Luisa Handem Piette comes from a background in non-profit management, broadcast journalism, human rights law and a strong track record as a corporate communications executive for Information Technology firms. She is also known for her philanthropic work and love of the arts.
Luisa briefly served as Director of UPI Next, United Press International’s former media development division, after nearly two years of overseas work as a Knight International Journalism Fellow with the International Center for Journalists. She began her career with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service, in London. Luisa later joined Radio France International (RFI) in Paris before being recruited as an international radio broadcaster for the Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, D.C. She has minimal experience acting, but she enjoyed appearances in school performances while growing up in Portugal, and in radio performances dramatizing Mia Couto’s books live on air through the Portuguese programs of the BBC World Service in London. Luisa holds a Master’s degree (LLM) in International Law, and a BA in French & Government from Essex University
Matthew Piette has a long history of supporting the arts and theater and acting in productions at the Loft Theater in Leamington Spa, England, and appearing in a variety of shows including the London premiere of “A Dog in a Manger” by Lope de Vega, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” and Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Inspector Hound.” Matthew has since accumulated over 20 years of global and high-tech experience in executive-level management for Fortune 500 companies and startups in the United States, as well as playing key roles in non-profit organizations, including a bi-partisan Think Tank in Washington DC. He is currently Head of Brand Marketing at Exact Sciences Corporation, working on multi-cancer early detection solutions. Matthew holds a Master’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge, U.K.
Originally from the Chicagoland Area, Julie has performed in numerous theater productions, written and recorded music, and has sung at various venues. Currently she resides in Georgetown with her husband John and their two dogs, Maggie and Winnie.
Murder’s in the Heir is Julie’s second performance with the Placer Community Theater. Her role as Mae, in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof won her an Elly award in 2020 for Best Supporting Actress. Julie has also performed with the STAC theater company most recently in The Drowsy Chaperone. While living in the Bay Area, she has had roles as: Clair Ganz, in Rumors, Celia, in Calendar Girls, Belinda, in Noises Off. She is thankful for the opportunity to work with the cast under the direction of Steve, who has encouraged us to bring the subtext to life.
Born in Australia, Michael received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Sydney University and later an MBA from Rutgers in New Jersey. Recently retired from a career in electronic product development, he has worked for large and small companies developing various types of equipment including radio station automation equipment, commercial security and fire alarm systems, point of sale systems and most recently home automation systems specializing in automated lighting systems. His career moved him around the world from Sydney, to the greater New York area and lastly Northern California with a short stint early on in Illinois where he met his wife. His work frequently took him to Europe as well as to Asian manufacturing locations. When not working, Michael has been involved with community theatre and has received several commendations from SARTA (Sacramento Area Regional Theater Alliance) for set design. He co-won an Ellie for set design of Hand To God with Sierra Stages right here in Nevada City. Michael has also been active in the art scene around Placer County and Sacramento and has shown some of his large acrylics in local art shows. He now plays around with concrete casting for sculpture and supports his wife with her ceramics. He enjoys helping other artists and makers learn about these technologies and how they can incorporate them in their own projects. He is particularly excited and interested in the intersection of art and technology.
