In addition to the inspiring performances that take place on the stage at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, there is a team of staff and volunteers hard at work behind the scenes. One such group is the Board of Directors who meet monthly and help the staff carry out the Opera House mission.

The Board of Directors is made up of 14 volunteers this year. New Board President, Kari Smith, takes over the reins from outgoing president, Peg Helming. Peg devoted countless hours to the Opera House over the past six years, the last two serving as president. She will remain as a member of the buildings and grounds committee. Other leadership officers include Vicki Reinecke, Vice President, Jill Tupper, Secretary, and Amy Valentine, Treasurer.

The balance of the board includes Leslie Bird, Nan Davison, development chair, Bonnie Ginger, Friends liaison, Allyson Goodwin, governance chair, Lenore Imhof, Webster Beal chair, and Mark Spencer, buildings and grounds chair.

The Board welcomed the following four new members at their recent January meeting: Duane Brunell grew up going to large concert venues but now much prefers more intimate settings like the Boothbay Harbor Opera House. Duane initially worked for commercial insurance companies but retired from the Maine Department of Transportation where he managed the Highway Safety Office and was responsible for developing various work-related publications. He moved from New Jersey to live full time in East Boothbay in 2000 with his wife Pat. He has two grown daughters, Emily and Ryn, who graduated from Boothbay Region High School. He also actively volunteers at the Boothbay Region Historical Society.

Sophia Mansfield is the youth student advisory representative. Sophia is a junior at Boothbay Region High School and has been involved in Boothbay Y Arts since she was five years old. She has performed many times on the stage at the Opera House in community shows and band concerts. She has sung the National Anthem at the State House and the Portland Sea Dogs multiple times, as well as at many Boothbay school sporting events. She is also involved in cross country, track, and cheer. She hopes to bring some of her enthusiasm for the arts and personal experience to the Opera House board.

Joe McCammon lives in Boothbay Harbor with his wife, Laurie and cavapoo, Gracie. He was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, moving to the US when his father’s career in professional hockey led the family to Michigan and later to Philadelphia and Maine. Joe played hockey as a goaltender in college and is an avid pickleball player now. Joe spent the next 35 years in the Portland area where he built and operated a technology company. Joe’s love of music began at age 12 when he learned to play the drums. As a musician, he recognizes that the Opera House is a cornerstone of what makes Boothbay Harbor special, promoting the arts and providing access to world-class musicians.

Kate McEvoy Rice resides in Boothbay Harbor with her husband, Matt, children Sawyer and Ella, and their goldendoodle, Nellie. After graduating from UNH, Kate began her career at Boothbay Region Elementary School, where she has taught Special Education, Second Grade, and Pre-Kindergarten over the past 18 years. Kate’s current and past community service includes board positions with the Boothbay Region YMCA, Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation, Boothbay Region Land Trust, and Education Boothbay. She remains deeply involved with the Boothbay Railway Village as a Board member. Kate’s appreciation for music and live performance began in childhood, attending shows at the Opera House with her father and sister. Today, she continues to enjoy everything the Opera House has to offer and is thrilled to share those experiences with her own children.