Petite Opera Productions Board of Directors

Susan K. Baushke

As President and Executive Director, Ms. Baushke brings a wide array of experience and skills to the company in both the arts and business. Holding both a Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University in Music Theory, Composition and Vocal Performance, and an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from DePaul University, she applies a balanced arts-business approach to guiding the corporation mission and connecting with audiences. Ms. Baushke guides the company strategy, marketing,

development, artistic/Human Resources and front office–all functions that support connections with patrons, artists, donors and the community. She also recently stepped into the role of Interim Director of Production with the loss of the company’s co-founder, Steven Arvanites.

Ms. Baushke leads the Artistic Team of the company. She applies her extensive performance experience in vocal performance, instrumental music, dance and visual art to the company, and is part of the Petite Opera Productions Translation Team that updates works for modern audiences. Ms. Baushke has also written the libretto and dialogue for the company’s works: Petite Opera Productions inaugural work, Al Fresco – Life Through Opera-Colored Glasses, and Petite Original Productions series That’s Amore! As a featured performer and soloist, she has appeared with Petite Opera Productions, Light Opera Works, The International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, Big Noise Theatre, Collaboraction, CenterStage Lake Forest, Southwest Michigan Symphony, Whiting Festival Park Orchestra, Park Ridge Gilbert & Sullivan company, Intimate Opera, and Bowen Park Opera, among others.

Janene Bergen

Board Member, Artistic Team MemberJanene Bergen was one of the founding members of Petite Opera Productions with Susan Baushke and Steven Arvanites when the company was formed in 2007, and was a Board member from 2007-2015. In 2024, she returned to the Board to join the Artistic Team.

Instrumental in creating the company’s original, inaugural “Spooferetta-style” production, “Al Fresco -Life through Opera-Colored Glasses”, she also played many of the featured opera heroines (Pamina, Musetta, Tosca). Janene again returned to the Petite Opera Productions stage in role of both Dew Fairy and Sandman in Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel”.

Janene received her Masters Degree in Vocal Music Performance from the Vienna Academy of Music in Vienna, Austria. She performed the role of Fiordiligi in Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” on tour throughout Austria, Germany and Holland. She has performed as soprano soloist with the South Bend Symphony (Handel’s “Messiah”) and the Illinois Symphony (Handel’s “Dixit Dominus”). She was featured as the soprano soloist in Haydn’s “Creation” with the Pilgrim Choir and Pilgrim Chamber Orchestra of Oak Park.

She has performed as part of a Cabaret Duo called “Treble in a Red Dress” around Chicagoland, with collaborative partner, Ryan Eikmeier. She recently created and starred in a one-woman show in Three Oaks, Michigan featuring a review of beloved Jazz Standards from the 40s. She currently resides in St Joseph, MI and has a private voice studio online.

Jack Cohen

Treasurer, Financial Advisor. House Manager, Box Office ManagerA music lover with absolutely no artistic talent, Jack helps with the financial side of the company. He possesses a Master’s of Science degree in management from Purdue University and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Northwestern University. Mr. Cohen acts as financial advisor, assisting with company financial statements for grants and fundraising, and offers business and financial advice to the Board. During productions, he also manages the Box Office and Front of House operations.

Emily Cox

Board Member, Artistic Team Member, Social Media, Production PlanningA dynamic performer, educator, and entrepreneur, her innovative and collaborative spirit cultivates new audiences through creative, accessible programming. Emily joined the Petite Opera Productions’ board in 2023 with a focus on elevating the group to the next level while celebrating its connection with artists and audience as family.

With over fifteen years of executive and arts leadership experience across both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Emily’s commitment to her craft and community shines through her diverse body of work across contemporary music, opera, and musical theatre. She has become a vital force in the Chicagoland arts scene since her arrival here in 2014.

Emily is Artistic Director of Cox Productions, for which she writes and directs new musical works throughout the Chicagoland area. Recently, Before and After, a one-woman cabaret show double-bill that examined the trials of online dating, and reality of getting married during Covid, was produced by Petite Productions (the company’s brand for original and non-operatic productions). She currently serves as Managing Director of /kor/ productions in Chicago, is an active member of Opera on Tap, Opera America, the Musicians Club of Women, New Music Chicago, the Chicago Cabaret Professionals, Chicago Opera Theatre’s Educational Subcommittee, the Illinois Theatre Professionals, and the Chicago Vocal Arts Consortium.

Cathy Dunn

With a Bachelors of Music in vocal performance from Texas Christian University, and a Master’s in Music in vocal performance from Northwestern University, Ms. Dunn brings extensive experience to our Board in performing, directing, and operatic arts administration. As a performer, she was a member of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, and has appeared in over 140 productions with the full-time Lyric Opera chorus. Ms. Dunn has appeared in in numerous leading roles in opera, operetta and musical theatre in the US and Europe. She has directed over 30 productions across the United States with companies including Tulsa Opera, Intimate Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Washington Opera, Yakama Valley Opera, Bel Cantini and Washington East Opera—the latter which she founded. For Petite Opera Productions, she has directed over 11 productions, and holds the position of Resident Stage Director.

John O’Connell

John joined Petite Opera Productions’ Board in 2022, but has been an advocate of the company since day one. He appeared as the title character, Al Fresco, in the company’s original work and inaugural production of Al Fresco–Life Through Opera-Colored Glasses. John now leads the company’s development and fundraising efforts.

With finance degrees from both Georgetown University and Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, John spent over 30 years as a professional fundraiser, most recently as a Major and Planned Giving Officer at the Field Museum of Natural History. He has also appeared in several Gilbert and Sullivan productions over the years. He is active in his local park advisory board and his church choir.

Elizabeth Sklena

Board Member/Lighting Designer/Outreach Advocate

Ms. Sklena has extensive experience in theatrical production management and lighting design, and in-depth knowledge of patron groups in the Chicagoland area. She leads lighting design for all Petite Opera Productions works, and provides technical expertise. In addition, Ms. Sklena shares her community and patron perspectives to the Board.

Interested in Joining our Board? Email us at info@petiteopera.org.