STAFF
Tyler Olsen-Highness, Executive Director
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Tyler Olsen-Highness is a theater artist, producer, director, administrator, and teacher who knows how to get things done, connect people, and lead adventures. An outgoing leader, he is the founder of the non-profit Dangerous Productions and has produced over 70 artistic and community inspired projects in the past seven years. He has produced work of, by, and in collaboration with the community of Frogtown for six years. He believes the organization has the chance to build the arts center of the future---a center for the neighborhood to share, celebrate, and question. When he isn’t creating art or leading change, Tyler enjoys outdoor adventures, music, theater, and time with his wife Amy, daughter Thora, and dog Marigold.
Mercedes Yarbrough
(She/Her)- Community Engagement Director
Job Description- At Victoria Theater Art Center, Mercedes is all about building community relationships, organizing engaging events, and partnering with organizations to showcase the arts.
Bio-Introducing Mizz Mercedez, the incredible educator and mom of 4 boys from Saint Paul's Rondo neighborhood. She's on a mission to inspire kids to dream big, unlock their superpowers, and save the world!
Hobbies- I love sports! Reading, and writing short comic stories. I love to create memories for others!
#LoveIsPOWER
Matthew Alto
He/Him
Operations & Facilities Director
Matt is a jack of all trades and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Essex. Training in theater as an actor, director, stagehand/manager, writer and producer, he got his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He has learned and worked on shows around the globe including; Chicago, New Zealand, London & Moscow. When not doing theater he has worked as an office jockey, DQ manager, teacher, landscaper, and an HVAC specialist, just to name a few. To keep his creative muscles out of atrophy he produces shows with The Drollery at the MN Fringe Festival and performs unprov with Fantastic Voyage Improv. If he's not attending a show or walking his dog Zinnia he might be found down by the river singing songs with his ukulele.
He/Him
Operations & Facilities Director
Matt is a jack of all trades and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Essex. Training in theater as an actor, director, stagehand/manager, writer and producer, he got his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He has learned and worked on shows around the globe including; Chicago, New Zealand, London & Moscow. When not doing theater he has worked as an office jockey, DQ manager, teacher, landscaper, and an HVAC specialist, just to name a few. To keep his creative muscles out of atrophy he produces shows with The Drollery at the MN Fringe Festival and performs unprov with Fantastic Voyage Improv. If he's not attending a show or walking his dog Zinnia he might be found down by the river singing songs with his ukulele.
Sara Smith
Minecraft Coordinator/Interim Communications Manager
Pronouns: they/them
Sara Smith is VTAC’s Minecraft Coordinator and Interim Communications Manager, leading our digital version of the Victoria Theater while helping maintain our brand! Sara designs our Minecraft programming, putting on our weekly open hours and quarterly Minecraft events. They also work with our awesome youth leaders in a multitude of projects (both our year-round youth volunteers and our yearly intern cycle). Along with their work at VTAC, Sara is an academic with an endless thirst for knowledge. They enjoy studying online community space and how it fosters connection. In their free time, they like to garden, do art, and explore all the green spaces the Twin Cities has to offer.
Minecraft Coordinator/Interim Communications Manager
Pronouns: they/them
Sara Smith is VTAC’s Minecraft Coordinator and Interim Communications Manager, leading our digital version of the Victoria Theater while helping maintain our brand! Sara designs our Minecraft programming, putting on our weekly open hours and quarterly Minecraft events. They also work with our awesome youth leaders in a multitude of projects (both our year-round youth volunteers and our yearly intern cycle). Along with their work at VTAC, Sara is an academic with an endless thirst for knowledge. They enjoy studying online community space and how it fosters connection. In their free time, they like to garden, do art, and explore all the green spaces the Twin Cities has to offer.
Nehemiah Jett
He/him/his
Relationship Manager
Nehemiah is tasked with creating and maintaining relationships between VTAC and Donors. He will also oversee the volunteer and intern processes as well as developing our artist membership programs. Nehemiah is a jack of all trades when it comes to his career path, from server, to community outreach, to childcare, to client advocate, to dishwasher, to low budget party magician, and bring pieces of his learned expertise from each position to now serve VTAC and the community. He grew up in Frogtown and is excited to be a part of something that not only impacts the community that nurtured him but expands to neighborhoods across the Twin Cities and beyond.
He/him/his
Relationship Manager
Nehemiah is tasked with creating and maintaining relationships between VTAC and Donors. He will also oversee the volunteer and intern processes as well as developing our artist membership programs. Nehemiah is a jack of all trades when it comes to his career path, from server, to community outreach, to childcare, to client advocate, to dishwasher, to low budget party magician, and bring pieces of his learned expertise from each position to now serve VTAC and the community. He grew up in Frogtown and is excited to be a part of something that not only impacts the community that nurtured him but expands to neighborhoods across the Twin Cities and beyond.
The YALT Team!
From Left to Right (not counting Tyler and Mercedes): Miles, Myrachelle, Everlyn, Salma, Ku Ku, William, Marquan, and Lucy
The Youth Arts leadership Team is our star team of youth leaders who put on our yearly Speak Out And Lead Festival, and help us develop relevant youth programming year round!
From Left to Right (not counting Tyler and Mercedes): Miles, Myrachelle, Everlyn, Salma, Ku Ku, William, Marquan, and Lucy
The Youth Arts leadership Team is our star team of youth leaders who put on our yearly Speak Out And Lead Festival, and help us develop relevant youth programming year round!