Jenia Strom - President
Jenia is grateful for all that the Central Theatre Program does for this community and is honored to serve as the Booster’s Board President. Throughout her life, Jenia has enjoyed being a part of various theatre groups and enjoys seeing both her children participating in Central’s Theatre program. She is committed to helping support this program knowing that, in addition to theatrical skills, participants are practicing essential life skills: empathy, creativity, resilience, and joy.

Jenia is passionate about public education, theater arts, and building community. She brings this passion and experience as an educator and program director to the Boosters. She is a former high school social studies teacher, curriculum writer, and Director of Children, Youth, and Family Programs. Currently, Jenia is the Community Engagement Specialist for FOSS Swim School, running their Scholarship, Donations, Events, & Partnership Programs. Her past volunteer work includes coordinating volunteers and serving on the board at the Dodge Nature Center Preschool. At the Twin Cities German Immersion School she helped establish the Classroom Parent Program, a unique multi-age Girl Scout troop, and served on the Communications committee.

Matt Burress - Treasurer
Matt is excited to join the board as the new treasurer. His children Anne Burress (a junior) and Charlie Burress (a freshman) have taken on a few tech crew roles at Central. Matt’s interest in theatre dates back to performances in middle and high school productions. During high school and college, Matt was also an actor and later an assistant director--along with his future spouse Amy--with the Young Shakespeare Players, which is a youth acting program in his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin.

Matt’s finance and budgeting experience includes serving in various volunteer roles with the Twin Cities German Immersion School, such as on the school’s finance committee and as treasurer of the parent-teacher organization. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree and works at the Minnesota state legislature as a nonpartisan legislative analyst, where he assists in the budgeting and policymaking process.

Emily Kahnert - Secretary
Emily joined the Theater Booster Board in fall 2023 as Secretary. She is the parent of Central sophomore Ella Kahnert (cast member in recent Central musicals and shows) and 7th grader Jack Kahnert (keyboard player in 2023-2024 Central pit orchestras). She works as a physical therapist specializing in treating orofacial pain by day, aiming to complete her PhD in Rehabilitation Science by summer 2024. She is also a cello player with a passion for playing in the pit, rebuilding community post-lockdown, and supporting arts access for future generations.

Emily Flagstad - At-Large
Emily is the mom of three Central alumni [Moira (’16), Fiona (’21), & Maeve (’23)] who were all involved in orchestra, choir, and/or theatre during their time at Central.  Emily brings 10 years of insights and experience as board member, assistant director, and managing director at the Center for Irish Music to the theatre program.  She has degrees in Russian and teaching English as a second language, is insatiably curious, and loves learning new things!  Since the fall of 2021, she has worked alongside Emily Gill to create a brand new website, maintain a consistent social media presence, and to implement sustainable systems.   Now that the board has grown and there is more parent volunteer support, fostering community is her main focus.  Having benefitted greatly from being a part of fantastic high school theatrical productions herself, she is happy to play a small part in making sure that the students at Central have just as profound an experience.

Paul Godfread - At-Large