Gwendolyn Winters, Costume Designer/Seamstress

Gwen is a Costume Designer, Fashion Designer, Seamstress, Educator, Motivator. Gwen is blessed with a great love for people. She is presentable, hard­working, loves responsibility and have a great since of humor. She is totally dependable, honest, sincere, and open to change and imagination. She has a high regard for the worth, dignity and uniqueness of each person. For fifteen years she has had a strong interest in making clothes. No other profession gives her greater satisfaction than lifting ones self-esteem. Gwen enjoys designing for people. Her expertise also lies in the field of music and education. She taught as a Sunday school and Bible class teacher for 5 years. She has also devoted her singing skills to the Church choir for over twenty years.

Since February of 2005 Gwen has been an excellent motivator and inspiration to the opening and building of the Olsenarts Theater Group organization. Her expertise as a designer and seamstress proved vital to the preparation of costumes for 24 children to premier Olsenarts' first theater productions planned for December 2005 and February of 2006. Her volunteer commitment to the children and to the Olsenarts Theater Group goals are highly appreciated. Olsenarts is truly blessed to have a volunteer such as Mrs. Winters. She demonstrates work abilities equal to and surmountable to any "white collar" salary. Gwen helps individuals discover their own creativity. She is truly one-of-a-kind. Below is an example of the love and expertise that Gwen demonstrates continually.

Personal Achievement Story: Crying at the bus stop was “Tara”, standing along side was her mother; trying to wipe Tara’ s tears away. No dress shop will make Tara’ s prom dress (because of the time frame and Tara’s size) without at least $250 down. The mother complained that all she had was $250 and there is no one else to turn to. Tara will have to forgive her mom. My response, “I’ll make Tara’ s dress for half of that amount.” In Summary: Tara was voted “Best Dressed” at her school prom (Bay View High School – 1990). Tara told her friend, Bebe “Best Dressed” (Harold Vincent High School – 1991). Bebe told her friend, Tisha “Best Dressed” (Custer High School – 1992 and 1993). I am currently volunteering and contributing my expertise to the children and adults of  OlsenArts Theater Group.

                                                               Rochelle L. Seymore, Director of Administrations

Rochelle possesses the ability to administrate the varied organizational responsibilities and duties of this theater group as well as lending her excellent organizational and management skill to expanding and growing the theater group in the future. Including her extensive experience in office administration, she has also acquired broad experience in the management of staff and departmental personnel supervision, involvement with music and performance activities, coordination of performers as well as handling the narration for select plays.

Graduating from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI with an Associate of Science in Business Administration in 2002, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting in 2005, Rochelle is well qualified to fulfill the responsibilities inherent in the administrative duties of OlsenArts Theater Group. She has obtained certification, licenses and training in Micro-Business Accounting, Childcare Administrator License, Public Speaking, Stress Management and Educational Training Courses. Rochelle has gained valuable insight and experience not only in the accounting field but also in the management of people as well as stage productions.

Her experience includes teaching in the childcare center industry and weekly, church bible classes, administrative assistance to the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division and the MPS School Board in Milwaukee. Her responsibilities include serving diverse and multi-cultural populations of parents and administrators, assisting parents, students, teachers, MPS and Suburban Administrators daily, resolving issues and parent concerns regarding Chapter 220 processes, creating reports for financial record keeping, setting up meetings and performing regular office duties, Overseeing all administrative functions of the rehabilitation program, hiring nurses and conducting monthly performance evaluations, scheduling and prioritizing work assignments, supporting disciplinary actions as necessary and planning various nursing programs. As a Office Manager and Bookkeeper for White Glove Janitorial Services in Milwaukee, Rochelle administered the payroll, addressed employee concerns, performed quarterly audits, conducted group training and meetings, performed accounting services and re-organized the business, thus increasing their revenue. She also served as an Auditor for Motel 6 in Brookfield, WI.

Rochelle is a creative, charismatic and joyful individual who is committed to excellence and the positive development of children of all cultural backgrounds. As an educator she demonstrates exquisite speaking and teaching techniques that motivate and encourage children’s comprehension and performance.

                                                       Marchell Bass-Wilson,  Production and Health Director, RN

In addition to “earning her feathers” as a mother, confidant, economic specialist, teacher, planner extraordinaire and helpmate, Marchell’s expertise definitely lies in the “Nursing slash Nurturing” fields. Marchell is a Registered Nurse who possesses the patience and focus that some might only dream of possessing. Her formal education includes acquiring a B.S. in Nursing, a B.A. in Psychology and Certification in Medical Billing. Marchell is a young woman who not only wears many professional titles; she fulfills every aspect of her crowns. Her knowledge, follow-up and willingness to learn are positive factors when working with individuals in the medical field and with children. She exhibits a strong ability to integrate multiple frameworks to manage the care of vulnerable populations in a variety of contexts.

As a born educator, Marchell shows great appreciation for the uniqueness and differences of her clients and the children she instruct. She is an excellent communicator and has proven so as a Sunday School Teacher, a School Nurse Intern at MPS, providing direct patient care, health education, emergency nursing services and case management, as an Academic Assistant at Alverno College in Milwaukee, tutoring students in the knowledge and skills needed to complete assignments, as an Admitting Registrar and Registered Nurse for Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, as a Case Manager for YW Works, Milwaukee determining client’s eligibility for public assistance, providing ongoing case management services and advocating for SSI, as a Customer Service Rep and Medical Transcriptionist for Kelly Temporary Services in Milwaukee. She also developed safety plans for families as a Safety Services Case Manager at IFPI in Milwaukee.

Marchell has practiced her clinical experience at St. Luke’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital, St. Clare’s Assisted Living Facility, Children’s Health Education Center, Audubon Middle School, Alverno College Childcare Services, all of Milwaukee, WI. and Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, WI. Marchell met the demands of the organizations with professionalism, confidence and sensitivity by performing comprehensive physical assessment and care plans, advocating on behalf of client’s needs to ensure adequate health care, designing and presenting “Effective Hand washing” research, Observing children, collaborating with patients, multi-disciplinary teams, and patient’s families to create a nursing care plan appropriate for that particular patient during antepartum, partum and postpartum stages.

Marchell has been a teacher for over twelve years and instructor to innumerable children. She has served as a school board member of the Milwaukee Urban League of Business and Economics, an Event Assistant with the Alverno College Blood Drive as well as Educator and Tutor for Alverno’s “Teddy Bear” Clinic and Community Day. She has shown excellent organizational skills as Stage Manager, Dresser and Technical Advisor while working the multiple theater and musical projects with OlsenArts Theater Group in Milwaukee. This medley of varied experiences has melded into an uncanny knack for relating to and understanding the needs of an extremely broad spectrum of people of every walk of life.