Our Staff
When we say that the Memorial Opera House is Where the Arts Create Community, it's not just a tag line...it is our overriding objective which we integrate into every decision we make. We have assembled a talented, experienced and professional staff who is committed to achieving this every day.
Meet Our Staff:
Scot PJ MacDonald, Executive Director
Scot has served in many capacities with Memorial Opera House both on and off stage. In 2006, he discovered the wealth of volunteer opportunities the Opera House offered, and worked primarily as an actor, stage manager and usher until 2012 when he stepped into the role of Box Office Manager. Six months later, he stepped into the position of Artistic Director, and in 2016 filled the role of Executive Director. Working in partnership with the leaders of Porter County and Memorial Opera House Foundation, staff and volunteers, Scot has helped establish quality, diversity and community engagement as core values of the Opera House. Scot has been privileged to serve with Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation (an organization that serves as a resource for theatres in Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties); East Chicago Arts Initiative (The Unity Event, a collaboration of South Shore Orchestra, students, and professional and semi-professional performers); and Valparaiso’s Creative Council. Scot holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine and Performing Arts with a focus on Directing and Administration and is delighted to share an ever-growing skill set with colleagues, patrons, and all who walk through the doors of the historic Memorial Opera House.
Scott "Stretch" Miller, Technical Director
Scott "Stretch" Miller has worked for the Opera House for 5.5 years, the last 2.5 as Technical Director. He runs audio and video for all events at the Opera House and oversees various other aspects of the theater. Prior to the Opera House, Stretch worked locally and Nationally for various music acts as a Lighting Designer.
Natalia Klobuchar, Executive Administrative Assistant
Natalia has been working with the Memorial Opera House since 2011, starting as a volunteer. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Communication & Media from Purdue University North Central, Natalia spent three years working as a financial analyst for the steel industry before returning to the Memorial Opera House in 2015. With an extensive background in piano & voice, Natalia’s passion for the arts drives her desire to see the Memorial Opera House continue to thrive.
Bobbie Sue Kvachkoff, Education Coordinator
Bobbie Sue Kvachkoff graduated from Purdue University, West Lafayette in 2011. During her time there, she was a theatre major and history minor with an acting concentration. Although her focus was in acting she knew that she wanted to use that degree to work with children. Upon graduating, she created a children's educational theatre company named BreyK-off & Play Theatre and started on at Crown Point High School as their costume designer, acting coach, and fight choreographer. Little by little she found more ways to use her passion for the arts to reach her students. In 2016, she had the privilege of being cast as Dorothy for Memorial Opera House's "Wizard of Oz". During that time she fell in love with the staff, the building, and found that they had a common interest...The LimeLights. Bobbie Sue's specialties include acting, movement, dialects, comedia dell'arte, period style movement, costume design, stage makeup/special effects, and singing. Theatre has always been a constant in her life and it is a joy and honor to be able to share it with her students.
Vicki Zimmerman-Gleason, Production Manager
Vicki has been involved at the Opera House since 2006. An Indiana University graduate with a BA in Theatre, she has been a Sound Designer, Technical Director, Master Electrician, Taxidermist, Scenic Artist...basically anything a theatre house has called for over the course of 100+ productions she’s been honored to be part of. Outside of the Opera House, she works as the Acting Coordinator for Niles Scream Park in Niles, MI. Recent awards include Outstanding Lighting Design and Execution at Indiana AACTFest in 2011, as well as in 2015 for Outstanding Achievement in Special Effects Makeup. She is incredibly thrilled to share an ever-growing skill set here at Memorial Opera House.