MEET OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

This summer, The Garden is growing in fantastic, new ways. The Friends of The Garden Theater non-profit organization bought the theater in December 2020 in order to protect, preserve and grow its impact within the community. Efforts to date have been focused on a $2 million capital campaign to restore the building, firm up the foundation, replace the roof, create ADA accessible bathrooms and facilities, expand the stage and restore the marquee. “Thanks to the incredible generosity and support within our community, we are closing in on our fundraising goal to save the structure,” said Rick Schmitt, Chair of The Friends of The Garden Theater, “In addition to raising the remaining funds to cross the fundraising finish line, we also want to get started expanding our programming and impact within the community. In order to accomplish both goals, hiring an Executive Director is the natural next step.”

“We had many impressively qualified candidates apply,” said Scott Harrison, Vice Chair of The Friends of The Garden Theater and lead recruiter, “We are thrilled to welcome Katie Jones to the team as our Executive Director.” Jones has a passion for movies, theater, live entertainment, education and community. She has a rich background in theater, writing and film production and a four-generation connection to the Frankfort area. Among other accolades, Jones was the co-writer and played a starring role in The Cold and the Quiet, winning Best Actress & Best Cinematography at the Midwest Independent Film Festival and Best Directing, Best Editing and Best Narrative Feature at the Women’s Independent Film Festival. She was also a producer on An Acceptable Loss, a 2019 feature film starring Jamie Lee Curtis.

Jones and her family will be moving to the Frankfort community from Nashville and she will start in her role as Executive Director on June 1st. “I am beyond thrilled to be joining The Garden Theater team,” stated Jones, “having a prior career in film production, I was looking for that next step that would require me to travel less and provide more stability for my family. This position blends so many of my passions: film and all other forms of art, community, and my favorite place on Earth, Frankfort, MI.” 

What is even more inspiring is Jones’ vision for The Garden Theater and where she wants to take it.  “I am looking forward to being a part of bringing music, art, theater, community events and more to Frankfort. I hope The Garden will be a space for people of all ages to gather and find something that enriches their lives,” said Jones

 Her thoughts on the move from Nashville to northern Michigan? “Frankfort has always been home in my heart. A feeling that my husband and kids now share. It feels natural to finally make it our physical home. However, we will be looking for all the tips for getting through the winter months! Gatherings at The Garden, perhaps?”

Meet Our Staff

Joe Perkette, Assistant Manager and Projectionist, is a skilled professional with over 20 years of experience in the film, projection, and theater management fields. After working for the Traverse City Film Festival for ten years, he began working at The Garden. He is able to expertly multitask, handling the general management of the theater during movie showings while also being in charge of projecting the films as well.

Grace Andreasen, Communications Director & Volunteer Coordinator graduated from The University of Michigan’s Honors Program with a degree in Creative Writing & Literature where she wrote a 180 page honors thesis in the form of a short story collection. Prior to her time there, she attended New York University’s Tisch School of​ The Arts where she studied acting. At NYU she was a member of Broke People’s Play Festival’s Executive Board where she handled communications and the overall running of the festival. Though she grew up spending her summers in Frankfort, she is now a year-round, permanent resident, living just a few blocks from the theater. Her experience made her perfectly suited to join The Garden’s team, bringing her expertise in writing to the organization’s communications, handling the coordination of volunteers, and creating and running the first ever youth theater education program at The Garden: Summer Onstage.

The Friends of the Garden Theater Board of Directors

Rick Schmitt, Board President, is also co-owner of Stormcloud Brewing company located in Frankfort, Michigan. A native of Colorado, Rick relocated to Northern Michigan from Denver in 1996 to accept the role of Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa. In 2013, Rick left Crystal Mountain to open Stormcloud Brewing Company, a Belgian-inspired brewery producing 3000 barrels and employing over 75 people, with business partner Brian Confer.. A graduate of the University of Denver Business School, Rick resides in Frankfort, married to his wife of 28 years and has two children, ages 24 and 22. Rick has extensive involvement and experience in non-profits as well. He is currently the treasurer of the Michigan Brewers Guild, Board Chair of the Frankfort Downtown Development Authority. Past volunteer experiences include Venture North funding, Frankfort-Elberta Area School Board, Benzie County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Benzie County Economic Development Corporation, and the International Association of Conference Centers.

Scott Harrison, Vice-Chair and is a retired healthcare executive. His career included executive positions in hospital administration, health insurance and a national senior living corporation. He lives full time in Frankfort, Michigan.

Jeff Smith, Treasurer is a retired partner from Ernst & Young, a CPA with a career of over 34 years in Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. He has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations having served on the boards of the Metropolitan Planning Council of Chicago, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Michigan State Department of Accounting and Information Systems Advisory Board. He currently serves on the Grand Rapids Art Museum Foundation board, Frankfort Tree Board in addition to his work with the Friends of the Garden Theater.

Becky Bagnall, secretary is a pharmacist and retired middle school science teacher.  She currently serves the Frankfort Elberta School District in the capacity of community engagement volunteer coordinator. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, and has called Frankfort home since 2013.

Amy King Schindler, DirectoR has been spending summers in Frankfort for five generations. Her husband, Ed, is a Frankfort High School graduate ('89) and their family became year-round residents in 2017. She has extensive experience in marketing, having worked at Ford Motor Company, Vertex Innovation, Campus Creative Works before shifting to the nonprofit world and fundraising for Elk Rapids Schools. Amy currently serves as the Chair of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and the Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools Educational Foundation and is on the boards of Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Foundation, Crystal Downs Country Club, Frankfort Elberta Board of Education in addition to her involvement with the Friends of the Garden Theater.

Elise crafts, Director owns a consulting firm, Placecraft, that provides community planning, community listening, and project coordination support to municipal and nonprofit clients in Michigan. She previously lived in Frankfort with her dog, Jake, and now lives in Traverse City with Jake and her partner Nick Loud, a film producer and co-founder of The Boardman Review. Elise is wildly enthusiastic about people coming together to make their communities better, and is committed to a lifelong learning practice on how to do this justly, equitably, and in a way that welcomes all people to the table. She’s excited and honored to work/learn alongside the Garden Theatre community as a board member. 

David Oellerich, Director is a semi-retired, self-employed general construction industry consultant currently engaged on projects as an Owner’s Representative and as a member of several general construction Advisory Boards. His prior 30 plus year career in construction included 12 years as the owner of one of the largest privately owned local general construction firms on Florida’s gulf coast.