Staff
Kerri Lesch
Executive Director
Kerri Lesch is a former project manager reentering the workforce after 16 years at home with her children. Kerri started as a volunteer with Children’s Performing Arts in 2013 with her daughter, Sarah, in Aladdin,... Read more
Sharon Hanifl-Lee
Board Chair & Senior Advising Director
Sharon has been involved with CPA since 2011 and started on the board as the fundraising chair in 2013. Originally from the Chicago area where she developed her love for theater, Sharon ventured to Minnesota... Read more
Carrie Carlson
Resident Pre-K-6th Grade Director & Community Outreach
Carrie has a BA in Psychology and has been involved with performance groups that have traveled across the United States from New York to California. Carrie has been a part of CPA for since 2007... Read more
Maddie Ripperger
Education and Programs Manager
Maddie Ripperger is a native Iowan who recently relocated to the Twin Cities. Growing up, she experienced a rich theatrical education at both The Des Moines Playhouse and Rising Star Theatre Company in Dubuque. From... Read more
Riley Peltz
Production Manager
Riley grew up in both Arizona and Wisconsin and after graduating from High School found herself pursuing her love of the Theatre craft at Concordia University, St. Paul. She is a recent 2020 graduate at... Read more
Jaelon Olson
Virtual Arts Coordinator and Technical Assistant
My name is Jaelon Olson. I live on a small hobby farm in Scandia, Minnesota. My family raises sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and other animals. I have loved film for as long as I can... Read more
Board
- Sharon Hanifl-LeeBoard Chair & Senior Advising Director
- Jess MieheVice Chair
- Jennifer HallingstadTreasurer
- Liz AndertSecretary
- Katie HarvieuxBoard Member
- Tim MaurerBoard Member
- Shari MelsaMember
- Carla RatgenBoard Member
- Rick ThompsonBoard Member
- Sonja ThorsonMember