Meet Fairy's Team

Hollis McLachlan, M.Ed.

Executive Producer

Hollis McLachlan is a Master’s level Early Childhood Educator, and an experienced film professional. She co-owns Chickadee childcare centers in Maine, which have been recognized as the "Best of" in the state of Maine. Hollis and her business partner, Amy Crowley, have expanded their mission through the creation of "Fairy's House", furthering the impact of gentle, loving programming for toddlers on a global scale. Hollis is also the Founder of the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival, which has been operating for over a decade.

Jim Picariello

Writer/Director

Jim Picariello is an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker. His short films have been selected by dozens of film festivals, and have won 15 top awards. Notably, Jim also wrote and shot a short for Sesame Street, which was aired and viewed by millions of children! He is the Head Writer of "Fairy's House", and Director of the first season's 7 episodes.

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers: Brian Torbeck, Erik Toerbeck, & Robin Erlandsen

Puppeteers

Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers is a puppetry troupe based in Bar Harbor, Maine, and comprised of three siblings - brothers Erik and Brian Torbeck, and sister Robin (Torbeck) Erlandsen. Founded in 2000, Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers performs at festivals, schools, libraries and theatres in the United States and Canada. They write and create all the shows they perform, and have received three Citations of Excellence from UNIMA-USA, the highest national award in puppetry.

Amy Crowley, M.A.

Producer

Amy Crowley holds a Master’s degree in Child Development from Tufts University, and brings her research-based knowledge to the development of "Fairy’s House". She is the Co-Owner, along with Hollis McLachlan, of the Chickadee childcare centers in Southern Maine, which have recently been recognized as Best in State for their industry. With her extensive experience managing budgets for children's theatre productions in Maine, and her expertise as the Financial Officer of Chickadee, Amy is invaluable to the "Fairy's House" production team.

Mark J. Parker

Line Producer

Mark J. Parker is an award-winning indie filmmaker & producer, and has filled a gamut of other professional roles in the entertainment sector. Mark has worked on TV series and films, from interning at Sesame Street to working on 30 Rock. Mark is also a casting director for the 8 seasons of the popular ABC hidden camera series, “What Would You Do?”. Many of his short films are available to watch online HERE, and you can find his entertainment podcast, “Release Date Rewind”, wherever you listen to podcasts or watch on YouTube!

Anne Hentschel, M.A.

Producer

Anne Hentschel earned her Master's degree from the Tufts University Eliot-Pearson Depart of Child Study and Human Development, where she studied children's media. Anne is also a 2024 Fred Rogers Writers' Neighborhood Fellow! She has been an integral member of the "Fairy's House" team since its inception in early 2023, and is a driving force behind the Early Childhood research and practical production development.

Connor Perry

Production Designer

Connor Perry creates theatre sets, museum exhibits, art, and music. He studied sculpture and design at the Cooper Union in New York City. With a focus on designs for education, Connor has contributed to several projects for the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine. He thrives with building environments for learning, play, and communal experience.

Erika Minervino

Costume Designer

Erika is a fashion designer and seamstress. She studied at Savannah College of Art and Design, earning a Bachelor's degree in Fashion with a minor in Accessory Design. After graduating, she worked with Jill McGowan in her home state of Maine. Erika also taught classes to fashion students at PATHS (Portland Public Schools) and Maine College of Art. Most recently, Erika worked for designer Roxi Suger of Angelrox/ Sugar.

Leslie Valenza

Marketing & Content Director

Leslie combines her love of filmmaking with a passion for content marketing to serve pro bono as the marketing and content director for Chickadee T.V. With 20 years of communications and marketing experience at two PR agencies and an international law firm, Leslie crafts purposeful written, social media, and video content for clients of her content consultancy, Valenza Communications LLC.

Set design concept.

By Connor Perry

Exterior Test #1

By Connor Perry

"Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe. If you believe, clap your hands!"

- James M. Barrie