MICHIGAN CITY — The Dunes Arts Foundation (DAF), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which operates The Dunes Summer Theatre located at 288 Shady Oak Dr., Michigan City, IN, today announces the election of 5 new board members, as well as the election of officers.
New board members and officers include: Kathleen Dolio-Thorson, founder and President of KDT Designs, a full service interior design company for Fortune 500 companies and residential clients. Kathleen is past President of Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, Illinois chapter. A graduate of Marymount College, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies, Kathleen continued graduate studies at both Harvard and U.C.L.A. Kathleen will serve as the DAF’s Vice President.
Michael Johnstone is an experienced banking professional with 47 successful years encompassing both Retail and Commercial businesses in Detroit, Washington D. C., Houston. Minneapolis and Chicago. Retired from banking in March of 2017, Michael has spent over three decades serving on the boards of, and volunteering for, non-profit organizations, primarily addressing children at risk, including The March of Dimes and The Boys and Girls Club. Michael will serve as DAF Treasurer.
Holly Schroeder, born and raised in LaPorte, received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University. Holly has spent the last 30 years working as a professional actress, singer and writer in Chicago, Los Angeles and the Twin Cities. Her feature stories and interviews have been seen in publications across the country. Her work in education includes writing K-12 books for Warner Bros., Tighe Publishing, Mcgraw-Hill, Picture Window Books and television scripts for National Theatre for Children. Locally, she has taught acting and improvisation to children through Lubeznik Art Center. A Member-at-Large, Holly will help spearhead the DAF’s summer children’s and youth programs.
Born in Puerto Rico, Esteban Vargas grew up in New York City prior to moving to the Chicago/Michigan City area some 40 years ago. A former weatherman for the Army, Esteban served in the Vietnam War for eight years. After his military service, Esteban worked in the automotive industry in various capacities for over 40 years. He currently consults with small businesses in the automotive industry. Esteban has been a tireless volunteer for the Dunes Summer Theatre over the past summer. Esteban will serve on the board as a Member-at-Large.
Newly elected Member-at-Large, Sally Morse was born and raised in Michigan City and received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. Sally is experienced seamstress, who has supported any number of productions over the years, both in the US and overseas, including several of DAF's productions the past two years. Sally is also the inspiration for and, with her husband, the person who funded, the rebuild of DAF's cabins.
This new team joins returning President Amy Black, newly elected DAF Secretary Jim Morse, returning Artistic Director Jeffrey Baumgartner, and returning Member-at-Large Jordon Mellen.
Black said, “This past summer we cleaned, rehabbed and revitalized the fledgling Dunes Summer Theatre with the production of 6 plays and various events. We will continue our efforts to rebrand the Dunes Summer Theatre and assist in the community’s economic re-development efforts with an even more robust summer schedule next season. We’re excited to have elected such an experienced, diverse, and professional board that can help achieve the DAF mission.”
