UNITING COMMUNITIES & CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
SINCE 1997

Our Programs

SUPPORT GREENWAY ARTS ALLIANCE

Please consider donating to support Arts Education and our wide array of programming.  Donate to Greenway through the Paypal Button below, or scroll down to learn about our sustaining support options.

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE Endowment Project

GREENWAY ARTS ALLIANCE ENDOWMENT FUND

Give back in a big way!  Greenway Arts Alliance Endowment Fund donors are able to watch their gifts create opportunities in the arts in Los Angeles, and ensure Greenway’s mission continues into the future.  Help Greenway remain sustainable and lasting!

News

For our full press kit, please email Whitney Weston, whitney@greenwayartsalliance.org, Co-Artistic Director.

Mission & History

MISSION

Greenway Arts Alliance unites communities through art, education and social enterprise. Through our professional theatre productions, educational programs and the Melrose Trading Post, Greenway Arts Alliance has built a vibrant artistic community.

History

Greenway Arts Alliance is a community-based partnership of professional artists working in Los Angeles for over 20 years. Greenway Arts Alliance was founded by professional artists committed to forging a deep connection with the surrounding area including the public school community.

History

Since its inception, Greenway Arts Alliance has modeled an innovative partnership with the Fairfax High School campus to leverage community resources that connect the professional artistic and public education communities around a commitment to learning and creation in the arts.

See the timeline

Staff

GREENWAY ARTS ALLIANCE

About

Whitney Weston Co-founded Greenway Arts Alliance with Pierson Blaetz in 1997. A lifelong activist, Whitney is committed to keeping the arts and community working together. She is a former Arts Commissioner for the City of West Hollywood's Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission and, both within and outside of Greenway, Whitney has produced and performed in hundreds shows which have earned her recognition from the NAACP, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, LA Weekly and the 2011 Women in Theatre Red Carpet Award. Whitney has also been recognized for outstanding service by the LA Mayor's Office, LA City Council and LAUSD's School Board and Administrators' Union. Whitney is also the recipient of the 2019 Rainbow Award from Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival for her dedication to diversity and contributions in fostering non-traditional and multicultural theatre works.

WHITNEY WESTON

Co-Founder / Co-Artistic Director

About

Pierson Blaetz co-founded Greenway Arts Alliance with Whitney Weston in 1997. He spent a lifetime integrating the worlds of art & business. As a social entrepreneur he founded several businesses, including “Free Time,” a volunteer placement service, and “infoLink,” an information retrieval service. Pierson has produced, directed and performed in film and theatre projects and has earned recognition from The Drama Circle Critics, NAACP, Garland Awards, LA Weekly and- way back when- The Dramalogue Award for Best Male Performance. Pierson has been recognized for outstanding service by the LA Mayor’s Office, LA City Council and LAUSD’s School Board and Administrators’ Union.

PIERSON BLAETZ

Co-Founder / Co-Artistic Director

About

Steffany Ayala is a young entrepreneur who is passionate about non-profits. She earned her BA in International Business with a minor in Anthropology from Vanguard University. After graduating with her BA, she decided to earn her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Management at Hope International University. She has been working with non-profits for almost six years and has earned a lot of her experience through the development of Business and Accounting. One of her passions include advocating and providing support to those in need in the area of education & health.

STEFFANY AYALA

Director of Operations

About

Emily Renteria, a Fairfax High School alum, started working at Greenway in 2019 as a student worker at the Melrose Trading Post. A couple of years later, she joined the Greenway Court Theater as part of the Front of House team. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She has now joined the Greenway team as the Administrative Associate, supporting day-to-day operations and assisting across all departments. During her free time, she loves exploring new places with friends, listening to music, and going on hikes.

EMILY RENTERIA

Administrative Associate

MELROSE TRADING POST

About

Natalie has worked for Greenway Arts Alliance since 2011, managing the market’s systems and curating the merchandise in the market. During the week Natalie works on projects for marketing, special events and the online presence. Natalie is a local artist and gardener, with over a decade of event planning and management experience. She completed the Nonprofit Leadership Development Program at the Center for Nonprofit Management, has trained in community-based social marketing and is trained in Meta Digital Advertising. Natalie loves planning events with community partners like the Mid City West Neighborhood Council and our local Councilmember’s Office.

Natalie Iturbe Jackson

Special Events & Marketing Manager

About

J Scott has been managing operations for Melrose Trading Post since 2012. His expertise in handling logistics was heightened by his military experience. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was qualified as Airborne and Ranger for the Army, served in the Gulf War (1991), and received an honorable discharge with the rank as Captain. Currently, he is a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has acted in numerous film and television projects.

J Scott Shonka

Safety & Operations Manager

About

Patrick began working for Greenway in 2010, and what started out as a part-time gig has become a labor of love. He manages the MTP Vendor Team. His professional experience includes 20+ years in customer service, event management, sales and bookkeeping. Patrick loves the outdoors and nature photography so on his down time he'll likely be on a hiking trail somewhere or at the beach.

Patrick Weinbrecht

Vendor Booking Manager

About

Within a decade of Event Managing, Jose has had the privilege of overseeing numerous weddings, concerts, school/ city functions, and pop up events all throughout Southern California. Joining the vendor team, JC hopes to help grow Trading Post wherever the sun shines brightest, one vendor booking at a time. In his free time Jose enjoys going completely off grid to enjoy the simple things life has to offer. A History undergrad, JC is always open to learning new and forgotten historical trivia! A true hippie at heart, Jose firmly believes that ” it takes a village to raise a child” and that no soup is ever as good as the stone soup you share with a friend.

Jose Cruz

Vendor Booking Coordinator

About

TBD

PM Operations Manager

GREENWAY INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS

After School & In-Class Programs

About

Alex Alpharaoh is a nationally recognized, award-winning actor, writer, spoken word poet, solo performer, and teaching artist from Los Angeles. Alex is the recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle 2018 Solo Performance of the Year award for his work on his autobiographical solo show titled WET: A DACAmented Journey, which was revamped at Greenway Court Theatre in the fall of 2022. Alex is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, as well as a member of the Dramatist Guild of America. He is a 2022 Disruptors Fellow, a 2023 Theatre Makers Fellow with Musical Theatre Factory, and a 2023 Anteaus Theatre Company’s NEXT Commissions writer. As an arts educator, Alex teaches a FunDaMentals of Spoken Word and Performance Poetry class where he fuses writing techniques with experiential acting, creating a powerful toolset for self-expression and healing. Alpharaoh has been acting professionally for over 15 years and has been a lyricist for over 25 years. He has performed, taught, and facilitated workshops at colleges and universities throughout the country, including USC, UCLA, Occidental College, Yale University, and Princeton University among others. His first poetry book titled Chimeras Dream On Barren Lands will be published in December 2023 under El Martillo Press.

Alex Alpharoah

Teaching Artist

About

Jonny Perl is thrilled to be part of the GIA team. As an arts educator, Jonny has worked with the Miracle Project, Young Storytellers Foundation, Five Star Theatricals, Special Olympics, and LAUSD. As a creative executive and producer for Cinemation/Little Stone Productions, he develops and produces new Broadway musicals and animated films. Most recent: the animated feature PAWS OF FURY for Paramount/Nickelodeon. Upcoming: the West Coast premiere of the musical Farewell My Concubine. Jonny also regularly music directs, accompanies, and leads piano bar singalongs. He is best known for his interactive musical theatre content on TikTok @Jonny.Perl. He is a graduate of UCLA.

Jonny Perl

Teaching Artist

About

Matias Ponce is a Mexican American actor, he has played in various T.V. roles, films, and plays. Most recently he appeared in ABC’s General Hospital and in Cartel Pictures’ Sci-Fi film “Echo Base” now streaming on Tubi. In 2017, Matias Ponce had the honor of portraying Henry Reyna from Luis Valdez’s “Zoot Suit” with Oscar nominated actor Demián Bichir; It was revived for its 40th Anniversary at The Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles and directed by Luis Valdez. In 2011, he made his first Los Angeles stage debut in “Short Eyes” by Miguel Piñero at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Matias Ponce was born and raised in The Old South End of Toledo, Ohio. He is an only child to his father Domingo G. Ponce, who was originally from Querétaro, México, and his mother, Anna Maria Ponce, who is a first generation Mexican American from Toledo, Ohio. He cites his mother for getting him into acting. He started in local commercials for Buckeye Cablesystem, the company where his mother worked. He also performed at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre and worked as a model and actor with Starbound Models and Talent Agency. He graduated from Libbey High School in 2007 and moved to Los Angeles, CA in September 2009. Matias Ponce is a teaching artist and has worked with many non-profit theater organizations teaching theater education within LAUSD. He also teaches creative writing to incarcerated adults within the California state prison system through InsideOUT Writers. He continues to work with theatre director José Luis Valenzuela and the members of the Latino Theater Company.

Matias Ponce

Teaching Artist

About

“A word merchant whose currency is honesty” Los Angeles Times. Along with being the 1st and only poet to have a poem named ‘download of the week’ on iTunes; this National Poetry Slam Champion and 3 X National Poetry Slam Finalist has been featured on a variety of media outlets including 7 appearances on 6 seasons of HBO’s Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry, NBC, Oxygen Network, Current TV, ESPN, Nike Battlegrounds, Reebok, Adidas, NBA, CNN, Artisan Films Belly DVD, Complex and Billboard Magazine, several national commercial spots, 5 National Tours including the Tony Award Winning Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour and 2 Spoken Word documentaries, SP!T and the sequel to 1997s cult doc Slam Nation, Slam Planet. Shihan recently signed an exclusive Sponsorship deal with Sports Giant, adidas and is the current voice for The Sprite Street Mix, a radio program broadcasted in over 13 countries in Africa. His abilities to transcend cultural and generational boundaries have made Shihan a much sought after talent. I Am A Poet.

Shihan Van Clief

Teaching Artist

GREENWAY COURT THEATRE

About

Mohammed Ali Ojarigi was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He received his bachelor's degree in theater arts from UNLV. He is the founder/Artistic Director of the former Moments Playhouse Theater in East LA. A highly requested acting coach, Mohammed has helped introduce some of Hollywood’s top rising stars through his academy (BizB4 Show). Mohammed is an award-winning actor/playwright for his theatre works that include “Greenwood 1964” a fictional reenactment of a trip made by Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, which was commissioned by the prestigious Guthrie Theater in May 2021 (virtually). Also, for his 2012 NAACP Theater Award play, now short film, “Your Land” (available on Amazon Prime). As Producing Director of Greenway Arts Alliance his mission is to promote innovation, artistic collaboration across all spectrum of Arts; working with high school students, community artists, and professionals of diverse backgrounds to make the theater a vital hub of excellence which celebrates diversity and historically underrepresented communities.

Mohammed Ojarigi

Producing Director

About

In 1989 Thomas left his 10-year Technical Director job at Spelman, in Atlanta, in order to pursue his Masters degree from UCLA. Before he had even graduated, in 1992 with his master’s degree in set design, Thomas had already begun designing professionally in Los Angeles. Since that time, he has designed for over 2000 productions in a variety of entertainment formats – including television, theater, musical concerts, award shows, theme parks and film. He also served as Concept and Convention Art Director for five years with THE NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION. He proudly designed several gala entertainment events in Washington, DC. for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. In television he has served as either Art Director or Production Designer for a variety of network and cable programs on ABC, NBC and FOX-TV. He has done extensive work with BET serving as Production Designer/ Art Director for numerous productions with them, including their first cable sitcom “COMIC VIEW: AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT A WOMAN” and their perennial music showcase show “VIDEO SOUL SPRITE NITE”. He has also served as Art Director for the national network shows, TOTALLY HIDDEN VIDEO for FOX-TV, SOUL TRAIN for KTLA, as well as Art Director for the HBO Comedy Specials, SINBAD: BRAIN DAMAGED and CHRIS ROCK:BORN SUSPECT.

Thomas Brown

Technician

About

Jena serves as Producing Coordinator for the Greenway Court Theatre, bringing a background in producing live theatrical concerts, variety shows, and independent film projects. Her producing experience includes weekly sold-out live entertainment and variety shows at the W Hollywood, where she helped develop and coordinate performances that connected artists and audiences through unique theatrical experiences. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, she is also a working actor and writer with a deep appreciation for the creative process across both stage and screen. Jena believes deeply in the power of live theatre and its ability to foster connection in an increasingly digital world. As technology continues to transform the entertainment industry, her goal is to help bridge the gap between the innovation of film and television and the authenticity, spontaneity, and human experience that make live theatre irreplaceable. She is proud to support artists and audiences alike in keeping this art form vibrant and accessible for future generations.

Jena Fakroddin

Producing Coordinator

About

Elisawon is an actor and writer hailing from Texas, who has been captivated by theater and the performing arts since an early age. Diving into speech & debate, competitive theater, and prose and poetry throughout middle and high school, they eventually assumed the role of head of the costume department for their highschool theater. This experience sparked a deep passion for behind-the-scenes work, which continued through college alongside employment in the costume shop. While attaining a bachelor's degree, Elisawon co-founded and served as co-president for the college's Black Student Union, and is aspiring to extend their leadership to new possibilities. One of those possibilities has led them to become the new FOH Manager at Greenway Court Theater; they are looking forward to growing with the GCT family.

Elisawon Roberts

Front of House Manager

Board

Chair

Bill Stein, Esq. Partner, Fisher Phillips

Treasurer

Mario Padilla, Professor Santa Monica College

Secretary

Carol Truscott, former Fairfax High School Principal

      • Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director, Greenway
      • Gimel Hooper Poet
      • Stephen Mendillo Actor
      • Stan Savage, Jr. Business Development & Acquisitions, A.F. Gilmore Co.
      • Laura Sedrish, Esq. Partner, Jacoby & Meyers (Founding Board President/Chair)
      • Aris Biegler, LAUSD Math Teacher
      • Whitney Weston, Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director, Greenway

Supporters & Partners

Current Funders

  • California Arts Council
  • City of West Hollywood
  • Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
  • Earl B. Gilmore Foundation
  • Los Angeles County Arts Commission
  • Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation
  • California Community Foundation
  • David Lee Foundation
  • The David Geffen Foundation
  • The Flourish Foundation

Friends of Greenway

  • David Kobrin
  • James Starr
  • Lisa Blake Richards and Stephen Mendillo
  • Mike Himelstein
  • John Ebey
  • Steve and Laura Mayer
  • Wilson Fitzgerald

Support Greenway Arts Alliance

Please consider donating to support Arts Education and our other programs!

Press & Media

For our full media kit, please email Whitney Weston, whitney@greenwayartsalliance.org, Co-Artistic Director.

Press Kit

Download the Style Guide

Articles

Nonprofit – Public School Alliance

by Phuong Ly, Winter 2013 | Stanford Social Innovation Review

A partnership between Fairfax High and the nonprofit Greenway Arts Alliance in Los Angeles has improved school finances and created a community hub.

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Advocating for Arts in the Classroom

by Mark Bauerlein, Fall 2010 | Education Next

The Greenway Arts Alliance is an obvious model for arts education. Greenway has received support from public agencies, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Los Angeles, but it has staked its continuance year-to-year on private enterprise.

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Contact

Greenway Arts Alliance’s Co-Founders / Co-Artistic Directors