
Fish Creek, Wis. (July 31, 2020) – After serving Northern Sky Theater for twenty-three years as board vice chair, Cyndy Stiehl steps into the board chair role succeeding Mary Seeberg, who served in that role since 1997.
Stiehl was one of the inaugural members of the expanded board who was first approached in 1997 by Fred Alley and Mary Seeberg to help guide and support the organization as it matured and grew in popularity after its founding in 1990.
Stiehl is a classically trained mezzo-soprano who spent most of her life performing art songs throughout Door County. She got her start singing folk songs in the 1960s and instantly fell in love with her first encounter with what was then the Heritage Ensemble in 1970. She has also served on many Boards including the Door County YMCA and Birch Creek Music Performance Center.
“Just as I said ‘yes’ that day when I met Mary for the first time when she asked me to join the board, I was honored to say ‘yes’ again when Mary asked me to be chair,” stated Stiehl. “Mary’s wisdom and experience and guidance have directed us to our current successes. This board is the most fun board I’ve ever served on, which is why I’ve been part of it for 23 years. The board members feel like we are part of the creativity that is an essential element of this organization. Even during these interesting times, the artistic staff has – again – placed the theater on the cutting edge of creativity that advances our mission in amazing ways.”
Stiehl credits the organization’s new works, the trust it has built with its generations of fans and the beauty of the experience of seeing a Northern Sky show at the Park or in the Gould Theater as additional reasons for her longevity on the board.
“Most summers I attend shows at least 20 times,” she says proudly. “A board transition during these unusual times could be quite difficult for some organizations, but Mary and Cyndy have made this transition effortless,” stated artistic director, Jeff Herbst. “Cyndy has seen us through thick and thin over the years and has supported us in extraordinary ways. We are honored to now have her at the helm.”