Andy Blacker
Andy Blacker is
proud to be involved with the Board of CUTC. Andy is
originally from the Monticello area and works for the University of
Illinois in Customer Relations and Communications. Although he got
a late start in theatre, he has jumped in with both feet. He
keeps busy both on stage and behind the scenes by helping with
construction, set designing and performing.
Gary Burgett
Gary has been on the board since 1997. He has two daughters
that have been in various CUTC productions. Gary is a local
architect and has his own office in Urbana.
Jason Cerezo
Jeffrey A. Chandler
Jeffrey has been involved with CUTC since he was 12 years old in the
Chorus of Hello Dolly!(1992) Many shows and years later,
Jeffrey currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors,
is Chairman of the Production Committees, and is beginning his
fourth year on the Board. Jeffrey directed The Sound of Music(2004),
Best Little Whorehouse in Texas(2005), and Once on this
Island(2007), with Little Shop of Horrors(2008) and
Jekyll and Hyde(2009) coming up, he also produces, makeup, hair
and costume designs with CUTC and throughout the community. Though
he no longer often pursues performing roles, Jeffrey’s most notable
role with CUTC was Horton in Seussical(2005). Jeffrey is an
Urbana High School alumnus and received a B.A. in Speech
Communication from the U of I. He pays the bills working in
Customer Service in Champaign.
Lauren Denofrio
Lauren is new to the Board and is excited to work with so many
talented people. She has been involved with CUTC as both an actor
and a producer. She teaches chemistry courses and directs the
R.E.A.C.T. Chemistry Outreach program at the University of Illinois.
Lauren is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Science Education.
Jon Dessen
Jim Dieker
Jim is
a Champaign attorney with Barbercheck & Associates, PC. He
originally got the theatre bug in 7th grade and was
heavily involved in productions through his senior year at
Centennial High School. After a 28 year break from the stage, Jim
joined CUTC in the summer of 2001 as Mayor Shinn in The Music
Man. To date, he hasn’t missed a CUTC non-student musical.
When he isn’t involved in show rehearsal or set building, he keeps
busy as a Boy Scout volunteer.
Leonard Doyle
Leonard
is one of the founding members of the theatre company and has served on the CUTC
Board since the beginning. He has been associated with the Virginia Theatre since 1947 from usher
to manager.
Even today you will see Leonard as Front of the House Greeter for
most all events.
Retired from Jewel grocery after 33
years, he is currently employed with Mass Transit District at the
Illinois Terminal Building with Customer Service for the past 15
years. He is also on staff with Owens Funeral Home.
In his off time, Leonard has volunteered with the Champaign County ESDA program for 8 years,
spent 33 years as a volunteer on the Champaign County 4th of July
Celebration and was president in 1976, is a member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, serving
at the local and state level, worked with the Champaign Convention Bureau bringing
activities and meetings to the area 6 years.
Married to Loretto for 55+ years, they have 5 daughters, 14
grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Patty Duddley
Diane
Pritchard
Diane has been involved in
CUTC since 1994. She has performed in many shows, and has
worked backstage as stage crew, make-up crew, and props chair
and crew. In 1999, Diane assumed the role of Business Chair for
the CUTC Seven Corpse Dinner Murder Mysteries and is responsible
for making contacts and securing contracts for private murder
mystery events and for arranging the spring and fall murder
mystery series which is open to the public. Diane works as the
Office Manager at Robeson Elementary School in Champaign.
Todd Salen
Todd is in his first term on the CUTC board after spending his first
year behind the scenes. Recruited to help back stage with
Les Miserable, Todd has volunteered to help in every show
since. He took a giant leap last summer, co-producing Beauty
and the Beast. "I love working with so many talented actors,
directors, musicians and all of the people that make these shows
work," said Salen, "I'm having so much fun helping others reach
their dreams of performing and entertaining." Todd is
involved in several community activities including Big Brother/Big Sister,
Empty Tomb, the Urbana Sweetcorn Festival and the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes. He also is a real estate broker with Ramshaw Real Estate.
Scott Drone-Silvers
Mary Claire Smith
Mary Claire was the
second employee of the UI Assembly Hall working there 38 years and
retiring as an Administrative Aide to the Director. She has been a
life-long fan of live theatre and would be a musical comedy star
except that she doesn't sing, act or dance.
She has been involved
in almost every CUTC production since 1995, working backstage at the
sound deck or in front-of house hospitality and has co-produced six
shows. Other activities include acting as teacher's helper at
Urbana's Leal School; volunteer coordinator for the Kiwanis
Challenger Baseball League; Provena Covenant Hospital Auxiliary, and
travel.
Bob Weber has been a board member since
1997 and an active member of the Theatre Company since 1993. He is
very busy behind the scenes of many of the shows designing sets,
building sets, stage managing, designing show lighting, and generally
helping out where he can. Bob retired after 32 yeas as a
materials engineer with the US Army Construction Engineering Research
Laboratory. He works as a part-time stage hand at the Assembly
Hall and The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts for road shows and various concerts. He has four grown
children and five grandchildren and a
very supportive wife of 40+ years.
Michael
Galloway
Mike has come to the CUTC from the
Cadillac Footlighters Theater Company where he was the Executive Director. The
Footlighters are in Cadillac, Michigan. He and his wife Wendy
and their Three children are very excited to be in Champaign-Urbana
working for the company.
