BECKY COLLINS

Becky enlisted in the US Army, graduated from Army Airborne Parachute school and was a participant of Operation Desert Storm. After leaving the Army, Becky launched an Interior Design and Decorative painting company and was highly regarded as the premier faux finisher in the MidWest before discovering her current passion Encaustic art. After moving to the Foothills with her family 7 years ago, Becky volunteers with Hospice, the Friendship Circle, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Polk County Schools, Tryon International Film Festival, Steps to Hope and Warming the View.

CHARLOTTE WARE EPLEY

Charlotte Ware Epley is involved in the film industry as an actor, networking and supporting

filmmakers and filmmaking. Located in Western North Carolina she works with filmmakers in

Spartanburg/Greenville and Columbia SC, Asheville, Charlotte and Wilmington NC and Atlanta GA.

Epley has worked in commercials, industrials, television, film and radio. Epley has a BA in Theatre from the University of Central Florida. Epley has done community theatre with the Walt Disney World Theatre Workshop, the Gatlinburg (TN) Smokey Mountain Players and the Davidson (NC)Community Players. After being the caregiver for her husband during his Alzheimer’s journey she is glad to be back to the business of acting and embraces opportunities to use her craft.

DEBBIE PARDAL

My husband and I moved to Tryon in 2022 and soon after, I joined the staff at the Tryon Theatre. I have always loved movies and was immediately intrigued by all the buzz about the film festival here. Becoming a volunteer felt like the perfect way to get involved, meet people and discover more about this unique event.

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I quickly became acquainted with many wonderful people in the area and was asked to take on a bigger role with TRIFF. I have a background in volunteer service and organization which includes coordinating the Reading Is Fundamental program in Southern Pines, NC, serving on the Friends of the Southern Pines Public Library for 10 years, leading a Girl Scout troop for 6 years, various church committees, VBS programs, PTA board positions and fundraisers. I’m excited to be a part of the TRIFF planning team as the Director of Volunteers and look forward to meeting new folks who want to be a part of this very unique and special festival we have here in Tryon.

MARTY KIRCHHOF

Marty has lived in Tryon now for six years. After teaching In Sydney, Australia for 14 years, she finished up her education career in Connecticut before retiring and moving south.  As an avid film goer, she has volunteered multiple times at the Tribeca Film Festival, attended the Dallas International Film Festival, and was recently asked to be on the board of Tryon International Film Festival.

CASEY RIGBY

Casey Rigby joined the TRIFF team in March of 2024 assisting with fundraising and outreach efforts. Casey has years of experience serving in the nonprofit sector. Prior to working for TRIFF, she worked as a freelance nonprofit consultant. Before that, she served as the Fundraising Director of Expanding Boundaries International. Casey worked as the Exhibition Coordinator at the Spartanburg Art Museum for several years where she also taught youth art classes. During her time in Washington, DC, she worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Casey has always been passionate about the arts, museums, and nonprofits. She is also an avid film buff, which is part of what attracted her to TRIFF. Fun fact, Casey can't pick a favorite movie, but her top three are: The Godfather, Dogville, and Dr. Strangelove, depending on the day.