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Bringing Hope to Families Battling Cancer Through the Performing Arts.
Meet the Team
Jan Williams
Executive Director ~ Artistic
Jan is the Founder of the Hopebox Theatre and Owner/Director of Showstopper Productions, a performing arts academy for children. Jan is also part owner of Bright Star Academy preschool in Layton. She is a 4 time cancer survivor and with her husband Eric have raised 6 incredible children. (2 biological sons & 4 adopted daughters) She is also grandma to 3 beautiful grand daughters. Her favorite thing to do is be with her family. Jan has been a Producer, Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Set Designer, & Costume Designer for countless shows since 2008. She studied Piano, Voice, Dance & Cosmetology. She enjoys painting, reading, board games, playing pickle ball, boat surfing and other creative outlets. Jan is a very active member in her church & community. She has a passion and drive for the mission of the Hopebox and loves working together with the amazing people she gets to rub shoulders with.
Email: JanShowstoppers@gmail.com
Curtis Dalton
Executive Director ~ Community Relations
In the fall of 2015 Curtis and his wife Sally ran into Jan Williams at the Home Depot. She was still battling one of her many bouts with cancer. “So, I’ve found an old building and was wondering if you want to look at it with me?” Jan said. Her vision resonated with us because Curtis had lost his mother to breast cancer when he was nine. We have been all in from that moment forward.
It has been an honor and pleasure to help co-found an organization that turns our focus from ourselves to others who are fighting for their lives. I love reminding each of our Wall of Hope recipients and their families that we are all Angels. Sometimes, we help others and other times our lives are blessed by the empathy of truly great people.
Email: BuildDalton@gmail.com
Derek Raynor
Executive Director ~ Treasurer
Derek and his wife Shelbi are both involved at the Hopebox Theatre both on and off the stage.
Derek has been actively involved with theatre since junior high. He received his degree from Southern Utah University in Theatre Arts with a technical emphasis. He worked for the Utah Shakespeare Festival in their electrics department for 9 years. Other work includes: New York City for many productions off Broadway, off off Broadway, fashion shows, window displays, and a number of other events, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Chautauqua Theatre Company and other local projects.
Outside of theatre, Derek loves spending time with his family and playing sports.
Email: HopeboxTheatre@gmail.com
Jeff Erickson
Board of Directors ~ Operations
Jeff’s first interaction with the Hopebox Theatre was in the summer of 2016, when he auditioned for a show with his son. It was during that show that Jeff learned about the true heart and beauty of the theater, its mission – to bring hope to families battling cancer through the performing arts. Jeff wanted to find more ways that he could donate his time and energy to the Hopebox and its mission, so he joined the Board of Directors in January of 2018. He has enjoyed his time serving at the Hopebox and dearly loves his extended theater-family.
Jeff loves this quote...
“We may be a small theater, but we are doing big things”
- Jan Williams
Email: JeffErickson00@gmail.com
Linda Larson
Board of Directors ~ Wall of Hope
Linda is a lovingly active member of her local community, an avid tennis player and happily married mother of three children. She lost her father to liver cancer when she was 11 years old and has the empathy, understanding and the fierce loyalty desired for her position on the board.
"Cancer touches each family in our community. I'm so happy to be part of an organization that so beautifully provides love, compassion and support without any fanfare or self-promotion"
Linda loves her Hopebox family and is dedicated to bringing hope to families battling cancer through the performing arts.
Email: LindaHula@yahoo.com
Chad Knavel
Board of Directors ~ Marketing
Chad and his wife Patricia are long-time residents of Davis County. They are the proud parents of 3 amazing children, an incredible daughter-in-law, and they have a sweet little grandson. Chad is the Vice President at Rugged Rental & Sales with offices in Layton & Salt Lake City. Chad is active in his church and loves serving in the church and in the community having been heavily involved with the Davis Education Foundation, the AJU Foundation, O.U.R.,is a State & National delegate for local government, and has directed many advanced leadership training programs for the BSA. Chad loves to spend time with his family and also enjoys traveling, spectator sports, golfing, and attending live entertainment events. Chad has been involved with the Hopebox Theatre since 2019 and is passionate about our mission having had cancer affect many of his family members & friends.
Email: Marketing@HopeboxTheatre.com
Shaun Carr
Board of Directors ~ Development
Bio coming soon...
Paul Nielson
Board of Directors ~ Volunteers
Paul and his wife Jenny are happy parents of 3 children. Paul was introduced to acting in 2015 and since has performed in, stage managed, or set designed at least 3 shows per year. Theater has changed his life! He became the owner of a business to help people with mental stops using a metaphor of acting. This venture allowed him to be on the parks and rec commission for Clearfield City. Paul has served in many capacities in different networking groups to help businesses move forward over 30 years. Paul has performed in many shows at the Hopebox since 2016. To say that he loves the mission of the Hopebox Theatre would be an understatement. Seeing the changes it makes in the actors, volunteers and Wall of Hope recipients lives so many times, it has become a passion for him to do everything in his life to exemplify that vision. Paul says, "Loving people is a treasure we all could adopt for happy and peaceful lives." Volunteering for everything from church, business and government assignments is what Paul does.
Email: Paul@RememberYourRole.com
Tanaya Ropp
Board of Directors ~ Secretary
I grew up in a talented theatre family, from set design and construction to being a performer on stage. My mother was often the music director and orchestra conductor, my dad was involved with set design and construction and my siblings and I studied acting and singing.
I ventured into the world of dance in 3rd grade which became my passion for many years, from teaching to choreographing. I love see my works performed on stage and performing myself!
Email: TanayaRopp@Yahoo.com
Natalie Erickson
Box Office Manager
Bio coming soon...
Daylen Bills
Producer
After enjoying the last 6 years performing on the Hopebox Theatre stage, Daylen is honored for the opportunity to continue to support and build the mission of the Hopebox as the 2021 season producer. Originally from the Salt Lake City area, Daylen fell in love with The Hopebox Theatre and relocated to Davis County in 2017. He is truly humbled by the love and generosity he has seen in his time with the Hopebox and is lucky to have this opportunity to give back to his community.
Email: Bills.Daylen@gmail.com