Our History

Our History

In November1994, a group of nine actors,

including Co-Founder Cindy Baer, came together

to produce an evening of two original one act

plays: "Danny and the Silver Dove" and "Long

Distance Phone Call" collectively called "The

Arizona Project". There was just one small

problem. The group could not decide on a name,

and time was running out. Shortly before the

show was to open, while driving through Arizona,

Cindy came across some mosaic tiles.

Immediately, she knew that they had found their

name! A mosaic being a bunch of pieces that

could be arranged in all kinds of different ways to

make all kinds of different art. The show was well

received, and when the final curtain closed, the

actors went their separate ways.

Almost five years later, in July and August of 1999,

Cindy went on to produce and star in the critically

acclaimed 30th anniversary production of Leonard

Gershe's "Butterflies are Free" at the Matrix

Theatre in Los Angeles, under the Mosaic name.

In February of 2000, a new group of people

gathered at Cindy's home in North Hollywood,

California, to pioneer a different kind of theatre

arts program for children. This program would be

of the highest quality. This program would leave

the children with one of the most memorable,

extraordinary, and inspiring experiences of their

lives. This program would teach children life and

interpersonal skills that they are not taught in

school. This program would help children feel

good about who they are. This program would

save lives, and make the world a better place. On

that day a new vision was born for The Mosaic

Theatre Company. On August 22, 2000, The

Mosaic Theatre Company was officially founded

as a nonprofit public benefit corporation.

In 2001, Mosaic launched it's very first children's

musical "Troy Story" for the 2001 NoHo Arts

Festival. It was well received by enthusiastic kids

of all ages.

Founding Members

Cindy Baer

Jennifer MacNamara-Mahoney

Katrina Gourley

Tamara Miles

Troy Harris

Board of Directors & Staff

Katrina Gourely, President

Cindy Baer, Artistic Director, Treasurer, VP

Tamara Miles, Secretary

Karen Moore, Board Member

Director Biographies

Katrina Gourley, President

Katrina received her B.A. in Arts and Humanities with a

concentration in Theatre from the Richard Stockton

College of New Jersey. There she starred in such

productions as "Romeo and Juliet", "Conduct of Life", and a

female version of "Waiting for Godot". Katrina acted as the

resident costume designer for the student directed and

produced cabaret program. Currently, she is an

Elementary Educator for the Los Angeles Unified School

District, and also performs a children's show regularly for

kids all over the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Katrina

served as a Panelist for the Los Angeles County Arts

Commission's 2001 Arts Education Grant Program.

Cindy Baer, Artistic Director,Treasurer, Vice President

The only child to a single parent, Cindy found her voice

and freedom through art at a very early age. Her acting

career began with the Boston Children's Theatre in 1984.

At 18, she went to work as the Administrative Assistant for

the Service Department, and Dispatcher for Siemens

Medical Systems, the 4th largest electrical company in the

world. At the same time she began her professional acting

career with Haley Productions, an improvisational murder

mystery company that toured New England. Cindy moved

to Los Angeles in 1992, and created a children's

entertainment company called Daizy the Clown and

Company, which she successfully operated until selling it

in January, 2001. Cindy has performed in 24 plays

including "The Diary of Anne Frank", "Fiddler on the

Roof", and most recently in the critically acclaimed

production of "You Can't Take It With You" with the

Pasadena Shakespeare Company. She has also performed

on network television shows and in film. Cindy Founded Free Dream Pictures and Patron of the Arts.

Tamara Miles, Secretary

Tamara is currently the Executive Assistant to the

President of Warner Brothers Animation. Tamara traveled

extensively as a child. As the daughter to a military man,

she discovering her passion for the stage in Albuquerque,

New Mexico. Some of her most memorable roles as an

actress include Maggie in Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a

Hot Tin Roof", Juror #11 in a co-ed version of "Twelve

Angry Men", and Marsha in "Sally and Marsha". She

performed weekly with the improvisational troupe "Surely

You Jest". Tamara has worked for Columbia Savings Bank,

United New Mexico Bank, and Union Saving Bank as an

Accounts Manager.

Karen Moore, Board Member

Karen studied yoga philosophy, theory and practice at YogaLife Institute i Philadephia.  Her academic and professional experience in early childhhood education, speach/language development, counseling-psychology and corporate human resources has influenced her life-long path in the realm of health, empowerment and freedom.  Karen holds a masters degree in counseling-psychology, and currently teaches kids’ yoga and educates adults about nutritional supplements for health and healing.