A brief look at the people who have worked on the Mahoney State Park Melodramas:
Producer/Director John Burkhart
John started his melodrama experience at the now-defunct Gaslight Theatre in Lincoln in the early 70's. He has since appeared as an actor, director, stage hand, board of director member and running crew member for several local theatre venues. Since 1993, John has produced melodramas for the Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theatre located at the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska and on the Fremont Dinner Train in Fremont, NE.
Music Director Linda Laessle
Linda has served as musical director for several area theatre groups, including the Lincoln Community Playhouse, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, and the Star City Dinner Theatre. She worked on her first melodrama at the Gaslight Theatre in the early 70's. Linda has directed and played music for the Mahoney State Park melodramas five out of the past seven years. She holds a master's degree in music from the University of Nebraska.
Costume Designer Donna Himmelberger
Donna has designed and prepared costumes for all of the local area theatre groups, including the Lincoln Community Playhouse, Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Omaha Community Playhouse and the Omaha Theatre Caravan. Donna has costumed the last six seasons at the Mahoney melodramas. She is currently employed as costume designer for the Nebraska Wesleyan Theatre Department.