BOARD MEMBERS
MISSION STATEMENT
What if Works is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization offering artists in theatre, film, and music a bridge between academic and professional performance while championing the arts to bring about social-change.
I.D.E.A STATEMENT
What if Works is committed to the principles of IDEA ensuring a workplace that is inclusive of all gender and gender expression, upholding diverse and non-discriminatory practices in its casting policies, with shared equity between all creatives and administrators and whose work on and off stage are fully accessible and ADA / ASL compliant.
ANTON CHURCH
PRESIDENT
Anton is an award-winning filmmaker and sound designer. He received his film training from the University of Central Florida and has a MBA from Florida International University. Outside of devoting his attention to WiW, Anton works in film and television industry, overseeing productions of various scales for networks such as ABC, NBC, HBO, Discovery, Bravo, and Netflix. Anton incorporates his industry experience into each project that WiW produces and feels strongly about the role that our work plays in creating a more positive society.
PHILLIP CHURCH
FOUNDING DIRECTOR
Having retired after 50 years of professional teaching and directing, 41 of which was conducted with the Department of Theatre at Florida International University Phillip is now focused on the future development of What if Works. Throughout his career Phillip has directed over seventy professional and academic productions many of them from the classical canon. He received his performance training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and earned an MFA at the University of California Irvine. While at FIU he introduced film acting into the BFA program and assisted in development of a Digital Filmmaking Certificate Program. He continues to teach Acting/Directing for TV/Film part-time.
Having written and directed “Flying Solo with Artist X” a “dramatic curation” based on the life of advocate artist Xavier Cortada he is now embarking on the prolific life of Coral Gables developer, George E Merrick.
MARILYN SKOW
SECRETARY / DRAMATURG
Marilyn is a Professor Emerita from Florida International University where she was Department Chair and Artistic Director of the Department of Theatre. She also served as Head of Design and Production, dramaturg and academic
advisor. She holds an MA in Theatre Arts from Schiller College (Berlin, Germany), and an MPh in Philosophy of Art from Columbia University. In addition to her considerable design experience in academic theatre she also
has extensive professional costume construction and design experience in New York (New York Shakespeare Festival and various dance companies) and Miami (South Florida Shakespeare Company, Momentum Dance Company and
Dance Now Miami) . While most of her work with WIW is focused on dramaturgy and script development she still occasionally does design work.
MARCIA LITTLEY
TREASURER
Music Coordinator for What if Works Marcia is a former founding member of the Amernet String Quartet currently in residence at Florida International University. Marcia is an alumna from The Juilliard School with over thirty years of experience playing classical violin in countless music halls and venues across the world. Marcia heads up WIW’s Emerging Artists program.
PAUL STEINSLAND
VICE PRESIDENT /
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Paul has the pleasure of serving as the Technical Director for the School of Music at Florida International University. It was Paul's love of music and technology that lead him to performance and theatre. Paul also finds time to direct, act, write, compose, designs, stage manage, sing, keep up with his podcasts, and whatever else anyone will let him get his hands on!
NATHALIE BRENNER
EVENTS MANAGER
Long-time theater and film enthusiast Nathalie Brenner was born and raised in France receiving her theatre performance training from the Cours Simon in Paris before pursuing a career in the United States. Nathalie holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Florida International University and is currently working as the Senior Special Events Manager for the Wertheim School of Music and the Performing Arts. Passionate about promoting the performing arts as an agency to bring about empathy and change in society, Nathalie looks forward to developing and contributing to WiWs mission and its programs.
JUAN CARLOS GUTIERREZ
MARKETING DIRECTOR
JC Gutierrez has dedicated his career to the arts as a community leader, educator, filmmaker, actor, director, and playwright. In his role as Artistic Associate and Coordinator of New Work at Miami New Drama, JC is at the forefront of cultivating and developing the next generation of American plays. He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Florida International University, where he was distinguished with the World’s Ahead Graduate recognition for his resilience and professional success.
As the Artistic Director of the J’s Cultural Arts Theatre (JCAT), JC leads both the adult company and youth program, producing a diverse repertoire that ranges from timeless classics to bold, innovative new works. His commitment to the transformative power of performance is further reflected in his board membership with What If Works, Inc., a nonprofit promoting theater for social change and site-specific work. JC was also a City Theatre Homegrown Playwright in 2025, where he was part of a cohort of theater artists developing and producing work inspired by Miami. In recognition of his impact on the South Florida cultural landscape, he was recently honored with the Jay Harris Arts Leadership Award.
As a lifelong educator, with experience teaching humanities in both the public and private sectors, JC’s work often explores the intersections of history and identity, remaining committed to combining education and the arts to cultivate the next generation of storytellers.