Board of Directors
Lois and her husband Todd own and operate Kearney Floral Company in Kearney. She has a degree in music education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and has been performing professionally as a vocalist in the jazz group Thalken, Tesdall & Thalken, for more than twenty years. She has been involved in countless area arts organizations including the Kearney Area Arts Council (executive director, board member), Nebraska Arts Council (artist’s review panels), and Kearney Community Theatre (numerous productions as a performer and/or musical director). Some of her other past volunteer efforts include Kearney Public Library Foundation, Kearney Public Schools Foundation, Kearney Community Concert Association, Frank House, Museum of Nebraska Art, and a season judge for UNK theatre productions.
Susan has a Major in Sociology with minors in Art and Business at UNK – formerly Kearney State College. Currently Owner/President of Horizon Designs Inc. formerly USA manufacturing now primarily offshore manufacturing of private label and custom products for a diverse customer base: Entertainment Retail, Chain Store and Specialty Store Retail, Agriculture supplies and Hardware Supplies. Susan has served on a wide range of Boards over the years, most recently Kearney Area Community Foundation; Himanchal Education Foundation (Current); Kearney Community Concert Association (Current); Ambassador with AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association (Current); National E-Free Church Board of Directors (Past); Kearney Dawn Rotary Club. Chair and co-chairs for 3 Cranes on Parage Public Art Projects. In addition to management rolls at Horizon Designs Susan has years of experience in Manufacturing processes, product design, graphic design, and project management. Currently has two Granddaughter living with me keeping me busy. Love to travel and love to serve in our community.
Julie is currently the publisher of the Kearney Hub, the daily newspaper serving Kearney and surrounding communities. She joined the Kearney Hub shortly after graduating from Kearney State College in 1978 and has served the newspaper as its advertising director, general manager and, since 2012, as its publisher. She also served as publisher of the Columbus Telegram from 1995-2000. Her career in journalism has included many leadership positions on the state level with the Nebraska Press Association. She has been a board member of the Kearney and Columbus Chambers of Commerce, Buffalo County Community Partners, Kearney Housing Authority, Kearney Area United Way, Kearney Arts Council, Kearney Family YMCA, CHI Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation and the Kearney Area Community Foundation. In 2015, she was named a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Julie and her husband Dan live in Kearney and plan to remain active as volunteers in the community.
Brian is a 1995 graduate of Kearney High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. After 11 years as the vocal music instructor and assistant instrumental music instructor at Bishop Neumann High School, he is now the 6-12 vocal music instructor at Lexington Public Schools. Brian has been an active performer in the Lincoln and Omaha area, participating in groups such as the Omaha Symphonic Chorus, Lincoln Community Concert Band, Lincoln Civic Orchestra, First Presbyterian Church of Wahoo as well as solo music performances. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Music degree at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Brian has served as the Musical Director for the last three summers for Crane River Theater.
Bryce Jensen was born and raised in Kearney and has kept live theatre a part of his life since his start at Kearney High School. He received his undergraduate degree in performance from UNK and received his Masters in Media Arts and Drama from the University of Montana. After grad school, he returned to Kearney, where he continued his passion for performing by being a regular actor in Crane River productions. He was formerly the Executive Director of The World Theatre and is currently the Media Producer for Central Community College. He is also a co-owner of Buffalo Records in downtown Kearney and has previously served on the Kearney Downtown Improvement Board. Bryce is excited to serve on the CRT board and looks forward to helping keep Crane River Theater a vibrant part of the Kearney community.
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A native of Wayne, Nebraska, Emily graduated with her Bachelors in K-12 Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2008. After graduation, she began teaching general elementary music for Grand Island Public Schools. During her time with GIPS, she began working on her Master’s of Music in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln which she graduated with in 2012. While in Grand Island, Emily directed the Grand Island Public Schools Fifth Grade Honor Choir, and made presentations on music and literacy at both the Nebraska State Reading Conference as well as at Wayne State College. In 2017, she began teaching for Kearney Public Schools at Northeast Elementary. Emily was recently elected the Director of Elementary/General Music Affairs for the Nebraska Music Education Association. In her spare time, she gives piano lessons, plays and sings for her local church, participates in local theater, and sings with the Platte River Singers. Emily also stays busy with her six-year-old son Jaxon.
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Susan is very excited and honored to become an active board member for Crane River Theater! She was involved with theater and musicals in high school growing up in Kimball, NE. Susan graduated from Kearney State college (UNK) with a Bachelor’s degree in Family Life Sciences and made Kearney home ever since then. Since 1997, she has been a licensed Realtor with Coldwell Banker Town & Country Realty of Kearney, earning her GRI (Graduate of Residential Institute), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), and CBR (Certified Buyer Representative). She is also a member of the National Association of Realtors and Buffalo County Board of Realtors. Susan is an active member of Envoys of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Gold Torch Mentoring Society at UNK, Gamma Phi Beta Alumnae group, and PEO, Chapter EG. She’s a lover of the arts and appreciates, admires and applauds performers for their hard work and creativity.
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