Lincoln Theatre Foundation Staff
The day-to-day operations, development, and booking of the Lincoln Theatre are handled by full-time and part-time staff.
Director of Operations
Jessica Waggoner
dir.ops@lincolntheatre.org
360.419.7129, ext. 102
Jessica is a dynamic operations and human resources professional and brings over two decades of experience leading transformative growth, developing high-performing teams, and aligning strategy with execution in professional services sector to her new role at the Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation. She brings a unique blend of analytical skill, operational leadership, and heartfelt commitment to community service and creative collaboration.
Currently serving as Director of Operations for the Lincoln Theatre Center Foundation in Mount Vernon, Washington, Jessica is dedicated to advancing the Theatre’s mission to entertain, inform, and inspire through diverse programming and meaningful educational experiences. In her role, she oversees day-to-day operations, leads HR, marketing, and compliance efforts, manages relationships with the Board of Directors, and plays a key role in financial planning and fundraising—always with a focus on access, inclusion, and community connection.
Prior to her current role, Jessica spent over 20 years at VSH CPAs, joining the firm in 2002. Over her tenure, she helped grow the company nearly eight-fold—from a small startup to the second-largest CPA firm headquartered north of Seattle. As Operations Partner and previously CEO and Administrative Partner, she developed and executed firm-wide operational strategy, led internal finance and HR teams, and oversaw major systems and process improvements. Her leadership continues to shape the firm's culture and direction through her ongoing term as Operations Partner (2024–2027).
Jessica is proficient in all areas of the accounting cycle and highly experienced with tools such as QuickBooks, Excel, Paylocity, and various databases and payroll systems. Her approach to leadership is rooted in the mantra: listen, think, lead -- a philosophy that underscores her commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the empowerment of others.
Outside of work, Jessica is an avid learner and lover of the arts. She finds joy in reading, performing arts, traveling, hiking, and seeking out new knowledge and perspectives. Whether she’s streamlining operations, planning a community event, or exploring a new trail, she brings curiosity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to growth and connection.
Technical Director
Production, Facilities, and Theatre Restoration
Mike M. Marlin Jr.
mike@lincolntheatre.org
360.419.7129, ext. 104
Mike Marlin loves the Lincoln because (like Dr. Who) it is his inter-galactic spaceship from where he travels through space and time. In 1999, Mike volunteered at the Lincoln as a designer, actor and technical director for local theatre non-profits. Mike became the Lincoln’s stage manager and restoration specialist and worked as staff for three years.
He received a master’s degree in theater at Western Washington University then worked in the entertainment industry in New York. In 2015, Mike returned to Mount Vernon, and the Lincoln welcomed him back as Production and Facilities Manager to get the spaceship Lincoln tuned up for its next hundred-years voyage through the cosmos.
Program Director
Film and Live Performance Booking
Karl Freske
karl@lincolntheatre.org
360.419.7129, ext. 105
Ever since his college years at Western Washington University -- working as a graphic designer, playing drums in a band, DJ’ing a radio show on KUGS, self-publishing a zine, and booking punk shows at what the local police would eventually describe as an "illegal nightclub" -- Karl has been involved in the arts, entertainment, and design.
After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in graphic design at Western, he went on to co-found, co-own, and co-operate Bellingham’s beloved independent movie rental store, Film Is Truth 24 Times a Second, where he presided for more than twenty years over a collection that grew to over 20,000 titles. During that time, he mentored young employees as well as new artists and musicians in Northwest Washington, encouraging them in their endeavors and forming some lasting bonds.
Now, at the Lincoln, he continues to use his managerial and design skills to help keep the theatre running; to establish a polished, appealing, and consistent design aesthetic in its advertising and signage; to develop event programming; and to facilitate the work of his colleagues. In the time that he’s been part of the Lincoln’s staff, the Lincoln has become very important to him, and he feels honored to be able to serve the Skagit community and to continue to support the arts world in his work.
Finance Manager
Trisha Bates
finance@lincolntheatre.org
Box Office Manager
Ticketing, Social Media, and Membership
boxoffice@lincolntheatre.org
360.336.8955
Event Coordinator
Volunteering, Front of House, and Artist Services
Brooke Hofstetter
brooke@lincolntheatre.org
360.419.7129, ext. 100
Brooke Hofstetter grew up in Western Washington, having lived in Kent and Marysville before moving to Mount Vernon in 2008.
Brooke has always been interested in theater arts. She was a part of various drama classes, clubs, and theatrical productions during her school years. After her move to Skagit Valley, she discovered community theater, which also introduced her to the Lincoln Theatre.
Brooke’s first time on the Lincoln Stage was back in 2011 as an actor in a small role in the play Number the Stars. In 2013 she learned how to Stage Manage for community theater productions and since then she has frequently been involved in various community theater productions, almost all of them performing at Lincoln Theatre. She has signed her name on the backstage wall several times, and it only seems fitting that now the Lincoln has signed its name on her in the form of employment.
House Managers
Clare Tatarsky
Cynthia Adams
Sarah Kochara
Projectionist
David Austin
Tech and Facilities Assistant
Hunter Brown
Moses Marlin
Wurlitzer Organists
Fred Beeks
Ruth Ann Burley
Glen DesJardins
Katie Moyer
Karen Rentko
Harvey Rossiter