HOBT Staff
Megan West
Producing Artistic Director
After months of deliberations and interviews, we are very excited to introduce Megan West as HOBT’s new Producing Artistic Director (PAD). She has a very strong track record in supporting BIPOC artists, challenging the status quo, and widening the stage for all. We appreciate Megan’s careful listening approach, her knowledge of the local arts scene, and her compassionate and warm heart. We are excited to work side by side with her as she leads us toward accomplishing our three-year Strategic Plan goals.
Megan is coming home, in a way: She was HOBT's tour Manager in 2017-18, and her roots in the Twin Cities’ theater scene run deep: She's held Stage Manager and Interim Company Manager roles at the Guthrie Theater, as well as Production Manager and Company Director roles at Park Square Theater. She has also been General Manager at the Playwright’s Center and Executive Producer for The Chameleon Theatre Circle.
Megan is the former Board Chair of the MN Theatre Alliance and is a past board member of the Walking Shadow Theatre Company. She is eager to shepherd HOBT’s future: “I'm very excited to be creating safe and equitable spaces for artists to do their best work. I look forward to supporting all who make this art form happen.”
Steve Ackerman
Mainstage Programming and Community Partnerships
He/Him/His
Steve Ackerman is a playwright and puppet artist who focuses on quick, crude, high-energy art making. He has his BFA in Acting from East Carolina University and MFA in Playwriting from Southern Illinois University. Previous projects include Action Sequence, Kaboom, and Cartooon!.
Elina Kotlyar
MayDay Experience Innovator
She/Her/Hers
Michelle Pett
Development and Finance Consultant
She/ Her/ Hers
Michelle is a seasoned arts administrator and leader. She has held interim executive leadership roles at Mixed Blood Theatre, Steppingstone Theatre, the Rose Ensemble, and History Theatre; as well as Managing Director roles at Theater Latte Da and Eye of the Storm Theatre. Pett served as Board President and Vice President during nine years on the board of Open Eye Figure Theatre. Her work as an independent producer includes a site-specific production of Full Gallop with Sally Wingert, Dustin Lance Black’s 8, and the debut of the Twin Cities Free Night of Theatre.
Kathy Kerekes
Billing, Contracting, Operations
She/Her/Hers
I am happy to be working with HOBT as the new bookkeeper. I have worked in many areas including the merchant marines, the EPA, the National Park Service, several law offices, building management/coffee shop owner, geriatric healthcare, and for the past 8 years, arts administration in southern MN.
I live with my long-term partner Jim, our two daughters who are 17 and 19 years old, three cats, and a bearded dragon. We live in southern MN where I love to garden, forage, kayak, and sew. When I have more than a few hours to play, I am likely to be found up on Lake Superior where I work on restoring a Morgan 34 sailboat.
HOBT's anonymous report form for feedback, concerns, complaints. This form is reviewed by HOBT's Board Chair. For general questions, please email [email protected]