Board of Directors

Jef Fisk, President joined Theatre in 1979. Jef has appeared in main stage productions as an actor/singer and, in one case, guitar player, has acted and sung in several workshop performances and has provided lighting and sound designs for many shows. Prior to his role on the Grosse Pointe Theatre Board of Directors, he served two years as the education chair on the Board and has produced many of the promotional videos during the last three years. Past GPT achievements include preparing the programs for two seasons (98/99 and 99/2000) and was a co-creator of “Act 1”, the precursor to “Youth On Stage”.

Professionally, Jef recently retired from his 15 year role as Chief Information Officer for Kaiser Aluminum, is a past president of The Society for Information Management and remains on the Board of that organization. Prior to his 36 year career in information technology, he spent a decade as a singer-songwriter, publishing six albums/CDs and three children’s collections. He continues to do occasional public performances, usually as a fund raiser for deserving non-profit organizations. Jef holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wayne State University and a Masters in Business Administration from State University.

Marie Boyle Reinman, Vice President has been a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre since 1981 and loves the people so much, she even married one!! She met her husband Tim when he was playing “Young Joe” in Damn Yankees. She is now proud mum to Connor and Mary, both pursuing careers in the arts. She has been on stage in many shows over the years, but has also directed, music & vocal directed, and costumed countless since joining. She is happiest though, when on stage singing. She had the pleasure of performing in a couple of touring productions and has had the honor of performing at Orchestra Hall with the DSO. She has served as House and Social Chair/Liaison on past boards for GPT.

Professionally, Marie has been a Registered Nurse for many years and has worked in a variety of clinical and administrative roles. For the past 9 years, she has worked as the Director of Heart & Vascular Services and Critical Care Nursing for Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe. She graduated from Nursing School in London Ontario, and received her BSN in the US from Chamberlain College. She has been a past board member for Services for Older Citizens, and is an active member of St. Paul on the Lake.

Marianne Casey, Treasurer joined Grosse Pointe Theatre in 1985. Preferring backstage activities, Marianne has served many shows as Producer, Costume Chair and Properties and Set Dressing and can usually be found helping on the Stage Crew, Properties Crew and/or Costume Crew. She has been elected Treasurer five times since 1989, has served as Secretary and as House Chair (managing the performance venue during shows).

Professionally, Marianne has been in banking since 1978, beginning as a Teller and working her way to management. Her current position is Retail Bank Product Manager for Comerica Bank. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration.

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Terri Turpin-Amato, Secretary has been a member of Grosse Pointe Theater since 1981. She has performed on stage in over 20 shows. Backstage she held a variety of positions including Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Sound Chair as well as working on stage crews, costume crews, prop/set dressing crews and several Youth On Stage productions. Her previous board positions include Membership Chair, Member at Large and has served on the nominating committee and play reading committee.

Professionally, Terri is the Promotion Manager at WDIV Local 4, starting at the station over 30 years ago as a producer. Prior to coming to WDIV, she had experience in advertising and at other television stations. Over her career she has earned several awards including Michigan’s Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, and Silver Caddy from the Creative Directors Council. She served twice on a station affiliate advisory marketing committee for the nationally syndicated “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” programs and was named “Outstanding Woman In Creative” by the American Women In Radio And Television. Terri holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Hope College.

Danielle Caralis, Member at Large has been a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre since 2002. She has appeared in over 15 shows, most frequently as a lead actor/singer/dancer. Backstage she has been an Assistant Director, Stage Manager & Producer. She has been an active member of the Grosse Pointe Theatre Board of Directors since 2010 filling roles as Secretary, Social Chair and Vice President.

Professionally, Danielle has worked in several finance-related positions including Operations Auditor, Credit Analyst, Business Analyst and Strategic Marketing Planner. She is currently a Assistant Vice President, Associate Relationship Manager for PNC Bank, NA. Danielle earned her Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Business) at Kalamazoo College, did a year of study in Greece on Greek Culture & History and completed her Masters in Business Administration (Strategic Management) at the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. She is also a member of The Detroit Economic Club Young Leaders Program and PNC Grow Up Great Detroit Market Team.

Emmajean Evans, Youth On Stage and Community Outreach Chair became a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre in 1972. Previous roles on the Board of Directors include Secretary, Membership Chair and two terms as President. Her participation in the theatrical activities of the group include Producer and Stage Manager assignments for many shows and several appearances as an actress. She has been Executive Producer of the youth program, Youth On Stage, providing theatrical experience for children from ages 9-15, since 2000. Her efforts go well beyond her chairmanship responsibilities, earning her Grosse Pointe Theatre’s “Worker of the Year” award twice.

Professionally, Emmajean is a retired Nuclear Medicine Technology Instructor, having been employed by Southeastern Michigan medical institutions Henry Ford Hospital and Detroit Memorial Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Sienna Heights University.

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Kevin Fitzhenry, Communications Chair has been a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre since 2009. His exceptional skills in digital and social media have added a new dimension to the organization which has attracted many younger members to the group. Since joining the group, he has had major responsibilities for sixteen of our main stage productions, including positions as Director, Stage Manager, Set Designer, Sound Designer, Producer and Actor/Singer/Dancer. He has also been very active in our member workshop program. He has also participated in theatrical productions with several other local theater groups.

Professionally, Kevin is Associate Director of Admissions at De La Salle Collegiate High School. Prior employment included various positions at Warrior Sports, Inc., The Detroit Red Wings and Rammler Golf Club. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Oakland University.

Jon Lechner, Membership Chair joined Grosse Pointe Theatre in 1976 while a Senior at Grosse Pointe South High School. Jon prefers to remain in the background of our productions serving on all crews including Producer, Makeup Chair, Prop and Set Dressing Chair and Asst. Stage Manager for many shows and had made several appearances as an actor. Jon has served three terms as GPT Board Secretary and currently serves as the Membership Chairperson.

Professionally, Jon has been in the healthcare arena since 1979 and currently is a Staff Development and Infection Control Director at Windemere Park Senior Community and Adjunct Nursing Faculty at Oakland Community College since 1992. He has held nursing leadership roles within Beaumont Health System, Visiting Nurse Association of , Amedisys Home Health and Hospice, Integrity Home Care and Metro Home Health Care. He is a Certified Healthcare Management Professional and Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse. Jon received his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Award in 1976. Jon serves as the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) College of Health Professions Alumni Board Representative to the UDM University Board.

Jon earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mercy College of Detroit, a Masters in Health Care Administration (MSA) from Central Michigan University and a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) from Canterbury University. Additional course work completed includes Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), HIV nursing, and nursing toward Ph.D.

Eric Leszczynski, Technical Chair has been a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre since 1995. Prior to his 9 year role as Technical Chair, Eric held Board positions President, Vice President and as chair for Set Design & Construction. Preferring offstage activities, he has provided Lighting Design for over 35 shows.

Professionally, Eric has held engineering positions for General Motors and, most recently, for Yazaki North America as a Senior Technical Specialist – Wire Development. He is the Chair of the US Technology Advisory Committee for the ISO Wire Committee and has been Chair of the ISO Wire Committee (WorldWide Wire Committee) and co-Chair of the SAE Wire and Cable Committee (US Wire Committee). Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

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Grosse Pointe Theatre Board of Directors - continued

Dale Pegg, Member at Large started his long career with Grosse Pointe Theatre in 1968. Prior to this Board assignment, he was President of the group for five terms, served as Technical Chair and chaired the Long Range Management Committee. He prefers backstage and administrative activities, acting as Lighting Designer, Producer and Sound Designer and technical support and serves as the group’s photographer. Dale has been honored with the Grosse Pointe Theatre “Worker of the Year” award three times.

Dale recently retired from a long career as an in-the-field news videographer, ending his working activities with Detroit’s Local Fox 2 News. During his career he was awarded with three Emmy’s, the Detroit Press Club Award, the Michigan Associated Press Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award. He is a member of the Grosse Pointe Men’s Garden Club and the Grosse Pointe Woods Tree Commission.

Theresa Selvaggio, Past President recently completed three years as President of Grosse Pointe Theatre. She has a long history on the group’s Board of Directors and was chair of the Long Range Planning Committee. Theresa joined the group in 1976 and has been a valuable member since, charming audiences in many on-stage roles, participating as Makeup Chair for several shows and helping backstage and administratively whenever needed.

Professionally, Theresa has been employed by Estee Lauder since 1978 and is currently a Regional Vice President. She has a long list of leadership credits, including Board positions with The Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Holley Ear Institute & Wayne County Council for the Arts; Chair positions for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation – Chicago fundraising, Gleaner’s Community Food Banks Women’s Power Breakfast, Fontbonne Auxiliary for St. John’s Hospital, VanEslander Cancer Center – corporate fundraising; and many other leadership positions. She was a keynote speaker at a Fashion Group International Career Day and was named “1995 Style Maker of the Year”. Theresa attended Wayne State University and executive programs at Vassar College, Aspen Institute and the Leonard A. Lauder Executive Symposium.

Arlene Schoenherr, Ticket Chair joined Grosse Pointe Theatre in 1970. Her theatrical activities have included many shows for which she acted as Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Makeup Chair, Set Dressing Chair and dancer/actress. During her tenure at Grosse Pointe Theatre, she has held leadership positions in over 70 of the group’s shows. In addition to her role as Ticket Chair, she coordinates our properties and makeup departments and has also participated in the group’s Long Range Planning Committee, Season Selection Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. She has also received Grosse Pointe Theatre’s “Worker of the Year” award.

Arlene has worked with several other local theater groups, including several local high school drama departments. Professionally, Arlene is a retired mathematics teacher, having taught at St. Raymond and Bishop Foley schools and continues to direct high school theatrical productions for local schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Marygrove College and a Masters degree in Mathematics Education from Wayne State University.

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