The purpose of the Board of Directors is to facilitate the mission of Surfside Playhouse. Learn more about the purpose and responsibilities of the board.
Dr. Douglas Rauscher
President
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Doug is a retired electrical engineer, earning his PhD in Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology. He and his family have called Brevard County home since 2002.
Always eager to contribute to the Surfside mission, Doug is actively involved both on the stage and behind the scenes. Doug started volunteering in early 2018 and has been addicted to live theater ever since. Audiences may recognize him from his appearances in productions of Noises Off and Our Town. Offstage, he frequently lends his technical skills primarily as the lighting designer for most of the shows you will see at Surfside.
Residing in Melbourne with his wife, daughter, and dog, Doug is also a volunteer elementary school track and field coach and an avid fitness enthusiast. He is excited to leverage his professional background and love of the arts to support Surfside Playhouse’s mission and ensure it remains a home for creativity and performance for many years to come.
Jeff Oliver
Vice President of Management
My love for theatre started at an early age. I have been involved with Community Theatre since I was in High School. Moving to Florida1987, I found my community theatre home, SURFSIDE PLAYHOUSE. I had the privilege of serving 6 years on the Board of Governors as Vice President under the presidents Leslie Roth, Kate Schwartz, Mario Busacca and Steve Mogell. Being active with Surfside for 38 years, I have been associated with forty plus productions in some form or another, on stage, running crew, music tracks, costume design, and set construction and have served on about every committee there (too numerous to mention).
Stefani Bush
Vice President of Production
Stefani Bush is a nonprofit leader, advocate, and community builder who believes the arts are a powerful space where connection, empathy, and storytelling come together. She has spent much of her professional career supporting mission-driven organizations through advocacy, legislative engagement, crisis response, and community outreach. Since 2007, Stefani has collaborated with national and regional organizations, worked alongside State and Federal lawmakers, and helped organize large-scale initiatives while building strong, lasting relationships with volunteers, professionals, and community partners.
Stefani is the founder of a nonprofit organization and previously served as President of its Board of Directors, where she gained firsthand experience in governance, compliance, strategic planning, and guiding mission-centered organizations through critical stages of growth. Her work is grounded in a people-first approach that emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and creating inclusive spaces where new voices are welcomed and supported.
Her connection to Surfside Playhouse is both professional and personal. Stefani has appeared on stage in Surfside productions of Noises Off and Our Town, experiences that deepened her appreciation for the Playhouse not only as a performance venue, but as a true community gathering place. She is passionate about helping Surfside Playhouse continue to thrive as an accessible, inclusive, and vibrant home for the arts.
Outside of her nonprofit work, Stefani values time with friends and family, caring for her animals, hosting meaningful gatherings, and finding creative ways to bring people together and make a positive impact.
Fritz Kraemer
Treasurer
I grew up on Long Island NY, graduated from High School in 1971 and obtained a B.A. in math, graduating college in 1975. I started learning and playing music at an early age (10) and played my first paying gig in 1969.
After college I began my career in international trade, becoming a licensed Customs Broker in 1980. I married Leslie Roth in 1979, as we were living in Massachusetts at the time, and my parents wanted me to move to New York to help with the family business. That business was sold in 1989, and I then worked for the purchasing company until 1995. In that year Leslie took a job opportunity in South Florida, and so we moved there from Brooklyn, where we had been living at that time.
I was able to work remotely from 2015 on, and so joined Leslie in Cocoa Beach, living in the home inherited from my parents. Leslie retired that year, and I kept working until the end of 2019. I now have a post-retirement job playing mandolin for the Penny Creek Band, and am enjoying retirement immensely.
Our interest in community theater began during our years in South Florida, and continues today, as we try to take in every production at several of the local theaters in the area. While my musical gigs prevent me from committing to the rehearsal and performance schedule of a stage production, I greatly support the theater community, both financially and by volunteering. I do enjoy all of the fine performances in the Brevard County area, and now open a new chapter, doing my best to further the success of Surfside Playhouse. Thank you very much for reading this, and for allowing me to join you on the Board.
Dawn Kelley
Deputy Treasurer
Dawn Kelley was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and has loved musical theater her entire life. She has lived in Brevard County for 40 years, the past 20 of which have been in Cocoa Beach. Dawn has two grown sons and an 11-year-old daughter, Lily, who is an active performer with Surfside Youth Players and has appeared in several mainstage productions, including Seussical the Musical and last season’s Fractured show.
A creative spirit, Dawn enjoys arts and crafts and feels right at home backstage helping with costumes and props. After several years of volunteering, Surfside began to feel like home—and the people, like family—which inspired her to join the Board of Governors.
Professionally, Dawn is an 18-year Human Resources professional in the hospitality industry and currently serves as Regional Director with Driftwood Hospitality. She previously served on the Governing Board of Directors for First United Methodist Church, where she was active in annual budgeting and provided HR support for the church’s preschool.
Dawn looks forward to helping Surfside Playhouse continue to thrive in the years ahead with the support of its wonderful community.
Cheryl Navo
Secretary
Cheryl spent most of her adult life in Germany working for the Army, first as a Soldier, then as a Department of the Army Civilian.
She was involved in several military community theaters, first as an actor, then branching out into costume design, stage design, directing, sound and light design, and playwriting. She is a two-time Best Director winner in the annual Army Europe Tournament of Plays (TOPPERs) and has received numerous awards in Set Design, Costume Design, Scenic painting, and Stage Properties.
She began writing plays in 2013, and several of her plays have been produced all over the United States and Europe. Her one-act play HOTLINE is available through Dramatic Publishing Company, and her one-act play PARADE OF QUEENS is available through Rebel Belle Publishing. Cheryl and her husband, Tom, now live at Indian River Colony Club (IRCC), where she directs plays and facilitates a playwriting group. Cheryl is excited to contribute to the Surfside Playhouse as a member of the board.
Kristl Courtemanche
Board Member
Originally from Massachusetts, Kristl Courtemanche relocated to Brevard County in 2017 and quickly found a home in the local arts community. A lifelong performer, she began dancing and singing at age 3 and grew up participating in band, church choir, school productions, and community theatre. Local audiences may recognize her from Surfside Playhouse, Melbourne Civic Theatre, the Henegar Center, and the Brevard Community Chorus. She has experience both on stage and behind the scenes, and enjoys volunteering wherever she can.
Kristl’s professional background spans healthcare, mental health services, business operations,
administration, and client support. She is part of the Order Management team at Pulse PEMF, is self-employed as a Virtual Assistant, and is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor. She brings strong organization, communication, collaboration, and follow-through to her work and is always grateful for an opportunity to support community theatre, local artists, volunteers, and audiences.
Renee Dameron
Board Member
Renee first came to Surfside in 2021 as a volunteer. Community theater was the perfect way for her to utilize her background in fashion design and to serve the community as we emerged from the pandemic. She went on to costume for the Youth Players program and subsequently worked as head costumer for two or so seasons. After a little time off, she is happy to return to Surfside as a board member and is excited to help make this wonderful hidden gem thrive.
Dawn King
Board Member
.
Bill MacKenzie
Board Member
WR MacKenzie (Bill) spent thirty-nine years in the bakery business. I retired a few years ago and my four children are grown. My daughter Tiffany and I created a children’s book series, “The Adventures of Forkman”, a children’s book of Etiquette. Our books are filled with characters all children can relate with and I believe Forkman, and his crew will help children of all ages learn manners and table etiquette.
As I have enjoyed this wonderful life of mine, a close friend encouraged me to pursue a lifelong dream of acting. I now delight in that endeavor, sharing my energy and my love of singing and dancing in every performance. Surfside has given me the opportunity to give back to our community.
Greg McMinn
Board Member
Greg was born in Washington, DC, and fell in love with the theater early on. As a youth, he was bitten by the acting bug, playing Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. At the College of William and Mary, he majored in English and studied Direction and Technical Theater.
After teaching English and Drama, Greg changed course, settling in a 30+ year career in defense, including serving as a Program Manager, Proposal Manager, and Business Unit Director, where he led multi-million dollar efforts for several large, small and mid-sized firms.
He and his wife, Kate moved from Maryland to the Space Coast in 2017, where he has been active in the local theater community. At Surfside, he has played in Young Frankenstein, Inherit the Wind, Once Upon a Mattress, and three “Fractured” shows.
Additionally, Greg has played in Leading Ladies at Melbourne Civic Theater and in Into the Woods with HNJ Players.
Since retiring in 2025, he has been volunteering at Surfside to help with set construction and painting. What Greg finds most endearing about Surfside is a true sense of community: everyone brings a How-Can-We-Help spirit in every effort, pulling together to make the Playhouse better, warmer and brighter.
Maggie Merritt
Board Member
Steven Mogell
Board Member
Steve Mogell began life as a showman, appearing 13 years after his older sister. He charmed his mother (and anyone who would watch) with antics, jokes, and magic tricks, which he still does today! His initial career, that spanned over 20 years, was in purchasing for large corporations like Perry, Sirius XM, and Eyeglass World. After a downturn in the economy, he shifted gears into sales. He now sells the best-tasting frozen drink in Florida, which he provides to restaurants, bars, and convenience stores along the Florida coast from Boynton Beach to St. Augustine. In 2015, he landed the role of “Harry the Horse” in Surfside’s production of Guys and Dolls. Stepping onto the stage brought him into the arms of the Surfside family. Steve brings his passion for theatre, his natural showmanship, and his love of “making-a-deal” business acumen, and strong relationships with local businesses to the board.
Jeanne Prichard
Board Member
Jeanne has been on the board at Surfside for over fifteen years. During that time, she has had the privilege of serving on many committees; everything from the nominating committee to the volunteer committee. Her primary focus has always been the box office which she has managed since she first became a board member and currently still manages. She loves the box office because of the very close contact it allows her to have with the wonderful Surfside patrons. Jeanne’s last job in the private sector before retiring to Cocoa Beach was as a senior analyst with WebMd.
Steve Schmitt
Board Member
Steve Schmitt joins the board after appearing in his first show at Surfside Playhouse, “Snow White Fractured.” He has recently returned to Brevard County, where he was born and raised. While his wife was serving in the US Army, Steve was volunteering with theatres around the country. He has years of experience in many productions as an actor, director, writer, set designer and builder, prop master, etc. Some of his favorite roles include Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Mr. Mayor in Seussical, Mr. Feldzig in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Professor Bhaer in Little Women.
Linda Schofner
Board Member
Linda has worked at Surfside for the past several years assisting with props, costuming, and set building. She has assisted with the “Gotta Dance” program and the Arlan Ropp Playwriting Competition. Along with her husband, Linda also enjoys activities associated with the Model A Club, and has won awards for authentic costuming. She also enjoys painting. When not in Florida, she can be found at her farm in Kentucky. As a board member, Linda has helped to write grants for the needs of the theatre. She has also served as Surfside’s representative on a panel of performance judges for a community theatre in a neighboring county.
Ann Stergiou
Board Member
Bonnie Venable
Board Member
Bonnie is a long-time Merritt Island resident and retired after 40 years as a Human Resources executive and former adjunct professor at Webster University and Eastern Florida State University (formerly Brevard Junior College). She holds a BS in Business/Economics from Rollins College and a MA in Computer Resources and Information Systems from Webster University. She as served on the Board of the non-profit “Housing for Homeless” here in Brevard for 3 years and is currently an appointed member of the Brevard Personnel Council serving the Board of Brevard County Commissioners.
She previously appeared in the “Mummy Fractured”, “Our Town” and “Prelude to a Kiss” at Surfside Playhouse and also in “Steel Magnolias” and “Mary Poppins” at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. An avid vocalist, the sings with various choirs at Grace United Methodist Church and has appeared with the Brevard Chorale. After retiring from the corporate world and teaching, she embraced her newfound love of the theater. When not on stage, she enjoys various hand crafts, painting and is a certified NRA pistol/rifle instructor.
She is excited to be on this Board of Governors for Surfside Playhouse and looks forward to contributing to its continuing and future success.
