Leadership Staff
Scott Michaels
Artistic Director
Scott Michaels
Artistic Director
Scott Michaels
Scott became the Artistic Director of Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in 2008 and the first full-time Artistic Director in 2010 after the organization became a nonprofit. Prior to that, Scott spent 12 Wagon Wheel Professional Theatre seasons as resident Choreographer and Director on nearly 100 productions. During that time he also spent 4 years as the resident Director/Choreographer of the Armory Theatre in Janesville, Wisconsin. Scott’s work on Cats at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin won USA Today’s award for Best High School Musical in the country for 2008. Scott spent 2 years as an adjunct faculty member at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL as the Musical Theatre Dance Teacher. He has more than 25 years of performing experience from Chicago to Regional theatre and has performed all over the country and Japan during a 2-year tour as a backup singer for Perry Como. Scott continues to work with high schools and colleges all over the Midwest directing, choreographing, and teaching countless workshops and master classes as a part of his professional development.
As Artistic Director, Scott single-handedly completes the annual audition tour for casting the Summer Season. Scott tours several states and colleges throughout the nation each year, seeing more than 2,000 individuals for the 30+ summer company. Scott directs and choreographs several Professional and youth shows a year including choreographing the Wagon Wheel Junior musicals, a program he founded alongside his wife and creative partner Jennifer Dow. As an accomplished choreographer, Scott embodies the Wagon Wheel’s mission of educational opportunities by providing the professional actors he hires with the experience of dance captain and often equips young professionals with the chance to choreograph numbers within a production too.
Scott celebrated his 25th year at the Wagon Wheel in 2021, the first season back after the pandemic shuttered the theatre for more than a year. In those 25 years, Scott has dedicated his creative power, energy, and his resources to improving the Wagon Wheel’s creative excellence and service to the community and the artists that call Wagon Wheel home.
Jen Dow
Managing Director
Jen Dow
Managing Director
Jennifer Dow
Jennifer Dow started her career at the Wagon Wheel in 1999 as a performer, became the resident wig designer in 2009, and the wearer-of-many-hats for the theatre in 2012. She was hired full-time as a Creative Staff member in 2015 and promoted to her long-held role as Associate Artistic Director in 2022. After receiving her BFA in Music Theatre from Millikin University, Jennifer quickly found her creative home at Wagon Wheel Theatre. She lived and worked professionally as a performer in Chicago’s regional theaters while returning every summer to Warsaw. In 2012, she and her husband, Artistic Director Scott Michaels, moved to Warsaw as the Wagon Wheel began operating year-round as a non-profit. Together they launched the Wagon Wheel Junior program, producing three professional-quality shows for young audiences each “off” season. She also taught voice lessons locally for four years before joining the staff full-time. Among her many duties, she has served as Wagon Wheel Professional Theatre’s housing coordinator since 2010, finding homes-away-from-home for more than 60 company members each season.
In 2025, Jennifer stepped into the role of Managing Director, joining Scott Michaels, Kira Lace Hawkins, and Holly Lantz as part of the theatre’s new Executive Leadership Team. She is excited to take on this new chapter of leadership, learning even more about the organization while continuing to nurture its growth and sustainability.
With more than 25 years of professional experience, Jennifer’s background spans performance, wigs, make-up, costuming, props, stage management, administration, education, web development, and graphic design. She has performed in over 100 Wagon Wheel productions, with favorite roles including Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Louise in Always, Patsy Cline, Frau Blücher in Young Frankenstein, Suzy in Marvelous Wonderettes, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Gertrude in Seussical, and Nellie in South Pacific. Other regional credits include Cats (Rumpleteaser) at the Marriott Lincolnshire, Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Water Tower, Jekyll & Hyde (Emma) at Pheasant Run, and three seasons as a singer with the Rockettes in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, touring nationally and in Canada.
Jennifer continues her artistic contributions as wig designer and occasional performer while serving as Managing Director. The Wagon Wheel represents a culture of theatre built on compassion, collaboration, creativity, and ingenuity — values that make it her artistic home.
Kira Lace Hawkins, MFA
Outreach & Education Director
Kira Lace Hawkins, MFA
Outreach & Education Director
Kira Lace Hawkins, MFA
Kira Lace Hawkins brings over 18 years of experience in arts education to the Wagon Wheel. After receiving a BA in music and a BA in theater from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, Kira went on to direct, music direct, and perform professionally at numerous theaters including the highly acclaimed Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. She then attended Penn State University where she received her Master of Fine Arts in Acting. Kira returned to her alma mater St. Olaf to serve as an Adjunct Professor for one year while performing professionally in Minneapolis. Since moving to Indiana, Kira served as Director and Lecturer of Theater at Manchester University for five years and also taught courses at Grace College and Ivy Tech Community College. She has been a member of the Wagon Wheel family since 2007 performing in over 50 Wagon Wheel Professional Theatre productions, leading summer workshops, teaching acting classes, and directing several Wagon Wheel Junior productions. Favorite roles on the Wagon Wheel stage include Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County, Diana in Next to Normal, Donna in Mamma Mia!, The Witch in Into the Woods, Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins and Paulette in Legally Blonde. She was named Education Director fall of 2021 and is working with her talented colleagues to develop Wagon Wheel Conservatory into a premiere arts education institution for our community. Kira is passionate about sharing her knowledge, experience, and artistry with students from the community. She is thankful to work with top-notch Musical Theatre artists onstage and off in the summer and holiday seasons and perform for audiences throughout the year. She continues to develop as an educator and artist to bring the absolute best she can to this community through Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts.
Jeff Price
Finance Director
Jeff Price
Finance Director
Jeff Price
Jeff Price is a numbers guy whose passion is making finance simple for people who don’t like numbers. He served as an Air Force Finance/Budget Officer for 6 years. After leaving active duty in 2016, Jeff and his family moved to Warsaw for a similar role at DePuy Synthes. He’s worked in various finance, pricing, and business leadership roles ever since.
Motivated to help people in need, Jeff has donated his time via personal finance education, Junior Achievement instruction, and non-profit roles to include President/Treasurer for the Greater Warsaw Cooperative Preschool. He hopes to enable the creative minds of Wagon Wheel to dream big by taking the mystery out of money.
Jeff’s personal link to Wagon Wheel is through the improv comedy group, Everyone’s Tiffany. He joined in 2018 after taking improv classes at the theater and has been performing locally with the group ever since! He’s since assisted with both youth and adult improv classes at the Conservatory. If you want some laughs, there’s typically an improv show every month in downtown Warsaw. Go check them out!
Operations & Artistic Staff
Thomas Hall, MM
Music Director
Thomas Hall, MM
Music Director
Thomas Hall, MM
Thomas Hall joined the Wagon Wheel family in 2021 as a music director and voice teacher. He holds a B.A. in Music and Church Music from Indiana Wesleyan University, an M.M. in Voice Performance from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and is currently working towards a D.A. in Voice Performance at Ball State University. Thomas has been a music director, performer, pit musician, and educator since 2003 and has been a music director for nearly 35 productions across community, educational, and professional theatre settings.
Litsa Vlahos
Production Stage Manager
Litsa Vlahos
Production Stage Manager
Litsa Vlahos
Litsa has always had a love for theatre from a young age. Born and raised in Queens, New York with her Big Fat Greek Family, she was lucky to grow up surrounded by the arts. From her first time Stage Managing a show in the 7th grade, she knew this was something that she loved to do. She expanded her technical theatre background in High School where she learned about lighting, sound, set building and stage management. Litsa then went on to be the only person to hold a degree in Multidisciplinary Stage Management from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. In 2018, Litsa found her way to the Wagon Wheel for the first time, where she was the Production Stage Manager for the latter half of the summer season and the encore show, where she caught the summer stock bug. In 2021, post-Covid, Litsa reached out to Scott Michaels when the summer season was announced, and she hasn’t missed a professional show since. Litsa is thrilled to join the full-time team and to work on shows from all spokes of the Wheel. Some of her favorite shows she’s worked on at the Wheel include Bridges of Madison County, Beauty and the Beast, Smokey Joe’s Café, Always… Patsy Cline, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
D.J. Reed
Costume Shop Manager
D.J. Reed
Costume Shop Manager
D.J. Reed
D.J. is relatively new to the Wagon Wheel family. Starting as the costume shop manager in 2025, he relocated from the Chicago area to become part of the full time staff. After graduating from Ball State University he moved to Chicago and worked his way from a stagehand to shop manager. While there, we worked with Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, and the Paramount, to name a few.
Although the culture here in Warsaw may be slightly different, the passion and production quality the Wagon Wheel brings to their stage is equal to the theatre in any metropolitan city. Which is why it wasn’t a difficult decision to become part of this outstanding group of theatre makers. A group who all lead with the initiative to create beautiful art for their community. Also growing up not too far from here, he has been able to share his art with some of his friends and family for the first time.
“Theatre is a safe place where EVERYONE is welcome. Where they can sit back and escape their lives for two and half hours– to be whisked away to an enchanted castle or a fifties sock-hop and be a part of a once in lifetime experience. I’m honored to share my talents and make that experience unforgettable.”
Ben Culp
Audio Engineer
Ben Culp
Audio Engineer
Ben Culp
Ben Culp came to Wagon Wheel from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas. Wagon Wheel was his first professional theatre job over the summer of 2023. After coming back for A Christmas Carol later that same year, he then accepted a year-round staff position beginning with the 2024 professional season.
Carrie Vrabel, MLS
Development Coordinator
Carrie Vrabel, MLS
Development Coordinator
Carrie Vrabel, MLS
Carrie Vrabel grew up in Warsaw and spent her childhood videotaping each week’s episode of Saturday Night Live and transcribing her favorite sketches into scripts that she would then force her friends to act out with her. As a kid she was cast as Dagmar in a Warsaw Civic Theatre production of I Remember Mama and officially fell in love with the performing arts. She received her B.A. in English and master’s degree in library science from Indiana University. She also completed the Comedy Writing program at Second City Chicago and wrote and directed short films that were selected for the Indianapolis International Film Festival, the Comedic Shorts Program at the Midwest Independent Film Festival, and the Hobnobben Film Festival.
Sarah Anne Pfenning
Front of House and Administrative Manager
Sarah Anne Pfenning
Front of House and Administrative Manager
Sarah Anne
Her love for theatre began in 2016 after seeing Wicked at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend, but it truly took off a year later when she and her wife attended Wagon Wheel’s productions of Young Frankenstein and Next to Normal. They instantly became season subscribers. Sarah Anne officially joined the Wagon Wheel team in 2018 and even celebrated her wedding at the theater in 2019.
Sarah Anne loves working Front of House and can’t imagine being anywhere else. Fun fact: she has worked at Wagon Wheel during all three productions of Elf the Musical, her all-time favorite show. Wagon Wheel always seems to call her home, and she’s grateful to once again be part of the magic—this time embracing all the behind-the-scenes administrative work she secretly loves.
At home, Sarah Anne is happily outnumbered by four cats and a three-legged dog, who are without question the real stars of the show.
Sam Engle, MEd
Communications & Donor Relations Coordinator
Sam Engle, MEd
Communications & Donor Relations Coordinator
Sam Engle, MEd
A fourth-generation Warsaw native, Sam saw his first Wagon Wheel production, A Year with Frog and Toad, at seven years old, directed by the late, great Roy Hine. Growing up in the Indiana countryside, he was inspired by performers like Tony Bennett, Julie Andrews, Nat King Cole, Céline Dion, and Linda Ronstadt, whose artistry ignited his passion for transformative storytelling through live entertainment.
Sam holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Theatre Pedagogy from Southeastern Oklahoma University and a B.S. in Strategic Communications and Public Relations from Indiana Wesleyan University. After several years with The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, he returned home to Wagon Wheel, driven by the belief that live theatre can transform hearts, unite communities, and launch the next generation of world-changing storytellers.
Ian B. Connor
Broadway 360 Program Director & Lead Instructor
Ian B. Connor
Broadway 360 Program Director & Lead Instructor
Ian B. Connor
Ian B. Connor, originally from Kosciusko County, is a NYC-based actor, director, choreographer, and multidisciplinary creative working across theatre and television. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance and has over 15 years of professional theatre experience nationally, including performing at various regional theaters, summer stocks, and theme parks, as well as production work Off-Broadway, with Broadway in Chicago, and at the Curve Theatre in London. A passionate arts educator, Ian teaches and has launched a variety of classes for Wagon Wheel Conservatory and is the founding Program Director and Lead Instructor of Broadway 360, Wagon Wheel’s year-round pre-professional training program for local Broadway-bound teens. Known for his ability to identify and develop emerging talent, he has served on casting teams for Star Search, America’s Got Talent, Building the Band, and American Idol. At Wagon Wheel, Ian has appeared in Miracle on 34th Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Elf the Musical, Footloose, and Anything Goes.
Dr. Jason Luke Thompson
Symphony of the Lakes Music Director
Dr. Jason Thompson
Symphony of the Lakes Music Director
Dr. Jason Luke Thompson
Jason is a dynamic and engaging conductor whose diverse passions include early music, orchestral masterworks, and symphonic pops. He was recently appointed principal conductor and director of the Symphony of the Lakes. He is a professor of music at Indiana Wesleyan University where he has been on faculty since 2006. At IWU, he conducts the orchestra, opera theatre, and early music ensemble; he also teaches violin, viola, and music history. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science in Violin Performance and Conducting from Indiana University, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and a Doctor of Music in Early Music Ensemble Direction from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Our Board
The Wagon Wheel’s volunteer board of directors includes professionals from fields of business, education, finance, and marketing and all members make annual financial contributions. For the past year, the board has been involved in completing a financial audit, updating and writing board policies and procedures (specifically in finance and governance), and has worked on the creation of the organization’s three-year strategic plan.
Sea Grandon, JD
Board President
Sea Grandon, JD
Board President
Sea Grandon, JD
Contemporary Art Advisor, Attorney & Director of Atelier
Sea Grandon is a contemporary art advisor, attorney, and director of Atelier art gallery located in downtown Warsaw. Sea has an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Sea has been working in the art market for nine years, advising clients on investment-grade art collections. Her clients live throughout the United States, and her work takes her to galleries, museums, and art fairs around the world. Sea is a longtime patron and supporter of Wagon Wheel Center of the Arts. Two of Sea’s four children participated in many Wagon Wheel Jr productions. Most recently her daughter Cordelia played Louisa in the WWCA production of The Sound of Music.
Heather Reichenbach
Board Vice President
Heather Reichenbach
Board Vice President
Heather Reichenbach
Heather Reichenbach is a dedicated advocate for quality education and thriving communities. Since moving to Warsaw in 2007, she and her family have been actively engaged with Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, both as participants and as generous donors and Director’s Club members.
A former history teacher, Heather holds a Master of Public Administration and Policy from American University. She has served as Board President of Warsaw Community Schools for the past decade, providing steady leadership and a focus on student success. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Indiana School Boards Association, where she advocates for practical, well-resourced education policy, and on the Executive Board of Bluffton University’s Board of Trustees, where she has helped guide the institution through complex challenges while strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
Heather brings a proven record of leadership in governance, fiscal oversight, and strategic innovation across both public and nonprofit sectors. Known for her ability to build relationships and bring people together, she is committed to supporting Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts’ continued growth and impact.
Aubrey Yates
Treasurer
Aubrey Rife
Treasurer
Aubrey Yates
Aubrey Yates is the president of Tranzstar Transportation & Warehousing in Warsaw, IN. Aubrey was born and raised in Warsaw and graduated from Warsaw High School. After attending college at Purdue University, she returned home to help with her family’s farming and trucking businesses.
Aubrey has a son and a daughter that are both currently students at Purdue University. She spends a lot of her free time around Winona Lake, which she calls home. Her current goals and interests are focused on improving the quality of life for those living in this community, and educating its young people. Aubrey is currently the Treasurer for Kedco and the Vice President for Junior Achievement in our area.
Melissa Jordan
Secretary
Melissa Jordan
Secretary
Melissa Jordan
Melissa Jordan attended Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she studied Literature and Drama. She is currently employed as the office manager and X-ray technician at Legacy Family Chiropractic. Melissa has been personally involved with Wagon Wheel Center for The Arts since the inception of Center Street Community Theatre (now known as Wagon Wheel Community Theatre) in 2014 and through her daughter’s participation in Wagon Wheel Junior. Melissa is passionate about fostering an appreciation for the arts and bringing individuals in our community together by providing opportunities for adults and youth to get involved and grow. Melissa believes live theatre can help develop empathy and compassion whether one is an audience member or participating in the show as an actor or crew member. She is committed to strengthening the public reach and community relationships of the Wagon Wheel Center for The Arts.
Brooke Friedberg
Member
Brooke Friedberg
Member
Brooke Friedberg
Brooke is honored to serve as a board member for Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, a place that has played such a meaningful role in her family’s life. Through their involvement in Wagon Wheel productions, her children were supported by a staff that invests wholeheartedly in young people. She is passionate about giving back and helping the organization thrive.
She currently serves as Talent Director at OrthoWorx where she focuses on connecting students and adults to orthopedic careers. In addition to her professional role, she is the owner of Fizz Pop Vending where she resists eating all of the Kit-Kats while stocking her machines. Brooke’s academic journey includes graduating from Taylor University and pursuing graduate studies in applied linguistics at Butler University. She lives out her passion for language learning by teaching Adult English Language Learners.
A dedicated community advocate, she also serves on the boards of the Warsaw Education Foundation, Alliance for Thriving Families, and Childcare Bridge. Her commitment to supporting families extends into her personal life, where she is a foster and adoptive mom. She and her husband Ben have four children, Grace, Avery, Nate and Dennis.
Outside of her professional work, she enjoys writing comedy, learning Spanish, dancing at the YMCA, and finding creative ways to fly her family all over the world using airline points.
Kirsten Hollar
Member
Kirsten Hollar
Member
Kirsten Hollar
Kirsten Hollar is a Kentucky native and graduated from Butler University with a Masters in School Counseling in 2020. She and her husband Bennett moved to Warsaw in 2021. After moving to the area, Kirsten worked at Edgewood Middle School as a counselor until she had her daughter, Clara (2). She now spends her time raising Clara and serving within the community. As a CASA, Kirsten volunteers to support vulnerable children and the health of families. Kirsten also serves and attends Mission Point Community Church. You can find their family out on Winona Lake in the summer skiing and surfing. Their family also loves supporting Wagon Wheel and believes the round theater makes our little town so special and unique!
Emily Illingworth Kosnik
Member
Emily Illingworth Kosnik
Member
Emily Illingworth Kosnik
Emily graduated from the University of Arizona in 2010 with a degree in Sociology, Communications and Religious Studies. After graduation she was hired into the Management trainee program at Toyota Motor Sales North America in Los Angeles and was then promoted and relocated to the Central Atlantic regional office in Baltimore, MD where she covered territories in Richmond Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, etc. Her last position with the company was as District Sales Manager covering Pittsburgh, PA. Emily and her husband moved to Winona Lake in January of 2017 and a year later they purchased ownership in her family business, Toyota of Warsaw. Emily is now the General Manager and minority owner. Emily has served on the Wagon Wheel Board of Directors since July of 2018. As a board member, she has served as the chair of the development committee and co-chair of the executive director search committee. Emily was named Board President in January 2022. In addition to being board president, Emily is a Director Club Member and donor, and her business is a summer season show sponsor. Her family has been spending the summers in Winona Lake since 1926, a tradition her parents continued. “I believe in the mission of the Wagon Wheel and choose to financially support its mission for many reasons. It is vital that the talented and experienced artists and musicians are able to continue serving and inspiring the youth of Northern Indiana. I firmly believe that generations to come will thank us for nurturing and investing in life changing, quality, live theatre, and arts programming.” Emily and her husband, Christopher, live in Winona Lake with her stepson Paxton and son Rusch along with a Great Dane ,Dolly and Husky Poodle Mix, Blue.
Bud Loprest
Member
Bud Loprest
Member
Bud Loprest
A native of Glenview, Illinois, Frank (Bud) Robert Loprest attended Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. Following graduation, Mr. Loprest began his career working in various technical and sales roles in the metal powders industry. In 1984, Mr. Loprest earned his MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and in 1990 joined Alcan-Toyo America, Inc. as the Midwest Sales Manager rising from there to Vice-President Sales and Marketing and ultimately to President in 2008. Mr. Loprest retired in June, 2024 as President and Chairman of the Board of Toyal America, Inc. In addition to his primary responsibilities, Mr. Loprest has also held positions as the Chairman of the Powder and Paste Division of the Aluminum Association and was active with both the Miami University Volunteer Recruitment Network and the Turnaround Management Association in Chicago.
Mr. Loprest currently resides in Deerfield, Illinois with his wife, Kim, a graduate of Purdue University and the Lindenwood Colleges (MFA Art Therapy) and has two grown adult children; Kate, an alumnus of the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre program and currently an actress living in New York City and Christy, an undergraduate alumnus of Indiana University and Masters degree holder from St. Xavier with a degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Christy and her husband, Matt, also an IU graduate, presently employed with Ernst and Young, reside in Westfield, Indiana with two young children, Juliette and James.
Travis J. McConnell, JD
Member
Travis J. McConnell, JD
Member
Travis J. McConnell, JD
Travis J. McConnell is blessed to have the support of his loving wife first and foremost and is a father to two children. He is an attorney and community advocate based in Warsaw, Indiana, where he serves clients across Indiana and Florida. Founder of the Law Office of Travis J. McConnell, he focuses on personal injury and criminal defense. His office also serves with immigration, social security disability, and other matters. Raised in northeast Indiana as the eldest of nine children. He graduated from Butler University and went on to earn his law degree and is licensed to practice in both Florida and Indiana, maintaining a practice in each. Beyond the courtroom, Travis is deeply invested in strengthening his community. He has been active across multiple local boards and initiatives. Travis also serves in ministry, preaching once a month at Eel River Church of the Brethren.
As a small-business owner in downtown Warsaw, Travis also contributes to downtown revitalization efforts, blending his entrepreneurial spirit with his commitment to community well-being.
At the heart of his efforts is the belief that everyone deserves to be heard, informed, and championed. Whether advocating in court, serving on a nonprofit board, or supporting local initiatives, he works to build a more fair, inclusive, and connected Warsaw.
Jamie Plack
Member
Jamie Plack
Member
Jamie Plack
Jamie Plack is a full-time photographer and educator operating Jamie Plack Photography, where she specializes in senior portraits, headshots, and brand photography, as well as families and newborns.
She holds a degree in communications with a minor in journalism from Grace College and began her career in a newsroom, where she earned multiple Associated Press awards. In 2023, she was inducted into Senior Style Guide’s Hall of Fame for senior photographers, recognizing her impact and leadership within the industry.
Jamie and her husband, Chris, live in Warsaw with their twins, Sullivan and Charlotte. She is honored to serve on the board of the Wagon Wheel Theatre, supporting its mission, educational initiatives, and commitment to producing high-quality live theatre for northern Indiana.
Dr. Julia Porter
Member
Dr. Julia Porter
Member
Julia Porter
Dr. Julia Porter has been an educator for over 22 years and currently is an adjunct professor, writer, and researcher. After moving to Warsaw in 2008, Julia has been very involved in the community and currently is the Washington STEM Academy PTO President. Julia is also the cohost of a podcast surrounding grief and loss called Moving Forward with Mia and Julia. She holds a BS in English Education from Indiana University, an MA in English Literature from Brooklyn College, and a PhD in Global Leadership from Indiana Tech. Julia and her family love the Wagon Wheel and have been subscription holders for many years. Supporting the arts is important to both Julia and her family and she is excited to be serving Wagon Wheel.
Dr. Mitch Reinholt
Member
Dr. Mitch Reinholt
Member
Mitch Reinholt
Mitchell Reinholt is an optometrist and business owner at Reinholt & Thallemer Eye Care Associates.
He graduated from Warsaw Community High School in 2006 before moving to Bloomington to complete his undergraduate work at Indiana University. He then went on to attend and graduate from Indiana University School of Optometry in May 2013, where he was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Society. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association and the Indiana Optometric Association. In addition to serving on the WWCA board, he is a member of the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
While not at the office, Dr. Reinholt spends most of his time with his family. He and his wife Lindsay have two children (Winter and Archer) and are members at Warsaw Community Church. They enjoy sports, traveling, cooking, and playing family games.
David Schlumpf
Member
David Schlumpf
Member
David Schlumpf
David has been a professional actor and director for over 25 years. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a specialization in Musical Theatre from the University of Florida and a Masters of Fine Arts with a specialization in Acting from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of the Performing Arts. He has performed in countless musicals and plays in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Orlando, one US national tour, and internationally in Greece and Italy. David first performed as an actor at WWCA in 2011 and since then, has performed and directed over 15 productions here. Between contracts over the years, David worked extensively as an event coordinator in New York City, for a qualitative research firm in Chicago, and then in sales in Washington, DC. He is honored to join the Board in WWCA’s 70th anniversary year and looks forward to applying the breadth of his institutional knowledge in and out of the arts towards the goal of ensuring the next seventy years are better than ever. David joins the Board with great encouragement from his husband, Jim and his son, Henry.
Emily Shipley
Member
Emily Shipley
Member
Emily Shipley
Emily Shipley is a lifelong Kosciusko County resident and a 1999 graduate of Grace College, where she earned a Bachelor of Communications. Her professional background includes a career in nonprofit work in Warsaw, which ultimately led her to her current role as Executive Director of the North Webster Community Center in North Webster.
Emily became involved with the North Webster–Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and has served as its President since 2022. She also serves on the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and is a member of the Physical Well-Being Committee for Live Well Kosciusko.
In addition to her community leadership, Emily has a passion for the arts and performed in two Wagon Wheel Community Theatre productions in 2021 and 2022.
Emily and her husband, David, live on Sechrist Lake in the Barbee Chain of Lakes. Together they have five children and enjoy spending time on the water and staying active outdoors.
Meghan Smith
Member
Meghan Smith
Member
Meghan Smith
Meghan Smith is a former journalist and editor who moved to the Warsaw/Winona Lake area in 2018. Since moving to the area, Meghan has held marketing and communications roles and is currently a member of the Knee Global Product Management team at Zimmer Biomet. She attended the University of Michigan for her undergraduate degree and holds post-graduate degrees from Northwestern University and Trinity College Dublin.
Since moving to the area, Meghan and her family have been involved in Wagon Wheel education programs, Wagon Wheel Junior and professional shows. As a board member, Meghan is committed to maintaining the incredible value that the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts brings to the community and is invested in helping uphold and progress the goals of the organization.
Board Purpose and Scope of Responsibilities
Board members are actively involved in organizational governance, are expected to attend monthly board meetings, participate in at least one board committee, and make a personal financial contribution that falls within the top three charitable organizations of the board members annually giving. Board members serve the organization by managing at least three donors or community partner relationships.
Wagon Wheel’s board of directors needs a variety of skills, with a strong emphasis on board candidates with accounting, human resource, legal, money management, and media expertise, as well as those connected to the local real estate and mortgage loan industry, education, labor, business, and cultural organization, and communities of color.
Join Our Board
Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is recruiting members to serve on the Board of Directors. The mission of WWCA is to provide performing arts experiences that create community unity, educational opportunity, and economic growth. Our vision is to preserve our legacy and create sustainable, affordable programs by becoming the region’s premier location for professional theatre, arts education, and community involvement. Board Members will work closely with the Leadership Staff to ensure the effective governance of the organization.
Applicants should be driven by the belief that they can make a difference in nurturing and investing in life-changing, quality, live theatre, music, and arts programming by using their diverse backgrounds. WWCA is seeking applicants with knowledge and skills in one or more of the following areas: leadership, business, law, audit and tax, human resources, finance, governance, strategic planning, partnership development, real estate, mortgage banking, government navigation, communications and marketing, economic development, entrepreneurship, and relationship networking.
All Board of Director members are volunteers.
Length of Term: One (1) and Three (3) year Terms – each director shall be eligible for re-election for not more than two subsequent terms.
Join Our Board
For additional information or to obtain a recruitment package and application, please fill out the below form.