“The mission of the Florida Cultural Group, Inc. is to create, entertain and strengthen an artistic, creative, curious, and thriving community by bringing people together.”
Janene M. Amick
Chief Executive Officer
Janene’s contributions to the community have earned her numerous honors, including the 8th Annual Robert P. Baertz Award for Outstanding Leadership (2025), the Ed Hunzeker Hospitality Leadership Award (2019), and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Volunteer Service (2017). She was also recognized as one of BIZ (941) Magazine’s “People to Watch” (2012) for her innovation and leadership.
Deeply engaged in civic service, Janene is a Past President of the Bradenton Kiwanis Club, a member of the MCR Health Board of Directors, and a Commissioner of the Bradenton Housing Authority. Her involvement with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Bradenton Area Cultural Advisory Committee, and other community organizations reflects her ongoing dedication to building strong partnerships and advancing the arts.
Janene holds designations as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP), and she earned an Executive Education Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard University.
At the heart of her work is a passion for collaboration and community-building. Janene believes in empowering others to shine and fostering meaningful connections through shared artistic and cultural experiences. Through her vision and leadership, she continues to shape the future of Florida Cultural Group and the cultural vitality of the region.
Rick Kerby
Producing Artistic Director
Rick Kerby is a distinguished figure in the performing arts, renowned for his extensive career as both a performer and director. As the Producing Artistic Director of the Manatee Players, he has been instrumental in shaping the theater’s artistic vision for over two decades, earning accolades such as the “Master Director” title from Sarasota Magazine in 2013 and multiple Handy Awards.
Before his tenure in Bradenton, Rick’s performance career spanned over thirty countries and all fifty U.S. states. He graced Broadway stages and national tours, including productions like A Match Made in Heaven and Yankee Doodle Dandy. His international tours featured roles in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Oklahoma!, where he also served as dance captain. Beyond theater, Rick performed aboard major cruise lines such as Royal Viking, Holland America, and Norwegian, and appeared in Las Vegas venues like the Aladdin Hotel and Bally’s Casino.
In his role as Entertainment Director for the USO of Metropolitan New York, Rick organized the Miss USO Contest and led a troupe that performed internationally, with appearances on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and The Miss America Pageant.
Rick’s commitment to education is evident through his teaching positions at institutions like Wagner College and The Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in New York City. He has also held leadership roles at the Florida Theatre Conference, the Florida Association of Community Theaters, and the American Association of Community Theatres, where he is a past president.
As a published author, Rick co-authored “Dream: Tales from the Pikes Peak Writers,” a collection of short stories.
He also authored “Improv with Older Actors,” a guidebook accompanied by a flash card set designed to facilitate improvisational activities for senior performers.
Rick Kerby’s multifaceted career underscores his unwavering dedication to the performing arts, significantly influencing both regional and national theater communities.
Kristin Ribble
Production Manager
The Production Manager is responsible for coordinating the rehearsal schedules, technical needs and budget of all in-house produced productions. The Production Manager acts as the liaison among the production team and between the production team, including Guest Directors, and the Producing Artistic Director.
Kristin started her current position as the Production Manager for Manatee Players in July of 2008, celebrating her 10 year anniversary this year! She has been involved, either onstage or behind the scenes, in over 130 productions since the age of 12, and she has Stage Managed over 60 productions here at MPAC! Most recently she served as Stage Manager for our productions of HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE PRODUCERS, BOYNTON BEACH CLUB, LITTLE SHOP, ASSASSINS, and 42nd STREET! Some of her favorite stage management experiences here include INTO THE WOODS, TARZAN, SHREK, LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, MY ONE AND ONLY, EVITA, ANYTHING GOES, WHITE CHRISTMAS, AIDA, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, CRAZY FOR YOU, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, GYPSY, OKLAHOMA, CHICAGO, DAMN YANKEES, BIG RIVER, ELEPHANT MAN, and PIPPIN. She was also proud to be the stage manager of the AACT award winning productions of SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE and SWEENEY TODD. Kristin graduated with a BS in psychology with honors from University of Florida and worked for several years as a social worker and case manager serving at-risk youth in Manatee County. Although Kristin has been involved with many other theatre companies, she considers MPAC to be her second home and is proud to be a part of the staff of such a wonderful company! “Thank you to the many volunteer crew members, hard-working stage managers, and dedicated staff members who make coming to work a treat!
”
Ann Colonna
Community Engagement Director
Ann Colonna is a dedicated community leader and the Community Engagement Director for the Florida Cultural Group, a role she began in October 2024. With a passion for fostering connections and giving back, Ann brings extensive experience in community outreach, mentorship, and organizational leadership to the group’s mission.
Originally from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Ann attended High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, where she began developing her professional foundation. After a successful career in the staffing and sales industry, Ann transitioned to the nonprofit sector, seeking to make a more direct and lasting impact on her community.
In addition to her role with the Florida Cultural Group, Ann is deeply involved in local mentorship through Take Stock in Children of Manatee County and Hillsborough County. She currently mentors three students and has successfully guided three others through graduation. Among her mentees, one has joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and two are pursuing their college education. Ann’s commitment to mentorship and her belief in the power of education have made a lasting impact on her students’ lives.
Ann is also a graduate of Leadership Manatee and serves as the President of the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association, where she continues to promote leadership development and community engagement across the region. Her work with Leadership Manatee has solidified her as a key figure in shaping local leaders and fostering collaboration within the community.
Outside of her professional and volunteer work, Ann enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends. Her enthusiasm for building relationships and empowering others.
Isabella Onken
Rental Coordinator
Isabella joined the Florida Cultural Group after graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University, where she dual-majored in Theatre and Communication. In May of 2023, she began an internship with Manatee Performing Arts Center, gaining invaluable hands-on experience that led to her official position on the staff in August 2023. She is thrilled to be in a role where she can apply her education while serving her local community.
As part of the development team, Isabella is a facilitator to the organization and its patrons. She manages donations, sales, and funds with an eye on the future, working closely with staff and volunteers to help sustain the theatre’s growth. While her primary focus is on the longevity of the theatre and ensuring its continued success, Isabella uses her “jack-of-all-trades” enthusiasm to assist wherever possible. Whether it’s helping with day-to-day operations or supporting larger initiatives, she’s always ready to lend a hand.
When Isabella isn’t in the office, she’s likely on stage. She made her debut with us in the highly successful Rocky Horror Show in 2023. Behind the scenes, Isabella plays an active role in supporting productions, whether she’s selling tickets to the latest show or working with Ralph Nurmela to paint sets in the Kiwanis Blackbox Theatre.
An accomplished writer, Isabella has been published multiple times for her poetry and is a dedicated participant in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) every year. She is also a proud member of Our Ladies’ Rosary Makers at the national level and has been crafting rosaries since 2014.
Isabella is incredibly proud of the opportunity to contribute to the artistic and cultural community and is excited to continue her journey of growth and service. Who knows where you’ll see her next, but she’ll be rallying support for Manatee Performing Arts Center every step of the way.
Erica Bommarito
Patron Services Manager
Originally from Metro Detroit, Erica joined the Florida Cultural Group in Janaury of 2026 after several seasons as the Assistant Box Office Manager at the Asolo Repertory Theatre where she helped manage the Box Office and Group Sales. She joined the organization just in time to facilitate the ticketing software migration to our new system, Spektrix. Erica has a passion for efficiency and marketing and hopes to use her skills and knowledge to improve the user experience in ticketing as well as expand our current marketing efforts. She is thrilled to be in a role where she can apply her love of sales and theatre while giving back to the community.
As Patron Services Manager at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, she’s dedicated to creating a welcoming, positive experience for every person who walks through our doors. From helping patrons navigate performances and ticketing to supporting front-of-house operations, she works to ensure each visit is smooth, enjoyable, and memorable.
Erica is proud to be part of an organization that brings people together through the performing arts and strengthens our community through creativity, connection, and shared experiences.
When Erica isn’t in the office, she’s likely performing on stage, Emceeing a dance competition, enjoying Disney World or HHN, filming content for her Beauty social media influencer accounts, or enjoying a concert or music festival. She made her Florida acting debut with in the Theatre Odyssey 10 Minute Play Festival in 2026; acting in two of the festivals plays. Though, Erica has been treading the boards as long as she can remember; growing up heavily involved in both Competitive Dance and Musical Theatre.
She has spent nearly 35 years entertaining audiences including training with Playhouse in the Park and CCM at the University of Cincinnati as a child, attending Oakland University in Rochester Michigan as a Musical Theatre Major, and being a member of the Detroit Actors’ Theatre Company for many years before moving to Florida. Favorite roles include: Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jaqueline n La Cage Aux Folles, Rizzo in Grease, Bombur in The Hobbit, Magenta in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Mrs. Potts in Beauty & the Beast.
Caren Brady
Resident Costume Designer/Costume Shop Manager
Caren Brady’s exemplary 37-year career in the theatre world reflects both her dedication and versatility in the realm of costume design. As the Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager at Manatee Performing Arts Center, which she joined in 2022, Caren brings a wealth of experience to every production she works on, a skillset honed through her extensive background in costume design, costume rental, and production management.
A native of Ohio, Caren’s educational foundation was built at Bluffton College, where she earned her degree in theatre. Her career began at Stagecraft Theatrical in Cincinnati, where she not only worked in costume design but also expanded her role to owning and renaming the company to Cincinnati Costume Company. This entrepreneurial spirit set the stage for her later work with various production companies across the United States.
Throughout her career, Caren has designed costumes for a wide range of productions, including plays, musicals, ballet, modern dance, television, and film. Among her favorite projects are My Fair Lady, Titanic, Gypsy, Something Rotten, and The Wizard of Oz—each of which demonstrates her ability to translate the artistic vision of a production into vibrant and fitting costume design.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Caren is a proud mother to her son Joe and his wife, Helena, and a dedicated pet parent to her mutt dog, Leon, rounding out a life that blends creativity with family.
Her passion for theatre and costume design continues to inspire those around her, making her a key figure in the artistic communities she serves.
Kathi Cummins
Cafe/Learning Lab Manager
Kathi is our Cafe Manager in addition to teaching people with different abilities skills to use in the work place in our Cafe Learning Lab. She manages the Cafe volunteers, teaching them to process sales and serve patrons during our shows at Rae’s Cabaret Cafe & Concessions.
Jeff Evans
Comptroller
The Comptroller is responsible for preparing financial statements, processing deposits, and payments, maintaining cash controls, managing the payroll and human resources administration, audit preparation, and maintaining all financial accounts.
The Comptroller is responsible for preparing financial statements, processing deposits, and payments, maintaining cash controls, managing the payroll and human resources administration, audit preparation, and maintaining all financial accounts.
Jeff is retired from a 45-year career in the financial services industry which encompassed senior and executive management roles in banking, brokerage, and mutual fund servicing.
Jeff, his wife, Nitza, and daughter, Alina, moved to Florida from New Jersey in 2005. When Alina first appeared in one of our shows in 2009, Jeff got involved as a tech volunteer. He has since been a Board member and served as our Treasurer and Board Chair. He has been the Comptroller since 2017.
Noah Henry
Marketing Associate
Noah joined Florida Cultural Group in July 2025 after being on stage for multiple shows dating back to 2023. His next show, Anastasia, will be his 15th show at MPAC. Noah graduated in 2023 with Latin Honors from Saint Leo University. He majored in Clinical/Counseling Psychology with a minor in Business Management, and was active in the community, earning multiple awards and holding several leadership roles.
While at SLU, Noah was heavily involved in the theatre program, performing in multiple lead roles.
Noah has been involved with various in-person, social media, and online marketing and sales for many years in various industries. Before joining FCG, he worked for a lithium battery company as Social Marketing Manager. During that time, he increased social media sales by over 300% and expanded online visibility across the continental US and the world.
Noah has utilized a wide range of marketing approaches to connecting with the community and growing the overall brand images. His friendly approach and strong communication skills help him to connect with people and grow relationships across multiple markets.
Noah also owns Bear Performance and Training, a personal training company. He is a Master Level Trainer in personal training and maintains several training and safety certifications. Noah enjoys every opportunity to help expand Florida Cultural Group’s outreach and looks forward to aiding the growth of this great company and its theatre’s connection to the community.
