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Members of Actors Theatre of Indiana’s Board of Directors represent diverse backgrounds and careers. They also reside in various towns and cities in Central Indiana. It is this broad spectrum that encourages different approaches and outlooks, therefore allowing ATI to be more “out of the box” in its thinking. This has led to ATI becoming one of the most successful theatre companies in the area. ATI has also found ways to remain active and solvent during the past year’s pandemic.
The board brings not only their backgrounds, but also their love of theatre and community to their positions.
Kelli Prader serves as the secretary on the board. “It all started by attending an Actors Theatre of Indiana show and I was hooked! We are so privileged to live in a city with such an emphasis on art. I’m proud to contribute in some small way as a board member with the ATI family.”
“Connection with the arts elevates our lives, and ATI provides that connection to its diverse community of theatergoers,” said Christine Reppert, another board member.
As an avid theater enthusiast, retired schoolteacher Lezlie Heath loves serving on the ATI Board. “It is such a privilege to work with Don, Cindy and Judy. Great actors, great people, great fun! And it all truly happens in my own backyard!”
Actors Theatre of Indiana continues to thrive in Carmel, where it is based, and this is in large part to the continued efforts and support of the Board of Directors.
ATI Board of Directors
Dan McFeely, President: McFeely was an award-winning Central Indiana journalist for 25 years, the last 17 as a reporter, editor and columnist at the Indianapolis Star. He left journalism in 2013 to start his own communications firm in Carmel. Highly focused on writing, media relations and crisis communications, Dan’s primary client is the City of Carmel, where he works with the Mayor and the Community Relations and Economic Development office. McFeely also maintains several other clients.
Melissa Volz-Smith, Vice President: Volz-Smith recently transitioned her career in banking management to regional mortgage loan officer for the Citizen’s State Bank in Carmel. Her desire to serve the Actors Theatre of Indiana’s founders, staff, board and patrons comes from her deep appreciation for the arts in the Carmel Community. She has previously served the Carmel Community as a past board member and president of the Carmel Education Foundation. Her favorite activity is spending time with her family and playing with any one of her 10 grandchildren.
Kelli Prader, Secretary: Mix a background in sports, radio and television, along with writing, non-profit work and event planning, and you’ve got City of Carmel Project Manager Kelli Prader. A bachelor’s from Arizona State University in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters from Temple University in Sports Management. Kelli is an Olympia, Wash., native and has called Indiana her home for almost 20 years. She resides in Carmel with her husband, Chris, and her two children.
Muniver Singh, Treasurer: Living in Noblesville since 1993, Singh grew up in India while her husband, Indi Singh, attended Noblesville High School, Indiana University and IU Medical School. As a young girl, seven-year-old Muniver played a cat in her grade school production. Loving theater, she continued to perform in every school production through high school. Indi and Muniver have two sons, age 26 and 17. Muniver owns a small business in Noblesville and is committed to making this community a better place to live.
Dr. Joseph Fitzgerald: Dr. Fitzgerald is the Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics for the Indiana University School of Medicine. He was born and raised in Chicago but has been a Hoosier since 1958. He attended IUSOM and did all of his postgraduate training there, as well. Dr. Fitzgerald founded the Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology/Nutrition at Riley Children’s Hospital/Indiana University Health in 1969 and served as the Director of the Division until 2005. He is the recipient of numerous national awards. With his precious bride of 63 years, they have been faithful subscribers to varied live stage and musical performances for over a half century. Dr. Fitzgerald is the father of Judy Fitzgerald, one of ATI’s founders, and has served on the ATI Board since the inception of the Theatre. He is a proud supporter and benefactor.
Brian Frost: Frost grew up in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and graduated from Union College in Schenectady. After receiving his MBA from Indiana University in Bloomington, he embarked on a career in financial services, retiring in 2017 after spending 25 years with the Fifth Third Securities division of Fifth Third Bank in Fishers. He currently works as a Realtor with his wife of nearly 30 years, Julianne Deely, at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Fishers. Brian and Julianne have one daughter, Colleen, who lives and works in Manhattan. Brian and Julianne are long-time supporters of the arts in general and Actors Theatre of Indiana in particular.
Kathy Guider: Guider retired from the FBI as a Special Agent in 2018. She and her business partner opened Veracity IIR, a private investigation and security consulting firm in Carmel. She is the Vice President of Operations. Guider enjoys being a part of a group (ATI) that is entertaining the community. It is a great way to contribute to the arts without being an artist herself.
Lezlie Morgan Heath: Heath is a retired elementary teacher and reading/literacy coach. She is also an educational arts advocate. Heath holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. She has taught in both public and private school systems over the past forty plus years. Presently she teaches preschool for Heart Change Ministry. Heath is passionate about incorporating the arts into every area of one’s life. She believes Kurt Vonnegut said it well: “Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.”
Leah Miller Mosley: Mosley studied music in college and toured professionally as a vocalist. She has served on worship teams at her church and presently sings with the Northview Church Worship Team. She has served on mission teams in Mexico, Bahamas, Nicaragua and Haiti. Leah volunteered for more than 10 years with the Indianapolis School of Ballet. While there, she created and developed their Nutcracker Gift Shop.
Riley Parr: A Central Indiana native, Parr graduated from I.U. Bloomington in 2015 and spent a year as a Governor’s Fellow before enrolling in the I.U. McKinney evening program. During his time as a student, Riley worked for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, clerked for two solo practitioners, externed for Boone Superior Court I Judge Matt Kincaid and worked for the law school in a variety of capacities. Riley also served in several leadership positions within the school and received multiple honors, including the Faculty Prize, awarded to the most outstanding graduating student. Admitted to practice law in 2020, Riley and his dad work together to solve the legal problems of every day Hoosiers. They have offices in Boone County and Indianapolis. When not working, Riley enjoys camping, boating and generally spending time with family and friends.
Christine Reppert: Retired from Bridgestone Americas, Inc. Firestone Building Products, LLC. and Firestone Industrial Products, LLC, Reppert serves on the Actors Theatre of Indiana board in recognition of what ATI offers – outstanding artistic entertainment in an intimate setting that allows and encourages audiences to immerse themselves in the professional, skillful productions.
John Terry: Terry was admitted to the bar in 1998 and is a second-generation lawyer. He is a lifelong resident of Carmel and is proud to say that he went to all three Carmel schools – Carmel Elementary, Carmel Middle School, and Carmel High School. His father worked for one of the biggest law firms in Indiana, but counseled him to strike a balance between work and life, which helped drive his decision to open his own law firm. With Terry & Gookins, LLC., he is bringing his 20 years of legal experience to his home community to fulfil his father’s advice.
Jill Zaniker: Jill has been on the ATI Board since 2012, having served in many capacities, including President, Vice-President and Secretary, as well as the governance and event committees. Jill loves ATI and is thrilled that we have such talent here in Carmel. She is on a mission to help everyone discover theatre in Indiana. Jill is a small business owner in Carmel and is retired from owning the Simply Sweet Shoppe. She is currently serving as VP of development on a new start up non-profit, The Chris Center, Inc. A Place for Paws. This is a care farm for teens promoting mental wellness through nurturing animals. Jill’s advice: Enjoy the journey more. Support live theatre.
About Actors Theatre of Indiana
Actors Theatre of Indiana was co-founded in 2005 by Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell, and Judy Fitzgerald with a mission to celebrate the power of theater and contribute to the quality of life in Central Indiana by offering high quality professional theater performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate, and entertain. An award-winning Equity Professional Theater company, Actors Theatre of Indiana is the resident professional theater company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, now in its 16th season of high-powered musical theater productions, world premieres, and innovative community works.
Visit ATI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more information on schedules, educational initiatives and ways you can order tickets, visit atistage.org.