PRESIDENT / FOUNDER

Thom Harmon, a Philadelphia native, has been a professional fundraiser for over 20 years, focusing almost exclusively on academic medical research. He has held executive positions at such institutions as The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Fox Chase Cancer Center and presently at Mount Sinai Health System. Initially pursuing a career as an academic himself, Thom has a Bachelor's of Science in Theology from Cairn University and a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania. Storytelling and live performance were interests from a young age, participating in drama clubs from early childhood through college. But it wasn't until much later in life that he discovered community and regional theater around the Philadelphia region and quickly became a regular performer with several companies. Thom has fallen deeply in love with his new home, the borough of Queens, and is passionate about seeing the performing arts continue to thrive here.

FOUNDER

Virginia Harmon found theater at a young age, participating in school plays, church drama, and regional youth summer stock around the Philadelphia area. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Theater from Kutztown University and post graduation worked on-camera in television and independent feature films roles. In 2014, she returned to live theater as Elaine Robinson in a production of "The Graduate." From there she focused her energies on stage and starred in community and regional theaters around Philadelphia and New York City including The Girl in "Seven Year Itch," Gretchen in "Boeing, Boeing," Bambi in "Curtains," Ruth in “Book of Days”, Clarissa in "Spider's Web" and Morticia Addams in "The Addams Family." She has also made a career as a sales representative in various industries and is the mother of two precocious girls who continue to inspire her!

SECRETARY

Erin Layton is a Queens-based playwright, actress, and producer. Erin’s award-winning one-woman play, MAGDALEN directed by Julie Kline has toured to cities across the United States, in NYC (FringeNYC, Off-Broadway at United Solo Festival, 59E59 Theaters, Fringe ENCORE Series at SoHo Playhouse), internationally as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as invited performances for Irish community centers and venues around the New York tri-state area. In 2016, she received a playwriting residency from Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s The Center for Faith and Work for the development of her play, IMMIGRANT. Both IMMIGRANT and her recent project, WOKE both directed by Julie Kline were showcased as part of guest artist residencies at Lyth Arts Centre in Scotland and at The Phantom Theater in Vermont. Her recent acting credits include: I LOVE YOU ST. PETERSBURG and BETTER (Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival winners ‘18/’19), THE CHRISTIANS, and THE WEIR (Yerman’s Pub, ‘21) both directed by Thom Harmon with City Gate Productions. Erin has also led storytelling workshops for university students and aspiring solo theatre artists. She is passionate about NYC theatre and loves to mentor actors who are seeking to develop their unique voice and story for the stage. Member of The Dramatists Guild. www.magdalentheplay.com

TREASURER

Tim Reifshneider has been acting, directing, and producing theater in and around his Queens community for over 40 years. He holds a BFA in Theatre from Adelphi University and co-founded a professional Theater troupe during the 1980s, He has directed for The Garden City Little Theatre as well as Theatre Box in Floral Park during the '90s. In addition, he has appeared in dozens of community shows in the City and Long Island. Some of his favorite roles have been Snetsky the Sheep Loser in Neil Simon's FOOLS, Juror Number 1 in Twelve Angry Men with Theater Time in Bayside, and Tim the Stage Manager, in the Amberrose Production of Noises Off!, Somewhere in this time, he married his long time Stage Manager and produced two amazing children. He is looking forward to helping to elevate the quality of affordable entertainment in the City during this next chapter of his adventure in Theatre.

Regina Fischedick is incredibly proud to be a Board Member and a Producer for our 2022 spring show, "Lobby Hero". Originally from the Philippines, she’s been active in the Queens, New York community theatre scene since 2009. Her last show performing was with Finny, her son (now 2), getting indoctrinated in the world of theatre as young as 6 months in her belly. Theatre keeps her sane, structured, and full of passion on top of her day job, and she is thrilled to push boundaries and contribute to the wonderful world of community theatre through City Gate Productions. *confetti* She thanks her Bubs for all the times he listened, and the unconditional support and love. Always and forever, this endeavor is offered up to George and Mommy. <3

For fifteen years, Rich and his wife Georgene raised their two daughters in Forest Hills, Queens. They now live in Pelham, New York. Rich has written and performed stand-up comedy for over twenty years and only recently transitioned into the world of community theater. Since that time, he has performed in numerous theatrical productions throughout Queens and Westchester County. A couple of his favorite and most notable roles were as Bernard in Parkside Players’ production of Boeing, Boeing, and Finbar Mac in City Gate’s production of The Weir. Most recently, Rich assistant-directed City Gate’s Spring 2022 production of Lobby Hero. He is very inspired by City Gate’s mission and is honored to be its newest board member. Rich possesses a dual-MBA in Marketing and Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Management and during the day works in the Employment Group of the Legal Department for one of the country’s top financial services companies. He is beyond excited to bring his unique blend of business acumen and creative, out-of-the-box thinking to City Gate.

Sara Weglowski is extremely proud and humbled to be the newest Board Member and Producer for the fall show Picasso at Lapin Agile. Sarah grew up in Albany but has been residing in the New York City area for almost 18 years. She has and continues to work for small/start type business in Finance for almost 15 years. Her love for the arts and theater started young when her mom would take her down to the city to see Broadway shows at least a couple times a year. As an adult, the support as a patron and interest in the craft has not hindered. She is now excited to expand her knowledge and experience being a part of the City Gate and the Queens Community theatre family.

Ashley Gage is an actor and stage technician that moved to Queens from Massachusetts in 2020. She’s excited to return to her executive board roots, having held several positions in the past with a wide range of organizations. She graduated from Keene State College in 2019 with a BA in Theater Performance, studied acting in London at Goldsmith’s University of London, and graduated from Stella Adler in 2021 from their summer program. Some of their favorite credits include Mindy in “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress” produced by City Gate Productions, Sir Toby in “Twelfth Night,” and Elizabeth in “1959 Pink Thunderbird.” They also do stand up comedy gigs across the city. When she’s not performing, Gage works full time in promotions and marketing for Broadway, with clients like Wicked, Disney Theatricals, Chicago, and Harry Potter. She’s very grateful to continue her relationship with City Gate!