Changing Faces of Door County’s Music and Theater Scenes

There will be a number of new faces in Door County’s music and theater communities this season, as well as several familiar faces in new positions.

Dr. Allyson Fleck, assistant artistic director at Midsummer’s Music Festival. Submitted photo.

Midsummer’s Music Festival

Dr. Allyson Fleck, who has performed as a violist with Midsummer’s Music Festival for 10 years, has been appointed to the new position of assistant artistic director. She will continue to perform with the ensemble as she assumes additional duties, working with James Berkenstock, the group’s longtime artistic director.

Dr. Fleck lives in Atlanta, where she directs a chamber music program and teaches viola at Kennesaw State University. She also performs with the Atlanta Symphony, the Atlanta Opera, the Georgia Symphony and the Atlanta Ballet and has given solo performances and recitals around the country, including in Carnegie Hall in New York.

“I’m looking forward to a great year, with lots of new events,” she says. “Midsummer’s Music is a unique festival of chamber music with varied programs in interesting locations. I’m honored to work with this group of nationally recognized musicians. I’m especially pleased that, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we’ll be collaborating with other organizations.

“I’m excited, too, about my new role, which will include researching the repertoire and giving program talks,” she added. “I always feel at home in Wisconsin, as I completed my doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I studied with Sally Chisholm, who also performs with Midsummer’s Music.”

“We are thrilled to have Allyson take on new duties,” Berkenstock says. “She brings a wealth of knowledge, perspective and contacts to our artistic team.”

Mark Kunstman, Midsummer Music’s executive director, echoes Berkenstock’s remarks.

“The addition of this position is part of our long-range planning,” he says. “Allyson brings a lot of talent and vibrancy to the organization and we are very excited to have her on board.”

Russ Warren, marketing director at Midsummer’s Music Festival. Submitted photo.

Russ Warren, of Sturgeon Bay, has been named marketing director of Midsummer’s Music Festival. He previously worked in a similar position for Birch Creek Music Performance Center and as director of marketing and meetings management for a public relations firm in Virginia.

Kunstman says, “We are very fortunate to have Russ, who has a great knowledge of marketing and extensive experience in the field. He will be a great addition to increase awareness of Midsummer’s Music Festival. I believe he will be a wonderful fit and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Warren says he is especially excited to be a part of Midsummer’s Music Festival as he is a big fan of chamber music. He is looking forward to promoting the festival to the community and visitors.

Northern Sky Theater

Molly Rhode, associate artistic director at Northern Sky Theater. Submitted photo.

Molly Rhode, a successful actor, choreographer, director, and theater educator with American Folklore Theatre (now Northern Sky Theater) since the 2007 season, has been named to the new position of associate artistic director for the Door County troupe.

At 14, Rhode was one of the first students to attend First Stage Theater Academy when it opened its doors in 1992, and she later graduated as a theater major from Milwaukee High School of the Arts. In 2000, She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Studies from Southern Methodist University with a double emphasis in playwriting and directing.

A classically-trained actor, she played several of Shakespeare’s leading ladies at Milwaukee Shakespeare Company, spent two summers with American Players Theatre, and two summers with Door Shakespeare. At the same time, she also became a regular face at the Skylight Music Theatre, singing lead roles in Cabaret, The Producers and other Broadway musicals. She joined the Actors’ Equity Association in 2003 and has worked on all of Milwaukee’s professional stages and other theaters around the country.

Rhode first came to American Folklore Theatre in 2007 and has since originated roles in Cabin with a View, Main-Travelled Roads, Cheeseheads, Life on the Mississippi, Bing! The Cherry Musical, Victory Farm, and Strings Attached. Rhode began directing professionally in 2010 with a production of Main-Travelled Roads at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Soon after, she directed productions at First Stage Children’s Theater, Children’s Theater of Madison, and most recently, Skylight Music Theatre’s acclaimed productions of The Sound of Music and Les Misérables. At AFT, Rhode has directed Packer Fans from Outer Space and the world premiere of Windjammers. 



In her new position, Rhode will work with artistic director Jeff Herbst, who says, “She has been with the company now for eight years and already worn numerous hats. Her work as both an actress and director has been outstanding, and her skills in developing new works indispensable.”

Katie Dahl, board member at Northern Sky Theater. Submitted photo.

Katie Dahl, a local singer-songwriter who has been associated with Northern Sky Theater in many capacities, has been named to the organization’s board. She first came to the theater in 1991 as a fan and has since been a volunteer, office worker, assistant stage manager, house manager, performer and co-creator of Victory Farm with Emilie Coulson and James Valcq. She has been an integral member of the theater’s name change committee.

Dave Maier, managing director of Northern Sky Theater, says, “Katie is a perfect ambassador for the company. Her insight, perspective, strong community ties and reputation, will all be huge assets. Most importantly, she has absolutely loved the organization her entire life.”

Mary Seeberg, chairperson of Northern Sky’s board, adds, “We are delighted to welcome the next generation of leadership as we move into our exciting future as Northern Sky Theater.”

Third Avenue Playhouse

Alan Kopischke, member of the board of directors at Third Avenue Playhouse. Submitted photo.

Alan Kopischke, who has spent the past 15 years managing arts collaboration projects, leading arts organizations and raising money for them and developing new programming, has been named to the TAP Board of Directors. Most recently, he was executive director of Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

He previously spent 18 years as a professional actor in theater, film, television and commercials. His career includes roles in more than 100 professional productions, highlighted by work at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, Steppenwolf and Victory Garden in Chicago, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and First Stage Children’s Theater in Milwaukee, and six seasons with Peninsula Players, where he also served as development director. Kopischke also organized and produced the initial editions of The Big Read Door County.

He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from American Conservatory Theater and last year completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at Harvard Business School.

“I am so excited to be working with TAP,” Kopischke says. “I’ve been impressed for a long time with the work they’re doing and am an admirer of their program development, especially the program they’re building for students. I’m also a great admirer of their black box theater program and the unique quality of its offerings, that are vital to Sturgeon Bay and Door County.”

James Valcq, co-artistic director of TAP, says, “Alan brings to the board a lifetime of experience in the theater, as well as years of experience as an arts administrator for a number of organizations. We are genuinely excited to have him with us!”

Rogue Theater

Stuart Champeau and Lola DeVillers, Rogue Theater’s managing director and business manager, respectively, have announced that they have been granted 501c3 status and have, for the first time, appointed a board of directors. They include: Orie Milton, chairman; Chris Weidenbacher, vice chairman; Chris Milton, secretary; David Clowers, treasurer; and Henry Timm.

Door Shakespeare

Sam Perlman, vice president of the Door Shakespeare Board. Submitted photo.

Gary Buerstatte and Sam Perlman, both current members of the Door Shakespeare Board, have been named president and vice president, respectively.

“It is nice to have them step into leadership roles and use their skills in two ways,” says Amy Ludwigsen, executive director. Phillip B. Arnold, DO, of Ministry Healthcare is a new member on the board of directors.

“We are so excited to have him on board because he is a proud Lawrence alum,” Ludwigsen says.

Door Shakespeare performs in the garden of Björklunden, the former estate of the Boynton family, now owned by Lawrence University.

Birch Creek

Mona Christensen, executive director of Birch Creek Music Performance Center. Submitted photo.

Birch Creek’s Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Mona Christensen of Jacksonport as the new executive director of Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

“We are delighted to welcome Mona,” says Barbara Flint, board president. “She has proven leadership skills as a director of arts and enrichment programs for children and adults, as well as a stellar track record in developing creative people in a collaborative team environment. A musician with a passion for music education, she has long admired Birch Creek’s mission and is already actively involved in many aspects of Door County community life.”

Christensen has served as director of camps and conferences, marketing and technology supervisor and Learning in Retirement advisor at UW-Green Bay. She was responsible for the development and delivery of an array of camps for youths in grades 6-12 and a variety of adult programs. She managed a staff of more than 100 to implement all aspects of the UW-Green Bay summer youth camps and also coordinated an extension program for private lessons that enlisted more than 40 teachers and 200 students.

Christensen also served for five years as ministries director for Bayside Christian Fellowship, a church with 3,000 attendees, where she had fiscal and administrative responsibilities for several ministries and was the co-developer of a fundraising program for nonprofit organizations. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in music and administration, serves on the UW-Green Bay Founders Board of Directors and has served as a grant reviewer for the Wisconsin Arts Board. She is active in the Door of Life Church in Sister Bay, is a member of Sounds of Silver community flute choir in Green Bay, has participated in foreign missions to Myanmar and India, and is a volunteer baker for the Jacksonport Women’s Club.

“I am so excited to be a part of the Birch Creek family and its traditions,” Christensen says. “Its breadth of music training and programming reaches all over he country and beyond. I look forward to an exciting future with the Birch Creek organization, including its board, students, faculty, volunteers, donors and concert goers.”

Casey Cangelosi, composer-in-residence for the percussion and steel band session at Birch Creek Music Performance Center. Submitted photo.

Casey Cangelosi, a music instructor at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, has been named composer-in-residence for the percussion and steel band session during Birch Creek’s 2015 season. Described as a marimbist of magisterial power and insight, he has been commissioned for more than 20 compositions in the past four years.

At Birch Creek, he will present a recital for students, perform in the faculty ensemble and give a series of master classes on composition, creativity and professionalism.

Island Players

Howard Scott, president of Island Players, reports that the troupe will be presenting an original play in May, written by Donna Russell, based on love letters from the 1920s and 1930s she found in a locked trunk. Donna has a long connection with Washington Island. The play will be directed by David Ranney.

Craig Litterio, a newcomer to the island, is the newest member of the Island Players board.