Meet the Team
Jessica Pluta (She/Her) is proud to be a mom of 4 awesome and talented kids! She and her husband, Jeff, decided to move the family to Fort Collins, Colorado in 2020 (what a year!) and are so glad they did! As their kids started exploring the theatre and performance worlds, they discovered a need for healthier spaces for teens in the performing arts. When Jessica met Amanda Ercole, they became friends and found they had the same dreams for inclusive teen theatre where teens have a voice and pathways to success! And so Places Everyone! was born! Jessica is a certified teacher in K-12, with an emphasis in child psychology. She has been working with kids for 30 years and has brought creativity and performance into every learning environment! She is proud to be a board member with Fort Collins Children’s Theatre and Lantern Arts, and co-founder of Places Everyone! She is also proud to partner with Full Expression! A Dance Collective. Jessica is part of the queer and neurodivergent communities and finds joy in creating safe and inclusive spaces where adults, teens, and children are empowered and welcomed equally!
Hi, I am Amanda Ercole (She/Her). I live in Windsor, CO with my husband and three children. I am a creative spirit by nature. I love to paint and create, which is a great outlet for me as an ADHD empath! I am a board member of Fort Collins Children's Theatre and enjoy helping the community of Fort Collins in theatre. Growing up in the Midwest, I spent much of my childhood backstage. My mother was a makeup artist for the local community theatre. I spent countless hours watching and learning how a show "works" from the inside. I went on to run the lights and sound booth in high school for school and community shows. I was a student director for three musicals where I fell in love with teaching. In college, while earning my teaching degree, I took many electives in theatre, learning even more about technical theatre. My oldest daughter is heavily involved in musical theatre in the community and school. She is what helped inspire the idea of Places Everyone! In the last five years as a theatre mom I've seen the need for more community, specifically teen theatre opportunities. Meeting Jessica, who felt and saw the same need and had a similar dream; we collaborated to establish a program where kids would feel safe, loved, and heard while fully expressing themselves artistically.
Max Pluta (He/Him) enjoys composing music, playing the trombone, singing, and acting. He attends Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, CO where he is in several bands and participates in drama club, where he has participated in set building and painting. Max, with mentorship, is learning logo creation and branding, as well as website design and advertisement tools. He has created this website, as well as the Places Everyone! Logos for print and online platforms, and for social media. He also creates much of our print advertising. Max continues to learn and explore these creative endeavors (and helps his mom with all things technology!) He is a true asset to Places Everyone!
Ava Pluta (She/Her) enjoys all things theatre! She sings, dances, acts, plays cello, and paints. Ava attends Rocky Mountain high school in Fort Collins, CO and participates in several choirs and orchestra, as well as drama club, where she performs and works on set builds and painting. Ava creates much of the Places Everyone! social media content (if you see any mistakes on social media, it’s her mom’s fault! Haha). Ava continues to explore ways to enhance engagement on our social media platforms! We are thankful to have her at Places Everyone!
Jones (Jones/Them) is excited to bring decades of theatre, music, and storytelling experience to Places Everyone!, starting with this exciting collaboration of mentors and everyone! Jones mentors participants of Places Everyone! in artistic theatre crafting. Places Everyone! Is thrilled to have Jones with us!
Anna Epstein (She/Her) is a single mom, artist, and entrepreneur. Anna has over 24 years in the live entertainment industry, working almost every aspect in the world of rock n roll, weddings, special events and theater! She has handled multiple management and operations roles in her career. She owned and operated her own lighting and decor company for 7 years and has most recently been the Assistant Director of Operations for Rhino Staging DC. Anna has now moved from Washington, DC to Fort Collins in search of a new community of love, acceptance and creativity, for her child and herself. Anna is mentoring participants in Places Everyone! using her many years of experience! She is a valuable part of Places Everyone!