Board of Directors

Hailing from Northeast Wisconsin, Katie M. Schmidt regularly performs both opera and music theater.  She received her B.A. in History and Music from Carthage College in Kenosha, WI, and her Master of Music degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Ms. Schmidt made her San Francisco debut in 2013 at the Hot Air Music Festival as the mezzo soloist in the West Coast premiere of Benjamin Boyle’s To One in Paradise. She has studied voice with Ruby Pleasure, Corinne Ness, Allison Hull, and Linda Feldmann.  Her past roles include: Marian in The Music Man, Countess in The Marriage of Figaro, Mrs. Peachum in The Beggar’s Opera, Second Lady in The Magic Flute, and Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas.  She currently resides in Green Bay, WI, where she teaches history at West High School.

Nancy Braatz is a fan of musical theater, with talent in the accounting world.

She is a CPA with a degree in Accounting from Marquette University. Having lived in Wisconsin
98% of her life, she is also a Badger fan.
After working “9 to 5” and “The Company Way”, she learned How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, to enable her to “Seize the Day”, and spend her retired time volunteering, “Traveling” and camping with “My Partner in Crime” Jeff, and daughters Sarah and Maggie.
Nancy feels blessed to “Consider Yourself” part of this amazing, talented Board of Directors.
Truth be told, she has never sung any songs publicly.

Abbie is a Fox Cities native, growing up (still) in Appleton. She discovered her love of theater at Appleton North high School before earning a bachelor of science in art degree from UW- Madison. Abbie currently works as a Zumba instructor, drums alive fitness instructor, and arts and humanities specialist at the Fox Cities YMCA. Devoted to performing musicals and Shakespeare, her favorite past shows include Chicago, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Beauty and the Beast, and Tuck Everlasting. Abbie is very grateful for the opportunity to share her love for theater with her two sons Darian and Carter, through FRCT!

Marie Dums is a recent addition to the FRCT production team but she has been performing with the groups since the young age of 9 and it is truly what started her love for the theatre and all things performance. Raised in Neenah, WI, she is currently attending the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in pursuit of a bachelor's degree in instrumental education and a certificate in theatre arts. Marie has dabbled in all of the various facets of the theatre, from performing roles like Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Young Woman in Kodachrome, to assistant stage managing They Promised Her the Moon at the high school level, to finally her directing debut with Honk Jr. last summer. She cannot wait to bring her artistic visions to the stage and is thrilled to work with everyone joining the FRCT community! Welcome to the show!

John Eslinger is a computer engineer by trade, an actor by hobby, a velociraptor in secret, and Menasha resident since 2022.

John has been involved with FRCT cast and friends since 2023, taking on board responsibilities in 2025. By day, he works remotely developing embedded wireless systems. By night, he performs in musicals around the Fox Valley Area. Otherwise, he finds time helping out with various programs and opportunities (Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Pillars, Vex Robotics, etc).

If you're looking for theatre opportunities, he hopes you consider and enjoy FRCT's offerings. If you're just passing through the website, he bids you safe travels on your wayward journey through the internet.

Jodi has participated in community theater for over 20 years, in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. She loves performing on stage with her family, but also enjoys wearing other hats such as assistant directing, being a prop diva, serving on leadership boards, organizing volunteers, and stage managing. 

She received her BS in music education from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA and later became a certified special education teacher. 

Her past roles include: Lucy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Cosette in Les Miserables, Electra in Gypsy, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Poopsie in The Pajama Game, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, and Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast. 

She currently serves as president of Boosters of Lightning Theatre (BOLT) at Appleton North High School. She resides in Freedom, WI with her family and is a special education teacher at Houdini Elementary School in Appleton.