Executive Director: Richard Kuranda (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| As Executive Director, Richard is tasked with running the show and trying to keep up with the amazingly talented staff, but his background allows him to do so with ease. Richard is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio, a former advocate for the United Nations, Universal Forum of Cultures, a card carrying member of the SDC, & DG. Before joining Raue Center, he was the Producing Director and Interim Artistic Director for the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. He was a senior administrator at The New School/ASDS for 5 years and oversaw the largest graduate degree granting program in the US. He is extremely proud of his collaboration with James Lipton, Bill Plympton and Romulus Linney. His film work is a permanent part of the MOMA Collection. He is a desperate piano student.Nickname:None that can be published. What Moves You:My daughter’s laughter. Super Power of Choice:Elastic Man. How Do You Eat Oreos: QUICKLY! I have 4 kids! Something Random: I once sunk a half court shot at Madison Square Garden. |
Producing Director: T.Paul Lowry (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| T. Paul is the newest member of Raue Center but certainly not the greenest! Most recently he was the Associate Producer at Long Wharf Theater and created the New Haven Theater Company. He also has immense experience in artistic and production management with The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Playwrights Horizons, Signature Theatre Company and several New York commercial theater productions.Nickname:Where to begin? T. Pain, T. Dog, T. Rex, T. Lo, Mr. T, and the list goes on … What Moves You:I enjoy new ideas, new artists and new stories. I’m particularly interested in anything that aims to engage the audience, especially a local audience. I feel that, like politics, all theater is local. Superhero power of choice:Mind reader. It would help a lot with my job. How I eat Oreos: Preferably with milk. Something Random: I was born in a small town in Arizona. |
Director of Major Gifts: Rebecca Strong Heisler (e-mail)
| In just six months Amy has made a lasting impression on Raue Center and the marketing department by redesigning internal process and improving the overall productivity of team members. She has taken Raue Center in a new, fresher direction with the launch of the 10th Anniversary Season marketing campaign at the start of the 2010-2011 season. Her past experience negotiating, planning and executing one of Infiniti’s largest promotional events for the central region allows Amy to seamlessly move from one project to the next while expanding and improving the community’s perception of Raue Center.Nickname:Ames, Famous Amos, Mimi, Malpica. What Moves You:Helping others understand the impact the arts have on our lives. Music. Photography. Super Power of Choice:Mind Control. How Do You Eat Oreos: Broken up in ice cream. Something Random: I ran the Chicago Marathon & have a student pilot license. |
Director of Volunteer Services and Special Events: Laurie Teator (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| Working for Raue Center for the last 6 years, Laurie wears many hats as the Director of Volunteer Services and Special Events. She recruits, manages and trains over 400 volunteers and interns for supplementation of all areas of the theatre, including front of house, special events, box office, tours and more. She’s also the “go-to” girl for the facilitation and execution of special events, concessions and talent hospitality.Nickname:LT. What Moves You:My family, entertaining, cooking and music. Super Power of Choice:Elasti-Girl. How Do You Eat Oreos: Dipped in milk. |
General Manager: Kate Wilford (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| Kate has been the General Manager since 2008 and does it all. She oversees and facilitates all educational programs, including Sage Studio workshops and Mission Imagination. This year she solely pre-sold 62% of Mission Imagination seats only 3 months into the season. She also manages the Visual Arts program, theatre rentals, programming, scheduling and the Box Office. There is nothing Kate can’t do – including singing! She received the Cary-Grove High School Choral Award in 2002.Nickname:Katy, Kate, Wilford, KW, TW. What Moves You:Singing, video and visual arts. Super Power of Choice:Teleportation/Hidden Super Strength. How Do You Eat Oreos: Frosting then cookie. Something Random: I can be bribed with junk food, ice cream, Diet Coke or cheese balls from The Cottage. I have been to 7 countries including Mexico, England (twice), Italy, France, Holland, Japan and China (for 3 weeks). |
Marketing and Development Manager: Melissa Thomfohrda (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| After helping several small businesses start-up through implementation of systems and procedures, consulting on product mix and services offered, establishing preliminary marketing campaigns and launching additional follow-up campaign, Melissa is a welcome addition to Raue Center as Marketing and Development Manager. In addition, she has gained extensive customer service experience while working for Valspar, Inc., Kelly Williamson, Inc. and Dawn’s Bread, Inc. These experiences allow Melissa to easily coordinate with the Director of Marketing and Director of Development to facilitate the day-to-day activities of both departments while continually forecasting process and system improvement and department growth.Nickname:Missa. What Moves You:Painting. Writing. Dancing. Music. Super Power of Choice:Ability to learn anything instantly. How Do You Oreos: Straight outta the box. Something Random: I used to be a pastry chef. I have four tattoos & live in Logan Square. |
Technical Manager: Chris Tumblin (e-mail)
Marketing and Development Coordinator: Alexandra McMillin (e-mail | show or hide bio)
Master Electrician: Steven Spera (e-mail)
| Alexandra comes to Raue Center after recently graduating from University of Iowa with a BBA in marketing. The experience she gained while working as the Director of Advertising for Digital Tour Bus, LLC. contributes directly to her role as Marketing Coordinator at Raue Center where she keeps everything in the marketing department moving efficiently.Nickname:XL What Moves You:Music in any shape or form. Dance especially ballet. Show tunes. Super Power of Choice:Mind Reader. How Do You Eat Oreos: Dunk them in milk and eat the whole thing at once. Something Random: I have a fear of balloons. |
Grants Coordinator: Alicia Regan (e-mail)
Staff Accountant: Justin Wellington (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| Justin started off as a young entrepreneur, owning a vending machine business at age 18. Continuing on this path, he graduated from NIU with a degree in management. In addition to working for Raue Center as the Staff Accountant, he also manages a medical office as well as manages the accounting work from another non-profit organization. His sense of humor, commitment and ability to juggle many different projects make him the perfect person to “pay the bills, count the cash and keep the lights on.”Nickname:JP, J-Dog What Moves You:I like visual art, especially paintings. I have a few favorite artists including Alfred Gockel, Anatole Krasnyansky, Alexander Chen and Igor Medvedev. Super Power of Choice:Invisibility. How Do You Eat Oreos: Dunk the Oreo in milk so it is so soft it practically melts in your mouth. Be careful though… if you leave it in the milk too long, then the milk gets to enjoy it instead of you. It is a very specific science. Something Random: When I was about 3 or 4 years old, I took my best shot at the performing arts but it didn’t work out. Only my closest friends/family will know what I am talking about.  |
Group Sales Coordinator: Jeanne Slater (e-mail | show or hide bio)
| Originally volunteering with Raue Center, Jeanne is now a Box Office Associate and Group Sales Coordinator. She makes the Box Office look easy with her extensive customer service experience as an information operator and supervisor at a telephone company, and teller and customer service representative for a bank. In addition to selling tickets at the Box Office, she also coordinates group sales and updates Raue Center’s marquee.What Moves You:Sewing, embroidery, gardening and cooking. Super Power of Choice:Superman. How Do You Eat Oreos:I usually split them and eat the half with the cream last!! Something Random: I can be found every Tuesday afternoon volunteering at my mom’s assisted living facility in the activity kitchen baking with the residents. |
Raue Center Mascot: Tovar (show or hide bio)
| Although Tovar has been living in the theatre for 10 years, he was just discovered by the staff in May 2010 at the Bob Blazier Run while sneaking cheese out of the green room. Since then Tovar has become Raue Center’s resident historian because of all the tales he has heard from his family who have called the theatre home since it was built in 1929. Tovar is the perfect ambassador for Raue Center because of his infectious smile and friendly wave. Nickname:Mickey, Tavor, Frank, T-Frank. What Moves You:Dancing in the street. Super Power of Choice:Flight. How Do You Eat Oreos: By looking both ways before sneaking a few from the pantry. Something Random: I have a blog on the Raue Center website called Tails From the Mouse. |
Box Office Staff:Elyse Krikorian,Nicole Millar, Kim Sherwood and Jeanne Slater (e-mail)
