front porch arts collective Leadership team
MAURICE EMMANUEL PARENT
he/him/his
Actor | Director | Educator | Producing Artistic Director, Front Porch Arts Collective
he/him/his
Actor | Director | Educator | Producing Artistic Director, Front Porch Arts Collective
Maurice Emmanuel Parent is an award-winning actor, director, educator, and mentor with over 20 years of professional experience in the performing arts. With more than 40 acting credits, he has appeared on stages across the nation and abroad, collaborating with some of Boston’s most esteemed theatre companies, including the Huntington Theatre Company, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Lyric Stage Company, New Repertory Theatre, and Central Square Theater.
His regional theatre work includes performances at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Geva Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, Northern Stage, and the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As both an actor and director, Parent’s artistry has been recognized with numerous honors, including three Elliot Norton Awards from The Boston Theater Critics Association, three Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, and an ArtsImpulse Award.
Beyond the stage, Parent is a dedicated educator who has shaped the next generation of theatre artists for more than a decade. He has taught at Harvard University, Northeastern University, MIT, and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and spent six years as a Performing Arts Specialist in the Boston Public Schools. He currently serves as a Professor of the Practice in the Tufts University Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, where he also directs the undergraduate program. Parent was previously named the Boston College Rev. J. Donald Monan, S.J. Professor in Theatre Arts (2018–2019) and a Tufts University Neubauer Faculty Fellow (2019–2020).
Parent is also the co-creator and performer of Mr. Parent, a one-man show inspired by his years as a public school teacher. Originally staged at Boston’s Lyric Stage Company, Mr. Parent has since been performed at Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY, and most recently at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.A. in Musical Theatre Vocal Performance from New York University.
In 2016, driven by the lack of professional opportunities for artists of color and the urgent need to address racial inequities within Boston’s theatre landscape, Parent co-founded Front Porch Arts Collective with director and producer Dawn M. Simmons. He now serves as the company’s Producing Artistic Director.
The Porch was born out of a desire to rewrite Boston’s cultural narrative, a city long marked by visible segregation in the arts and chronic underrepresentation of communities of color. Its name symbolizes a communal gathering place, a space for dialogue, reflection, and joy, where all communities are invited to take a seat, share stories, and be seen.
Under Parent’s leadership, The Porch has become a force for transformation in New England’s arts ecosystem. The company is dedicated to examining the intersections of race, culture, economics, ability, gender, and sexuality through the lens of people of color; challenging biased narratives; and retaining diverse talent by ensuring representation onstage, backstage, in offices, and in boardrooms. Central to its mission is the belief that theatre can be a tool for social change, training the next generation of artists of color while producing work that is artistically rigorous, emotionally resonant, and unapologetically inclusive.
Click here to contact Maurice
His regional theatre work includes performances at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Geva Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, Northern Stage, and the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As both an actor and director, Parent’s artistry has been recognized with numerous honors, including three Elliot Norton Awards from The Boston Theater Critics Association, three Independent Reviewers of New England (IRNE) Awards, and an ArtsImpulse Award.
Beyond the stage, Parent is a dedicated educator who has shaped the next generation of theatre artists for more than a decade. He has taught at Harvard University, Northeastern University, MIT, and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and spent six years as a Performing Arts Specialist in the Boston Public Schools. He currently serves as a Professor of the Practice in the Tufts University Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, where he also directs the undergraduate program. Parent was previously named the Boston College Rev. J. Donald Monan, S.J. Professor in Theatre Arts (2018–2019) and a Tufts University Neubauer Faculty Fellow (2019–2020).
Parent is also the co-creator and performer of Mr. Parent, a one-man show inspired by his years as a public school teacher. Originally staged at Boston’s Lyric Stage Company, Mr. Parent has since been performed at Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY, and most recently at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.
He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.A. in Musical Theatre Vocal Performance from New York University.
In 2016, driven by the lack of professional opportunities for artists of color and the urgent need to address racial inequities within Boston’s theatre landscape, Parent co-founded Front Porch Arts Collective with director and producer Dawn M. Simmons. He now serves as the company’s Producing Artistic Director.
The Porch was born out of a desire to rewrite Boston’s cultural narrative, a city long marked by visible segregation in the arts and chronic underrepresentation of communities of color. Its name symbolizes a communal gathering place, a space for dialogue, reflection, and joy, where all communities are invited to take a seat, share stories, and be seen.
Under Parent’s leadership, The Porch has become a force for transformation in New England’s arts ecosystem. The company is dedicated to examining the intersections of race, culture, economics, ability, gender, and sexuality through the lens of people of color; challenging biased narratives; and retaining diverse talent by ensuring representation onstage, backstage, in offices, and in boardrooms. Central to its mission is the belief that theatre can be a tool for social change, training the next generation of artists of color while producing work that is artistically rigorous, emotionally resonant, and unapologetically inclusive.
Click here to contact Maurice
PASCALE FLORESTAL
she/her/hers Associate Artistic Director Pascale Florestal is a first generation Haitian American Queer Woman. She is a three time Elliot Norton Nominated Director. She is also an Educator, Dramaturg, Writer and Collaborator based in Boston, MA. Recent Directing Credits: Next to Normal with
Central Square Theater and Front Porch Arts Collective, MidSummer; Kinda? Written and Directed by Pascale Florestal at Suffolk University, World Premiere of Phaedra Michelle Scott’s DIASPORA! with New Repertory Theater, Magic Flute with MassOpera, Fairview with SpeakEasy Stage, Spring Awakening at Brandeis University, The Colored Museum with The Umbrella Performing Arts Center, Once On This Island with SpeakEasy Stage, This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing with Emerson Stage, Everybody with Boston Conservatory and others. As an Assistant to the Director she has worked with Timothy Douglas, Liesl Tommy, Billy Porter, Paul Daigneault and M. Bevin O'Gara. Pascale served as the Associate Director to Gil Rose on X:The Life and Times of Malcolm X with Odyssey Opera and Kimberly Senior on Our Daughters, Like Pillars at The Huntington. Pascale also served as the Associate Director for The Broadway National Tour of Jagged Little Pill. In 2021 Pascale was named one of the WBUR ARTery 25 Artists of Color Transforming the Cultural Landscape in Boston. In 2020 she won the Inaugural Greg Ferrell Award for her excellence in teaching and supporting young people. She serves as the Director of Education for Front Porch Arts Collective. She is an Assistant Professor of Theater at Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music and Visiting Guest Artist Professor in Practice in Theater at Suffolk University. SDC Click here to contact Pascale 
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KANDYCE WHITTINGHAM
she/they Marketing Manager Kandyce Whittingham is a queer, first generation Jamaican American. She's a Boston-based actor, director, teaching artist, and theatrical marketing specialist. As the Marketing Manager for Front Porch Arts Collective, she makes social media magic, crafts emails, sells tickets, and captures behind-the-scenes moments to spotlight the brilliant artists Front Porch collaborates with. They love building bridges between theatre-makers and the community to make the arts feel like home for everyone.
Originally from Georgia, she moved to Boston to study at Emerson College, where she graduated with a BFA in Acting. As an actor, director, and teaching artist, they have worked with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, The Huntington, Central Square Theater, The Theater Offensive, Moonbox Productions, Fresh Ink Theater Company, Queer Theater Collective, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare, Apollinaire Theater Company, and Front Porch Arts Collective. Click here to contact Kandyce 
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MAGGIE MOORE ABDOW
she/her/hers Development Consultant Maggie Moore Abdow is a Fundraising professional in the arts, education and culture sector. Maggie has worked in the sector, predominantly theater, for over 20 years. Her collage of experience as an educator, director, and administrator informs her fundraising
strategic approach. In addition to her role as Director of Development at Central Square Theater, Maggie leads and serves on multiple committees elevating arts and culture advocacy at the municipal and state levels. Maggie specializes in cultivating donor relationships with individuals and organizations alike. Maggie holds a BFA and MA in theater education from Emerson College and is a former Massachusetts certified teacher in K-12 theater. Click here to contact Maggie |
SHARI CAPLAN
she/her Development Associate Shari Caplan (she/her) is a multi-dimensional artist and organizer with a passion for enlivening our collective imaginative potential. A Jamaica Plain native, she has experience planning high level galas but the heart of a grassroots organizer. An actor, poet, and budding playwright, Shari works at the intersection of performance, ritual, and poetics. She has performed internationally in immersive literary cabarets, produced The Poetry Circus and Fairy Tale Poetry Walking tour, among other cross-pollinations. An alum of Lesley University's MFA program and Salem State University, she has been seen "on the boards" at The Footlight Club, History Alive, Creative Spirit, and others and has trained with Company One, Actor's Shakespeare Project, and Studio Playground. Her poetry has earned her a Paul Nemser Book Prize, scholarships to the Vermont Studio Center and The Home School, and nominations for a Pushcart Prize, a Rhylsing Award, and a Bettering American Poetry Award. Shari brings her passion for meaning-making, relationship building, and forging a better future to development work. She brings over a decade of experience in fundraising and event planning to The Porch. From galas to walks to donor dinners, Shari enjoys discovering ways we can lift one another up.
Click here to contact Shari |
KAYLA SESSOMS
she/her/hers
Casting and Operations Apprentice
she/her/hers
Casting and Operations Apprentice
Kayla Sessoms is a Boston-based theatre artist. Originally from New York, she is a recent graduate of Suffolk University with a BA in Theatre and Creative Writing.
As an apprentice at the Porch she assists with casting, producing, administrative work, and bringing good vibes. She is excited to continue working with this amazing company in telling stories that reflect the audience members watching them.
Writing Credits include: A Dream Deferred produced at Suffolk University, directed by AJ Aversano, Luca also produced at Suffolk University directed by Matt Killion. Acting Credits include: Midsummer; Kinda? directed by Pascale Florestal, Working A Musical directed by Wes Savick, Julius Caesar directed by Bryn Boice, and understudying Shakespeare on the Common Macbeth. Directing Credits Include: Assistant directing Richard II at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Tartuffe at Hub Theatre, Jaja's African Hair Braiding at Speakeasy Stage, The Mountaintop at The Front Porch, and directing Front Porch's BTM XXVII play, and TCSquared’s That Yellow Girl.
Click here to contact Kayla
As an apprentice at the Porch she assists with casting, producing, administrative work, and bringing good vibes. She is excited to continue working with this amazing company in telling stories that reflect the audience members watching them.
Writing Credits include: A Dream Deferred produced at Suffolk University, directed by AJ Aversano, Luca also produced at Suffolk University directed by Matt Killion. Acting Credits include: Midsummer; Kinda? directed by Pascale Florestal, Working A Musical directed by Wes Savick, Julius Caesar directed by Bryn Boice, and understudying Shakespeare on the Common Macbeth. Directing Credits Include: Assistant directing Richard II at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Tartuffe at Hub Theatre, Jaja's African Hair Braiding at Speakeasy Stage, The Mountaintop at The Front Porch, and directing Front Porch's BTM XXVII play, and TCSquared’s That Yellow Girl.
Click here to contact Kayla
