Cari Twitchell – Board Chair
Member Since 2011
Cari Twitchell has been in love with theater since elementary school and has accumulated numerous on-stage highlights ranging from a rousing performance as Lost Boy #4 in Peter Pan to belting out “Ed Sullivan” in Bye, Bye Birdie. While first attempting a theater major at Macalester College, she turned instead to social studies and ended up pursuing a legal degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Since turning her attention away from the stage, Cari has been an avid supporter of theater as a patron, house manager, volunteer and now, board member. She also supports local and international human rights efforts in any way she can, as evidenced by her work with the Hague Domestic Violence Project, the International Leadership Institute, and Advocates for Human Rights. She lives in the ‘burbs with her husband, son and cat, each of whom she loves with all her heart.
Thomas Blackstock – Vice Chair
Member Since 2011
Thomas works as an attorney in Minneapolis. He holds a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a J.D. from University of Notre Dame Law School.
Drew Lindorfer - Treasurer
Member Since 2011
Drew Lindorfer is the Business Development & Administrative Manager at Milestone Growth Fund, a community-based small business investment fund. She serves as Pro Rata’s vice-chair and sits on its fundraising and strategic planning committees. Drew holds a B.A. from Macalester College.
Christine “Kit” Gordon – Secretary
Member Since 2010
Christine (“Kit”) Mack Gordon has worked as a dramaturg in the Twin Cities since 1997. She first worked with Theatre Pro Rata on their production of Thomas Kyd’s Spanish Tragedy, and joined the board in July 2010. She also served as dramaturg and literary manager for the Mary Worth Theatre Company and worked with Shakespeare in the Park (1997-2002). She directed Mary Worth’s 1999 Fringe production, Marlowe: To Ride in Triumph. She has also worked locally with Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Theatre in the Round Players, Verona Productions, Council of Doom Theatre Company, the Minnesota Shakespeare Project, Hardcover Theater, Starting Gate Theatre Company, and Girl Friday Theatre. Kit’s theatrical training includes a month-long intensive workshop for theater professionals at Shakespeare and Company in western Massachusetts, as well as workshops with Theatre de la Jeune Lune and with Andrew Wade, head of voice for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her academic training includes a Ph.D. in English; her dissertation, Dreaming in Shakespeare, includes three essays on training and performance, teaching, and dramaturgy, and three pieces of fiction that re-imagine aspects of Shakespeare’s biography and his plays. Kit works full time as an academic advisor for students in the University Honors Program at the University of Minnesota.
Melissa Hoppe – Board Member
Member Since 2011
Melissa Hoppe works as a senior financial analyst at Ecolab and is actively involved in the local film community. She has been a participant and enthusiast of theater for the last nineteen years and is a proud supporter of Theatre Pro Rata’s productions, mission, and values. A graduate of the University of St. Thomas, where she studied finance, Melissa now serves as Theatre Pro Rata’s Treasurer.
Scott Pakudaitis – Board Member
Member Since 2011
Scott works at St. Catherine University as an Institutional Research Analyst. He has served on the boards of Live Action Set and the Minnesota Fringe Festival and is currently the president of Bedlam Theatre’s board. He’s a freelance theater and dance photographer and directs short plays. He volunteers with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and is a Big Brother volunteer. He has a B.S. in engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana and he likes squirrels.
Brad Bourn - Board Member
Member Since 2011
Brad is a life-long resident of Minneapolis and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theater from Augsburg College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Metropolitan State University. His interest in theater stemmed from difficulties growing up in the inner city and he used theater was as an avenue for artistic expression, social interaction and a forum to explore political ideas. Brad’s experience in the non-profit theater world eventually lead him to a career in youth service non-profits where he could give back to the city he grew up in.
In 2009, Brad was elected as a Commissioner on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and is currently the youngest elected official in the city of Minneapolis. Outside of the Park Board, Brad works for the Minnesota Council on Crime and Justice working on criminal justice reform issues.
Brad has served on various boards of arts non-profits and in 2010 Governor Dayton appointed Brad to the Minnesota Commission on National and Community Service; the governing and funding body for all National Service programs in Minnesota.
Brad has been a patron and a friend of Theatre Pro Rata for the last decade and has always been impressed with the level of quality of each production as well as the level of professionalism and financial stewardship in the organization.
Scott Strand – Board Member
Member Since 2012
While a long time supporter and participant in the Performing Arts, Scott Strand’s 20 year professional background and experience is as an Environmental Scientist with a degree in Organic Chemistry. He specializes in Product Environmental Risk and Safety Assessments, Global Environmental Regulatory Compliance, and supporting Environmental, Health, and Safety Hazard Communication for Industry. He currently works for 3M as an Advanced EHS Specialist in their Medical Department. In his off-time, he enjoys participating in vocal performances with Carpe Diem Vocal Ensemble, home remodeling projects, landscaping, beer brewing, and word working.
