Lee Named President Of Wagon Wheel Theatre Foundation
Posted
Staff Report-
Wagon Wheel Theatre Foundation board members named D.C. "Dan" Lee, Warsaw, president to lead the organization into the final phases of a fundraising campaign to purchase the local theater and convert it into a lasting non-profit operation.
Mary Kittrell, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor Bureau executive director, was elected treasurer, replacing Lee.A retired Chapman Lakes resident, Lee takes over from Dan Bickel, Warsaw, who completed a two-year term.
Lee was instrumental in establishing non-profit theater groups in California, where he earned many theatrical credits and produced numerous concerts before returning home to Indiana. During the past several years, he helped reorganize the Chapman Lakes Conservation Association and incorporate the Chapman Lakes Foundation.
"Our goal to purchase the theater has two purposes," Lee said. "We want to ensure the theater always remains a viable part of the community; and, we will work to lock in and improve upon the high-quality professional entertainment folks have come to expect over many decades. Ultimately, it's up to the community. It is the public who must decide the theater's fate with their contributions."
The foundation has until Dec. 31 to act upon an agreement to purchase the Wagon Wheel Theatre business. The group said they are about half way to an initial goal of $300,000, which will provide funds to purchase the business and for transition costs.
The theater has been owned and operated by Bruce and Steve Shaffner for more than 20 years. The Shaffners encouraged the project and have said they want the foundation to continue the tradition of the Wagon Wheel for many years to come.
Lee said the board of directors is also searching for two additional members to fill vacancies left by the passing of Karen Langdon and Roy Hine last November. Hine, longtime Wagon Wheel artistic director, and Langdon were instrumental in forming the foundation.
In addition to Lee and Kittrell, current WWTF board members include John Armacost, Warsaw; Dan Bickel, Warsaw; Darren Bickel, Goshen; Jill Blackwood, Leesburg; Jay Rigdon, North Webster; Kevin Scott, Warsaw; and Mike Yocum, Winona Lake.
