Paper Wing's former Assistant Producer Justin Gaudoin moves to PacRep to become technical director.

Justin Gaudoin proves to be a hot commodity in the Monterey Peninsula theater community. 

After two years as associate producer at Paper Wing Theatre in Monterey, he was recently hired by PacRep as the company’s new technical director, succeeding Patrick McEvoy, who died in July.

Gaudoin (an actor, singer, vocal teacher, director and more) and his wife and work partner Sarah Gaudoin (actress, choreographer, photographer, filmmaker and a former dancer) were hired by Paper Wing in August 2024. The idea was for the Gaudoins to lead the company forward, succeeding couple Koly McBride (the founder and the CEO) and LJ Brewer, who have been running the show for two decades. 

But despite a busy two years and many productions on stage, things didn’t go as planned, and the Gaudoins are no longer with Paper Wing, even if Justin Gaudoin plays the lead in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors—at Paper Wing Theatre & Supper Club every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 20.

“There was a path to have us gradually take on more responsibilities at Paper Wing, with the intention that we could eventually become the next leaders of the company,” he says. “I don't think any of us considered it a one hundred guaranteed succession plan; it was something we were navigating together step by step.” 

According to Gaudoin, his role at Paper Wing changed “in ways that made it no longer the right fit,” and he felt it was time to move on. “I don't want to speculate about the internal plans at Paper Wing, since that's Koly and Lloyd's story to tell, but Sarah and I are both immensely grateful for the time we spent there. We learned a tremendous amount, formed some very close friendships, and going forward, genuinely wish the company nothing but success.”

PacRep announced the appointment of Justin Gaudoin as the company’s new technical director on Wednesday, Sept. 2 in a press release (in fact, he started in this position in July), which also celebrated McEvoy and his legacy.

“Justin has been an integral part of the Monterey theater community for years, and we are thrilled to welcome him to PacRep in this important role,” PacRep Founder and Executive/Artistic Director Stephen Moorer said. “His broad range of artistic and technical experience, his existing knowledge of our facilities and productions, and his deep respect for Patrick’s work make him an extraordinary person to carry this responsibility forward.”

Gaudoin has already been credited as technical director on some PacRep shows. He’s listed as technical director for the current production of The Little Mermaid, and for Medea, which opens this weekend. He is also excited about beginning the production of A Midsummer Night's Dream coming in October.

Sarah Gaudoin has been involved in many PacRep productions, to date. “She served as choreographer when I directed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 2023,” says John Newkirk, development and marketing executive at PacRep. “This year, she has already appeared in our production of Young Frankenstein and will appear in our upcoming production of Come From Away. Sarah has also taught classes for our Garner-Whitt School of Dramatic Arts.”

Sarah Gaudoin shared she enjoyed the creative side of her work at Paper Wing, but is taking a bit of a breather from social media while still taking on plenty of work as a freelance videographer and photographer.

“She also helps run my voice studio business, handling the administrative work so I can keep up my passion for teaching voice,” Justin Gaudoin says. “I'm also really encouraging her to pursue her love for performing: she's beginning rehearsals soon for Come From Away, also at PacRep, opening during the holidays.”

“We've been together almost nine years,” Sarah Gaudoin says, “and as you can see, always find ways to work together in some capacity. I'm so proud of Justin for everything he accomplished at Paper Wing, and love watching him bring that same work ethic and extreme creativity to PacRep, and whatever is beyond that.”