CHRIS IKNER
Artistic Director
Chris Ikner serves as Artistic Director of Surfside Playhouse, bringing more than two decades of experience as a director, actor, educator, and playwright to the theatre’s next chapter.
A member of Actor’s Equity Association, Chris has worked professionally across the country in National Tours, Off-Broadway, regional theatre, educational institutions, and at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Prior to joining Surfside, he served as Artistic Director of Camille Playhouse in Brownsville, Texas, and as Director of Performing Arts at both St. Joseph Academy and Atlanta Country Day School. He is also the recipient
of the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award for Best Director of a Musical.
As a playwright, Chris is the author of Someone Else, an original contemporary play exploring identity, memory, relationships, and the people we become as we move between our past and present selves. The play was part of the New York Theater Festival and has continued to be developed through readings and workshops. His work as a writer reflects the same interests that shape his directing: ensemble-driven storytelling and theatre that asks audiences to recognize themselves onstage.
Education has remained central to Chris’s career. Throughout his years as a teacher and director, his students have gone on to attend some of the top BFA theatre programs in the country and build professional careers of their own, including performing on Broadway and working in film and television. He believes strongly in giving young artists
rigorous training while helping them discover what makes their individual voices worth hearing.
At Surfside, Chris had founded the Surfside Conservatory as part of a larger commitment to developing the next generation of theatre artists while expanding the Playhouse’s artistic reach.
As Artistic Director, Chris is focused on honoring Surfside Playhouse’s history while pushing confidently toward its future: producing an ambitious mix of musicals, classic and contemporary plays, and work that gives local artists opportunities to grow, take risks, and do exceptional work.
For Chris, a community theatre should be both welcoming and artistically fearless. His vision for Surfside is to build an artistic home for Brevard County: a place where artists are challenged, young people are nurtured, audiences are excited by what comes next, and great storytelling brings a community together.
DR. SONY JACKSON
Director of Marketing & Advertising
Live theater is more than just a passion for Dr. Sony Jackson—it’s home. As an actor and singer, she rekindled her love for the stage right here at Surfside Playhouse in Guys & Dolls and has since been part of multiple productions. Whether performing, volunteering in the café, assisting in the booth, or even stepping in as a stage manager, Sony understands firsthand the dedication and artistry that bring each show to life.
Offstage, she channels that same passion into marketing and advertising, ensuring that Surfside’s productions reach the widest audience possible. With a background in strategic marketing and audience engagement, Sony works to grow the Playhouse’s presence in the community, increase ticket sales, and create partnerships that keep the spirit of live theater vibrant.
Want to support the arts while getting your business in front of a captive, engaged audience? Contact Sony at Marketing@SurfsidePlayhouse.com to explore opportunities and become part of Surfside’s story.
ALISON SHUGARS
House Manager
Alison has had an interest in theater since childhood. Twenty years ago, she went from spectator to participant by being thrown into her first role on stage with Playwrights Workshop. Since then, she has acted, danced and sung in several plays and musicals as well as stage-managed many plays at Surfside. She has also written and directed several one-act plays. Although Alison has acted and stage-managed on various stages in Brevard, her primary focus has been Surfside Playhouse. She and her husband have been regular volunteers at Surfside, in many capacities, when not acting.
As the office manager for Oviedo Hearing Center for the last 10 years, Alison has handled the tasks of hearing aid maintenance, insurance claim submissions, and generally keeping the office organized and running smoothly. She is happy to be bringing her skills to the role of house manager for Surfside Playhouse!
JEANNE PRICHARD
Box Office Manager
Jeanne has been on the board at Surfside for about fifteen years. During that time, she has had the privilege of serving on many committees; everything from the nominating committee to the volunteer committee. Her primary focus has always been the box office which she has managed since she first became a board member and currently still manages. She loves the box office because of the very close contact it allows her to have with the wonderful Surfside patrons. Jeanne’s last job in the private sector before retiring to Cocoa Beach was as a senior analyst with WebMd.
JASON MELLEN
Website Manager
Jason, a Brevard native, has been deeply involved in the local theatre community his entire life. He is a proud member of the Fearless Improv Brigade at Surfside Playhouse and contributes to the Brevard Renaissance Fair as part of its staff. Beyond the stage, Jason works in higher education, specializing in admissions and financial aid operations, where he combines his passion for helping others achieve their goals through technology.
