Anastacia (Stacie) Powers Cuellar 
Executive Director

Anastacia (Stacie) Powers Cuellar is Executive Director at Brava. Stacie manages the team at Brava to produce and present thought-provoking and exhilarating productions and works diligently to grow Brava as a center for ignite social change and build community.

Stacie began her career in  non-profit arts at the San Francisco Mime Troupe. During her eight year tenure she worked as Stage Manager, Tour Manager, Production Manager, Booking Agent and Community Liaison. After leaving the Mime Troupe, Stacie joined Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band as Business Manager, Booking Manager and Tour Manager, booking over 100 performances a year for the band during her tenure. In her roles at both the San Francisco Mime Troupe and Dr. Loco, Stacie toured extensively throughout the United States, Nicaragua, Canada, Mexico and Cuba.

In 2001, Stacie accepted a role as  bookkeeper for Media Alliance, a media resource and advocacy center. She later moved to the Other Minds Music Festival as Business Manager and co-produced three of the organization’s annual music festivals at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. In 2005, Frameline, the largest International LGBT Film Festival, brought Stacie on as Finance Manager where she worked for nearly four years.

Stacie continued to grow her career by joining the Board of Directors for Dance Brigade. This role soon grew to Managing Director as she worked  alongside the Artistic Director to manage the expanding programs at Dance Mission Theater. Stacie also served as Financial Consultant to Round Whirled Records, CubaCaribe, Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project, Freshmeat Productions, Patchworks Film Production, The Luggage Store, Galeria de la Raza, Queer Cultural Center, Yerba Buena Gardens Arts and Events, Young Audiences of Northern California, A+D Architecture Firm, Film Arts Foundation and Latino Arts Network.

In 2012, Brava’s Board of Directors appointed Stacie to the position of Executive Director. With 30 years of arts administration and production experience in San Francisco, Stacie ushered in a new era of stability for the organization. During her tenure at Brava, she has revitalized Brava’s long-standing youth program San Francisco Running Crew, revived the capital project to renovate the building’s three storefronts to create necessary office and performance space, and launched Brava Presents to deliver an eclectic array of music, theater, dance, visual, and media art works in collaboration with local artists and arts organizations.

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Theresa Pasion
Operations Director

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Alba Lluch Robert
Production Manager

Alba received her master’s degree in Artist Management from University of Catalonia, Barcelona in 2017 and has over ten years of experience in performing arts production and presentation, having worked with the International Performing Arts Festival of FiraTàrrega, La Caldera Creation, Dance and Performing Arts Center in Barcelona, Cultural Center Fort Pienc in Barcelona, and San Francisco International Arts Festival.

Since late 2019, Alba has held the position of Production Manager at Brava Theater Center. Annually, she manages over 200 days of events, classes, gatherings and rehearsals in Brava’s three venues hosting over 1000 artists and 200 youth. In March 2020, she was instrumental in transitioning Brava’s programming from in-person to virtual programs which successfully continued throughout the shutdown and in 2022 played a huge role in Brava’s recovery, reopening the three venues to a community anxious to reconnect, celebrate and be inspired.

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Marco Flores
Facilities Manager

Marco Flores is a San Francisco native, who has worked all of the Bay Area implementing and maintaining building and safety compliance. Marco worked for two major furnishing companies where he specialized in product display and seasonal walk thru presentations. Marco joined Brava in the winter of 2017 and immediately set about fixing the leaky roof, patching walls, and building out the dressing rooms in Brava’s Studio, among a litany of daily fixes and maintenance. 

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Melvign Badiola,
Education Director

Melvign Badiola is a production manager, stage manager, producer, teaching artist, film, industrial, and stage actor based in Oakland, California. He's a resident artist and a member of the Production Team at Bindlestiff Studio. He tours middle and high schools throughout California with NCTC's YouthAware program which teaches kids about cyber harassment, self love, and mutual respect towards others. He has performed at SF Sketch Fest, SF Theater Fest, Young Playwright's Foundation, Bay Area One Acts, One Minute Play Festival, Each One Reach One, Intersection for the Arts, California Academy of Science, Magic Theater, and A.C.T. Films he's involved with have been seen and are currently winning Awards nationally and internationally. As a Stage Manager, Melvign's  credits include Mommy Queerest (Exit), Chasing Mehserle (Z Space), Tree City Legends (SF & Philadelphia), Spirit Child (Z Space). Film and Industrial Credits include VDA Tape 96, Prinsesa, San Francisco Police Department, and Geneva Car Barn Project. 

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Xela Vargas
Social Media Manager

Aztaxelli “Xela” Vargas is Brava’s Social Media Intern. Xela is an indigenous, Xica-Nica, SF native with a family legacy in the arts, poetry, and social activism. She is a student at CCSF currently studying Ethnic Studies, and Sociology, and in her freetime enjoys walking through the neighborhood and creating Art.

Jocelyn Thompson-Jordan (Jojo)
Lead House Manager 

Jojo, a native of San Francisco, developed a passion for music and theater during her childhood. Prior to joining Brava, she gained a diverse range of experience, including working as an office manager, high school teacher, and even performing on the Brava stage. These experiences have led her to believe that Brava is the ideal workplace where she can utilize her skills while also being part of a talented, women-led team.

When not at work, Jojo indulges in her favorite activities such as spending quality time with her partner DaSean and her two beloved dogs at home, watching anime, drawing and crocheting, to unwind and relax.

Ben Reese
Lead Sound Engineer/Assistant Technical Director

Ben Reese is a Bay Area native who works as a live sound engineer for theaters and clubs around San Francisco. He became interested in sound while attending an LA music school as a performance major. Years later, he became connected with SFBATCO which then propelled him into the eye of multiple theaters. The beginning of his career consisted of designing sound cues, shadowing senior engineers in concert and musical productions, and working with bands in houses of worship. Now he works freelance around the city for various venues. He is excited to join the tech team at Brava to help foster an environment that allows artists to create and thrive among the community.

Saoirse-Naomie Weaver
Technical Director

Saoirse-Naomie Weaver is a versatile and multidisciplinary artist from the Mission district. In their capacity as Assistant Technical Director at Brava, they are excited to continue contributing to the thriving performing arts community of the Bay Area. Following the completion of the Afro Urban Society's Stage Lighting Fellowship in 2019, Saoirse discovered a profound affinity for using light as an expressive medium. They have lent their expertise to an array of distinctive performance venues throughout the Bay Area. In their spare time, Saoirse finds solace in exploration and travel, spending time with loved ones, and continuing the pursuit of their many interests.