Michael previously served as Artistic Director for the inaugural season of Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place (2005) and at Theatre at the Center (1998-2004). He has also been a successful actor at venues including Ravinia, Chicago Shakespeare and Marriott Theatre, where he most recently appeared in For the Boys and White Christmas.

Weber’s directing credits include Fifth of July and Talley’s Folly at the Oak Park Festival Theatre, The Petrified Forest at Theatre at the Center, Over the River and Through the Woods at The Mercury Theater, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Pheasant Run Theatre, and Cirque du Symphony at Sears Center Arena.  His productions of Assassins at Porchlight Music Theatre, Grand Hotel at Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place and She Loves Me at Theatre at the Center were each nominated for a Jeff Award for Best Production-Musical and he has written and directed the past six Joseph Jefferson Awards ceremonies. Weber’s regional acting credits include Annie Get Your Gun and Gypsy (starring Patti LuPone) at Ravinia, Disney’s My Son Pinocchio at First Stage Milwaukee, Around the World in 80 Days at Cleveland Playhouse, The Winter’s Tale and Henry V at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, It Had To Be You (starring Cindy Williams and Eddie Mekka) at Little Theatre on the Square, Angel Street at First Folio Shakespeare, and The Gifts of the Magi at Indiana Repertory. Weber is author of the new play, WAR of the WELLeS.

Board of Directors - Biographies

Mary Kay Conley is honored to have served on Porchlight’s Board since 1998 (except for the 2007 fiscal year, but who's counting!?). Mary Kay received Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology and journalism from Bradley University and an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. She is currently Director of Labor Relations and Human Resources at the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad in northwest Indiana. Mary Kay served as Porchlight Board Secretary for several years and is currently Vice President/Secretary. She cannot live without chicken wings, her reading glasses and, of course, musical theatre.

Cheryl Coons is thrilled to join the Porchlight family, having long admired the organization.  Cheryl is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, where she teaches classes in musical theatre writing and serves on the board as a Playwright Representative.  She has co-written more than a dozen musicals, including River’s End (ASCAP Foundation Harold Arlen Musical Theatre Award, Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Awards for Original Script and Original Score, Theatre for the American Musical Award), At Wit’s End (Carbonell Award for Best New Work), Sylvia’s Real Good Advice (Joseph Jefferson Award for Best New Work), Female Problems  (After Dark Award for Best Music and Lyrics), and Phantom of the Country Opera, published by Music Theater International. She contributed lyrics to Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s productions of Merry Wives of Windsor and Measure for Measure. Her work has been produced on the stages of Northlight Theatre, the Marriott Theatre at Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace, Florida Stage, and Marin Theatre Company, and developed and showcased at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, the National Alliance of Musical Theatre's Festival of New Works, and the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), and the ASCAP/Disney Workshop.

Bill Crowther (Bio coming)

Bil Ingraham (Bio coming)

James Jensen has been working professionally in the theater as a Producer and General Manager for over thirty years. During that time he has been responsible for the production and management of over one hundred productions and concert attractions. Recently he was Co-Producer and General Manager of the Drury Lane Water Tower, and currently produces concerts and oversees all talent hiring for Drury Lane Oakbrook. Prior to that he was General Manager of the Royal George Theatre, where he co-produced the long-running Forever Plaid. He also general managed Angels in America and many other Chicago productions, co-produced the first Chicago production of Forbidden Broadway, and was Company Manager for the first national tours of Aspects of Love and Evita. He was a founding member, former board member and past Vice-President of the League of Chicago Theatres. He is on the Advisory Board of the Chicago Cabaret Professionals and is a member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers. A Northwestern graduate, he also teaches in the Theatre Management Program at the Theatre School at DePaul University.

Jeannie Lukow is a founding member of Porchlight and remembers fondly the early days of building the company with founder and friend Jill Moore. Over the years Jeannie has held nearly every non-artistic position at Porchlight: marketing director, grant writer, managing director, board member, and most recently, Board President. By day, Jeannie has spent the last 10 years as co-owner of Bespoke Cuisine, one of Chicago’s top boutique catering and cooking party businesses. At Bespoke she leads front-of-house operations, including event planning and menu development, as well as marketing. After graduating from Michigan State University, Jeannie launched a 15-year career in marketing communications, much of it spent with the National Association of Realtors, where she rose to the position of Managing Director of Marketing Communications. She is a world traveler, dog lover, and avid theatre goer.

Kathryn Michael is delighted to be advancing her favorite art form in her favorite city through her service to Porchlight. She joined the board in 2009 and currently chairs the Benefit Committee.  Kathryn received her BA in Greek from Wellesley College and is the Philanthropy Associate for Annual Giving at Northwestern Memorial Foundation. Over the years she has been known to run a social club for musical theatre fans and to occasionally sing at Davenport’s Cabaret and Piano Bar here in Chicago. These days Kathryn enjoys reading, running and learning to play the piano.

Rhoda Reeling is a founding board member of Porchlight. Rhoda was Vice President of Meeting Management at the National Association of Realtors.  Since she was bitten by the Porchlight bug, she never looked back!  In her early days on the board, Rhoda did everything from balancing the ($500 budget) checkbook to striking the sets.  She served as Board President from 1996 to 2006.  Under Rhoda’s leadership, Porchlight created a subscription program, developed a new works program ("Off the Porch"), authored its first five year Strategic Plan, implemented a committee structure and established an annual fundraising event. For eight years Rhoda chaired the Benefit/Fundraising committee that planned the annual fundraising events. Rhoda is also a board member at Storycatchers Theatre, a youth arts organization that prepares young people to make positive life choices through the process of writing, producing, and performing original musical theatre inspired by personal stories. Rhoda is not only active in the Chicago Arts community, but also in the Chicago political scene. She worked on several campaigns including Tammy Duckworth, John Kerry, and both the senatorial and presidential campaigns of Barack Obama. Rhoda is a graduate of DePaul University.

Ron Zoromski is a CPA and serves as Treasurer on the Porchlight board. He joined Porchlight through the Chicago Arts and Business Council's "On Board" program which prepares people for Non-Profit Board roles. Ron considers his position with Porchlight a great opportunity to give back to the community and experience a behind the scenes look at the preparation that goes into bringing a musical from the page to the stage. Ron has 30 years of Finance and Business experience and is presently Vice President of Finance and CFO for the Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. located in Waukegan, IL. Prior to joining Yaskawa, Ron worked for Siemens, Motorola and PriceWaterhouse. He holds an MBA in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and an accounting degree from the University of Notre Dame. Ron also serves on the board of the Chicago Chapter of Finance Executives International and heads up their Career Management Group. Ron is excited to be part a group of such talented and dedicated people

Greg Viti was born and raised in Highland Park, Illinois.  With a passion for enjoying theater, Greg was able to write articles about the Steppenwolf Theatre during their first year in existence for various local publications.  A twenty five year veteran of Real Estate sales, leasing and management, Greg has been a dynamic fundraiser throughout his career.  He became the chairman for Children’s Miracle Network where donations from his Real Estate company went from 3k a year to over 300k during his leadership.  In addition to his involvement with Porchlight, Greg is currently a Board Member for a Developmental Center in Oak Park. Greg is excited to be involved with such an amazing Theatre Company.  He is looking forward to building strong strategic business relationships between Porchlight and the wide range of contacts he has amassed over the years. 

Advisory Board

John Bucchino
New York, NY
Award winning Broadway and Film Composer/Lyricist

Brenda Didier
Kenosha, WI
Owner/Freelance Choreographer
Lincolnshire Academy of Dance

William Finn
New York, NY
Tony Award winning Composer/Lyricist

Patrick Lederer
Glencoe, IL
Partner
Korman-Lederer Realty 

Laura Lederer
Glencoe, IL
Vice President
IBM  

Jill Moore
Burbank, CA
Founder, Porchlight Music Theatre 

Rob Oberwise
North Barrington, IL
Owner/President Executive Partners

Maury Yeston
New York, NY
Tony Award winning Composer/Lyricist

Kristi Zimmermann
Chicago, IL
Vice President (Retired)
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Benefit Committee

 Christin Boulette
Kyle Burke
David Dorton
Jon Heuring
Jenn Kincaid
Elizabeth McKevitt Knollman
Linda Lyons
Kathryn Michael - Chair
Steve Multer
Mike Schuppe
Suzy Thomas

Finance Committee

Cheryl Coons
Bill Crowther
James Jensen
Jeannie Lukow
Rhoda Reeling
Mike Schuppe
Greg Viti
Michael Weber
Ron Zoromski - Chair

Marketing Committee

Danny Bernardo
Brianna Borger
Wm. Eric Bramlett
Dina DiCostanzo
Bil Ingraham – Chair
James Jensen
Jeannie Lukow
Brad McCormick
Mike Schuppe
Michael Weber