Lakes Area Player’s Board of Directors
CEO/Founder/Director Elaine K. Pearson
Elaine has written the “Madrigal Dinner” and “Christ’s Passion” as well as four mystery dinner theaters. She oversees the producing and the direction of these plays. Elaine’s past theatrical/vocal interests began in Marion, Indiana where she was a part of the civic theater, Easter Pageant, and the Christmas City chapter of Sweet Adelines. After moving to the lakes area, Elaine became involved with the Enchanted Hills Playhouse as a member of the theater guild and also volunteered backstage for 11 years in various duties as well as appearing on stage a few times. She is employed with The Papers, Incorporated in Milford, Indiana. Elaine is married to Bud and they have two sons, John and Jim; and daughter, Dea with her husband Mike and grandson, Clint of Peru, Indiana. Elaine is very thankful to the Lord for her many talents that she is able to share in telling the Good News through the use of theater.
President Teri Herman
Married to Ken Herman with four children Jennifer, Kevin, Caitlin, and Travis. and one completely awesome Grandchild, Andrew. I am a youth pastor and customer service representative for a promotional products company. I have been acting since I was about 5 years old starting out in a Christmas play at Syracuse Church of the Brethren and the acting bug bit me hard. I was in several high school musicals and then in several Church performances before joining the Lakes Area Players. I have been a music director for over 20 years and love any kind of music, but mostly inspirational music. My soul sings for the Lord! I have played the Duchess Teri in our Madrigal dinner and have played all different parts in Christ’s Passion, but my favorite is portraying Mother Mary which I have had the privilege of doing for a few years now. I have also been in the many mystery dinners we have performed. I feel very honored and humbled to be a part of the Lakes Area Players and to be able to do what I love (sing and act) and still get the message of the saving grace of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.
Vice President-Ken Parcels
Growing up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ken believes he is a true Northern Michigan “Yooper.” He attended Kenowa Hills High School in Grand Rapids , Michigan and had his first real play experience as a gang member in “Rebel without a Cause”
After serving 4 years in the U. S. Air Force in the Security Police, he attended Indiana University earning a degree in Criminology, Police Administration. While at I.U. he took a class in Theater and drama and was a part of the backstage happenings in several productions.
Ken has been employed for 27 years with Hand Industries, Inc, in Warsaw . He has 2 children, Jeff and Kellie, and 4 grandkids. “My mother passed away while I was involved with the Christ’s Passion and I believe being a part of this production helped me to understand and accept her passing.”
Ken is looking forward to being a part of the Lakes Area Players.
Secretary-Teena Nichols
Teena Nichols is new to the Lakes area Players. She has a love for music and ministry that has been a vital part of her life. She grew up in a family that sang Southern Gospel music from the time she was born. Thru the years, different people would come into their lives and form different groups. Now it is just her parents, George and Waunita Young, and herself. They sing wherever and whenever the opportunity pops up. Because of this, performance comes naturally. Teena plays the piano, sings, and enjoys ballroom dancing.
Teena is a 3rd generation Hairstylist at Think Young Styling Studio in Warsaw , Indiana . Teri Herman, President of the L.A.P., ended up in Teena’s chair a couple years ago.. The two had many things in common, so when Teri mentioned joining the L.A.P. Teena felt God leading her to take a step in a different direction of ministry.
“It amazes me each time we are in rehearsal, or even in performances, how I get touched by another way God works. He shows more of Himself, and I learn something new.” “I love playing piano, singing, dancing, and now acting. I am blessed God lets us serve in the things we love.
Youth Member at Large- Emma Ollis
Emma has been a part of the Lakes Area Players for five years now, taking part in several productions including Christmas Con, Madrigal Dinner, and Christ’s Passion. She found a love for acting at the age of 12 and feels that her many roles on stage with the Lakes Area Players have brought her closer to Christ. In her own words Emma says, “After my first year in Christ’s Passion I asked the Lord into my life. Ever since I have started acting with the Lakes Area Players my love for the Lord and acting has really hit me hard”. Emma is also actively involved with her Church Choir at Shepherd by the Lake Lutheran Church. She is currently a student at Wawasee High School and aspires to serve in the field of Law Enforcement.
Adult Member at Large – Lori Barsoda
Lori Barsoda lives on a farm north of Syracuse where she grew up and where she and her husband, Greg, raised their 3 children. Now ‘Grammy’ to three perfect grandchildren,
Lori and her family are members of Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse. Lori sang her first solo there at 5 years old. She plays guitar and leads the Praise band at Calvary in the contemporary service. She also sings alto in a local quartet, ‘The Calvary Blend’.
Music and Drama have always been part of her life. Her children grew up telling the story of “Christ’s Passion” playing various roles in the production over the past 14 years. Currently, she shares the role of Mother Mary in this production. Her husband, Greg, is the technical director for the show and her father work backstage. Lori says “It’s a real family affair!”
Lori has been seen in other local Christian productions as Dorthea Templeton, in ‘Mr. Periwinkle’s Christmas Party’, as Sheila, in ‘Your High School Reunion’ and she is a charter cast member, ‘Lady Lori’, in the ‘Christmas Madrigal’. Lori acknowledges, “Quaker Haven has been quite gracious to us as host of our productions” and states “God gives to each of us talents and gifts. He expects us to use them to glorify him. I hope everyone who comes to our shows takes something away to give them hope and peace.”
Spiritual Consultant – Victor Buhlmann
For more than 10 years, Victor Buhlmann has been part of productions in the Lakes Area, including Christ’s Passion, Mr. Periwinkle’s Christmas Party, The Madrigal and Mystery Dinner Theater. Victor has also been seen on stage in Fort Wayne.
Interest in theater and the arts began at an early age. He was part of various Christmas Pagents as well as other dramatic productions at his home church. In high school, he was active back stage building sets, doing lighting and even directed the stage crew his senior year.
He resides in Winona Lake with his wife, Debbi. Their children live all around the US, Europe and Asia.
Technical Consultant – Ken Strong
Ken Strong has portrayed the role of Jesus in the Lakes Area Players’ Christ’s Passion for the past five years. However, he was no stranger to the Christian Theatrical Troup prior to that. For over ten years Ken was behind the scenes as the lighting and special effects designer/engineer for previous productions at Oakwood conference center. Ken still provides all of the lighting, rigging, and special effects for the current production and serves on the Lakes Area Players board of directors as a technical consultant. When not working on this or other shows with his production company, Ken is a career flight-paramedic on a Ft. Wayne based medical helicopter and serves his hometown of North Webster as a paramedic on the ambulance. Learn more about Ken at www.kenstrong.com