Artistic Ambassador Program

A vibrant group of multi-hyphenate artists local to Central New York who contribute to Syracuse Stage’s mission to engage with and deepen ties to the rich cultural communities of Syracuse and the surrounding region. 

Led by Syracuse Stage associate artistic director Melissa Crespo, these “Artistic Ambassadors” are key stakeholders in the local arts scene with existing relationships to Syracuse Stage who will become even more involved in the company’s efforts to serve the community through power of live performance.

Syracuse Stage Artistic Ambassadors

  • Kelly Covert holds a silver flute

    Kelly Covert

    is second flute/piccolo of The Syracuse Orchestra and core performer with the Syracuse Society for New Music and regularly plays for Syracuse Stage productions.

  • Tanner Efinger

    Tanner Efinger

    is a queer theatre artist living and working in Upstate NY. He is an actor, director, writer, educator and the Artistic Director for Breadcrumbs Productions.

  • Derek Emerson Powell

    Derek Emerson Powell

    is an actor, writer, producer, and a Co-Artistic Director of Building Company Theater. He loves devising new work and using theater to grow community.

  • Lilli Komurek

    Lilli Komurek

    is an actor, singer, director, and educator emphasizing empathy, nuance of character, creative subtext and “telling story through song.”

  • Alexis Martin

    Alexis Martin

    is an aspiring playwright and local actress devoted to telling stories on and off stage. She is a proud member of The Dramatists Guild of America and The Armory Square Playwrights of Central New York.

  • Mary Nickson

    Mary Nickson

    is a professional musician, storyteller and educator who believes that self-expression is an inherent human need. She aims to amplify authentic, human experience and build relationships that foster meaningful community.

  • Jose Miguel Hernandez Hurtado

    Jose Miguel Hernandez Hurtado

    is the Founder and Artistic Director of La Joven Guardia del Teatro Latino inc.

  • Krystal Osborne

    Krystal Osborne

    (she/her) is a multidisciplinary performance artist, voice-over artist and teaching artist currently located in Syracuse. She loves working on new plays, adaptations, under-done plays and developing new theatre.

  • Donovan Stanfield

    Donovan Stanfield

    is a Syracuse based actor dedicated to using art and theatre as philosophical pursuits to explore the human condition.

  • Karis Wiggins

    Karis Wiggins

    is a proud ambassador and local actor.