Get production and performance experience while bringing live theater to the George Mason University community as a member of this fun, vibrant group.
The Mason Players bring artistic enlightenment to the lives of the university community and beyond. Its mission coexists with the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the School of Theater, with whom it enjoys a close relationship.
This faculty-directed student organization within the School of Theater produces seven captivating productions each season. Mainstage productions are directed by faculty members and visiting guest artists, and studio productions are directed by students. Plays selected for the annual Mason Players Originals celebration of new work are student-directed and student-written.
Auditions for the productions are open to all full-time George Mason students. Participation in Mason Players productions may be applied for academic credit.
Join the Mason Players
Membership Requirements
Mason Players is an inclusive organization, comprised of theater students and alumni, theater practitioners, and theater supporters.
To be a Mason Player, you must:
1. Be a current or former degree-seeking student at George Mason University who participates or participated in at least one Mason Players production in ANY capacity (ex. Acting, Directing, Designing, Run Crew, Marketing, Community Leadership, etc.)
Participants in and supporters of the productions of George Mason University's School of Theater are "Mason Players" and should be on the Mason Players Mailing list.
Technical positions available
- Technical Director
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Lighting Designer
- Sound Designer
- Props Designer
- Costume Designer
- Set Designer
- Theatrical Electricians
- Run Crew
- Board Operators
Students interested in working on the creative/production teams for any Mason Players production are encouraged to contact the following:
- Lighting - Kevin Dunayer
- Costumes - Laurel Dunayer
- Dramaturgy - Shaila Schmidt
- Props - Stephan Starling
- Stage Management - Lena Salins
- Sound - Kevin Dunayer
- Technical Direction - Carrie Cox
Also, please visit the scene shop if you are interested in helping build sets for any of our upcoming shows. It's a great way to get tech hours or to just meet people in the department who share your interests.
Please note: all assignments may be used to fulfill Academic Credit. To enroll, please contact Lena Salins.
Administrative Staff
2024-2025 Administrative Staff
Artistic Director:
Djola Branner
Production Manager:
Lena Salins
Assistant Director:
Nicholas Horner
Company Manager:
Brett Womack
Associate Company Manager:
Aurora Powell
Company Secretary:
Andy Brown
Treasurer:
Adia Spezza
See Mason Players Staff Responsibilities
Company Manager: Elected in the Spring
Run Staff and Mason Players meetings and events. Delegate and keep track of tasks among the staff, create agendas for meetings. The final decision maker for how events are planned, budgeted, designed, and run, before things get finalized by the Program Manager. Keep in contact with the Program Manager about prospective students/enrollment events. Event Planner for Banquet.
Associate Company Manager: Elected in the Spring
Ready to take on any Company Manager Duties if the current Company Manager is unable to do so. Coordinates all events for the Mason Players. Including, finding and booking the space with the Office Manager, working with Marketing to post the event on social media, work with the Development Manager to budget food expenses. Attends and assists running the event with the Company Manager. Serves as Faculty Liaison. Attends the Monthly Faculty Meetings, and gives the student report to Faculty. Faculty Meetings are once a month on Wednesdays at 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Development Manager: Elected in the Spring
Budget Mason Players funds, have control over cash box, all transfers of money go through them, coordinate purchases through the office manager, run fundraisers, and collect all money from students.
Sales Coordinator: Elected in the Spring
Purchase all concessions items, coordinate who is running the concessions table, setting up concessions before a show and explaining process to those running the table, coordinate money transfers with development manager, buy and set up opening night cake.
Marketing Manager: Elected in the Spring
In charge of handling all marketing materials for the Mason Players productions and events. This includes: distributing printed posters on and off campus, formatting the production poster into Facebook cover, create marquee slide for Braddock Rd. marquee, painting blocks at Southside, edit and finalize the photos from the publicity shoot, and creating video marketing promo for each show.
Company Secretary: Elected in the Spring
Schedules meetings for Mason Players. That includes: weekly staff meetings, biweekly meetings with Program Manager, and monthly player meetings. Take notes for every meeting and keep track of attendance. Send attendance sheet to Production Manager/Practicum coordinator. Receives emails from students if they have any questions regarding Mason Players.
Company Historian: Elected in the Spring
Maintain the scrapbook both hard copy and online and keeping account of all events/the seasons. They will also oversee keeping a presence on social media (posting photos to Facebook, tweeting about events, etc.)
Company Management Apprentice: Selected in the Fall
Serves as Faculty Liaison and attends and takes minutes during the monthly faculty meetings. Email minutes to all Mason Players staff. Other related duties as assigned. Faculty Meetings are once a month on Wednesdays at 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Development Apprentice: Selected in the Fall
They would work with both the Development Manager and Sales Coordinator. Their duties could include setting up concessions with or instead of the Sales Coordinator and helping with fundraising logistics. Other related duties as assigned.
Marketing Apprentice: Selected in the Fall
The Marketing Apprentice assists the Marketing Manager when they see fit. Typically, apprentice oversees poster distribution and painting the block by Southside. Other related duties as assigned.
Company Historian Apprentice: Selected in the Fall
Assisting the Company Historian with maintaining the scrapbook both hard copy and online. Assemble headshot board for each show. Other related duties as assigned.
Join the Mason Players mailing list
To maintain membership
Once you become a Mason Player, we consider you a Mason Player for life. To maintain membership, while studying at George Mason, Players are encouraged to be active participants by:
- Attending monthly Players meetings as often as your schedule and academics allow. The Players organization is only as effective as its members, so plan to attend often, volunteer to help, let your voice be heard as creative decisions are made, and make memories for a lifetime.
- Participating in Players productions in all areas of production as often as your schedule and academics allow. Onstage, backstage, at the concession stand, or in the preparation stages for promoting our work, it’s all part of the whole, and we need your involvement.
- Active participation has benefits other than collaboration, These include scholarship consideration, yearly awards, resume building, and more.
- Alumni of Theater at George Mason, the Mason Players and active members of the Friends of Theater at Mason are also considered Mason Players. These Players are encouraged to support the work of the Mason Players and the School of Theater through word and deed, including volunteerism, attendance at our shows, and financial support.
To inquire about membership or to become more deeply involved with the School of Theater, please email us.
The list of Mason Players staff is located on the Mason Players News bulletin board in the Theater Lounge (PAB A 109).