Broadway star becomes Board President of Skyline Theatre Company

(BERGEN COUNTY, NJ) -- Michele McConnell, star of the Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera has become the new Board of Trustees president of Skyline Theatre Company in Fair Lawn.

Ms. McConnell, who has served on the board since 2008, was unanimously voted into the position of board president this year. Ms. McConnell has been performing in the Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera since February, 2010, and performing the starring role of Carlotta since July, 2011.

Originally from Indianapolis, Ms. McConnell has lived in northern New Jersey for almost 17 years.  She has worked and volunteered in all areas of the company, from the box office and administration to set production and performance.   She is a graduate of Butler University with a Music Education degree and minors in Speech, Communication, and Theatre.   Ms. McConnell's performance resume includes musical theatre, opera, concert performance, cabaret, professional chorus, and touring productions. She has traveled to over 115 countries performing on luxury cruise ships. Ms. McConnell is a proud member of Actors Equity Association.  In addition to her performance credits, she is an adjunct faculty member in the Musical Theatre department at New Jersey City University.

Skyline has also expanded its board this year, adding four additional New Jersey based trustees. Susan Boland has been connected with non-profits as a business manager and an accountant for most of her working career. She earned her CPA license in 1986, and for five years she was also was the Production Manager for San Diego Lyric Opera. James Boland is a retired Naval Officer who currently writes training manuals for Solidworks. His theatre work includes lighting and sound design, and he has worked in numerous backstage capacities at The Lyric Opera. Julie Pietrafesa is originally from Fair Lawn, and now resides in Hawthorne with her husband and three children. She works part time as a paralegal with the Levine Law Firm, LLC, and has held various positions on the Home & School Board for St. Anthony's School.  Dennis O'Connell has held a number of management roles in the US Air Force and at Trans World Airlines.

Skyline provides quality professional theatre right in the heart of Bergen County and performs at the George Frey Center for Arts and Recreation, 10-10 20th Street, Fair Lawn, NJ. For more information please call 1-800-474-1299.