Final curtain for Cinematique executive director

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Though Stephanie Mason-Teague has spent the past decade running independent and foreign film society Cinematique, she still found time to watch all the "Hunger Games," and "Twilight" movies.

Growing up, most of the movies she fell in love with were traditional movies, like "Stars Wars," that everyone was seeing. While she can't remember the exact independent film that sparked her interest in the industry, it's clear she found her calling.

"I noticed the difference in storytelling in independent movies," she said. "Often in some of the big budget, Hollywood movies, there's not a whole lot of story or character development — even though we can all love some mindless entertainment. I'm like everyone else in that respect, but I like to dive a little deeper."

Mason-Teague has been serving as Cinematique's executive director for the past six years, and before that was the volunteer board president helping the society to find and open it's own theatre. Though she's leaving the theatre at the end of this month, she won't leaving the industry.

"I'm not sure what I want to do yet," she said. "I love this area, and there are so many great arts organizations, but I would like to get a little balance back in my life and actually spend some time in Ormond Beach."

Before bringing artsy films to the community, she worked as an actress in a few independent films and as a TV host for "House to Home," a home improvement "girl power" show on local station. Mason-Teague said she'd love to get back into acting. She's played everything from a therapist to a 1800s saloon girl.

"I play a lot of moms and wives," she laughed, "but it'll be fun to explore all the options."