Executive Board

Kara Flynn, President

Kara Flynn was born and raised in Sioux Falls and moved to Rapid City in 2004.  She and her husband Leo have two sons, Leo and Nathaniel, who are active in local music programs. She holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s degree in Geography from South Dakota State University. Kara is currently the Vice President of Development for Children's Home Society of South Dakota. Kara was the Education Co-Chair for the City of Rapid City’s Cultural Plan in 2016 and has been involved in funding and promoting the arts in Rapid City ever since.  Kara is a former member of the local singing group TRASH and believes a thriving arts scene provides area citizens the opportunity to participate in the arts as both performer and consumer. ​​

Jan Woodruff, Vice President

As a child of an Air Force service member, Jan grew up moving around to different bases throughout the world, ending up in Minot, ND.  She attended Minot State University and transferred to NDSU in Fargo, ND, where she earned her degree in Interior Design.  Jan met her husband, Rob, while working as a designer in Minneapolis, MN. They spent time in Louisville, KY, and Houston, TX, before settling in Rapid City. Together they have two daughters, Isla and Emilia. Jan currently manages their busy family and volunteers with their schools and activities. She thoroughly enjoys supporting their involvement with Cherry Street Players and other BHCT productions and events. In recent years, she has helped BHCT with fundraising efforts and the Holiday Dinner Theater Committee. Jan looks forward to working with the BHCT board and talented community of artists here in the beautiful Black Hills. 

Carrie Christensen, Treasurer

Carrie, a Rapid City resident for over 12 years, is a CPA and a tax partner at Ketel Thorstenson, LLP. Her family includes her husband of 25 years, Clay, their two daughters and their 2 year old mini Aussie names Peaches. When she's not working, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, physical fitness, reading and cooking. She is also currently a board member for the American Red Cross and has previously served as Treasurer for Zonta Club of the Black Hills.​

Teresa McDevitt, Secretary

Born outside of Philadelphia, Teresa has had the amazing experience of living multiple places thanks to her husband who served in the Navy. She received her BA in Business from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as well as her Master’s in Education.  After retiring from teaching in 2022 and moving to the beautiful Black Hills, the 24-Hour Play Festival reignited an earlier passion to be involved with all aspects of theater. Since then, Teresa has helped BHCT with costuming, administrative tasks, and is a proud member of the Well Done Players.  She still enjoys working with children in the area schools as a substitute teacher, volunteers with the Teammates program and also with organizations at her church.  Teresa is excited to assist the board in their mission to bring the joy of live theater to everyone in the community. 

Leslie Magnusson Hildyard, Past President

Leslie Magnusson Hildyard began her brief acting career as Eliza in My Fair Lady, while performing for Central High School in the Historic Theater.  A Rapid City native, she attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill for undergraduate work and the University of Colorado for her Masters in Business Administration.  She spent 30 years in Phoenix raising a family and working for Procter & Gamble.  Since retiring to Rapid City, she is the Past Board President of the Hope Center and American Association of University Women, and she currently serves on the South Dakota Public Broadcasting Board.  She comes from a very musical family, plays the piano, and sings for the joy of it.  She is absolutely delighted to be able to contribute to Rapid City's impressive Black Hills Community Theatre. ​

Board Members

Dane A. Floyd

Dane served 21 years in the U.S. Army, bringing a foundation of leadership, discipline, and dedication to every endeavor. Today, he inspires young minds as a 2nd-grade teacher in the Douglas School District. An expressive performer at heart, Dane has also graced the stage in numerous theater productions and the Discovery Series.

Amy Koenig

Amy is a South Dakota native who grew up in Yankton.  Her very brief acting career occurred in high school when she had the pleasure of being part of both of the casts of the musicals Lil’ Abner and My Fair Lady.   Amy has been a Cherry Street Players parent for the last few years and has really enjoyed watching her daughter and all the other talented kiddos on stage.  Professionally, she is currently the Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Dakota Gold Corp., a junior mining company with headquarters in Lead, SD.  She is also the incoming board chair for Children’s Home Society of South Dakota.​

Carolyn Linn

Carolyn grew up in rural Ohio, graduated from Ohio University, married Dennis Linn in 1971, and began travelling the country and world as an Air Force spouse, moving every few years and landing in South Dakota the first time in 1989. She joined the BHCT board in 1990, and taught at then National College. While raising five children, she found work related to writing and teaching in many locations. In 1997, she returned to Rapid City from Germany and the family started Linn Productions, a video production company. Carolyn is excited to once again be serving on the BHCT board and helping to support the many ways theatre enriches our community.

Bernie McFarling

Bernie is a military brat, so "home" has been many different places, to include Germany, Guam and the Philippines. She is also an Air Force veteran and her husband, Dave, is an Air Force retiree. Since moving to Rapid City 7 years ago, Bernie has been the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Director for Ellsworth AFB. She has a BA in Sociology from St Edward's University and earned her Master's degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. As a member of BHCT's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, she has enjoyed the collaborative efforts with her fellow committee members as they work to make local theater more accessible to everyone in our community. Bernie loves the theater and is excited to support BHCT and honored to serve on the Board.  ​

Craig Pfeifle

Photo and Bio Coming Soon!
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Michelle Porter

Michelle Porter was born into a military family. She has lived in Rapid City for over 30 years and considers it her hometown. She has a bachelor’s in Education with majors in Library Science and Non-Profit Management. She works in patient and family education at Monument Health. Michelle is a regular audience member at BHCT, has participated in the season selection committee, and has contributed dramaturgical research for a few productions. She also assists with the theatre's annual Juneteenth celebration. She is grateful for continued volunteer opportunities at BHCT that open doors to educate and entertain.

Jenny Read

Jenny Read is an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and has a strong commitment to community and education. Married for 23 years and a mother of two, Jenny brings both lived experience and professional dedication to her leadership roles. Jenny is a graduate of Central High School in Aberdeen, SD. She graduated with a degree in Business Management and Social Media Marketing from Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City where she calls home since 2004. In the past she volunteered with the Rapid City Indian Boarding School Lands Project. She currently serves as a parent representative for the Title VI Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee as a voice for all Indigenous students and their families. She is the current Secretary on the Board of Directors for Journey On, where she supports the organization’s mission of community outreach, safety, and advocacy. She is on the Native American Arts Collaboration Committee (Black Hills Community Theatre). Jenny is also a weekly TeamMates Mentor within the Rapid City Area Schools District and is a “Big Sister” of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of the Black Hills. Jenny’s oldest child (now 19) spent most of her childhood as a Cherry Street performer. Her youngest (now 13) was in BHCT’s Average Family and most recently in the Mitakuye Oyasin Talent Showcase. Jenny has always loved experiencing the magic of theatre and the productions she’s seen at both the PAC and Studio Theatre. Jenny appreciates that BHCT is inclusive of all members of our He Sapa community and the importance they stress on diversity.

Shannon Truax

Born in New Jersey and raised in Chamberlain, SD, Shannon has called Rapid City home since 1999. As the mother of five children, she has dabbled in supporting various sports, arts, and entertainment organizations over the years. Now that her children are all grown, she is excited to have the freedom to try new things.

Her first foray into BHCT at an Actors Boot Camp sparked a previously undiscovered interest in Community Theater. To foster her new found passion, Shannon is excited to participate in productions, as well as serve on the Board of Directors. In her free time she can be found reading, camping, playing board games, cooking, watching football, or toodling around on her motorcycle.