The Welders Welcome New Board Members

The Welders-Washington's only playwrights' collective devoted exclusively to developing and producing new work-has added two members to their Board of Directors.

Melvin D. Gerald, Jr. is the Assistant Director of Convention Management for the Walter E. Washington Convention Center where he has managed numerous events, including the Commander-in-Chief Ball for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, the National Book Festival, and the Progressive International Motorcycle Show. Mr. Gerald, Jr. has extensive experience in arts management and previously worked at Artisphere, Signature Theatre, and African Continuum Theatre Company.

Ellen Malasky is a licensed Certified Master Tour Guide and serves on the boards of the Guild of Professional Tour Guides of Washington, D.C. and the National Federation of Tourist Guide Associations. Prior to that, she had a long and robust career at Ernst & Young. Ms. Malasky is a former board member of the Washington D.C. Jewish Community Center and served as co-chair of the Theater J Council. She also served as chair of the Arena Stage Guild. She is currently on the quality committee for the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes.

"To have Melvin and Ellen join our Board of Directors is extraordinary," says Jojo Ruf, Executive and Creative Director of The Welders. "Their depth and breadth of experience is a huge asset, and we all look forward to learning from their expertise. We're thrilled that they've joined us."

Gerald, Jr. and Malasky join the current Board, comprised of co-chairs Leslie Jacobson and KenYatta Rogers, treasurer Gail Prensky, Carolyn Crouch, Virginia Diamond, Tiane Mitchell Gordon, Michael Kharfen, Sam Sweet, and Christie Walser.

"I'm excited to join the Welders board," says Malasky. "I love being a cheerleader for Washington, for our history, our beautiful sights, and especially for the talented local playwrights and artists in our vibrant theater scene. The Welders exemplifies what is best in D.C.: creativity, collaboration and community."