Lori Grimmett, Alicia Hickson, Jennifer Marus and Amy Owens to the board, and we are excited about what the future will hold for our children in the arts.”

For more information about CROW, visit www.crowkids.com.