The Board of Trustees

KEN MAGOS
President / General Director

Founder Ken Magos is an active musical and stage director, and versatile performer who has been seen on stages throughout the US and Italy in professional opera and concert productions, working with several of the medium’s most-acclaimed conductors (including Edo de Waart, George Manahan, Richard Buckley, Theo Alcantara, John Fiore) and stage directors (including Tito Capobianco, Francesca Zambello, John Copley, Regine Crespin). His credits include principal roles in BORIS GODUNOV, SAMSON ET DALILAH, RIGOLETTO, LA TRAVIATA, LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST, RODELINDA, IL TURCO IN ITALIA, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, THE RAKE'S PROGRESS, WERTHER, CARMEN, MASKERADE, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, and AIDA, as well as the US premieres of Matthus’ SONG OF LOVE AND DEATH OF THE CORNET CHRISTOPH RILKE and Rihm’s OEDIPUS. In addition, his concert appearances include the Tenor Soloist in Rachmaninoff’s THE BELLS, Bernstein's CHICHESTER PSALMS, and Mozart’s REQUIEM. His regional theater credits include leading roles in THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, MY FAIR LADY, OLIVER!, YOU'RE GONNA LOVE TOMORROW, RAPUNZEL’S SONG (premiere), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, FOLLIES, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE MIKADO, FOOTLOOSE, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, among others. On film, he appeared in DANGEROUS AFFECTIONS (with Judith Light and Jimmy Smits) and PLAIN CLOTHES (with Loren Dean and Arliss Howard).

Now working primarily behind the scenes, he will be Stage Director for SMTW's upcoming productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and RENT. Most recently, he served as Musical Director for Passaic Valley Summer Theater's production of MISS SAIGON, Stage Director for THE MIKADO and Musical Director for THE SOUND OF MUSIC, both for Montclair Operetta Club's 2008-09 season, and Stage Director for SMTW's original revue TOGETHER AND APART. In 2007-08, he served as Musical Director for PVST's production of RENT, as well as Stage Director for SMTW's productions of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and L'AMOUR: OPERA'S LOVE SONGS. Additional past credits include providing Musical Direction for productions of URINETOWN, THE FANTASTICKS, CITY OF ANGELS, AESOP’S FALABLES, FOLLIES, BROADWAY BROADS, BROADWAY’S GOLDEN AGE and THE LUNACIES OF LOVE (three original revues), and numerous opera and musical theater concerts throughout the US. In March 2007, he produced A CELEBRATION IN SONG benefiting the Children's Tumor Foundation in honor of Sandra Blumberg, featuring Broadway performers Megan Lawrence, Kevin Kern, Charlie Pollock, and Juliet Lambert Pratt.

Originally from Seattle, he did his undergraduate work at the University of Washington, performing for Queen Elizabeth during her 1983 visit to the region. He subsequently received his Master's in Opera/Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, where he was awarded the Richard F. Gold/Shoshanna Foundation Career Development Grant and the Richard Rodgers Scholarship, followed by apprenticeships with both Pittsburgh Opera (under Tito Capobianco) and Santa Fe Opera (under John Crosby).

Ken maintains active voice studios in both New Jersey and New York City.

KAREN CANTOR
Treasurer

Off-Broadway and regional credits include the role of Venus in the long-awaited revival of Kurt Weill’s ONE TOUCH OF VENUS at the Goodspeed Opera House. She played Louisa in THE FANTASTICKS with the Miami Opera, toured as the comic Susan in THE DESERT SONG, played the title role in NAUGHTY MARIETTA, Josephine in HMS PINAFORE, The Mistress in EVITA, Anna in TINTYPES, Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and one of her favorite gigs, a production of STARTING HERE, STARTING NOW in the Cayman Islands!

On the concert stage, Karen’s credits include WEST SIDE STORY at the Caramoor Festival, a performance of musical comedy selections at Carnegie Recital Hall, and a debut as Cunegonde in CANDIDE at the Midland Center for the Arts in Michigan.

On television she has been seen as Katie, Travis’ secretary on ABC’s All My Children.

In addition to her performance credits, Karen has developed and directed several original revues for various venues throughout New Jersey.

ROBERT J. O'HARE
Secretary / Legal Counsel

Bob brings an extensive performance background to SMTW, with credits that range from Summer Stock to Off-Off-Broadway to Dinner and Community Theater. Equally at home in musical and non-musical productions, he has received critical acclaim for leading roles in FOLLIES, COMPANY, STOP THE WORLD…, ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT…, 1776, GODSPELL, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, JACQUES BREL, ANTIGONE, INDIANS, THE CRUCIBLE, and THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL. On television, Bob has been seen on ANOTHER WORLD.

In addition to his acting credits, Bob has also directed and/or designed productions of CAMELOT, CELEBRATION, THE FANTASTICKS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and GLASS MANAGERIE.

Since 2000, he has served as the Associate General Counsel fo American Management Association International. Prior to joining AMA, he practiced at law firms in New York, Florida, New Jersey and Washington, specializing in intellectual property and litigation.

ROBERT MACKASEK
Trustee

Bob’s performance experience includes Off-Broadway, cruise ships and regional theater. He has had principal roles in DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE FANTASTICKS, ANYTHING GOES, MY FAIR LADY, GUYS AND DOLLS, and URINETOWN, and has performed in numerous musicals as a member of the ensemble. He has been performing in piano bars, singing and playing piano, for over 40 years. Bob is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Valera Global, Inc., an International luxury chauffeured executive sedan service, a position he assumed in 2005 after practicing law for 25 years.

ERICKA TRAUGH
Trustee

Ericka received her BA in Theater from West Chester University. Past performance include principal roles in productions of THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, GRACELAND, DOROTHY WHO?, HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, AM/PM, HAMLET, BIG RIVER, BLOOD BROTHERS, THE FULL MONTY, THE BAKER'S WIFE, NINE, and as a featured soloist in the WEST CHESTER AIDS BENEFIT. For SMTW, she appeared onstage in our original revue TOGETHER AND APART, and stage managed the company's production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.