Our Team
JOEL EHRENPREIS
Founder / Executive Producer
Joel is a seasoned professional with over 45 years of executive level experience in marketing, sales, long-range planning, brand evolution, and consulting in both the healthcare industry and private sector. He is a well respected as an entrepreneurial, creative, accomplished producer, skilled motivator and team leader.
His career has been diverse. He spent 16 years with the largest Vision Benefit Management Company, went on the create today’s EYEMED vision program for Luxottica, and founded many other ventures. Joel’s focus and time for the past 5 years has been around the mental illness crisis in this country. His passion has led to creating LIFELINE PRODUCTIONS.
BRAD BRYAN
Video Lead
As President of BRAD!BRYAN Multimedia Inc., he has worked extensively with arts and cultural organizations, medical and mental health organizations, and mission-driven nonprofits. His portfolio centers on impact storytelling, documentary, commercials/PSAs, promos, and viral videos. His honors include multiple American Advertising Awards, Telly Awards, Angel Awards, Best Giving Challenge Video, and Champion of Prevention. An active community volunteer, Brad serves as Board Chairman of The Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson's. Brad is a proud graduate of New College of Florida and is excited to be part of the LIFELINE team and to help bring our important stories to the widest possible audience.
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JASON CANNON
Playwright/ Director
Jason is an award-winning actor, director, playwright, improviser, and teacher, as well as a best-selling author and publisher. He has an MFA in Directing, an MA in Drama, and over 25 years experience in the professional theatre. Most recently he served ten years an an Associate Artist at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, FL, and was Producing Artistic Director at Ozark Actors Theatre in Rolla, MO, for four seasons. Jason has 100+ credits as an actor, 120+ credits as a director, and as a playwright, CLOWNS LIKE ME is his eighth produced play. He is a proud member of AEA and SDC.
Do you have a story to tell?
If you have an inspiring story of living with mental illness you would like to share please contact Jason:
SCOTT EHRENPREIS
Company Member
Scott Ehrenpreis is a company member of Lifeline Productions and has a B.F.A. in performance from Ohio University's School of Theater. Scott was last seen in his one man hit show called "Clowns Like Me," which had its world premiere in May of 2023. The show transferred to Off-Broadway in the summer of 2024 at the DR2 Theatre to rave reviews and impacted audiences.
Scott is honored to carry on the mission of combating and reducing the stigmas tied around people on the spectrum being marginalized and slapped with judgement. He hopes to bring hope, healing, and a silver lining to those that are stuck in their own shadow and feel lost.
MARIA
SCHAEDLER-LUERA
Co-Executive Director
Maria is a Brazilian-born educator, artist, and consultant specializing in theater, arts integration, mindfulness, and cross-cultural engagement. She is the co-founder of Atomica Arts and serves as Programs Officer and Patriot Plaza Coordinator for the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Maria collaborates with organizations like the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, Focus 5 Inc., and The Patterson Foundation to design arts education, bilingual programs, and wellness workshops.
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A student of Augusto Boal, Maria has taught Theatre of the Oppressed at Harvard and led arts programs for immigrant communities. She is a certified Primordial Sound Meditation teacher and Ayurvedic Health Counselor. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the 2019 Arts Leadership Award and the 2022 Appleton Arts Integration Award, honoring her dedication to creativity, well-being, and community engagement.
WILL LUERA
Co-Executive Director
Will is a globally recognized improviser, educator, and community leader with over 20 years of experience in theater, arts education, and nonprofit leadership. He is the co-founder of Atomica Arts and currently serves as Director of Big Bang Improv and Artistic Director Emeritus of ImprovBoston. A former Director of Improvisation at Florida Studio Theatre, Will has performed and taught across five continents, promoting the transformative power of improvisation.
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Will is also the co-creator of Healing Moments for Alzheimer’s, a nonprofit supporting individuals with dementia and their caregivers. He serves as a conflict mediator specializing in EDIA issues and is active in the Sarasota community through board leadership roles at CreArte Latino and Miss Sarasota Softball. He was a member of the 2022 Leadership Sarasota and Art Equity cohorts and the 2023 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute. His work bridges theater, education, and social impact, fostering creativity, connection, and leadership on and off stage.