Ashley Gardner (Madame Arcati) Born in England and raised on the shores of Lake Ontario, Canada, Ms. Gardner has been involved in the San Diego community since 1975 when she began her broadcast career as morning news anchor at a KOWN radio station in Escondido.

Trained and educated in California in radio and television production Ashley is best known for her work in television at NBC Channel 39 as host of their popular Saturday night entertainment show “Weekend Magazine” and as part of the still popular, early morning radio team with “Jeff and Jer”, San Diego’s most successful morning radio show.

1986 Ms. Gardner founded a video, film and multi-media production company, known as Downtown Productions. As well, she co-founded and still operates a not-for-profit company, Earth Visions, to produce documentaries examining the social and environmental issues of her community. Much of her work can be seen on San Diego County Cable Television and the educational channels. 

Having sold her production company in 2002, she spends most of her current time and energy managing and building the Women’s History Museum and Education Center in the Golden Hill neighborhood of San Diego. 

This is Ms. Gardner’s 5th. production with the Coronado Playhouse, and her first on this new stage. What a treat!

As well, she is happily occupied with her southern California garden, reading, volunteering, traveling abroad with her husband