Contact
Contact Us
Paramount Theatre: 23 East Galena Boulevard, Aurora, IL 60506
Box Office: 630-896-6666. Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
General Info, Questions or Staff: 630-896-7676
Show Questions: BoxOffice@paramountarts.com. A box office representative will respond to your message as soon as possible. If we receive your email outside of box office hours, we will contact you within 24 hours.
Donation Requests: Nikkih@paramountarts.com
Job Opportunities Weddings, Rentals & Events Press
Have a question not covered above? Drop us a note!
Contact Us
Leadership
LEADERSHIP
Tim Rater
President & Chief Executive Officer

Jim Corti ‡
Artistic Director
Paramount Theatre’s Artistic Director and 8-time Jeff Award winner
Paul-Jordan Jansen
Associate Artistic Producer
* indicates member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
† indicates member of United Scenic Artists (USA)
‡ indicates member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC)
Development & Sponsorships
Development & Sponsorships
Education & Community Engagement
Education & Community Engagement

Andrea Pikscher
Programs Manager
andreap@paramountarts.comAndrea Pikscher is thrilled to be a part of Paramount School of the Arts. As Programs Manager for Paramount Theatre and Paramount School of the Arts, Andrea truly enjoys getting to combine her love of the arts and community.
A graduate of Millikin University, Andrea’s career started with her as a performer in Chicago and throughout the United States. She then entered the start-up world with her own company focused on artists and brining more people to the arts. She has also had the pleasure of teaching the arts to students of many different ages, and is now excited to transition to focusing on how to bring the arts to the community with which she lives in.

Liz Hilsabeck
School Manager
lizh@paramountarts.comLiz is so excited to be a part of the Paramount School of the Arts! She began teaching dance and musical theatre after earning her BA in Theatre from The University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught and directed at several different schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Chelsea King
Education Partnerships Manager
chelseak@paramountarts.comChelsea King is so excited to join the team Paramount School of the Arts. She earned her BM in Musical Education from Millikin University and has worked as a high school choir director at various public schools in the Aurora area for the past seven years. She is excited to bring her classroom experience and love of the arts to her new role!

Penelope Torres
School Experience Coordinator
penelopet@paramountarts.comPenelope is joyful to join the team at the Paramount School of the Arts! Most recently she was at Broadway in Chicago and The Comedy Shrine, and is experienced in theater operations. She is a working artist with her roots in photojournalism, fine art photography and portrait photography. Additionally, with a passion for performance she is a graduate from “the Acting Lab” at Second City’s Training Center.

Jessica M. Duplessis
Director of Education and Community Engagement
jessicad@paramountarts.comJessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Dance, and Film Education (TADF) with a specialization in theater and dance education from Keene State College (Keene NH). Jessica previously served as the education manager upon the opening of PSA and has enjoyed the opportunity to be a hands on participant in the growth and development of the school. Jessica is an accomplished dance and theater educator as well as choreographer. Jessica is committed to the continued growth of Paramount School of the Arts, its programs and the school and theater’s connection to the beautiful Aurora community.
Marketing, Sales & Public Relations
MARKETING, SALES & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Mike Meyer, MeyerFilm Inc.
Video Production
Liz Lauren
Broadway Photography
Finance & Human Resources
Finance & Human Resources
Adam Dooley
COVID Safety Officer
Reid Bruce
Erika Miller
Vice President of Finance & Human Resources
Catherine Morton
Accounts Receivable Associate
Jenna Gagliano
Training Coordinator
Anna Hayman
COVID-19 Safety Coordinator
Patti Heinz
Finance/HR Administrative Assistant
Rentals & Special Events
Rentals & Special Events

Jordan Scherpe-Lencioni
Rentals Manager
jordansl@paramountarts.comJordan became part of the Paramount family in 2015 as a Special Events Intern. Soon after, she transitioned into an Event Coordinator and assisted in the renovation project for the Copley Theatre and North Island Center before becoming Rentals Manager. Jordan loves working with clients in creating their dream events at the variety of venues that Paramount has to offer.

Jennifer Hahn
Special Events Director
jenniferh@paramountarts.comJennifer Hahn became part of the Paramount team in 2010 as a part-time Event Coordinator. She is now the Special Events Director and oversees all rentals in our various unique venues. Jennifer really enjoys working with clients and helping them to see their vision evolve from conception to completion. She is thrilled to constantly assist clients the day of their event and watch guests enjoy and celebrate the special occasion.

Bill Pope
Rentals Manager
billp@paramountarts.comBill Pope has been a member of the Paramount family for over 16 years. He began in 2002 as a Group Sales Manager and transitioned to the Rentals Manager in November of 2005. Bill has spent his entire career in the theatre and the entertainment business, and has worked for nearly every major player in Chicago.

Sam Haywood
Event Coordinator
samg@paramountarts.comSam joined the Paramount team in the winter of 2020. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration and Dance Performance. Sam loves working with clients throughout their planning process and seeing them through their big day!

Katharyne O’Connor
Event Coordinator
katharyneo@paramountarts.comKatharyne joined the Paramount family in the spring of 2019 as a manager at RiverEdge Park. In 2021, she transitioned into her current role as an Event Coordinator. She started volunteering and coordinating events in the Central-Illinois area at a young age. She followed her passion and soon began coordinating music events all around the Midwest, interning with the Lyric Opera’s Special Events team and as event staff for the Elmhurst Park District. Katharyne studied Music Business at Elmhurst University and solidified her love for events as the Union Board Events Chair, Elmhurst Jazz Festival Student Manager, and organizing events all over campus!
In her free time, she loves spending time with her cat, painting, cooking and golfing. Katharyne loves getting to know our clients and watching their visions become a reality!

Jenna Waskow
Event Coordinator
jennaw@paramountarts.comJenna joined the Paramount team in the winter of 2022. She feels that creating memorable and joyous experiences for clients is what makes event coordinating so rewarding. It is her pleasure to get to know you and start your wedding count down!
Banquet Crew: Rosilyn Caldwell, Timothy Davis, Tatiana Hughes, Steven McReynolds, Savion Montanez, Jonathan Palazzolo, & Bethany Travis
Production
Production
Rose Quealy
Vice President of Productions
Kat Shehan
Production Management Associate
Kelly Steimel
Interim Technical Director
Phil Wooding
Assistant Technical Director
Matt Guthier
Costume Shop Manager
Christina Leinicke
Associate Costume Shop Manager
Jessi Tampa
Assistant Costume Shop Manager
Alex Buholzer
Audio, Lighting, and Media Supervisor
Katie Cordts
Wig, Hair & Makeup Manager
Miguel Armstrong
Wig, Hair & Makeup Assistant
Jesse Gaffney
Properties Manager
Aimee Plant
Assistant Properties Manager
Scenic & Properties Shops: Jonathan Berg-Einhorn (Properties Artisan), Michael Burke (Carpenter), Taylor H. Entwistle (Scenic Charge Artist), Liam Norris (Carpenter), Jacob Puralweski (Carpenter), Scott Robertson (Foreman)
Costume Shop: Anne Hauge (First Hand), Alex Kosbab (First Hand), D.J. Reed (Craft Specialist), Danielle Soldat (Draper), Natalie Zelman (Stitcher)
Stage Crew: Chad Carlson, Breanna Dassinger, Nathan Dittemore, Jeremy Drechny, Gary Emmert, Randi Fechner, Ian Garrett, Karl Gfall, Tyler Hughes, Emily Kinasz, Jillian Luce, Joe McDonnell, Todd Nance, Ed Neidhart, Savannah Oseguera, Samantha Peroutka, Mat Piotrowski, Brittany Powers, Mike Reardon, Alan Richards, Susie Rodriguez, Mollie Spoerer, Henry Toohey
Operations & Facilities
Operations & Facilities
Dave Natchke
Director of Facilities Operations
Dan Scharlau
Facilities Project Manager
Zachary Hildreth
Facilities Operations Manager
Rick Franzen
Facilities Operations Assistant
Kathy Lorenz
Operations Facilities Administrative Coordinator
Audience Services
Audience Services
Audience Services Supervisors: Elena Gerk, Nikki Harris, Ethan Isaacson, Megan Pawlak
Audience/Subscriber Services Associates: Johanna Arseneau, Cody Bratcher, Sabine Chaurize, Lindsay Christiansen, Andres DeLeon, Stephanie Dodson, Tina Dodson, Colleen Filipek, Mary Pat Griswold, Yair Guerrero, Yaretzi Guerrero, Josely Hernandez, Andra Hu, Julie Hurtt, Matthew Johnson, Sloane Johnson, Lillie Lewis, Nadia Mendoza, Bridget Nameche, Bailey O’Neil, Kathy Petersen, Ruth Poor, Tara Quade, Mya Rayford, Jazmine Robinson, Samantha Rowley, Lisa Wehling, Tom Wojcik, Frederick Yanos
Front of House
Front of House
Elliot Samartano
Operational Cleaning Staff Manager
Melinda Ray
Merchandise Coordinator
Donnie Lemley
Front of House Operations Manager
Jane & Scott Glor, Valet Systems, Inc.
Valet Service
Front of House Lead Associates: Kelly Hart
Front of House Associates: Daniel ArzolaCindy Brennan, Nicole Chesley, Miranda Colin, Patty Corsolini, Jane Donoho, Anne Johnsen, Beth Kahan, Jessica Knutson, Rita Medina, Annie Parzygnat, Ashley Palmer, Renee Perry & Liz Wright
Front of House Staff: Joe Bastian, Meghan Black, Nathan Cotter, Megan Grove, Karen Hames, Mark Herbert, Tanya Jarvis, Meredith Johnson, Renee Jones, Jarod Kovach, Rose Ledermann, Scott McMeans, Steven McReynolds, Arlene Morefield, James Morefield, Maryam O’Such, Alyssa Perez, Frankie Ramos, Erica Sanchez, Caroline Savickas, Danny Scharlau, Gina Schlacker, Chris Smith, RJ Ward, Debbie White, Peter Witt, Rian Woods, Debby Woodward, & Jose Zavala
Operational Cleaning Staff: Jose Avila, Julio Garcia, Nadia Hansen, Albert Kunold, Anthony Ladew, Alternale Martin, & Elidonia Martinez
Merch Associates: Susan Bain, Becca Ehlert, John Fayfar, Kara Gaffino, Blake Jablonski, Kelly Johnson, & Peg Yatchman
ACCA Board & City of Aurora
AURORA CIVIC CENTER AUTHORITY BOARD
Aurora Civic Center Authority is the owner and operator of the Paramount Theatre & North Island Center.
Chairman
Jonathan Hylton
Vice Chairman
Gina Moga
Treasurer
John Savage
Secretary
Mike Baum
Members
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Hon. R. Peter Grometer, Tim Hoppa, Cynthia Latimer, Christine Goerlich Weber
Legal Counsel
Bruce Goldsmith
CITY OF AURORA
Paramount programming is partially funded by the City of Aurora.
MAYOR
Richard C. Irvin
ALDERMEN
1st Ward Emmanuel Llamas
2nd Ward Juany Garza
3rd Ward Ted Mesiacos
4th Ward Bill Donnell
5th Ward Carl Franco
6th Ward Michael B. Saville
7th Ward Scheketa Hart-Burns
8th Ward Patty Smith
9th Ward Edward Bugg
10th Ward Shweta Baid
At Large Ron Woerman
At Large Sherman L. Jenkins
MISSION STATEMENT
The Aurora Civic Center Authority is committed to being a defining catalyst for personal and community transformation by: making the performing arts accessible for every age and socio-economic background, introducing the magic of live theatre across generations to encourage expansive imaginations and broad views of people and the world, and contributing to the future stability and growth of Aurora’s downtown.
Education
Education

Andrea Pikscher
Programs Manager
andreap@paramountarts.comAndrea Pikscher is thrilled to be a part of Paramount School of the Arts. As Programs Manager for Paramount Theatre and Paramount School of the Arts, Andrea truly enjoys getting to combine her love of the arts and community.
A graduate of Millikin University, Andrea’s career started with her as a performer in Chicago and throughout the United States. She then entered the start-up world with her own company focused on artists and brining more people to the arts. She has also had the pleasure of teaching the arts to students of many different ages, and is now excited to transition to focusing on how to bring the arts to the community with which she lives in.

Liz Hilsabeck
School Manager
lizh@paramountarts.comLiz is so excited to be a part of the Paramount School of the Arts! She began teaching dance and musical theatre after earning her BA in Theatre from The University of Wisconsin-Madison and has taught and directed at several different schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Chelsea King
Education Partnerships Manager
chelseak@paramountarts.comChelsea King is so excited to join the team Paramount School of the Arts. She earned her BM in Musical Education from Millikin University and has worked as a high school choir director at various public schools in the Aurora area for the past seven years. She is excited to bring her classroom experience and love of the arts to her new role!

Penelope Torres
School Experience Coordinator
penelopet@paramountarts.comPenelope is joyful to join the team at the Paramount School of the Arts! Most recently she was at Broadway in Chicago and The Comedy Shrine, and is experienced in theater operations. She is a working artist with her roots in photojournalism, fine art photography and portrait photography. Additionally, with a passion for performance she is a graduate from “the Acting Lab” at Second City’s Training Center.

Jessica M. Duplessis
Director of Education and Community Engagement
jessicad@paramountarts.comJessica holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Dance, and Film Education (TADF) with a specialization in theater and dance education from Keene State College (Keene NH). Jessica previously served as the education manager upon the opening of PSA and has enjoyed the opportunity to be a hands on participant in the growth and development of the school. Jessica is an accomplished dance and theater educator as well as choreographer. Jessica is committed to the continued growth of Paramount School of the Arts, its programs and the school and theater’s connection to the beautiful Aurora community.