Light Opera Works Staff
General Manager – Bridget McDonough
Bridget McDonough has been employed in arts management since graduating from Northwestern University in 1978. In 1980 she co-founded Light Opera Works with Philip Kraus and others. She holds membership in the Illinois Arts Alliance, is past president of the Rotary Club of Evanston, and served on the boards of the Evanston Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Around the Coyote and the School of Communication Alumni Board at Northwestern University. She is currently on the boards of the North Shore International Network and the Musicians Club of Women, as well as the tourism committee of Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors’ Bureau. In 2008, she served as one of the International Judges at the Second Vladimir Kurochkin International Competition of Young Artists of Operetta and Musicals in Yekaterinburg, Russia, and was honored by the Evanston Chamber of Commerce with their 2009 Public Service/Nonprofit Person of the Year Award.
Artistic Director – Rudy Hogenmiller
Rudy Hogenmiller began his tenure as LIGHT OPERA WORKS' artistic director in 2005, and has directed many productions for the company, including Man of La Mancha, Camelot, The Student Prince, Brigadoon, Hello, Dolly!, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, The Mikado and The Merry Widow.
A classic "triple threat," Rudy won the role of Larry, the dance captain, in the Los Angeles national company of A Chorus Line in 1977, working with the legendary Michael Bennett.
He later directed the groundbreaking show at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, followed by Drury Lane Evergreen Park in 1999 (where he also played Zach, the director), and in 2004 at Theatre at the Center (again appearing as Zach).
For nearly 30 years Rudy has been an actor, director and choreographer with such Chicago companies as Marriott Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Evergreen Park, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Pegasus Players and Drury Lane Oakbrook. He toured the country and the world with productions of A Chorus Line, Evita and The Fantasticks.
He has been recognized with six Joseph Jefferson Awards and 17 nominations for best choreography and/or direction in Chicago. Rudy has been a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers for more than 25 years.
Business Manager............... Michael Kotze
Director of Audience
and Press Services...............
Christopher A. RileyMusic Director......................
Roger L. Bingaman
Production Manager............. Katie Beeks
Casting Director.....................
Kyle A. Dougan
House Manager.................... Matt Conlon
Interns................................... Hayley Koch
Jeffrey Rubin
Sophie Vallet
Suzanne Whitney
