In 2011 Subplot Studio introduced the concept of customizable poster designs for plays and musicals. Our poster designs can be found promoting performances all over the world.

Mission

By streamlining the design process, Subplot Studio empowers drama teachers and community theatre directors to promote plays and musicals with professionally designed, customizable artwork, while saving significant time and money.


Vision

Impact the performing arts by making exceptional design attainable. Empower performers, visual artists, teachers, directors and patrons through collaboration and the use of thoughtful and meaningful technology.

A passion for good design and a love for the performing arts drive the team at Subplot Studio.

Our Team

James apRoberts, Founder & CEO, Subplot Studio

James apRoberts

Founder & CEO

Prior to co-founding Subplot Studio in 2011, James focused on creative strategy and brand development for independent and corporate brands in the arts, entertainment, sports, medical and active lifestyle industries including Dewey Weber Surfboards, Horace Grant, Lisa Leonard Designs and Widmer Brothers Brewing.

James serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts at Cal Poly, the advisory board for Cal Poly Arts, and is a mentor for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cal Poly.

James graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's degree in Art & Design and a minor in Economics.


Kurt Schulz, Director of Digital Strategy, Subplot Studio

Kurt Schulz

Director of Digital Strategy

Before joining the team at Subplot Studio, Kurt worked as the Director of Creative Services at Etna Interactive and was responsible for the overall strategy, creative direction, design, production and copywriting to drive new business to some of the most prominent names in elective healthcare and medical device manufacturers like Merz Aesthetics, Kaiser Permanente, Allergan and Zeltiq.

Prior to Etna Interactive, Kurt was the Lead Developer on the creative team at Rosetta where he worked with clients like Apple, Hewlett Packard, ESPN Zone and Quiksilver.

Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communication from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.


Maren Linkugel, Graphic Designer, Subplot Studio

Maren Linkugel

Senior Graphic Designer

A UCSB graduate who has been in the design world for 15+ years, Maren has worked as a designer and creative project manager for companies large and small. She grew up in Lake Tahoe, in a small town community that nurtured both her love for the outdoors and her artistic spirit. Outside work, she can usually be found on some type of sports field or hiking trail, keeping pace with her 2 kids and her husband, Eric. Maren is up for any adventure, as long as she’s had plenty of coffee.


Heather MacLeod, Customer Support, Subplot Studio

Heather MacLeod

Customer Support

Heather is without a doubt the most theatrical member of the Subplot Studio family. She graduated from PCPA and has performed in so many Shakespeare productions on the Central Coast that we've lost count. When Heather isn't  busy helping customers, you can probably find her producing musicals at her daughter's school and exploring local trails. She's really into space and gets very excited about rocket launches. In the last year, she's been to Kennedy Space Center twice!

Board of Directors

Heather Sturt Haaga

Artist and Philanthropist

Heather has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit board leadership. Beginning with a local YMCA in 1986 where she was elected the first female Board Chair, she has since served on sixteen boards and committees for both local and global nonprofit organizations. She is Chair of the Salzburg Global Seminar, based in Austria and Washington, DC, where she has helped to envision a new strategic direction for the next decade. She is a Trustee of Descanso Gardens, a 150-acre green space in metropolitan Los Angeles, a Trustee of Vassar College, a Trustee of Princeton Theological Seminary, where she also serves as co-chair of the $100 million Library Capital Campaign, and a Trustee of the African Wildlife Foundation headquartered in Nairobi.

Paul Haaga Jr.

President and CEO, National Public Radio (Retired)

Most recently serving as acting president and CEO of National Public Radio, Paul has served on the Board of Directors since 2011. In 2012, Paul retired from Capital Research and Management Company where he was Chairman of the Board. Paul served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Investment Company Institute, the trade association for the mutual fund industry and is credited with helping to restore the industry’s reputation after the market timing scandal of 2003. He has also served as President of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Chairman of the Board of Overseers of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, President and Major Gifts Chair for Princeton’s Class of 1970 and a Trustee of the Princeton Rugby Endowment.

Bill Haggerty

Sentinel Rock Capital, COO/CFO (Retired)

Bill was most recently the COO/CFO at Sentinel Rock Capital, LLC. He was previously a principal and Chief Operating Officer of Seasons Capital Management, a hedge fund with investments primarily in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining Seasons, Bill was a Managing Partner and the COO for Aesop Capital Partners. Bill serves on the Board of Directors for the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California and Hedge Funds Care in San Francisco, California.

Carol Haggerty

Volunteer and Musician

Carol's early days on the trading desk at Morgan Stanley gave her an appreciation for market mechanics but her twin passions for lifelong learning and the natural world have shaped most of her work experiences. Most recently, as an Instructional Designer with an M.Ed. focus on Public Education Carol has been involved in projects at the state and local level including public outreach events for the California Oak Mortality Task Force, (COMTF), and the Festival Director of the Marin Environmental Film Festival, (MEFF). She is currently serving as Vice President and Web Manager of the Larkspur Library Foundation Board and participating in the Wildlife Photo Index project (WPI) of OneTam in Marin County. Occasionally, Carol steps in as the bass player in local rock bands.

Advisors

Kevin Harris

SLO Rep, Managing Artistic Director

Kevin Harris received his MFA in Directing from the University of Iowa, his BFA in Acting from New York University, and his California Teaching Credential from Chapman University. While at NYU, he spent three years at the Atlantic Theatre Company studying acting under David Mamet, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman. In 2005, he traveled to the West Bank and Gaza Strip to co-write and direct an original play with Ashtar Theatre, Palestine’s only professional theatre company. Kevin has taught at the University of Iowa and the University of Chicago.

Laura Pickering

NetApp, VP (Retired)

With over 29 years in the high technology industry, Laura Pickering has a proven record as a leader and catalyst for growth. Having joined two very successful, high growth Silicon Valley startups when they were young, NetApp and Oracle, Laura has spent the majority of her career contributing to and learning from the best.

Jonathan York

Cal Poly Orfalea College of Business, Professor

Jonathan is a professor and consultant with over 30 years experience as a CEO and venture capitalist. He has worked in technology, services, healthcare, government, and international business development and has extensive experience in organization development consulting, with a PhD from Michigan State in psychology and a BA from Yale. He specializes in capital acquisition, business and strategic planning, human resources, marketing, government relations and lobbying, general business management, education and training.

Educational Discount

$50 OFF

Customizable
Posters

$50 OFF

Design
Bundles

$100 OFF

Marketing
Kits

We do not offer discounts on logo packs

Log In or Register Now

If you are registered as an educator, your discount will be automatically applied to your cart. Log in or register now!