About Us

Vision

     The directors share the goal of a fully-operational theatre actively used by the citizens of northern Chaffee County to host social, community and cultural activities of many types.

     They envision the theatre hosting wedding receptions, graduations, plays and other events which require 5,000 square feet of open space and perhaps a stage. The possibilities are nealy endless, and the vitality and economic benefit of a polished, classy, multipurpose finished product, booked non-stop, year-round is potentially huge.

     The guiding force behind the happenings at the Orpheum Theatre is a group of volunteers made up of local people for whom serving on the board is a true labor of love.

Board of Directors

Portia Benson

Portia is serving as the Executive Director for the Orpheum Theatre.  She began working with the theatre in January of 2008, and is currently working part time in order to secure public and private funding for the theatre.   She is inspired by what the theatre could become and is excited to be a part of restoring this beautiful structure to its former glory.  |

 John Cogswell

John Cogswell is a fifth generation Colorado native. He graduated from Yale University and Georgetown Law Center and has practiced law in Colorado for over 40 years. He acquired the Orpheum Theatre building in 1994 and has served on the board since its inception. Mr. Cogswell has donated over $150,000 in cash towards prior restoration of the building, and deeded the theater airspace in 2001 ($140,000 value) to the Orpheum Theatre, Inc., a non profit organization which obtained its 501 (c)(3) designation in 1998. Mr Cogswell has continued to make cash and in-kind contributions to the theater, and has been actively involved in raising funds to complete the theater for the benefit of the public.

Nelson Fleming

Nelson holds a BA degree in Biology and an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He has served as a director, treasurer and president of the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce. Professionally he is a member of the Colorado Society of CPA's and of the American Institute of CPA's, and past member and president of the Denver Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants. with 28 years of accounting management consulting and strategic planning experience.  He was a Captain in the U.S. Army Field Artillery and recipient of two bronze stars for service in Viet Nam.

  Judy Green
                            
A graduate of Michigan State University with B.A. in Advertising/Marketing; Marketing Officer for a 23-branch bank in Michigan; former Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Salida, Colorado; marketing liason for a national newspaper software company, Media Marketing in Boulder, Colorado; co-owner with former husband, Jack, of 5 businesses in 3 states from 1992 to 2006. Employed at Colorado Mountain College as the Community and Corporate Learning Manager for both Lake and Chaffee Counties, she has been a Board member of the Orpheum since 1996; Two sons, Jake, 28, employed at the Buckle Store's IT Department in Kearney, NE , and Jordan, 23 currently serving in the US Navy stationed in Hawaii.

Cec Hogarth

Born in Scotland, Cec has been in Buena Vista since 1986.  A Cambridge University (UK) classics graduate, he retired from teaching Latin at Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs in 1989 to work for 2500AD Software as a technical writer. From 1995 he was self-employed as both a musician (pianist, piano teacher and piano tuner) and a computer consultant. He is well-known as a pianist, having played for many years at the Pinecone Restaurant and its successor, the Buffalo Bar and Grill. He currently plays at the Global Cafe on Wednesday evenings.  He has been involved in music and theater for over half a century; directed the music for several Valley Children's Theater productions, and appeared as pianist and actor in variety and musical shows in Colorado Springs.  He is currently providing accompaniment for the High Country  fine Arts' production of Music Man, and has appeared with Tina Lovejoy and Receene Bernhardt in several memorable performances at the Steam Plant and at the Orpheum Theatre. 

Cec lives full-time in town. He was one of the founding directors of the Orpheum board. As an active musician, he brings to the board a performer's persepctive on elements such as acoustics, lighting, power-provision, and n-stage and back-stage facilities that the theater needs to make it a favorite venue for musicians and actors. He also plays golf, is an "omniverous reader" and self-admitted "crossword freak."            

  Elmer Olinger

As a businessman, Elmer worked for many years in the elevator industry, and is the former owner of a securities business.  His passion for golf led him to be involved with golf tournaments nation-wide, with many tournaments held for the benefit of various worthy organizations. He and his wife, Bernice, vacationed in Buena Vista for many years, and now call it "home."  Elmer is currently the Vice President in charge of fundraising for the Orpheum Theatre.

  John Vakarietis

John is  past President of the High Country Fine Arts Association, and was director of the 2004 musical production of "Cinderella."  He has been an active participant in 12 musicals since 1996. He is also the President for the Pick and Shovel Players, a local dramatic group, and was the director of the summer melodrama in 2005 and 2006. He contributes much of his time and skills as a carpenter and electrician when needed by the theater.  He is also a member of the Collegiate Peaks Chorale.

 Susan Wolfe

A native of southern California, Susan served as the Managing Director of the Orpheum Theatre from 2001 until 2006. Susan plays piano and acoustic guitar and has sung with the "worship team" at ClearView Community Church in Buena Vista.

Susan has helped coordinate refreshments at various community dances in Buena Vista, which have been held monthly throughout the school year since 2000, "hosted" by  Randy and Carole Barnes.  She is involved with the McGinnis Middle School Parent/School Partnership Group and Buena Vista High School Academic Leadership League.  She has an AA degree in Business from Citrus College and trained on-the-job to be a paralegal starting in 1977.