About
Preble Players began as a dream, developed into a plan, and became a reality when Founder and Board President Lisa Marling founded the non-profit theatre in 2018. Its founding board members included Lisa Marling, Scott Marling, Elaine Buckler, Christina Waxler, December Harper, and Starla Wing. From 2018 to mid-2020, it was known as The Star Theatre at Eagles Point and leased the auditorium in Eaton’s old high school. When the pandemic turned the world upside down in 2020, the board eventually made the decision to rebrand as Preble Players and take the shows on the road.
Preble Players is an Ohio non-profit organization and federally recognized 501(c)(3) entity bringing performing arts, educational opportunities, and other community outreach events to Preble County and the region.
Current Board Members
Lisa Marling, PhD
Founder/Board President/Executive and Artistic Director
Lisa Marling, is the Founder and Board President of Preble Players, where she has served since She was born and raised in Richmond, IN. She conceived and developed this non-profit community performing arts organization. She has been involved in the performing arts for over 60 years. Her first role was as Cook in a Thanksgiving Production. She still remembers her lines.
Prior to her roles with Preble Players, she worked in International Development, Education Administration, and various leadership roles. She also serves her community through volunteer work, most recently with the Preble County Public Health Department and the Preble County Art Association.
Preble Players’ first production, Our Town” was held in Eaton at the Star Theatre. Lisa served as the director. When the pandemic hit, in an effort to keep the production company afloat, the Board of Directors made the decision to take the show on the road. Performances have been held throughout the county. The most recent being in Lewisburg, OH.
Michele Thomas
Secretary
Michele Thomas is a native of Eaton and a graduate of Eaton High School. Her love of performing arts, especially musical theater, began at an early age, continues to this day, and motivates her support of Preble Players. Michele is an attorney based in Eaton, Ohio, where she represents individuals in challenging legal situations in family law and criminal defense. Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as a nurse for eight years, working primarily with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease as well as with Hospice of Dayton. As she entered a different helping profession, she believed that through the practice of law, she could make a positive difference in people’s lives at times when they need assertive, thorough, professional, and empathetic help the most.
Michele has served on the board of Preble Players since 2020. She also served on the board of the Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board and volunteered with Greater Dayton Volunteer Lawyers Project, Legal Aid Society of Dayton, and Miami Valley Literacy Council.
Joshua Thomas
Treasurer
Joshua is an Eaton, OH native. He has always enjoyed the theatre and had his first acting role while attending Eaton High School. After high school he found and married the love of his life Diana. He has worked in the AV/telecommunication field for the past 18 years. He earned a B.A. in Computer Science from Wright State University in 2017.
Joshua is a full time AV engineer, and part-time jack of all trades, including sewing and costuming. He lends his technical and crafting abilities to Preble players in various and many ways. He has served on the board of Preble Players as Treasurer since 2020.
Ralph “Rusty” Garber
Community Liaison
Rusty was born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. In high school, he was active in band, choir, drama club and athletics. He attended the University of Rhode Island on a baseball scholarship and graduated with a BA in Elementary Education.
After teaching fifth grade for five years, Rusty Joined the New York Life Insurance Company where he had a successful 38-year career until his retirement in 2017. He married his high school sweetheart, Jan, and they currently reside in West Alexandria, OH. They have been blessed with three daughters and nine grandchildren.
Rusty made his community theatre debut in the Preble Players’ production of “Our Town,” in 2019. He joined the board in 2020. Rusty also serves on the board of the YMCA and volunteers for the HIT Foundation and Preble County Historical Society, among other things.
Bonnie Bertelson
IT Operations
Bonnie became involved with Preble Players in 2019 when she performed in their first show, Our Town, as Mrs. Gibbs. She is passionate about the performing arts and especially fond of Preble Players community theatre which allows people of all socioeconomic standings to participate. Serving on the board of Preble Players, she finds it to be an asset to the community it serves; she has seen firsthand how it changes a person’s life by giving them confidence and a voice.
Bonnie officially joined the board in 2024. She is a retired IT professional, and her background is in systems engineering, which helps when it comes to understanding the technological needs of Preble Players. She manages the customer management system as well as provides support to the board president. Married to Tom, they have three children and five grandchildren.
