Festival Arts of Antioch
Board of Directors
Kris Bolin
Kris Bolin has lived in Antioch for nearly 34 years. Kris taught music in the Antioch District 34 school system for 24 years. A few years ago She was ask to take over the duties as choral director for the FAA choir when Ralph Brook retired and has been conducting and sometimes singing with the group ever since.
Kris Bolin has lived in Antioch for nearly 34 years. Kris taught music in the Antioch District 34 school system for 24 years. A few years ago She was ask to take over the duties as choral director for the FAA choir when Ralph Brook retired and has been conducting and sometimes singing with the group ever since. Chris Kusher
Chris says that working on musicals and concerts is a welcome change of pace from her full-time career as a financial adviser. She has studied piano and music since the age of four. Chris has been the Music Director for many musicals directed by Ken Smouse: Guys and Dolls, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd at PM&L Theatre; The Triumph of Love and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at Memorial Hall in Richmond; Italian Opera for the Bowen Park Opera Company; and for Festival Arts of Antioch Side by Side by Sondheim and Broadway etc. at Maravelas in Fox Lake, and pianist for productions of Handel's Messiah.
Chris says that working on musicals and concerts is a welcome change of pace from her full-time career as a financial adviser. She has studied piano and music since the age of four. Chris has been the Music Director for many musicals directed by Ken Smouse: Guys and Dolls, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd at PM&L Theatre; The Triumph of Love and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown at Memorial Hall in Richmond; Italian Opera for the Bowen Park Opera Company; and for Festival Arts of Antioch Side by Side by Sondheim and Broadway etc. at Maravelas in Fox Lake, and pianist for productions of Handel's Messiah. Bill McGee
Bill is the Band President of the Lakes Area Community Band. Bill is also a member of and plays lead trumpet in the Lakes Area Swing Band.
Bill is the Band President of the Lakes Area Community Band. Bill is also a member of and plays lead trumpet in the Lakes Area Swing Band.
Debbie Morgan
Debbie maintains ties with her hometown through her involvement with Festival Arts. You'll find her working behind the scenes as the designer of all printed materials that promote our events to the community. Among her many artistic talents is her passion for glass blowing and bead making molten glass, now thats hot. Professionally, Debbie is a senior graphic designer working primarily in the packaging industry. And yes, you have probably seen a sample of her work on the shelves of your local retail and grocery stores. Rebecca (Becky) Reckamp
Becky has been a member of the Festival Arts of Antioch board for several years. She is responsible for organizing singers and picking out music for the smaller choirs representing the Community Chorus. These include the "Carolers" that have been singing at the Lakes Area Band Christmas Concert for the last 5 years. This group has also sung at other venues. Becky has also been responsible for the chorus that sings with the band at the opening of the band shell in the summer and the chorus that sings during the 4th of July celebration put on by the village of Antioch. She is a retired state of Illinois employee and a retired teacher. She has been a Sweet Adeline for 23 years and currently with Riverport Chorus, Bristol, Wisconsin. Becky is on their music team and a section leader in the chorus.
Becky has been a member of the Festival Arts of Antioch board for several years. She is responsible for organizing singers and picking out music for the smaller choirs representing the Community Chorus. These include the "Carolers" that have been singing at the Lakes Area Band Christmas Concert for the last 5 years. This group has also sung at other venues. Becky has also been responsible for the chorus that sings with the band at the opening of the band shell in the summer and the chorus that sings during the 4th of July celebration put on by the village of Antioch. She is a retired state of Illinois employee and a retired teacher. She has been a Sweet Adeline for 23 years and currently with Riverport Chorus, Bristol, Wisconsin. Becky is on their music team and a section leader in the chorus.Bob Schmelzer
A resident of Antioch since 1988, Bob remains active with the Antioch Brass Quintet which he organized in 1993 with members of the Lakes Area Community Band where he was a performing member and board president for several years. He performed on cornet and flugel horn with the Illinois Brass Band for over nine years, serving as its board president for three years, and has performed in the Waukegan Municipal Band, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Brass Quintet as well as several other community bands and orchestras over the years. When not playing his trumpet, Bob can be found captaining a United Airlines Boeing 777 to various parts of the world.
A resident of Antioch since 1988, Bob remains active with the Antioch Brass Quintet which he organized in 1993 with members of the Lakes Area Community Band where he was a performing member and board president for several years. He performed on cornet and flugel horn with the Illinois Brass Band for over nine years, serving as its board president for three years, and has performed in the Waukegan Municipal Band, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Brass Quintet as well as several other community bands and orchestras over the years. When not playing his trumpet, Bob can be found captaining a United Airlines Boeing 777 to various parts of the world. Ken Smouse
(Co-founder and current President). Since his retirement from teaching at Antioch Community High School (English, Vocal Music, Theatre and Speech) Ken has managed to keep busy as a free lance director, producer, designer and actor. He has continued his work with PM&L Theatre, Inc. of which he was co-founder. In addition he, with co-founder Dr. Lynn Schornick, created the Bowen Park Opera and Bowen Park Theatre Companies and served as the director of the theatre company for five years and of the opera company for nine years. He was also a founder/director of The Memorial Hall Theatre in Richmond, IL as well as the first director for the Arlington Repertory Theatre. He is particularly proud of having rewritten, re-scored, produced and directed the original opera, FRANCESCO by Father William Jabusch, based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Currently, he is developing the theatre ministry in his home church, The United Methodist Church of Antioch.
(Co-founder and current President). Since his retirement from teaching at Antioch Community High School (English, Vocal Music, Theatre and Speech) Ken has managed to keep busy as a free lance director, producer, designer and actor. He has continued his work with PM&L Theatre, Inc. of which he was co-founder. In addition he, with co-founder Dr. Lynn Schornick, created the Bowen Park Opera and Bowen Park Theatre Companies and served as the director of the theatre company for five years and of the opera company for nine years. He was also a founder/director of The Memorial Hall Theatre in Richmond, IL as well as the first director for the Arlington Repertory Theatre. He is particularly proud of having rewritten, re-scored, produced and directed the original opera, FRANCESCO by Father William Jabusch, based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Currently, he is developing the theatre ministry in his home church, The United Methodist Church of Antioch. Betty Smouse
(Secretary). Betty met Ken in the Drama Dept. at Hope College in Holland Michigan 60 years ago, and after 58 years of marriage they are still celebrating the arts. Betty is a retired pediatric nurse, mother of 5, grandmother of 6, and "Nana" (great grandma) of 1. She is very active in the United Methodist Church, PM&L Theatre, and Festival Arts of Antioch, serving as secretary. Her hobbies are singing, reading and traveling.
(Secretary). Betty met Ken in the Drama Dept. at Hope College in Holland Michigan 60 years ago, and after 58 years of marriage they are still celebrating the arts. Betty is a retired pediatric nurse, mother of 5, grandmother of 6, and "Nana" (great grandma) of 1. She is very active in the United Methodist Church, PM&L Theatre, and Festival Arts of Antioch, serving as secretary. Her hobbies are singing, reading and traveling.Mary (Cookie) Solof
Mary Solof, better known in Antioch as Cookie, has participated for over 30 years in Antioch's different artistic endeavors. Beginning as the grandmother in PM&L's "Pippin" in 1978, continuing with The Fools Players as a performer and a costumer for their shows and finally on to Festival Arts of Antioch as the Treasurer. In between all of the arts activity in Antioch, she finished her B.A. in Theatre and Dance at Barat College in Lake Forest and is nearly finished with a Master's in Communication, Media and Theater from Northeastern Illinois University. She has been a teacher of theater for the past 14 + years at Wauconda Middle School and directed Carmel High School's musicals for the six years prior to working in Wauconda.
Mary Solof, better known in Antioch as Cookie, has participated for over 30 years in Antioch's different artistic endeavors. Beginning as the grandmother in PM&L's "Pippin" in 1978, continuing with The Fools Players as a performer and a costumer for their shows and finally on to Festival Arts of Antioch as the Treasurer. In between all of the arts activity in Antioch, she finished her B.A. in Theatre and Dance at Barat College in Lake Forest and is nearly finished with a Master's in Communication, Media and Theater from Northeastern Illinois University. She has been a teacher of theater for the past 14 + years at Wauconda Middle School and directed Carmel High School's musicals for the six years prior to working in Wauconda. Ed Tripp
Ed has been involved with the technical side of the performing arts since college. He has volunteered as a stage manager and as a lighting designer for numerous dance, theatre and musical productions. Ed became involved with Festival Arts of Antioch as a stage manager for a number of Festival Arts of Antioch concert performances. Retired from Abbott Laboratories, Ed is enjoying his new lifestyle as an independent consultant in the Life Sciences Industry. Ed also serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Lake County.
Ed has been involved with the technical side of the performing arts since college. He has volunteered as a stage manager and as a lighting designer for numerous dance, theatre and musical productions. Ed became involved with Festival Arts of Antioch as a stage manager for a number of Festival Arts of Antioch concert performances. Retired from Abbott Laboratories, Ed is enjoying his new lifestyle as an independent consultant in the Life Sciences Industry. Ed also serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of Lake County.Mabel Lou Weber
Music is the foundation of Mabel Lou’s life. She is very proud to be a founding member of the Festival Arts of Antioch and plans to continue to be an active part of this organization. She has been the organist at the United Church of Antioch for many years and plans to be there for the foreseeable future. Mabel Lou is active in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was the GFWC International Musician, 2006-2008. She still assists at the GFWC State and Regional Conferences. She served as a Trustee for the Village of Antioch for 18 years and as well as serving on many Village committees. She is affiliated with many other civic and fraternal organizations to numerous to mention. Mabel Lou has dedicated her life to serving her fellow citizens.
Music is the foundation of Mabel Lou’s life. She is very proud to be a founding member of the Festival Arts of Antioch and plans to continue to be an active part of this organization. She has been the organist at the United Church of Antioch for many years and plans to be there for the foreseeable future. Mabel Lou is active in the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and was the GFWC International Musician, 2006-2008. She still assists at the GFWC State and Regional Conferences. She served as a Trustee for the Village of Antioch for 18 years and as well as serving on many Village committees. She is affiliated with many other civic and fraternal organizations to numerous to mention. Mabel Lou has dedicated her life to serving her fellow citizens.
