Name: Dr. Monte Wentz, President

Job Affiliation: Wentz Eye Care, P.A.

Job Title: Optometrist

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“Since 1999.”

What is your favorite show?

“I have great memories of working back stage for Steel Magnolias when I was in high school.”

What interested you in theatre?

“My passion is preservation of historic buildings.”

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I am on my second year as president of the board of directors. I hope that I am able to provide good leadership to the board, a general historical viewpoint of board decisions, and knowledge of caring for historic buildings.”

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“When I was seven, my grandfather was volunteering as construction supervisor during the restoration of the Brown Grand. I loved going down to the building to see him and watch the restoration process, and wishing that they would let me climb on the scaffolding that reached up to the proscenium arch.”

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I would love to see the Brown Grand used more by the community.”

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“My first real job in Junior Highschool was as a tour guide at the Brown Grand on weekends. I loved showing off the building and seeing the amazement on people’s faces when they walked into the theatre for the first time. Preservation of historic buildings is my passion, but I firmly believe that a good restoration includes those buildings being used. My hope is that the current board of directors can successfully balance the preservation of the building while making theatre and music come alive for the residents of North Central Kansas.”

Name: Jasmine Conner, Vice President

Job Affiliation: Color Coordinations, LLC

Job Title: Owner / Lead Painter

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I joined the board in 2019.“

What is your favorite show?

“The reenactment of the Cloud County Robbery.“

What interested you in theatre?

“The beauty in the building.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“Being a local business owner, I want to see our community thrive in all kinds of ways. I believe being apart of the Board I can help with encourage a positive sense of community and help where I am needed.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“Every time I am there is a good time!“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I would love to see the Brown Grand attract all different kinds of people from our community on a regular basis. I hope people take a chance to enjoy what we have to offer at the Brown Grand with the different events and shows we offer.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I have lived in Concordia for 21 years. I have owned and operated a local painting company for 13 of those years. I enjoy our community so much and try to help out wherever I can. I’m excited to be apart of the Board to help encourage our community to get involved in local events and to help our community thrive. I also love the history of the Brown Grand and want to see it maintained and properly cared for.“

Name: Dr. Julia Galm, Secretary

Job Affiliation: Cloud County Community College

Job Title: Department Chair for Communications & Humanities

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I have been a board member since March 2021.“

What is your favorite show?

“I was lucky enough to watch a staging of Waiting for Godot in Dublin, and it was bizarre and wonderful.“

What interested you in theatre?

“I helped to restart the drama club when I was in high school, and I have been interested in the theatre ever since.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I have some experience with document design, so I think I could be helpful with marketing and advertising. Given guidance, I can also help with grant writing. I am also typically available to help with the physical setting up and running of events.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“I really enjoyed the Cloud County Bank Robbery event, but I am also looking forward to learning Foley effects and being a small part of the Cloud County Theatre’s live radio play performance of Night of the Chicken, Episode 2.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I think the theatre has an amazing opportunity and responsibility to link the community to history and to art. It can be a hub for people to gather and celebrate, and a historical site to educate, and a doorway to escape or reflection through music and theatre. In order to serve the community in all of these ways, however, the community needs to serve the theatre as well.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I am excited to be more engaged in the community and our regional arts! I recently moved from Pennsylvania, so I think this is a great opportunity to learn more about my neighbors, the area, and arts in Kansas.“

Name: Susan Bauer

Job Affiliation: Retired from Pasadena Independent School District

Job Title: Executive Director of Grants

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I joined in September of 2024.“

What is your favorite show?

“I am looking forward to attending Brown Grand Theater shows! Since I live in Concordia for only part of the year, I have only attended one lecture by Ndaba Mandela.  It was wonderful hearing the stories of Mr. Mandela growing up as the grandson of Nelson Mandela.”

What interested you in theatre?

“My youngest daughter was involved in acting in school. She also danced for the Clear Lake Metropolitan Ballet and was involved in at least four major productions, annually. While the majority were produced by professionals, parents were involved in everything from making costumes to helping backstage. I had the good fortune of seeing the monumental variety of talent (dancers, choreographers, seamstress, set designers, sound engineers, etc.), coordination, and eye for detail that went into each production. This was the beginning of my interest.”

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I believe the skills I bring to the board include fundraising, grant writing, and the perseverance needed to follow through with tasks.”

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“Growing up in Concordia, I experienced the Brown Grand as a movie theatre. My fondest memory was of attending movies there, meeting my friends, and buying a nickel bag of popcorn.”

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“My daughter participated in theater productions since age six through high school.  I see the creativity and organizational skills she learned onstage transfer to other areas of her life, as an adult.  Therefore, my goals and dreams for the future of the Brown Grand is that it continues its efforts to engage and develop the artistic abilities of children and teenagers from Concordia and its surrounding cities.”

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I have a master’s in social work which ultimately allowed my career to bleed in many directions. Ultimately, I worked with society’s most vulnerable citizens starting out in the medical field as a psychiatric social worker and ending up leading a grant department of four in a poor school district. I retired in 2014 and have enjoyed the privilege of being a Nonna to my three grandchildren.

My family moved to Concordia when I was five and I grew up here.  In 1979, I moved to Texas. While my home is in Houston, I am spending a significant amount of time in Concordia helping with my elderly father. I have many fond memories of my childhood here where it seemed everyone knew and looked out for each other. 

I am excited to be a working member of the Brown Grand Board as I believe performance art is magical. It’s a world where you can leave your cares at the door and take in the sparkling lights, sounds, and talent that crosses the stage. The historical setting provided by the Brown Grand is glimpse into a bygone era. Our community is blessed to be the caretaker of this gem that exists in rural Kansas.  We must keep it polished.”

Name: Dorothy Breault, MD

Job Affiliation: Cloud County Health Center/Family Care Center/North Central Kansas Medical Center

Job Title: Family Medicine Physician

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“Since August 2022.”

What is your favorite show?

“Too difficult to pick just one! I saw a great show this past summer, Kinky Boots!”

What interested you in theatre?

“I have always enjoyed watching and performing in theatre since I was young.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I come into contact with a wide variety of people and backgrounds in my work, and hope to be able to provide valuable insight into the desires of what our community would like to see and do at the Brown Grand.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“The nervousness and excitement of hitting the stage again in recent performances of Mrs. Claus and the Chili Cookoff Caper and What the Herd Heard. The performance of What the Herd Heard was a particularly fond memory because I got the opportunity to be on stage with two of my daughters as well.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“My hope would be to continue to offer a wide variety of events and shows so that more of our community will take advantage of what a great venue we have here in Concordia, and help propel the Brown Grand Theatre to be even more of a regional attraction.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I am a local physician here in Concordia. I attended Cloud County Community College when I was out of high school, and met my future husband, Dustin, who is a Concordia native. I was involved in theatre and forensics throughout my elementary and high school education. The rigors of college, medical school, and raising young children put a halt in my ability to schedule in time to perform, but never dampened my love of theatre. While scheduling is still hectic, I am happy to be able to get back into something that I am passionate about. I am also now a member of the Brown Grand Players.“

Name: John Paul Breault

Job Affiliation: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church – Retired from Walmart and retired also from Regional Psychiatric Hospital Systems in Georgia

Job Title: Music & Liturgy Coordinator

How long have you been a member of the Board?

“I proudly rejoined the Brown Grand Board in July of 2026.“

What is your favorite show?

“Into the Woods” and “The Wizard of Oz”

What interested you in theatre?

“I enjoy live performances and am very interested in the historic preservation opportunity the Brown Grand presents.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I have a wide background in organizational and clerical skills, in addition I’m skilled in best business practices, development, design, architecture, personnel, and supervision.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“I had the opportunity to be on the Board as a high school student.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“Enabling the Brown Grand to be a strong performing arts center for the state of Kansas and across the midwest.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I’m a registered horticultural Therapist and retired working for the State of Georgia for 25 years with Activity Therapies. I was born and raised in Concordia, Kansas and returned home after retirement. The Brown Grand has been a great opportunity to be a working part of our community. I have been involved in theatrical groups and community theatre both in Kansas and Georgia. I’m a pianist and have performed at the Brown Grand numerous times over the years.“

Name: Pam Campbell

Job Affiliation: North Central Kansas Medical Center

Job Title: Executive Assistant

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I joined the Board in December of 2024.“

What is your favorite show?

“I especially enjoy the shows put on by the Brown Grand Players. ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ is one of my favorites. I also appreciate music productions and the children’s theatre.“

What interested you in theatre?

“Music and drama help us to take a moment away from our lives and transform us to dreams and miracles.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I like to write and have done a small amount of grant writing. Music is also part of my background.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“When I was a teenager, the Brown Grand was a movie theatre, and this is where I had my first date to a movie. In later years, I particularly enjoyed attending Community Concerts here.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“With the change back to its original (almost) state, the ‘sky’s the limit’ for the Brown Grand. I would like to see more people in our surrounding community come to realize the vitality and versatility of the Brown Grand.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“When I was growing up, I took piano and organ lessons from Dorothy Craig. I have played the organ for worship at my church for a number of years, as well as weddings and funerals. While I have never been in a drama production, I enjoy plays of all kinds. I serve on the Cloud County Foundation for Health Care Board of Directors and church boards, so I believe I have a fair amount of knowledge of what is required of a Board. I am excited about all the possibilities for the Brown Grand. It is indeed a grand old building with many stories to tell and many stories yet to come.“

Name: Steve Elstrom

Job Affiliation: U.S. Army, Fort Riley

Job Title: IT Project Manager, Army Civilian

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I joined in October of 2024.“

What is your favorite show?

“I enjoy a diverse array of stage productions. Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera are great!“

What interested you in theatre?

“I’ve enjoyed theatre mostly from the perspective as audience member, particularly at this historic and well-preserved facility. My children have enjoyed participating in Missoula Children’s Theatre for several years.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I have technical, financial and communications experience. I like to help with load-in and load-out for performers when able and am happy to work  as needed behind the scenes with cleanup, organization or preservation needs.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“I have too many to count, but standout memories include Don Francisco – a childhood favorite – in concert July 2010 with North Central Kansas Teens For Christ and Missoula Children’s Theatre performances featuring my kids and grandchildren.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I would like to see the facility sustained for future generations to enjoy not only the beauty of the building but the cultural value of this North Central Kansas tourism treasure.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“As a native Cloud County resident I am honored to serve as a working member of the board, to help achieve the shared vision. I’m eager to help where I can to steward this historic theatre.“

Name: Dr. Brandon Galm

Job Affiliation: Cloud County Community College

Job Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“Since March of 2021.“

What is your favorite show?

“Avenue Q, Book of Mormon, and Les Miserables“

What interested you in theatre?

“Background in Literature and Criticism, and I’m a performer myself.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“Photography, audio technology and mixing, podcasting, video editing.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“Too soon to have any yet!“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I think it would be amazing to bring in some nationally touring shows or artists, but I know that’s ambitious and challenging!“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I’m a fairly recent transplant to Kansas, having been born in Ohio and living in Pennsylvania from 2009-2019. I have a Master’s in English and PhD in Literature and Criticism, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I’m most excited to be working with Brown Grand to make a difference in my local community, while helping bring important arts and culture to our area.“

Name: Whitney Jones

Job Affiliation: Brown Grand Players Board

Job Titles: Brown Grand Players Board President, actor, and one of the directors

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I joined the board in March of 2020.“

What is your favorite show?

“I don’t think I could pick just one, but I loved Hamilton, Little Shop of Horrors, and Wicked.“

What interested you in theatre?

“I have wanted to be on stage for as long as I can remember. I participated in theatre every opportunity I had growing up, and as an adult I have continued on that path with community theatre at the Brown Grand.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I have several years of experience in live entertainment and performance, and I have a background in management and local theatre.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“It gets progressively more difficult to pick a fondest memory at the theatre each year. I have loved every performance I have been involved with as a Brown Grand Player, but I am most fond of our productions of Murder at the Renaissance Faire, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Blizzard of Oz, and The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. To be fair, any memory at the theatre is a fond one.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I would love to see continued growth in our audience attendance. The more our audience grows the more we can offer at the theatre. I also look forward to seeing the theatre’s updates in coming years to be more in line with industry standards while maintaining its history and beauty.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“In grade school we went on a field trip to the Brown Grand and I absolutely fell in love. Each time I enter the theatre I take the time to just soak in how beautiful it is and how grateful I am to be a part of its continued growth. Growing up, I was passionate about performance and theatre. I was active in our high school theatre group, took every drama class I could, and participated in forensics every year. I continued that path in college. As an adult I didn’t think I would have many opportunities to have performance or theatre in my life. My mom had joined the Brown Grand Players and wrote a play for the group. She invited me to perform in that play and I have been with the Players ever since. As a Brown Grand Player and Brown Grand Board member I get to keep my love and passion for performance and theatre alive. Being a Brown Grand Board member is exciting, because I get to share my love of the theatre with our community. I look forward to everything in the Brown Grand’s future and getting to be a part of that future.“

Name: Mikki Nelson

Job Affiliation: Retired

Job Title: Grandmother

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I came on board in 2001, but was a longstanding volunteer at the Brown Grand for many years prior to joining.”

What is your favorite show?

“Missoula Children’s Theatre.”

What interested you in theatre?

“I love acting and creating characters.”

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“Service, doing what needs to be done and rolling up my sleeves and getting it done.”

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“My first performance with the Brown Grand Players in Mame.”

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I want to see the theatre become an even more important part of the community by bringing more quality shows to the theatre.”

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“Have been involved with many productions here as well as my grandkids being involved and I want to make sure this continues for future generations.”

Name: Janet Pearson

Job Affiliation: Retired from USAA Financial Services

Job Experience: I managed insurance and banking teams when I was working. Now, I volunteer at my church and help with animal rescue.

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I became a board member June 2023.“

What is your favorite show?

“It is hard to pick one! I love Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, and Miss Saigon.“

What interested you in theatre?

“My daughters were both involved in theatre in High School. Amanda continued in college and earned a bachelor’s degree in theatre and drama from K-State. I gained respect for all parts of live production.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“I have experience in finance, team building, and marketing.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“One of my first memories of the Brown Grand was when I was a child. There were free summer movies shown and my brother and I spent many afternoons at the theatre. I recently attended a community church service held on Palm Sunday and this was an inspiring event.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“This is a magnificent building with so much history. I want to help keep her structure in good condition and bring more live events to town. We need to bring people in with a variety of shows.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“I feel blessed to be asked to become a working member of the Brown Grand Board and be back in my hometown of Concordia. I lived in Concordia from the time I was born until 1986 when I married and moved to Colorado. I started working for USAA in 1992 and managed teams of insurance and banking individuals until my retirement. I have a bachelor’s degree in business from Regis University and a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University. I am anxious to learn all I can about the Brown Grand and help keep the legend alive and well!“

Name: Karen Reedy

Job Affiliation: Concordia Elementary School

Job Title: 3rd Grade Teacher

How long have you been a Member of the Board?

“I newly joined the Board – in July of 2024.“

What is your favorite show?

“There are so many great shows, but the most memorable one for me was a play called “This Must Be the Place.” We performed it in high school during an ice storm with blackouts throughout the first act. The amazing group of actors were able to roll with it and add their own comedy to the show.“

What interested you in theatre?

“My older sister was involved in the theatre department in high school, so we went to see every production. I loved seeing the antics acted out on stage and wanted to be a part of it.“

What skills do you bring to the Board?

“As a teacher, I see the Brown Grand as a way to foster a love for arts in my students. They always enjoy the tour of the theatre in 3rd grade and enjoy the performances from the Wichita Children’s Theatre. Many of my students also get involved with the Missoula Children’s Theatre production in the summer.“

What is your fondest memory at the Brown Grand?

“My favorite memory at the Brown Grand was during the 2023 performance by the Wichita Children’s Theatre. The show was about the history of America, and during the performance the students were asked to stand for the National Anthem. I had chills as the students from the area schools joined in singing the National Anthem, filling the theatre with a very patriotic rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.“

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“I see the Brown Grand as an important historical part of our community. I would like to see it continue to thrive as we fill the schedule with a variety of entertainment experiences that attract audience members from across Kansas and the surrounding states.“

Tell us a little about your background and why you are excited to be a working member on the Brown Grand Board.

“When I entered high school, I not only joined the theatre department, but competed on the Dodge City High School Forensics Team. In college, I was a member of the Newman University forensics team, finishing just out of the finals at Nationals in Persuasive Speaking my final year. I love theatre and have so many fond memories of my own experiences with stage productions. I hope to be able to foster that joy for others in the community.“

About Our Executive Director

Name: Melissa Swenson

How long have you been a part of the Brown Grand Theatre?

“I served on the Board of Directors from July 2018 through March of 2021. I then became the Director in April 2021, and was promoted to Executive Director in June of 2024.”

What is your favorite show?

“Children of Eden.”

What interested you in theatre?

“Creativity and Play.”

What skills do you bring to the Brown Grand?

“I have an extensive background in non-profit fundraising and master’s degrees in music and in arts administration. For seven years, I lived and worked in the Boston arts scene before returning to my Kansas roots in 2018.”

What are your goals or dreams for the future of the Brown Grand?

“To have our community see what a gem we have here in Concordia, and to have the Brown Grand flourish as an arts center for North Central Kansas and beyond.”

Tell us a little about your background.

“I was in theatre throughout high school, and I was involved primarily behind the scenes. I did make a few acting appearances in Man of La Mancha and Working to sing. Otherwise, I was in the light booth or calling the show as a stage manager. Since then, I went on to pursue a career in music earning a Bachelors and a Masters in Flute Performance. I went back to my alma mater, after grad school (Oklahoma State University), to teach music and to launch a Community Music School program at Southwestern College in Winfield, KS. I moved to Boston in 2011 to work on a second graduate degree program at Boston University in Arts Administration – learning as much as I could about how to run and manage non-profit arts organizations. After many internships with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, the Boston Center for the Arts, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC), I took a full-time job in fundraising with CSC – bringing free Shakespeare productions to nearly 100,000 audience members every summer. I then transitioned to an event and fundraising position at Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, MA where I worked for several years. There I wrote and won numerous grants, ran the largest fundraiser of the year – the School’s annual Gala – and worked with the development team to achieve annual fundraising goals. I’m excited to serve as the Executive Director at the Brown Grand, because I feel I bring many experiences and talents to our community. I can also help generate ideas for the Brown Grand to advance in our community and in our region.”