Affton CenterStage Theatre Company

Presenting

Our Board of Directors

 

Member

Background

Mike Ackermann

 

 

Mike has been involved with theater since 1969, almost as long as Judy!  He has been on stage as an extra in chorus and has tried his hand at acting, starting with small bit parts then supporting roles. Mike joined ACT in 1994.

 

According to Mike, though, his best work in theater has always been on the backstage side.  He has worked in every phase of backstage theater work – set building; stage hand, props, sound, lights, set design, stage managing, producing, and even directing.  He currently serves as Technical Director for ACT.  To quote Mike, “I am thrilled to be working with this wonderful bunch of people who have the same drive for theater as I do.” 

 

When he isn’t busy at his full-time job as a Storage manager for IBM Global Services, and his volunteer work with CenterStage, Mike spends time as a Theater merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts, a teacher assistant for Affton High School theater department, and the Auditorium manager for Affton High School.  Oh yeah… Mike’s wife and children are also active with our group.  After all, it’s probably the best time to see him!

Donna Alden

 

 

 

In October, 2004, Donna begins her 14th season with our group.  She’s been a Board member for 12 years, and served as Board secretary and historian.   She has a lot of stamina, having done 39 shows in a row so far.  She’s worked in all areas of community theater… set design, set painter, canvas stretcher, producer, assistant director, director, costume mistress, and props mistress.  Although content to work “behind the scenes”, She has appeared in a non-speaking part (a Klansman in "The Foreigner") and a speaking part as an APPLE in 2004 past children's show.  As Donna says, “I can
speak when I'm not seen!”

 

Away from CenterStage, Donna just retired after teaching at Hancock Place School District for 35 years (25 years in 3rd grade and 10 in 6th grade).  She’s been active in the local teacher association, and served two terms as President.   She also served a term on Affton School Board.   Donna has a Masters Degree in Education. 

Cindy Boucher

 

 

 

We’re still waiting for Cindy’s personal biographer.  I think she’s busy writing the “Great Gothic Romance Novel!”  Keep checking back for an update.

Lorena Doss  

 

 

Lorena is another long-time member of our group.    Like Donna, she has worked with Affton CenterStage Theatre Company 13 years, or 39 consecutive productions!  As a matter of fact, she and Donna work most of our shows together… they work so well together that sometimes we think they’re joined at the hip!  Lorena has served on the Board for 12 years.  She served as Membership Chairman for six years and Historian for12 years.    As far as our productions are concerned, Lorena has been involved in almost every aspect…    Set painting and construction; Props; Costuming; Assistant Directing; Producing… and (in her spare? Time) has “pounded the pavement” to get ads for our programs and donations for our group.

 

As if we didn’t keep her busy enough, outside of Affton CenterStage Theatre, she works as a secretary/customer service rep for Manufacturers Rep company.  She is also involved in many church activities at the Eden United Church of Christ, including serving as a Council Member, a Vision Team Member, working on the Evangelism Committee, and working at Cardinal Baseball games as fundraiser.

 

And – just to round things out – she spends much of her “spare” time enjoying her 3 children and 2 Grandkids!

Cindy McCreary

 

 

 

We’re still waiting for Cindy’s personal biographer.  I think she’s busy writing the “Great Mystery Novel!”  Keep checking back for an update.

Don McDaniel

 

 

 

Don first performed on stage with ACT back in February of 1993.  Since then he’s been in a total of 18 shows.  Don has developed wonderful friendships over the years with the group and is looking forward to continuing his “on the boards” hobby but is excited about being “on the board”.

 

Thanks to his lovely wife Mary and her career at Monsanto, Don is able to be a stay at home Dad with his two children, Carrson and Ruth.  Prior to marriage and kids Don was able complete his MBA in Finance at Webster in 1995.  Hopefully this will allow him to help the kids with their math homework at least through the 6th grade.

 

JoAnn Raisch

 

JoAnn is currently retired, but still very active.   She is a former business owner and elected official, and has held various offices in community and school organizations.  She coordinated and chaired various campaigns, including one as co-chair of a successful bond issue for Affton Schools.  She has chaired various fund raisers for the Work Activity Center (Sheltered Workshop in Affton).  JoAnn was a co-founder of our predecessor group, Affton Community Theater (ACT).   She is currently chairperson of the Metro South Arts Council (MSAC).

Jeff Remelius

 

 

Jeff grew up in Affton and is currently the Principal of Rogers Middle School.   He assumed this position this past July 1.  Jeff has been on the Board from the beginning and prefers to work behind the scenes ... unlike his wife, Jeanne, who prefers the spotlight.

 

Judy Rethwisch  

 

If you attended Affton High School sometime in the last 35+ years, you probably know Judy!  She was a Teacher at Affton High School for 36 years and is currently the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Affton School district. 

 

Judy is our Executive Director.  She runs the business part of our theater company, assuming responsibility for signing contracts, ordering supplies, paying bills and keeping the books.  She also sets the agenda for Board meeting and presides over the meetings.  She provides guidance to the production staff and support where needed.  

 

Judy has a Masters Degree in Theatre and is Past President of AATE (American Alliance for Theatre and Education).  She has held many offices on the State and local level in theatre education and is presently Chairman of the Metro South Arts Council.  She is also a member of the Arts Round Table here in St. Louis.  Judy was recently honored by having the Auditorium at Affton High School named after her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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