Richard Kuranda
founding artistic director

Richard got his start at the age of 12 in Northeastern Pa. acting for Pulitzer Prize winner Jason Miller in a production of That Championship Season.  He attended WVU for undergraduate work and then went on to NYC’s burgeoning independent film scene in the 1990s where he worked with Bill Plympton, Sydney Lumet, and Eduardo Machado.  He then attended the New School for Social Research/Actors Studio Drama School where he earned two Masters degrees under Arthur Penn and Romulus Linney.

After school, he served as the Head of Operations at NY’s Signature Theater Company under James Houghton for 2 years where he managed two Theaters on 42^nd St. before accepting a senior administrator post at The New School/ASDS with James Lipton.  During a 5-year period, he worked towards the expansion of the Repertory season, television show as well as the expansion of the campus to include the Westbeth Theater Complex.  Kuranda co-founded Epic Repertory Theater in NYC and in a three-year span produced nearly 24 Off-Broadway plays including premieres by David Auburn, JT Rogers, Romulus Linney, and Lee Blessing.  He went on to become the Associate Artistic Director, Interim Artistic Director and then Producing Director for the Eugene O’Neill Memorial Theatre Center. While at the O’Neill, Kuranda was credited by the New York Times as restoring confidence to its national programs with the addition of Michael Bush, Wendy C. Goldberg, and Oz Scott. Projects developed under his tenure at the O’Neill included In The Heights and {title of show} amongst others which have debuted at nearly every major regional theater in the US.

He is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio (early work at the Actors Studio included a 6-month development of Oedipus Rex with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Estelle Parsons).  His film work is a permanent part of the MOMA Collection; he’s a former advocate for the United Nations, Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona 2004. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and The Stage Directors and Choreographers.  Kuranda serves as a Mentor for the Kennedy Center, Arts In Crisis program. Five years ago, Richard moved to Crystal Lake and started a family with his wife Alicia.  They are very proud of their four children and the community.

Jarrod Bainter
director of production

Jarrod is a veteran stage technician and designer with a career spanning more than 20 years. Beginning as a performer for the local park district in his home town of Peoria IL, Jarrod has remained a devoted practitioner of stagecraft and live performance with professional credits in Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Prop Design, Sound Design, Projection Design, Stage Management, Production Management, and many more. After graduating Illinois State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Production & Design, he move to Chicago and worked for 8 years as a freelance artist. Most recently, he returned to Peoria to serve his former school as Technical Director for the theatre department of Illinois Central College. Jarrod is very excited to serve the Crystal Lake community as the Director of Production for Raue Center and would like to thank everyone for making him feel so welcome in his new home.

Caitlin I. Quinn
production stage manager

Caitlin wanted to be a stage manager before she even knew exactly what a stage manager was. She walked into the recruiting meeting of her high school drama club her freshman year, said, "Yeah, I want to do that." and she hasn't looked back since.

William Schmiel
resident scenic artist

William Schmiel earned his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, Goodman School of Drama.  He has more than 40 years of professional design experience.  He worked at Insight Theatre, The Municipal Opera, St. Louis Repertory Theatre, Stages, The St. Louis Ballet Company, The New Theatre, Theatre Project Company;  as well as at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City.  For WSRep, the last designed  DEATH OF A SALESMAN, ART, [TITLE OF SHOW] and painted PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE.

WSR Production Staff

Jarrod Bainter, director of production
Kyle Schneider, sound supervisor/production assistant
Jackson Diedrich, production/operations associate
Matt Claypool, master electrician/facilities coordinator

WSR Administrative Staff

Richard Kuranda, founding artistic director
Caitlin I. Quinn, company manager/production stage manager
Alicia Regan, grants coordinator
Miriam Naponelli, marketing director
Michele V. Knight, marketing manager/reading series program manager
Janie Ragsdale, marketing associate/social media coordinator
James Knight, economic development manager
Billy Seger, house manager

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