Connar Klock is a queer, Michigan rooted director, facilitator, and advocate whose work puts new plays, queer and working class voices, and humanist values at the center. In thirteen years of theatre involvement, Connar has worked on over 50 shows, directed for 9 companies and 12 new play festivals, and is still as sentimental as day one. Most recent credits include directing ‘Art’ by Yasmina Reza at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and as co-creator of Before the Shooting, a one-act choreopoem exploring the effects of parents, white privilege, toxic masculinity, and gender roles on gun violence with poet-activist Denise Miller for Queer Theatre Kalamazoo.

They currently serve as the Artistic Director of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo, on the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition, on the play selection committees for Farmers Alley Theatre and WMU Theatre respectively, and at Kalamazoo’s LGBTQIA+ resource center, OutFront Kalamazoo. They hold a BFA in Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University, where they currently serve as a Cultural Competency Consultant in the Department of Theatre and Dance.

They are the first of 5 children to their mother, who is the first of 5 to her mother, who is the first of 8 to her mother, all raised along the coast of Lake Michigan. They carry that with them.

"C" Heaps is a theatre artist and scholar who has worked on dozens of productions in every role possible, specializing in directing and translation/playwriting. Before moving to the Midwest, "C" helmed FACE Theatre Company as Artistic Director and New Play Project as Executive Director, both in Provo, Utah.

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They received their PhD in Theatre History, Theory, and Literature from Indiana University in 2019 before teaching at Kalamazoo College for several years. Their research specialties include postcolonialism, cognitive linguistics, translation theory and practice, virtual performance, and gender studies.

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After serving as a board member since 2019, "C" has moved into the position of Managing Director for Queer Theatre Kalamazoo. They also currently teach English and Pubic Speaking at Battle Creek Central High School where they are also the Forensics coach.

Averi is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in Strategic Communications. Her academic journey provided her with a solid foundation in understanding the power of words and the importance of community, which she has since translated into a start for her career in Public Relations.

Averi is driven by her love for storytelling and her belief in the transformative power of theater to inspire, educate, and unite communities. Averi currently serves as a public relations associate for Queer Theater Kalamazoo and is an intern at the local airport and Perspectives Consulting Group. In her spare time, she can be found reading books, spending time with family and friends, being a caregiver at a daycare, or traveling the States. Whether crafting compelling narratives or engaging in conversation with friends and strangers alike, she delights in the art of weaving words together to captivate, inspire, and connect.

Karen Libman, MFA, BFA, recently retired after a 35-year career as a theatre professor, stage director, writer, and storyteller.  She joined the faculty of Grand Valley State University in 1999. Libman was named the 2010 Michigan Professor of the Year, and she received a 2016 Fulbright Fellowship in South Asia. She is currently Board President of Queer Theatre Kalamazoo.

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Adam is an attorney (bar results pending) at Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, graduating summa cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Adam has lived in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area for 13 years, having fallen in love with the community when he moved here to attend Western Michigan University for his undergraduate studies.

Adam believes strongly in the power that art and theatre have on its audience and community, having acted on stage and working on tech crews, Adam was drawn to Queer Theatre Kalamazoo by its values of inclusion and radical transparency, as well as its vision of a thriving, cultural community and the kind, passionate people that make up the theater’s staff and Board of Directors.

A proud member of the Kalamazoo LGBTQ+ community, Adam has served on the Queer Theatre Kalamazoo Board of Directors since 2019. Adam’s other pastimes include volunteering at Battle Creek-based non-profits E3 Achievement and Community Inclusive Recreation, studying marital arts, and playing board games.

Raquel Hellenga, MA, brings a lifetime of performing arts passion and nearly two decades of living, working, and relating, in Kalamazoo to the QTK Board. A lifelong resident of Southwest Michigan, she grew up steeped in performing arts culture as a competitive dancer, acting in upwards of 20 local theatre productions, along with vocal, piano, and pageantry experiences.

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She received a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Communication from WMU where she participated in the Women’s and Grand Choruses. She has taught communication courses at various colleges and universities in Michigan for over ten years and utilized her deep knowledge of the Kalamazoo community across many roles and industries over the years. She also is very involved in chronic illness advocacy as a nearly-life-long Rheumatoid Arthritis patient and uses this experience to help make the arts more accessible.

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Being a proud, long-time member of Kalamazoo’s queer community, alongside her passion for the local performing arts scene, helps Raquel bring a focused and impactful voice to QTK’s board. She is currently also active with The Kalamazoo Civic, Crawlspace Eviction, and BSD Dance Studio.

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Katelyn Vasicek is a dedicated health care provider serving the Kalamazoo area. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Science and a minor in Chemistry. Thereafter, she earned her Master's in Physician Assistant Studies. Practicing since 2016, Katelyn has honed her skills in hospital medicine, surgery, and urgent care. 

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Katelyn brings a compassionate understanding and support of the queer community, influenced by her cherished relationships with members who are close friends and family. In her leisure, Katelyn enjoys running, playing piano, experimenting with culinary delights, and exploring new destinations through travel.

Michael is an experienced technology leader with nearly two decades of demonstrated success in: Artificial Intelligence, Technology Strategy, and Technology Advisory.  He is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife.

Michael is skilled in guiding companies through tech-transformation challenges while delivering substantial business value through the advancements in AI, Analytics and Human-Centered-Change. He is adept at developing high-performing teams, cultivating strong C-suite relationships, and consistently exceeding customer expectations.

Michael has previously served on the Board of Directors at Bay City Players Theatre.  Additionally, he was one of two who developed the business plan & strategy for Shelterhouse of Midland (a women's a children's domestic abuse shelter) to create a constant and long lasting revenue stream, as well as a safe place for the residents to shop for free, through the creation of the Shelterhouse Resale Shop.  

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Volunteering and supporting local non-profits has always been a priority of Michael's.  His other past-times include traveling the world and social time / game nights with friends.