Board Member Eligibility, Nominations, and Voting Procedures

  1. Composition:
    • The Stage Coach Board of Directors shall consist of six (6) elected members, three (3) that represent the theater’s creative interests, needs, and identity and three (3) that represent theater’s business and/or professional interests and stability. Every year one (1) Creative Seat and one (1) Business Seat will rotate off and two new seats will be elected.
  2. Seat Definitions:
    • Creative Seat: These are dynamic and visionary individuals from the world of creative theater. This role is specifically designed to bring the unique perspective and expertise of a community theater to our organization’s strategic decision-making processes. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of theater arts, a strong creative vision, and a passion for advancing the performing arts within our community.
    • Business Seat: These are exceptional individuals who have achieved remarkable success in business, education, the professions, and/or public service. This role demands exceptional intellect, a solid educational foundation, and extensive experience to make a significant impact. We are searching for ideal candidates who possesses a robust background in business strategy, financial analysis, and corporate governance. They will provide invaluable insights and expert guidance to our executive team.
      • Important information for those interested in filling the Business Board Seats: Upon acceptance of the Business Seat, the board member will forgo creative participation in all performances at Stage Coach Theatre during the tenure of the board seat. Participation includes but is not limited to: directing, performing, designing, technical support, stage management, or stage crew.
  3. Term Limits:
    • Board Seats will have a term of three (3) years with the option to run for re-election and serve an additional term for a maximum of six (6) years. Interested parties must take one (1) term off before running for election again regardless of the seat description they are running for.
  4. Nominations
    • Prospective Board nominees must submit an application to the organization in advance of the Annual Meeting. Nominations from the floor of the Annual Meeting will no longer be considered for inclusion in the ballot. Nominations are due on the final day of the final day in July preceding the Annual Meeting.
    • Application information will be aggregated and distributed to the active membership prior to the Annual Meeting for their consideration
  5. Voting Procedure
    • At the Annual Meeting, each eligible nominee will be invited to speak on their behalf of themselves to share information they deem pertinent to their candidacy. If nominees are unable to attend, they may identify a proxy to speak on their behalf.
    • After the nominee speeches, each active Associate and Legacy Lifetime member will be asked to cast one vote for each open seat.
    • Two members of the current Board will tally the votes and name the elected Board members.

2025 Creative Seat Nominees

Curtis Ransom

Nicholas Nielsen

Why are you interested in serving as an SCT Board Member?

I would like to serve another three years on the Board of Directors for Stage Coach Theatre because I’m deeply committed to its mission and continued growth as a cornerstone of local performing arts. Over the past term, I’ve seen firsthand the impact our work has had on the theatre and its community, and I want to help strengthen that momentum—supporting strategic planning, advocating for sustainable development, and ensuring a space for diverse, compelling voices on our stage. I believe my experience and passion can continue to be an asset as we plan for the theatre’s future.
I have worked in the theater for most of my life and I have very strong feelings about the important function community theatre serves in making theater accessible for both audiences and local artists. As I’ve moved away from desires to work in the theatre professionally, I’ve felt the pull to use my education and experience to help strengthen our community theatre, ensuring our theatre isn’t just accessible but high quality and built around a strong community foundation that feels ownership and excitement about the success and growth of Stage Coach Theatre.

Describe your background and qualifications that make you a good candidate for your desired Board seat.

Master’s Degree in Theatre – Advanced academic training with a strong foundation in theatrical theory, design, and production.

Over a Decade of Theatre Experience – Professional and community theatre involvement across California and Idaho in lighting, sound, set design, and technical direction.

National-Level Design Work – Creative contributions to high-profile events, including staging for Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards and lighting design for Paul Simon’s benefit concert for the Children’s Health Fund.

Experienced Collaborator – Worked with diverse creative teams in educational, nonprofit, and professional settings to bring complex productions to life.

Theatre Educator & Mentor – Passion for fostering new talent and guiding emerging artists in both academic and production environments.

Committed Stage Coach Theatre Volunteer – Long-standing involvement in SCT productions and support of its artistic mission.
I have worked in the theatre as an actor since I was about 10, so going on 25 years. I started with the Missoula Children’s Theatre when they would come through Boise and from there took some intensive classes with the Idaho Shakespeare festival in my early teens. After moving to Virginia I attended and graduated from Woodbridge Senior High’s center for the fine and performing arts specializing in theatre and then I attended Shenandoah conservatory for 4 years, receiving my BFA in acting in 2013. I did some professional auditioning in New York City before deciding the audition grind wasn’t for me and came back to Boise where I started acting in community theatre, appearing in productions with Boise Little Theatre, Daisy’s Madhouse Theatre, and Stage Coach Theatre.

My creative emphasis has always been as an actor but in my time and education I have at least briefly touched and participated in most creative roles in the theatre (lighting design, sound design, set design, stage management, directing, props, costumes, etc.). I have lived my life so thoroughly in the theatre I can’t tell people about myself without my theatre experience being the main emphasis.

If selected by the Membership, what would you like to accomplish during your Board term?

If selected by the Membership, I would like to focus on strengthening Stage Coach Theatre’s artistic identity while expanding opportunities for creative growth and community engagement. A key priority for me is improving and fostering the volunteer experience—ensuring that every individual who gives their time and talent feels valued, supported, and inspired. I aim to support the development of bold, diverse programming, while also helping build stronger connections between the board, production teams, and volunteers. Additionally, I want to advocate for mentorship programs that connect experienced theatre professionals with emerging talent, and to help identify and secure an additional rehearsal space to ease scheduling challenges and better support our growing production needs.
Expand and strengthen the community around SCT – continue strengthening the sense of ownership of the theatre for members

Strengthen the financial stability of SCT, finding financial opportunities outside of ticket and concession sales.

Maximize volunteer opportunities

Help the theatre continue to produce more work that is exciting, challenging, and fulfilling to our artists (on and off the stage) and by extension provide exciting, challenging, and fulfilling audience experiences as well.

Clearly and specifically define the artistic goals and direction of the theatre and communicate them to all working members of the community, ensuring all decisions and actions are done through the lens of achieving those goals and moving in that direction.

Are there any other details you would like to share with the Membership for their consideration of your candidacy as a Board Member?

Volunteerism and contribution is important. I am excited to both help create art and also bIt has been a pleasure to serve on the Board the last three years with Christian as President and I hope to continue this working with our newly elected president over the next 3 years.
N/A

2025 Business Seat Nominees

Rhonna Krouse-Adams

Gary D. Bates

Why are you interested in serving as an SCT Board Member?

I am passionate about continuing to serve Stage Coach Theatre as a Business Seat Board Member because I deeply believe in the value of live theater as a vital cultural and community asset. During my time on the Board, I have focused on strengthening the organization’s governance, transparency, and long-term sustainability—work that has laid a solid foundation for the thereter’s future. I find great fulfillment in applying my business and nonprofit experience to help the theater thrive both artistically and operationally. I want to continue lending my expertise to ensure that SCT remains a financially stable, well-governed, and welcoming space for our members, audiences, and creative teams.
My degree at the University of Missouri was in Communication and under the Speech Dept. However, my real focus was on Radio/Television and Film. I was most interested in Film and gravitated to that area. After I graduated, I had a job in the in the Auto industry for just over a year in St. Louis. Then I moved to Boise in 1980 and received an offer to work at a Radio Station. The position was initially to be as a program director for an Album Rock station. When I went further into the discussions, I soon discovered that the pay for being in sales was significantly higher. In a year and a half, I became the Sales and Marketing Manager. After 5 years I became the VP and GM. While I admire the creative side of all mediums, I found that I was better at the business side. I later worked for another broadcasting group that also owned the Towne Square Mall. In 1990 I left to pursue a career in Commercial Real Estate. I have been on numerous boards and involved in charities and feel that I can bring business acumen to SCT and I have never lost sight of my interest in the creative side. I think that SCT can satisfy both sides of my interest in the arts.

Describe your background and qualifications that make you a good candidate for your desired Board seat.

I bring to the Business Seat a blend of leadership, governance, and business acumen, which aligns with the expectations of this role. I am a founding member of a nonprofit college and the owner of two businesses, giving me first-hand experience in organizational strategy, financial oversight, and board governance.

On the SCT Board, I have dedicated significant time to revamping our bylaws, improving our membership structure, and helping develop our strategic plan—all with an emphasis on transparency and clear policies. These efforts have strengthened our governance framework and helped rebuild trust and engagement among our members.

I have a strong background in business strategy and financial analysis, which has been evident in my contributions to financial reporting processes, budgeting discussions, and strategic planning for revenue diversification and fiscal sustainability. I also bring expertise in corporate governance and policy development, including conflict of interest and whistleblower policies, which ensure that SCT operates ethically and responsibly.

I understand and respect the unique expectations of the Business Seat, including forgoing creative participation during my term, and am committed to continuing to bring an objective, business-focused perspective to the Board’s work.
I think a lot of this was probably answered in the previous question.

Board seats and organizations that I have been involved with include Cystic Fibrosis, Sales and Marketing Executives (President), Idaho State Broadcasters (VP) and Estrella HOA as president and still Board Member.

If selected by the Membership, what would you like to accomplish during your Board term?

If selected by the Membership, my goals for the upcoming term are to build on the progress we’ve made by:

Supporting the implementation of SCT’s strategic plan through measurable actions and regular reviews to keep the organization on track toward its goals.

Strengthening SCT’s financial sustainability by identifying new fundraising opportunities, pursuing sponsorships, and maintaining rigorous oversight of budgets and expenses.

Continuing to refine and update board and membership policies to ensure they remain clear, transparent, and responsive to the theatre’s evolving needs.

Contributing to board development efforts by mentoring newer members and promoting best practices in governance, ensuring the Board remains effective and collaborative.

Helping expand SCT’s presence in the community by engaging with local businesses, organizations, and donors to strengthen partnerships and raise the theatre’s profile.

Above all, my intent is to help SCT thrive as both an artistic and community institution by providing steady, thoughtful leadership rooted in sound business principles.
I’m not familiar with all of the things behind the scenes but I hope I can bring business sense and creative thinking to whatever needs to be done.

Are there any other details you would like to share with the Membership for their consideration of your candidacy as a Board Member?

Thank you for the opportunity.

Relationship disclosure: Emily Zander is my sister-in-law. 
I still work but only on my own terms. At 72 I remain active and yet have free time to work on projects that interest me. I think that SCT could be that type of project.