Board of Directors
Therese Durkin, Family Medicine Physician, Dresser, WI
I was drawn into the theatre as my daughter has experienced great opportunity through the youth acting program. In addition, I am an avid concert and theatre goer, and take advantage of the high quality entertainment that Festival provides in my neighborhood. I have an interest in working with the staff to identify technology needs for the theatre, plus I am part of the Presenting the Arts Action Group.
Seeing the youth actors come together as a group and grow is really fun to watch. I saw at least two amazing performances of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in which the actors and the crowd both hit amazing energy levels. I never miss an opportunity in the summer to see Sew Good Improv. The music series including the Fiddle Masters concerts and the Once Upon a River event with Dan Chouinard are some of my favorites .
I was drawn into the theatre as my daughter has experienced great opportunity through the youth acting program. In addition, I am an avid concert and theatre goer, and take advantage of the high quality entertainment that Festival provides in my neighborhood. I have an interest in working with the staff to identify technology needs for the theatre, plus I am part of the Presenting the Arts Action Group.
Seeing the youth actors come together as a group and grow is really fun to watch. I saw at least two amazing performances of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in which the actors and the crowd both hit amazing energy levels. I never miss an opportunity in the summer to see Sew Good Improv. The music series including the Fiddle Masters concerts and the Once Upon a River event with Dan Chouinard are some of my favorites .
Emory Giles, Frederic, WI
The arts are a strange professional language to me. My background has been in school, college, and university teaching and administration. After working for a decade at none professional jobs, and having a young family, I cut the cord and went back to school receiving BS, MS, and PH.D degrees. In the fifty years of schooling I also picked up a few other skills such as: developing professional rated surveys and writing and managing government grants for colleges and universities. I had no time for the arts until I retired and entered a drama class managed by Carolyn Wedin. I found the arts to be an interesting world, which I have learned to appreciate mainly because of Festival Theater. This is especially so because of the professionalism of the staff. There is another world out there and I wish to be a part of it.
The arts are a strange professional language to me. My background has been in school, college, and university teaching and administration. After working for a decade at none professional jobs, and having a young family, I cut the cord and went back to school receiving BS, MS, and PH.D degrees. In the fifty years of schooling I also picked up a few other skills such as: developing professional rated surveys and writing and managing government grants for colleges and universities. I had no time for the arts until I retired and entered a drama class managed by Carolyn Wedin. I found the arts to be an interesting world, which I have learned to appreciate mainly because of Festival Theater. This is especially so because of the professionalism of the staff. There is another world out there and I wish to be a part of it.
Carol Lenhart, Finance and Accounting Professional, St Croix Falls, WI
I volunteer as a board member because I love the theatre and the arts and have discovered that this provides the opportunity to meet and interact with others in the community with similar interests. I have served on other non profit boards. I bring my knowledge and experience in finance and accounting to the table. I have found that this is a great way to share my talents with the community and I get back so much more than I give.
As for my favorite concert at Festival Theatre: I love piano music. Seeing Lorie Line in person was awesome.
I volunteer as a board member because I love the theatre and the arts and have discovered that this provides the opportunity to meet and interact with others in the community with similar interests. I have served on other non profit boards. I bring my knowledge and experience in finance and accounting to the table. I have found that this is a great way to share my talents with the community and I get back so much more than I give.
As for my favorite concert at Festival Theatre: I love piano music. Seeing Lorie Line in person was awesome.
Meg Luhrs, Artist, St. Croix Falls, WI
I have advocated for the Civic Auditorium restoration and the Festival Theatre in many different ways over the past 25 years, and this was the year the two efforts intersected nicely for me and the board.
I have been an art maker and business owner in SCF for 29 years and have firsthand knowledge of the regional arts consumer. I have volunteered for several projects, boards, and committees that pertain to the environmental, historic, and cultural preservation of the St. Croix Valley, and have attended or presented at a variety of related conferences, charettes, and workshops.
The show that left the greatest impact on me was one produced in 2004 called There Shall Be No Night, a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Robert Sherwood about the invasion of Finland by Russia in 1938-1940. It was a perfect fit for our stage, our cast, and our audience.
I have advocated for the Civic Auditorium restoration and the Festival Theatre in many different ways over the past 25 years, and this was the year the two efforts intersected nicely for me and the board.
I have been an art maker and business owner in SCF for 29 years and have firsthand knowledge of the regional arts consumer. I have volunteered for several projects, boards, and committees that pertain to the environmental, historic, and cultural preservation of the St. Croix Valley, and have attended or presented at a variety of related conferences, charettes, and workshops.
The show that left the greatest impact on me was one produced in 2004 called There Shall Be No Night, a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Robert Sherwood about the invasion of Finland by Russia in 1938-1940. It was a perfect fit for our stage, our cast, and our audience.
Sue Mathews, Retired Polk County Information Center Director (On to new adventures!!)
Having always been a theatre/music performance attendee, (locally and throughout the region), I was drawn to the Festival Theatre right away. I have supported and promoted the Theatre since its very beginnings, in my position as Director of the Polk County Information Center/Tourism, for 23 years and have attended many conferences, classes, committee meetings and forums related to the Arts throughout and the State of Wisconsin.
How fortunate we are to enjoy professional theatre right here in the beautiful St. Croix Valley !
Having always been a theatre/music performance attendee, (locally and throughout the region), I was drawn to the Festival Theatre right away. I have supported and promoted the Theatre since its very beginnings, in my position as Director of the Polk County Information Center/Tourism, for 23 years and have attended many conferences, classes, committee meetings and forums related to the Arts throughout and the State of Wisconsin.
How fortunate we are to enjoy professional theatre right here in the beautiful St. Croix Valley !
Melanie Nelson, Public Relations for the MN National Guard, Dresser, WI
I serve on the Board here because I appreciate the theatre arts in our community, and want to do my part. With lots of theatre classes and years on the stage, theatre is something I am passionate about. My years in public relations and marketing will allow me to help find new audience members and share the magic of theatre.
My favorite show was Foxfire, in 2007. I was in the cast and had the pleasure of performing with some amazing actors.
I serve on the Board here because I appreciate the theatre arts in our community, and want to do my part. With lots of theatre classes and years on the stage, theatre is something I am passionate about. My years in public relations and marketing will allow me to help find new audience members and share the magic of theatre.
My favorite show was Foxfire, in 2007. I was in the cast and had the pleasure of performing with some amazing actors.
Cherie Ollman, Retired Teacher, St. Croix Falls, WI
After I retired, I knew that I wanted to get involved with a new (to me) organization that:
My favorite production has to be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As a young person, I saw it performed in a theatre, and I remember laughing through the whole play. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was the first comedy I had ever seen professionally performed, and it got me hooked on live theatre.
When Festival Theatre produced the play in 2014, I invited my family to see it, and I got great pleasure from watching them laugh as much as I did. In spite of all the horrid events occurring in the world and close to home, that evening, we were able to feel carefree and happy, and we all left the theatre in high spirits.
After I retired, I knew that I wanted to get involved with a new (to me) organization that:
- Taught me new skills while utilizing my current ones
- Benefits the community
- Has members who are caring, passionate, and interesting people.
My favorite production has to be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. As a young person, I saw it performed in a theatre, and I remember laughing through the whole play. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was the first comedy I had ever seen professionally performed, and it got me hooked on live theatre.
When Festival Theatre produced the play in 2014, I invited my family to see it, and I got great pleasure from watching them laugh as much as I did. In spite of all the horrid events occurring in the world and close to home, that evening, we were able to feel carefree and happy, and we all left the theatre in high spirits.
Sydney A. Paredes, Executive Coach, Taylors Falls, MN
My husband, Don Hansen, started buying me Festival Theatre Flex Passes in 2004 for my birthday every year and I always enjoyed seeing productions at Festival and was always impressed by the quality and surprised I could have access to such great theatre so close to home. A few years ago we began hosting visiting artists as part of the summer intern program and that's when I started to feel a part of the Festival family. It was just a matter of time until I joined the board to help support the mission of Festival Theatre in a more direct way.
I bring my love for and commitment to the arts, my skills and experience from corporate America and from service on other non profit boards, and 15 years as an executive coach and facilitator to the table. My intention is to foster teamwork and help chart and stay on our path to carry out our mission in a more sustainable way as an integral part of our community. I have great respect for the people who founded and kept Festival Theatre alive for 25 years and feel lucky to be able to work with a dedicated board, an amazing staff, and a community of volunteers and patrons.
My favorite show so far at Festival is A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Festival's summer musical production in 2014, directed by Mark Baer. I saw it at least 6 times! They had me at the opening song!!!
My husband, Don Hansen, started buying me Festival Theatre Flex Passes in 2004 for my birthday every year and I always enjoyed seeing productions at Festival and was always impressed by the quality and surprised I could have access to such great theatre so close to home. A few years ago we began hosting visiting artists as part of the summer intern program and that's when I started to feel a part of the Festival family. It was just a matter of time until I joined the board to help support the mission of Festival Theatre in a more direct way.
I bring my love for and commitment to the arts, my skills and experience from corporate America and from service on other non profit boards, and 15 years as an executive coach and facilitator to the table. My intention is to foster teamwork and help chart and stay on our path to carry out our mission in a more sustainable way as an integral part of our community. I have great respect for the people who founded and kept Festival Theatre alive for 25 years and feel lucky to be able to work with a dedicated board, an amazing staff, and a community of volunteers and patrons.
My favorite show so far at Festival is A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Festival's summer musical production in 2014, directed by Mark Baer. I saw it at least 6 times! They had me at the opening song!!!
Albert Scheideler, Retired Licensed Professional Engineer & General Manager/CEO after an extensive domestic and international career in Nuclear Power, X-Ray Systems, Gas Turbine Power and Defense Ordnance; St. Croix Falls, WI
I am serving on the Board of Directors as a way to be involved in the Saint Croix Falls community while drawing on a quarter century plus of volunteer, board and fundraising experiences. My volunteer skills and experience include the United Way and the Annual Fund Drive Leadership in San Jose, CA and St. Cloud, MN. Board memberships were with Goodwill Industries in San Jose and United Way boards in San Jose, St. Cloud and Waukesha, WI. I also served as an Explorer Advisor for Boy Scouts in Pittsfield, MA and the Boy Scout Board in St. Cloud, MN.
I have been impressed by many of the shows at Festival Theatre, including at least two or three each year. My favorite concert was a jazz focused Twin Cities combo led by fiddler Randy Sabien. The pianist in that band was a friend, Laura Caviani.
I am serving on the Board of Directors as a way to be involved in the Saint Croix Falls community while drawing on a quarter century plus of volunteer, board and fundraising experiences. My volunteer skills and experience include the United Way and the Annual Fund Drive Leadership in San Jose, CA and St. Cloud, MN. Board memberships were with Goodwill Industries in San Jose and United Way boards in San Jose, St. Cloud and Waukesha, WI. I also served as an Explorer Advisor for Boy Scouts in Pittsfield, MA and the Boy Scout Board in St. Cloud, MN.
I have been impressed by many of the shows at Festival Theatre, including at least two or three each year. My favorite concert was a jazz focused Twin Cities combo led by fiddler Randy Sabien. The pianist in that band was a friend, Laura Caviani.
