_edited.png)
Woodshed Arts is led by a team of mentors who create and help others create.
Artistic Director
Creighton Irons is a creator, educator, and performer of music and theater. His musicals have been staged at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Goodspeed Musicals, UNC-Chapel Hill, and in Tokyo & Osaka, Japan. As a teaching artist (with Lincoln Center Theater, The Roundabout Theatre, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, others), Irons has helped hundreds of students find their voices and create scores of original songs. He created choral programs focusing on empowerment through music in The Bronx (SongCorps), Nashville (Rise Up Singing), and North Carolina, where he currently heads the music program at Woods Charter School.
Eric Jacobs
Technical Director
When Eric was a senior in highschool he was standing in line to try out for the spring musical “Anything Goes”. The director approached Eric and said, “What are you doing in line?”. Eric replied, “I’m a senior, I want to be in the play”. The director responded with, “Sorry Eric, you have to build a boat”. From that moment on Eric knew his calling was technical theater. Eric has worked with Deep Dish Theater, Hidden Voices, Bodacious Theatre Company, and Center Theater Company, Seven Year Productions as well as Woodshed Arts.
Ashley Adamek
Dance Mentor
Ashley is a former New York City based professional dancer and performer. She has performed on Broadway, toured nationally and internationally, worked with top recording artists, and has appeared in industrials, music videos, dance films, and commercials. Beyond performing, Ashley also gained experience as a freelance casting assistant during her time in NYC. Since returning to Raleigh in 2018, Ashley began working for a real estate investment company and continues to stay connected to dance through teaching and occasional performances. She is beyond grateful to be a part of the Woodshed Arts family.
Phineas Field
Youth Board Liaison/Co-secretary
Phinny Field, aka Phin Phantastic, aka Ol’ Blue Eyes was raised as a human child in North Cackalacky, and currently attends Carrboro High School. No stranger to the stage, Phinny has enjoyed theatrical pursuits since he was knee-high to a grape. He has been a creator in the Musical Madness program since the debut of the hit musical “Howl to be Bad” (2016). When not searching for show venues, he enjoys making mischief, bread puns and tap combinations.
Dawn Landes
Songwriting Mentor
Dawn Landes is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer who’s penned original songs for TV, film, and musical theater (ROW on Audible). Landes has toured internationally and supported Nick Lowe, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many more. Her newest album The Liberated Woman's Songbook was produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman) and highlights women's activism throughout history.
Sarah Donnell
Acting Mentor
Sarah is a theatre artist who has performed on stages from New York City to Atlanta to Madrid in Shakespearean comedies, puppet shows, storytelling events, rock operas, and more. She has collaborated with teams large and small to shepherd stories from seed concepts to fully realized live performances. An applied theatre specialist, Sarah puts the tools of theatre to work in programs and scripts that get delivered across the country in workshops, facilitated performances, video, online trainings, retreats, and VR.
More at wellplayedcreative.com.
As a 501c(3) non-profit, we are also steered by a board of directors from the community.
Tim has been performing and producing fun and outrageous sideshows since he discovered the boom box and feathered boa in middle school. Tim is also an active volunteer in our local IDD community, leading theater and music classes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tim is a proud graduate of Oberlin College and received his MBA from the Wharton School of Management.
Tim Field
President
Nick is a live music enthusiast, environmentalist, hippie, and rad dad to a wild 6 year old named Nola. In his day job, Nick works in impact investing, providing sustainable investment options for companies and individuals, and funding strategies for local governments pursuing climate action. Nick & his wife cofounded Same Team, spreading the message that we are all in this together. Nick studied at UNC and loves the Carolina blue sky in Chatham County.
Nick Gower
Vice President
Hunter participated in community theater as a child and adolescent and even had the chance to perform for television in Cramp the Donkey, a production of the Shelby Community Theater. While her adult life took her away from performing she remains passionate about the arts and is thrilled to have a daughter who wants to pursue technical theater.
Hunter Blanton
Treasurer
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Richie DiFranco now lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife Gabriella and their three children Mateo, Liliana and Marco. An advocate for the arts, Richie and his family have been enthusiastic supporters of Woodshed Arts, with some family members actively participating in its programs. Passionate about fostering creativity and community engagement, he is honored to serve on the board and contribute to the organization's mission of supporting collaborative art for all.
Richie DiFranco
Operations
​Originally from Texas, I live with my husband, daughters, and wide array of pets in Chatham County. I deeply appreciate the strong connection to the arts, food, and community cultivated by the amazing people here. A sociologist by training, I spent much of my career engaging in research to help support the wellbeing of diverse families and children. Shared creativity is core to this and I am thrilled to support Woodshed Arts in its aim to build community cohesion through collaborative, creative arts.
Lizy Wildsmith (& Sam Field!)
Secretary