Meet the Board

Lou DeMaio (Chairperson) has served on the board of directors since 2014. Lou is the Chairperson of the board and serves on the Development, Finance and Facilities Committees. Lou and his wife Linda live in Sandwich, NH and have been involved and supported a number of local nonprofit organizations over the years. Lou is dedicated to supporting the theatre’s mission of enriching the community through live performance, education and creative expression. With a background in business development, operations, and strategic planning Lou brings practical experience and a collaborative approach to supporting the theatre. Lou is honored to contribute both professional expertise and community perspective to aid in bolstering The Barnstormers Theatre’s long-term sustainable growth.

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Dorothy Veracka (Vice Chair / Treasurer) lives in Moultonborough and joined the Board of Directors in November 2015 following her retirement. She and her husband owned Indian Mound Hardware in Center Ossipee for 29 years. Dorothy earned a Bachelor's Degree from UMass-Amherst and an MBA from UMass-Dartmouth and before moving permanently to NH she spent many years working in corporate business. She is a member of the Finance and Development Committees and she  loves to share her knowledge of accounting with The Barnstormers. Dorothy believes in fulfilling the mission of The Barnstormers Theatre through bringing live theater to the community to foster a connection between ALL community members.

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William Murphy (Secretary) bio coming soon!

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Bruno Coppola moved to Moultonborough, New Hampshire in November of 2006 from Newton Massachusetts after coming to the Lakes Region for over 25 years with his lovely wife Sharon. Bruno has developed many personal, professional business relationships in the surrounding area as an Associate Real Estate Broker. Bruno and Sharon have enjoyed attending the professional summer plays at The Barnstormers Theatre for over two decades. Bruno was approached by two active board members and interviewed for an open board position as he had previous experience as a board member of an HOA. In May of 2025 Bruno joined the board and was asked to be on the Development & Facilities committees  which are important roles in keeping this Theatre's mission moving forward towards its 100th Anniversary (in 4 years) and beyond!

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Marin Emery just joined the board in January 2026 and serves on the finance committee. After graduating from Bowdoin College, she worked in Boston for a large investment management firm for about a decade. That was followed by a decade as stage manager of an after-school theater program, and finally a decade as bookkeeper of a non-profit serving communities of extreme poverty in the US and Central America. In 2022 Marin and her husband moved to Sandwich and were thrilled to discover top-notch theater right in Tamworth. Marin serves on the board because she believes live theater draws people together, even while other things try to pull us apart. 

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David Goldsmith lives in Durham, New Hampshire and joined The Barnstormers Board in the fall of 2024. David has been connected to The Barnstormers and Tamworth since the late 1990s through his marriage. A former actor, master electrician, and light designer for dance and theatre, David worked for three years with The River Rep summer theatre in Ivoryton, Connecticut and then graduated from Wesleyan University where he was the light designer for a dance troupe and worked on various student theatre productions both on and behind the stage. Currently, David is in his ninth year as Principal of the Moharimet Elementary School in the Oyster River Cooperative School District. David cherishes the positive impact that community theatre can have and is honored to help The Barnstormers as it approaches its 100th year! 

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Hope Hutchinson is a retired early childhood special educator who grew up summering at her grandparents' cottage on Silver Lake and attending performances at The Barnstormers. She has been active in community theater and choral groups since high school; she hasn't missed a Barnstormer's show in the last 15 years unless she was off on a cross-country bicycle ride. Hope has lived in Silver Lake year-round since 2018. She joined The Barnstormers board in 2025 and brings her energy to helping in any way she can including volunteering at the Batchelder Bistro.

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Todd Swavey - Bio coming soon!

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Katy Thompson lives in South Tamworth. She first enjoyed a Barnstormers show in 1955. In 1975 Francis (in his typical way) asked her to join the crew as scenic painter, though she had no theatre experience. Set designer Linwood Dyer kindly mentored her. She painted sets and marquee posters for a few years, and has coordinated the poster-painting with local artists and done one each summer herself ever since. She joined the BST board in 1982. For some years she operated The Other Store up the street, including its Dinners on the Deck.

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Frank Vignand Frank has over 29 years’ experience in healthcare, working for Metro Health Foundation of New Hampshire as Resident &  Community Relations Director at Golden View Health Care Center. He has over 12 years’ experience working in finance and banking , including for the  Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco in 1980, managing the implementation of a nationwide cost accounting system for the 12 th District. Frank is a graduate of Cornell University, Class of 1972; and Chaminade High School, Class of 1968. His main outside interest in life is his Sealyham Terrier – Abby, as they do most things together. Other interests include theatre, serving on the Barnstormers Board of Directors from November 2004 to present, and as Treasurer from 2005 – 2012; racing Lightning sailboats on Squam Lake and has sailed in the Virgin Islands, California, and Mexico; and golf – whenever I can get to the course. Frank’s favorite Barnstormers play of all time is “Death of a Salesman,” starring Barnstormer great – Cope Murray, as Willy Loman.

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