Our Board

BA Ciccolella (she/her) is a professional production manager, technical director, lighting designer, stage manager, hospitality manager, artist liaison, rigger, stage electrician, scenic carpenter, and painter, as well as a writer, editor, field director, legislative assistant, administrative assistant, and virtual assistant including graphic design and social media curation. She is a co-founder, president, and editor of Spotlight News (and occasionally a writer) and is currently president of the board of directors at the Little Theatre of Norfolk as well. She is also a black belt in HapKiDo.

Frank Connelly is the VP for Spotlight News and a board member of Williamsburg Players.  He is employed as a computer consultant for Core Consulting.  He just moved from Williamsburg, VA to Missouri along with his wife Cindy and two dogs.

Virginia Beach native, Denise Bishop (she/her), is pleased to serve as Treasurer of Spotlight News. Currently, she serves as an Accounting Associate for a wealth management firm. Previously, she worked in nonprofit administration and finance as Finance Operations Manager for Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Executive Assistant for YWCA South Hampton Roads, and Director of Operations for Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Denise is a member of the Downtown100 and volunteers with the Downtown Norfolk Council. She is a graduate of the University of Richmond and lives in Norfolk with her husband.

Spotlight News is looking for interested professionals who are excited about our mission, ready to volunteer, and willing to help build a solid foundation for Spotlight News to grow on, so that we can continue to provide local, independent arts and community coverage to the Hampton Roads area for many years.