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.
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
JIM STEELE
President
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.
Kenny Konaszewski
Vice 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.
PEGGY PARTRICH
Treasurer
Peggy has served for many years as Downriver Actors Guild's Treasurer. Her background in finance has been an asset to the group. The Downriver Actors Guild is a family affair for the Partrich family. Her son has appeared in many of our productions and her husband has been a huge supporter of the group.
MICHELLE STURM
Secretary
Michelle has served several terms as Downriver Actors Guild's Secretary. Michelle is also in charge of our concessions for all productions. The Sturm family have all been involved with Downriver Actors Guild. Her son and daughter have been performing with the group since they were children. Her husband has been a loyal supporter.
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.
Makena Shell
Documentation Secretary
Makena has been an active member of Downriver Actors Guild for the past six years. In that time, she has served on numerous production teams, served on the technical teams for both stage and film productions, and has been seen on stage in a variety of roles. Makena has served on the marketing team and is currently the Social Media Coordinator.
Melanie Aue
Trustee
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.
Grace Harper
Trustee
Grace has been involved with DAG since her first youth show in 2014. She has since performed in, done tech, ran lights, assisted with, choreographed, and enjoyed dozens of shows with DAG. She is a new member of 2nd St. Sound and has danced at Downriver Dance Academy for several years. She is also an original member of 2nd Street’s social media team.
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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.
Sherry Irving
Trustee
Sherry...
JOEL BIAS
Operations Director
Joel has served for many years on the Board, and he has served as the Operations Director since the group's inception. He has also served as the President, and is the resident sound technician, as well as wearing many hats in the tech world.
BRYAN AUE
Assistant Operations Director
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.
DEBBIE AUE
Artistic Director