Meet the team
Rachael Leonhart - Executive Director
Rachael Leonhart (she/her) is no stranger to the Plaza District. Prior to stepping into the role of Executive Director in July of 2021, Leonhart served on the Plaza District Association 501c3 and Plaza Business Alliance 501c6 Boards of Directors for several years while employed at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma. Her leadership has been recognized by 405 Business Magazine (The Metros’ Most Influential List, 2023), OKC Friday (50 Most Powerful Young Professionals nomination, 2020-2024), and the Oklahoma Gazette (Forty Under 40 award recipient, 2018). Leonhart has helped lead the Plaza District to receive several awards including "Best Local District" by Oklahoma Gazette readers for the past two years (2023 + 2022) and by 405 Magazine (2023).
Outside of the Plaza District, Leonhart has worked closely with Allied Arts, Oklahoma Pride Alliance, The Winds House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Leadership Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Arts Council’s Leadership Arts program, and Arts Council Oklahoma City. She holds an Associate of Arts in Vocal Performance from Highland Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing Communications from St. Ambrose University and is working toward completion of a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management.
"I am honored to serve in the role of Executive Director of the Plaza District. It aligns closely with what I am most passionate about: facilitating arts and community programming as a tool for growth and improved quality of life here in Oklahoma City. As a musician and neighbor of the Plaza, I've seen firsthand how nonprofits, artists, and small business owners can transform a community as evidenced right here in 16th Street Plaza District. As our city grows, I am excited to help the Plaza District develop and continue our mission.”
Casey Longacre moved to the Plaza District three years ago, but has been apart of community for many years. Living in and working in the district has made him fall in love with the businesses and people that frequent The Plaza. Casey graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BFA in theatre performance. During his artistic endeavors through the college of fine arts and design, Casey created a character named Tape. Which has become the source from where he funnels his creativity and passion for the arts. This character soon became his drag persona, which led to him being offered his first, week long show in the Edinburg Fringe Festival.
Since college, he has used the skills he obtained through school to further his career in drag performance. He has used his degree to craft one of a kind drag show experiences to cultivate a more diverse community of creatives. Some of his work include; performing with various Ru Paul’s Drag Race queens at Tower theatre, curating entertainment at teen night at Okc Contemporary, and directing events at multiple gay pride celebrations. He has also been an advocate for The OK I’m Ready campaign, striving to end the stigma around drug use and promoting the education and usage of testing strips and narcan.
Keeping artists in Oklahoma City is his passion. He plans on using his unique set of skills to bring that magic to the Plaza district! Also, he loves cats!
Casey Longacre-marketing assistant
Ligia Espinoza Martinez-Masterson-
Social Media Manager
Ligia Espinoza Martinez-Masterson is the Co-founder of Starving Artist Co., a creative agency that strives to empower local Oklahoma artists and businesses through creative media. With over 6 years of experience in social media marketing, Ligia is passionate about the role of storytelling and content curation to enhance the digital media experience and strengthen local brands’ digital footprint. She also is dedicated to expanding her artistry beyond different mediums, she is a skilled concert and event photographer, non-profit grant writer and a professional dancer for RACE Dance Collective.
She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business, specializing in Operations and Supply Chain Management. She is also STLR-accredited for Leadership and Global & Cultural Competency and speaks fluent Spanish and Portuguese. Ligia is married to Josh Masterson, who she shares three dogs with - Liz, Neo and Pepper. Ligia was born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua and moved to OKC in 2017 to pursue higher education. She loves traveling, going to the beach, walking her dogs and dreams of owning a pet sanctuary.
Josh Masterson-
Social Media Manager
Josh Masterson is the Co-founder of Starving Artist Co. and champions a local artist initiative, whatido.org, which provides opportunities for artists in OKC to do what they do. With over 8 years of marketing and programming experience, Josh is passionate about bringing content creators and artists together to strengthen our community.
He has been booking shows in Oklahoma City for the past two years, with 32+ performance artists connected to paid opportunities and has created opportunities for over 130+ artists, vendors, makers, and creators through various artist markets and activations hosted in Plaza and the West Village Districts over the past two years. Josh is also an artist & musician himself, releasing music under the stagename JMASTY. His most recent song release, What I Do, was the inspiration behind whatido.org and gave him the opportunity to create a music video featuring 12+ local artists, showing off what they do. The What I Do music video will premiere at Dead Center Film Festival 2024.
Josh is married to Ligia Espinoza Martinez-Masterson, who shares his passion for strengthening community through the arts. He was born and raised in Oklahoma, and enjoys playing with his three pups in Edgemere Park, playing music, dancing bachata with his partner, and traveling the world.