Leadership

Meet the individuals who are leading the charge to put Austin on the world map for LGBTQIA+ performing arts.

STAFF

Christopher Preslar

Founder / Executive Artistic Director

Christopher (he/him/his) has devoted his life to the performing arts as a theatre director, performer, and teacher in Texas, New York City, and abroad. He holds a BFA in Theatre with a directing focus from Sam Houston State University.

Besides founding and growing Austin Rainbow Theatre, Christopher is most proud of his two years spent as a resident director for the Performing Arts Centre of Penang, Malaysia, where he focused on cultivating theatre experiences from the Western canon that would appeal to an Eastern audience. His work abroad helped him develop a more universal approach to the human condition that he applies to his work both as an executive director and in the rehearsal studio.

Christopher has also worked as a volunteer fundraiser and event organizer for other non-profit causes that are dear to him, such as LGBTQIA+ mental health.

Lucinda Culver

Technical Director

Lucinda (she/her/hers) works as a lighting designer and owns a small business specializing in children’s character entertainment, as well as her work as Technical Director for Austin Rainbow Theatre. She graduated from St. Edward’s University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatrical Design, and went on to move to Orlando, FL to work for The Walt Disney Company for a few years before returning to work in Austin theatre.

Lucinda has designed for such companies as TexARTS and The Mary Moody Northen Theatre. She also serves as the resident Lighting Designer for all of Austin Rainbow Theatre’s productions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeremy Saenz

Chair

Dr. Saenz (he/him/his) is the Chair of Austin Rainbow Theatre (ART) and holds a PhD in Psychology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Saenz has helped to promote diversity, initiate outreach, develop groups, and help train staff to promote culturally informed and responsive care. Dr. Saenz continues to work to develop and present CEUs on diversity topics and has worked on an executive board with a previous non-profit.

Johnny Devora

Vice Chair

Johnny (he/him/his) is the Broker and CEO of Devora Realty, a boutique commercial, residential, and development real estate firm.

Devora Realty specializes in the marketing, acquisition, adaptive re-positioning, development, and disposition of multi-family and commercial properties.

Johnny’s previous professional experience includes event coordination, constituent services, and grant writing with various government and non-profit agencies. He is an investor in local Austin startups, an Ironman Triathlete, Big Brother through the Big Brother Big Sister Organization of Central Texas, and currently serves as Vice Chair of Texas Health Action and Vice Chair of Austin Rainbow Theatre Company.

Johnny received his BS in Political Science with a minor in business administration from Texas State University.

Amanda Kates

Secretary

Amanda Kates (she/her/hers) is a Texas attorney that specializes in civil litigation. She received her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University, and her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Amanda currently serves as the Secretary for Austin Rainbow Theatre. Amanda strives to promote female empowerment and the feminine voice in the legal field as well as in society.

Amanda previously served on the Board of Directors for Waterloo Counseling Center.

Javier Lemus

Treasurer

Javier (he/him/his) is a certified public accountant (CPA) and is licensed in the State of Texas.

He received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Accounting at Texas State University.

Following college, he spent 11 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the assurance practice where he provided audit services to clients in various industries such as banking, asset management, broker dealers, employee benefit plans, and healthcare. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Javier is currently serving as the Financial Reporting and Compliance Manager at Capital Farm Credit. In this role he oversees financial reporting, internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), and other areas of technical accounting.

Javier has also been an active volunteer in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. He is a die-hard college football fan and loves animals. During his spare time he likes being with his friends, playing with his dogs, playing in a local softball league, and enjoying theatre.