YOU run Strauss, that is, if you are a member. You help select the board, you let us know what you want by direct contact and by ticket sales. Some of you serve on committees and on the board; many of you help make the magic that is live theatre by appearing on stage or by working back-stage and off-stage, another example of the volunteer nature of community theatre.
The board officers for 2018-19 are: President–Denis O’Leary (board member for a couple of years, employed at Century-Link);
Vice-President- Terri Cunningham (director of numerous shows at Strauss–My Fair Lady, Sister Act, Rumors, etc); Treasurer- Lisa SternCrawford (former banker, long time involvement with theatre) and Secretary- Jerry Holmes (been around theatre a long time and retired from ULM). Anita Breen, as general manager, and Donna Branson, box office manager, try to keep everyone in line.
Each year some supporters of Strauss Theatre Center roll off the board and new ones come on to take their positions, but not their places. We seldom let a former board member get away; there are always plenty of opportunities to keep the theatre alive and well.
New board members for 2018-19 include people from a variety of areas and experiences with theatre; some are long-time supporters of Strauss and others are relatively new to our theatre.
Deborah Chandler, a returning board member, is Director of Choral Music at ULM, choir director at Northminster Church, director of the Monroe Symphony Chorus plus a number of other activities. She hosts a weekly program called “Vocal Vibes” on KEDM.
Lisa Stern Crawford joins the board after 18 years of retail banking and several years of entrepreneurial ventures, and being active in community work ranging from the zoo to St Francis, and Neville.
Bobbye Legan is a retired middle school teacher who is always busy with public service projects such as being head of the Monroe Symphony book room/sale. She was recently awarded the “Volunteer of the Year Award” from the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
Craig Henry, past member of the board, retired in May as an attorney. His activities through the years range from being a performer on Strauss Stage to being a founding member of Northminster Church, to being a member of the boards of many significant community service organizations.
Christal Winfield-Wheeler, new to Strauss, is an accomplished performer and arts worker. A ULM graduate in Mass Communication, she is currently Minister of Music at Tabernacle Baptist Church, and formerly worked at the Masur Museum. Theatregoers will recognize her as one of Deloris’ wise cracking, sequin clad backup singers.
Matt Wilkins is no stranger to Strauss; he has appeared in eight shows here, written and directed in our dinner theatre program, as well as the successful “Murder is Served” project. Senior Trainer at JP Morgan Chase, he is filled with ideas about theatre and its marketing.
Jade Wheeler is the Head of Reference at the Ouachita Parish Public Library, and who for several years was an archivist with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, and spent six years participating in the productions of ice theater shows in Southern California. Some may remember her as the cartwheel-turning nun in “Sister Act.”
Board members rotate terms of service. Board members from last season remaining on the board include: Evelyn Johnson, Bob Chambless, Mary Sue Jacka, Bill Kight, John Maherne, Bill Rambin, Terri Cunningham, Denis O’Leary, and Jerry Holmes.
Among those rotating off after 2 terms include Scott Frick and Vickie Krutzer, who will never be very far from the heart of activities as committee members.
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