Board of Directors

Michael A. Lake, President.

Michael A. Lake, is a multi-disciplinary artist who has been working in theater in the Capital Region for 14 years. Michael is from Schenectady, NY, attended the John Sales School of Fine Arts at SHS, majored in Theater Performance at Schenectady County Community College, and Multimedia Design at The Art Institue. He was a co-founding member and Producing Technical Director of Will Kempe’s Player’s (2017-2022) and is the Master Carpenter and Rigger at EMPAC.

Sara Paupini, Secretary

Sara Paupini By day, Sara is an attorney for the NYS Office of Mental Health and proud pet mom to Puccini and Nala. She is so honored to have been involved with The Climb and Sides and is proud to work with Creative Action Unlimited as we continue to develop important original work.

Eleah Jayne Peal, treasurer

Eleah Jayne Peal is a theatre education artist based in the capital region of NY. A graduate of SUNY Fredonia’s BFA program, she has trained with the Moscow Art Theatre, Shakespeare & Co., & extensively with the Society of American Fight Directors in areas of contemporary & classical styles of acting, movement, dance and fight choreography. An adjunct professor at Russell Sage College, Eleah currently works with local theaters and education groups as an actor, director, choreographer, and theatre educator.

Stephanie Weber Remmert

Stephanie is a seasoned theatre maker with 20+ years of experience in both live performance and film. A graduate of the American Musical Dramatic Academy and Russell Sage College, she has taken on various creative roles both on and off screen. She also co-hosts the Creative Action Unlimited podcast, engaging in conversations that amplify artistic voices. Previously, she served two terms as board president, helping to guide the organization’s growth and impact. Stephanie remains dedicated to storytelling that challenges, inspires, and connects audiences.

Frederick Jones

Frederick is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) providing consultation, counseling and psychotherapy to patients in the Capital Region. Frederick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling through SUNY Plattsburgh. Frederick lives with his partner and 3 children in Albany.

Tony Pallone

Tony Pallone brings an extensive background in journalism to the Creative Action Unlimited board, aligning his experience as a writer, editor and graphic designer to the company’s mission of social justice. He is also a theater-maker whose decades of experience as both an actor and a director are an ideal fit for the organization’s unique focus on using the arts to effect change.

Jamie Crouse

Jamie Crouse is the Chief Development Officer at YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc., where she is responsible for fundraising, communications, donor cultivation, and event planning. She was the Director of Development & Communications at the Robert C. Parker School in North Greenbush, where she developed and grew the school’s 11-week long summer program and outdoor education efforts prior to transitioning into the development position. Jamie attended the University at Buffalo and holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies, a B.A. in Geology, as well as a M.S. in Adolescent Education from D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY

J. Scala

J. Scala is a prolific theatre artist, poet and activist who has been making a ruckus on streets and stages around the capital region since their youth. They hold a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University. They are proud to support CAU in their invaluable work; empowering artists to embrace their revolutionary potential as vessels for social conscience and engines of imagination to shape a better world.