Michael Green
FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Michael Green hails from the land of the Buckeyes – Ohio. He graduated from Central Bible College in 1984 and has studied theater, mime, and dance for nearly 45 years. Prior to directing theater, he and his wife served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years in Columbus, Ohio as well as Raleigh, North Carolina. From 2001 - 2018, Michael served on the staff of North Raleigh Christian Academy as the Director of Fine Arts, directing an award-winning theater program. The NRCA Squire Theater was one of the first private schools in the nation to produce Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera and Disney’s Mary Poppins. Over the past 30 years, Michael has directed over 65 plays and musicals while helping to begin several local dance and theater groups. He is excited about this current phase of God’s journey as he, his family, and the Board of Directors for Poiema Arts, Inc. continue to build both a regional school for the arts, Poiema Arts Conservatory, and a professional performing arts company, PoiemArtistry, that will expand God’s Kingdom to the nations.
Board of Directors
SANDRA HAWKES - BOARD PRESIDENT
Sandra Hawkes is the President of the Board of Directors for Poiema Arts, Inc. She is a native midwesterner, a lifelong musician, and the mother of four wonderful sons. Sandra worked alongside Michael Green for several years and in several roles at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where she was on staff as a music instructor and the accompanist for the school choirs and dramatic productions. Consistently, she has seen firsthand the effect that Mike has on those he leads through theater arts education and production. She is excited about the effect that Poiema Arts will have on our culture as it develops, and believes that our society is crying out for what Poiema Arts will bring. With every rehearsal and with every hour spent in academic and artistic studies, Poiema Arts will help students and performers discover the gifts God created in them -- gifts given intentionally -- with pre-determined purpose. She believes that God will be faithful to reveal that purpose and provide opportunity to fulfill it in obedience to Him as we minister to those He brings before us. The call on Michael Green and his family is amazing and real. She is in awe of the way God has built into this family the root system for Poiema Arts. Their varied talents and strengths, their love for working together, and their fervent desire to fulfill “...that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:12) create the foundation for an exciting work of God in our community and beyond.
ALDEN HAWKES - BOARD SECRETARY
Alden Hawkes was born in Kingston, Jamaica, Alden migrated to Long Island, New York with other family at the age of thirteen. His secondary education through much of college took place in NY. After leaving college, he began a career working with troubled youth in various Long Island communities. In 1986, he began his career with United Parcel Service (UPS), spending the majority of his twenty-five years in management positions focused on business development and sales. In 2011, Alden retired from UPS and moved from Brooklyn, NY to Knightdale, NC where he met his wife Sandy. The Hawkes share their home with and their labradoodle puppy, Baxtor. They cherish time spent with family and the work that the Lord has called them to do as part of the praise and worship ministry in their church. Alden is also involved in developing a residential real estate business primarily representing buyers. He serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors for Poiema Arts, Inc. as well as Chairman of the Development Committee for the organization. He has been a Poiema Arts, Inc Board Member since 2017.
KAREN BLOM - GRAPHIC DESIGNER, BOARD MEMBER
Karen Blom and her husband moved to Raleigh from Iowa right after graduating from college with a degree in graphic design. Karen lived in Raleigh for 25 years but is currently living in Charlotte, North Carolina after her husband was transferred with his job. She works remotely for NRCA as the communications director, where she designs all school marketing materials and manages the social media accounts. Karen has two grown daughters. Amanda is a first-grade teacher in Charleston and due to be married in March of 2021. Amy graduated with a musical theater degree and started her career as a cast member for Walt Disney World. But her dream was shattered when the pandemic hit, and she was laid off. She moved back home and is currently nannying for two families. Karen has worked with the Green family for over eighteen years and comes to Poiema through her many years of working alongside Mike Green to develop the marketing of the theater productions. She has created posters, playbills, advertisements, handbills, social media graphics, and much more.
CHELSAE GREEN - ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER
Chelsae Green is honored to be part of PoiemArtistry and Poiema Arts, Inc. Originally from Ohio, she grew up in Raleigh where she received her dance education through several studios in the area, as well as North Raleigh Christian Academy. In 2011, she graduated with a B.A. in Dance Studies from Meredith College. Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position at NRCA, where she taught dance and was the Assistant Theater Director and Choreographer. Some of her favorite and most memorable shows to produce have been Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, White Christmas, Secret Garden, and Mary Poppins. Chelsae and her family-owned and operated a performing arts studio for 13 years before opening Poiema Arts in 2017. She has instructed hundreds of students in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theater. Chelsae is an ABT® Certified Instructor and has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive, Pre-Primary through Level 7, and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors, a member of the Communications Committee, and the Dance Director and Choreographer for PoiemArtistry Dance Company.
KELLY GREEN - COSTUMER, BOARD MEMBER
Kelly Green was born and raised in Iowa where she received a call to further her education at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. She received her degree in Christian Education. There she met her husband, Michael. They were married in 1985 and moved to Columbus, OH to join the pastoral staff of a local church. Kelly was active in the business administration of the church. Michael and Kelly have four wonderful children – Chelsae, Brandon, Lyndsae, and Isaac. Kelly was active in her children’s education as their homeschool teacher. In 2006, the Greens opened up a successful performing arts studio with Kelly acting as the studio administrator. Kelly enjoys constructing costumes for the many productions. She is looking forward to stepping into the role of “grandma” as she welcomes the Green’s first grandchild, Carter Hamilton, in the next few weeks. Michael and Kelly are also very excited about another new addition to the family as their youngest, Isaac, was recently married.
AMBER MEDLIN - BOARD MEMBER
Amber Medlin has been an active part of PoiemArtistry since 2021 and sits on the Board of Directors of Poiema Arts, Inc. Amber has served as Front of House and also behind the scenes during stage performances. She has known the Greens since Michael was hired by NRCA as the Director of Fine Arts. She knows and loves his passion for reaching a lost world through quality entertainment. Both of her children have been actively involved in performances and Poiema Studio. She brings to the board a vision of what she would like to see a Christian performing arts company to look like. She is passionate about excellence in all stages of performance, from the foods we put in our bodies to our emotional state as we take on roles and get into character. Her desire to reach this community for His Kingdom gives her a great ability to come along side of Poiema in achieving their ultimate goal. She is married to Bobby Medlin, tech director of PoiemArtistry and has two children, Bailey and Boone. Outside of Poiema, she homeschools both of her children, serves on the Alumni Association at NRCA and has a passion for all things health. You can also see her as a co-host on Poiema Backstage.
BOBBY MEDLIN - POIEMARTISTRY TECH DIRECTOR, BOARD MEMBER