Our Officers
Brad Slavik – President
Brad is a graduate of Webster University with a BA in Music Education.
He is a retired Federal Employee of 38 years in the fields of photogrammetry, project management, and federal contracting. He is also an actor with over 50 years experiences in St. Louis theater working with several professional, semi-professional, and community theater companies. He is also a composer with music performed by various groups and theatrical productions. He also dabbles in directing and playwriting. In 2005, after the death of First Run’s founder Dr. Don Weiss, Brad became President of First Run, stepping down in 2015, and reassuming the position in 2025.
Shanaz Ahmed – Vice President
(acting directors Brad Slavik and Drew Larson) – Artistic Director
Lauren Smith Bearden – Treasurer
Lauren Smith Bearden is a costume and event designer based in St Louis, Missouri. Prior to moving to St. Louis, she completed her MFA in Theatre with an emphasis in costume design and technology at the University of Florida. She has been designing and making costumes for the Saint Louis theatre community and throughout the Midwest ever since. Bearden works for local colleges such as Missouri Baptist University, East Central College and Fontbonne University as a guest designer, director, and instructor.
Ann Egenriether – Secretary
Ann has been involved with the community theatre scene in St. Louis since 2009 having appeared with numerous St. Louis groups in a variety of fun and challenging roles, including Clayton Community Theatre, Family Musical Theatre, First Run Theatre, Marble Stage, Meramec Community College Theatre, St. Louis University and Theatre Guild of Webster Groves. Ann trained professionally in Chicago in theatre and voice and has also performed in Chicago and Denver.
Ann holds an M.A. in English Literature from St. Louis University and spent her professional career working in a variety of industries, including securities/brokerage, the medical field and the legal field in various positions. Her career in the legal field has spanned over 40 years with firms in both Denver and St. Louis where she performed as legal secretary, teaching assistant, office manager and legal assistant.
Ann has a daughter, Kate, and a granddaughter, Lucy, and two pretty and pretty crazy dogs.
Our Board Members
Jenn Ciavarella
Technical Director for FRT
Deb Dennert
Deb is happy to serve on the Board of First Run and would like to thank everyone who encouraged her to serve. Though she’s been seen in several productions at First Run and will be performing in the future, working on the Board will be new and exciting for her. Deb has performed in various theatrical productions in the St. Louis area for the past 30 years. She believes First Run is an excellent vehicle to help aspiring playwrights, performers, and directors get their shot at being seen and heard.
St. Louis has a wealth of talent, and we should encourage them to shine.
David Hawley
Tammy O’Donnell
First Run Theatre 