About
2nd Street
Be Inspired
2nd Street Performing Arts Center and Downriver Actors Guild is the premier performing arts community gathering space for the area. Our mission is to provide the communities we serve with a space to experience the performing arts, dance, music, and visual arts. We build bridges between diverse members of our community through high-quality arts entertainment in the region and the state. The objectives of the organization is to produce the highest quality arts entertainment, to be a positive impact on our community, and to be an organization where everyone is welcome, equal, and can create in an open and accepting environment. We do this for the love of the arts.
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Overseen by the Board of Governors, 2nd Street Performing Arts Center (d.b.a. Downriver Actors Guild) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving both the community of Wyandotte and the state of Michigan. 2nd Street Performing Arts Center will provide quality programming and performances that strive to be educational, affordable, and enrich the arts within our diverse communities. The center, which includes Downriver Actors Guild, Downriver Dance Academy, and 2nd St. Sound, the 2nd Street Performing Arts Center is a hub for the arts in Wyandotte, MI.
We at 2nd Street will continue to commit ourselves to:
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Providing greater access to the arts in both the City of Wyandotte and in the Southeastern Michigan communities
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A creative space and inclusive environment for established and emerging local performers and artists
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Ensuring educational and cultural opportunities for all ages.
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We are inclusive in our overall approach to representation across race/ethnicity, gender, body type, binary/non-binary identification, and physical ability.
Programs at 2nd Street will include:
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Musicals, plays, and live performances for all ages
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Theater eduction programs
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Dance education, recitals, and performances
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Live music concerts
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Multicultural programs and events
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Children's summer camps
Our Board and Management Team
Kenny Konaszewski
President
Kenny wears many hats with Downriver Actors Guild. He has performed in numerous productions such as The Full Monty, Annie, and Rock of Ages. Kenny currently hosts DAG's video blog which can be seen on their YouTube channel. Kenny has directed both main-stage musicals and dinner theater.
Melanie Aue
Vice President
Melanie has been very active with the Downriver Actors Guild for a number of years. She is a founding member of 2nd St. Sound, an actor, and a part of many directing teams. She is very excited to join the board to continue moving this group forward as we fill our new space.
JIM STEELE
Treasurer
Jim got involved with theater when his daughter wanted to be in a play with her friends. Seven years later, he has done many of the jobs here behind the scenes as well as being on stage in front of the lights. "We have a strong community theater here with fantastic programs for Families, Adults, Teens and Children." Besides serving on the board, he is also the Set Crew Manager. Jim lives in Lincoln Park with his lovely wife, teenage daughter and 1 furry kid.
Makena Shell
Secretary
Makena has been performing, directing, and teaching theatre in the Downriver area for several years. This is her 4th year on the Board of Directors with DAG. She also serves as the Marketing Director for 2nd Street, and you can find her work on our social media pages.
STEPHENI AGUILA
Advocate
Stepheni found the DAG family in 2015 when 3 of her children did their first show. It was clear right away that the children couldn't get enough, so she decided to learn all that she could about the workings of the theater. She has tried her hand at being a producer and stage managing among other things. She has also helped with props, sets, costumes and makeup. She lives in Taylor with her husband James and their 6 children. She works in the Taylor school system and is heavily involved with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in her community.
Sherry Irving
Documentation Secretary
Sherry has been very active with the Downriver Actors Guild since her first show in 2018. Sherry is involved with DAG in many ways, performing in musicals, producing shows and helping at the box office. She recently semi-retired from education and is excited to join the board to put her extra time to good use. She is married to Bob, and together they have 4 sons and 3 grandchildren.
Gerald Hymer
Trustee
Gerald has been an active DAG member for several years. Both as a performer and vocal director, Gerald has dedicated much of his time to helping build the success of 2nd Street.
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Edda O'Brien
Trustee
Edda has been an active member of DAG since her daughters fell in love with the theater’s youth program in early 2022. While still very much a “theater mom,” she also lends her voice to 2nd St. Sound and designs all of DAG’s show programs and posters.
Chelsea Rize
Trustee
Chelsea has been a member of 2nd Street since 2020. She has performed, vocal directed, and produced many productions with DAG, and is the Executive Producer for the organization.
Raquel Searles
Trustee
Raquel has been a part of the 2nd Street family for 2 years. She is happy to share her time at DAG with her 3 children.
BRYAN AUE
Director of Operations
Bryan has been involved in local theater for the last 20 years. He has performed in and directed many of DAG's productions through the years. In addition to his theatrical credits, Bryan sings in 2nd St. Sound our premiere a cappella group, helps design and build sets for several productions, and is the Executive Producer for the Curtain Call podcast.
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Tamara Hornby
Artistic Director
Tamara is a proud wife, mom, and Capricorn Sun/Scorpio Moon. She studied music at Wayne State University and has been a private voice and piano instructor for over 15 years (tamaramarla.com). She frequently directs and vocal directs for DAG, and is sometimes even found performing onstage. Tamara is a member of the a cappella group, 2nd St Sound, and often does arrangements for the group. If you’re reading this, it is your sign to GET INVOLVED. Whether you want to be on or off the stage, please come be a part of our theatre family!
DEBBIE AUE
Artistic Director