Our Mission Statement
The Pend Oreille Players Association is a nonprofit community theater organization dedicated to providing family-oriented performances and arts education. POPA offers a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment for youth and adults to explore their creativity, develop essential life skills, and grow into compassionate and engaged members of our community through the magic of live theater. POPA’s mission is to inspire, educate, and entertain the community through low and no cost opportunities to participate in and enjoy live production and performance.
board of directors
Executive Board President
Kris Fry
Kris moved to Newport in August, 2013 with her daughter and their dog. She has been volunteering at POPA since 2014. As concessions manager, Kris has been working to feature local products, Kris is responsible for creating unique drink recipes and hand crafted liquors. She has been a board member since 2017 and looks forward to many more years.
Executive Board Vice President
John Connelly
John is a recent transplant from the Seattle area. He discovered the playhouse during an open audition for the War of the Worlds radio play and has been a part of the theatre ever since. He is an aspiring playwright, actor and director. With a background in I.T. and Project Management, John acts as Technical Director for the playhouse. His goal is to ensure that the theatre grows into a regional theater and that the arts are shared with as many people as possible. He looks forward serving the community as a board member of this wonderful little theatre
Executive Board Treasurer
Jackie Davis
Hi, my name is Jackie Davis. I have lived in the area with my husband for 24 years. We have 4 daughters and 2 grandkids. I’m a cosmetologist, have had my license for 19 years. I have loved theater since I was in the 6th grade. I minored in college in theater. My favorite roll I have played was Juliet in “Romeo and Juliet”, ( the balcony scene) in college. I also played the ghost of Christmas present in “The Christmas Carol” with POPA. I have helped at the theater on and off for several years with costumes and make-up. I love to sew and love theater!
Executive Board Secretary
Nikki Hendrickson
Hi! My name is Nikki Hendrickson. I have been married to Jeff Hendrickson for 17 years. I have been a licensed cosmetologist for 30 years. We have a 16 year old daughter named Joy that I homeschool. Mine and my husband's combined families have lived in Pend Oreille County for four generations. Pend Oreille Playhouse is a positive place for everyone and I have seen my daughter build self-esteem through drama. I encourage everyone to come, experience and support this wonderful program.
Board Member
Terri Tomlinson
Terri is an actor, director, and writer who specializes in research and performance of the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins. In addition to theater, Terri enjoys cooking for her friends and family and loves being a grandma. Previous favorite roles include Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown, as well as Tamora in Titus Andronicus. As a new resident of Chewelah, Terri is grateful for the warm welcome she has received at the Pend Oreille Playhouse, and she looks forward to serving as Secretary and contributing whatever skills she may possess to furthering our mission of bringing high-quality Theater to the Newport area.
Board Member
Sonya Scauflaire
Sonya Scauflaire got her start in volunteerism in the Discovery Room at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as a youth. She has carried lessons learned there throughout her life and is happy to bring them to the Pend Oreille Playhouse. Demonstrating appreciation for a volunteer's time has always been very important to her. Sonya fondly reflects back on her own, all-be-it limited stage experience with, "Stage acting is a fun and valuable self-development tool for all ages. People discover new facets about themselves they otherwise might not get to know in regular life. Who knows where that can then lead!"
Board Member
Charlene Rawuka-Stigall
Charlene Rawuka-Stigall has been passionate about classical voice and theater for over a decade. Her journey began with private voice lessons and continued at the Sandpoint Music Conservatory, where she spent eight years performing in student recitals and musical theater productions. She also interned at the Conservatory, working with the children's choir and summer camp program. A highlight of her time there was participating in the El-Sistema program in Mexicali, Mexico. Charlene continued her classical voice studies at Santa Monica College, performing in various operas. After earning her associate degree at SCC, she is now pursuing a bachelor's degree in education at Eastern Washington University. Theater and music have always been central to Charlene's life, and she is thrilled to share her love for both at the Pend Oreille Playhouse. She is deeply committed to community involvement and looks forward to contributing to local arts initiatives, fostering a love for music and theater in the community, and inspiring the next generation of performers.
Executive & Youth Educational Director
Paulina Staab
Paulina Staab is a long time resident of Newport. She is a graduate of Newport High School and continued her education at the University of Idaho where she studied theatre and performing arts. She is a proud wife to her husband, Nathan, and mom of three beautiful daughters. Theatre is her passion and advocating for the arts is her hobby. You may have seen her as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, the musical, or more recently, as Sister Robert Ann in POPA's 2023 musical, Nunsense. She was lucky to have amazing directors as a child and plans to pay it forward as the new Youth Educational Director, here at the Playhouse. Paulina is humbled to be leading the next generation of POPA youth, to be involved with this amazing organization and to be a part of this wonderful community.
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