About
Creating theater experiences that entertain, educate, and enlighten our community
Our Founders
Growing up, Linda Baker was the kid who staged plays and pageants in her backyard. She graduated from California State University at Long Beach, where she earned both a BA and MA in Theater and Education. She taught theater from grades seven to community college and headed the McNary High School Theater Arts program for sixteen years. That’s considered thirty-two in Drama teacher years. Linda received both the Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education and the Keizer Service to Education Award, but her most treasured accolade is this quote in the Keizertimes when she retired, “She made drama cool” In 2012, she and former McNary student, Evan Christopher, founded Keizer Homegrown Theatre. A vital member of the regional arts community, Linda continues to lead and inspire excellence in theatre programs throughout the Willamette Valley.
Meet the Board
Linda Baker
Founder | Board Interim Vice President | Artistic Director
Linda Baker graduated from California State University at Long Beach, where she earned both a BA and MA in Theater and Education. She taught theater for 30 years from grades 7 to community college and headed the McNary High School Theater Arts program for 16 years. Linda won both the Crystal Apple Award for excellence in education and the Keizer Service to Education Award. In 2012, she founded Keizer Homegrown Theatre. In the community, Linda has been involved in the Salem Art Association, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Young Women of Keizer Program and the Salem Theatre Network. A vital member of the regional arts community, Linda continues to lead and inspire excellence in theatre programs throughout the Willamette Valley.
Bob Busch
Board Member | Keizer Chamber of Commerce Liaison | Marketing & Volunteer Coordinator
Bob Busch graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1974 and continued his education at OSU the following fall. He earned two BS degrees; one in Business Administration and the other in Business Education. Since graduating, he has worked many different jobs, mainly in the medical and retail fields. Most notable are the 25+ years spent as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with Keizer Fire District. While serving there, he was named the EMT of the Year for 2000. He retired due to health issues in early 2019. His primary duties with KHT are to attend Keizer Chamber of Commerce events, publicize productions, and help recruit to the volunteer program.
Mike Jaffe
Board Member | Treasurer
Mike Jaffe works as the Transportation Planning Director at the Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments in Salem, working with the local governments to make travel safer and more convenient in the Salem-Keizer area. Mike is also an actor, having appeared in 5 shows with Keizer Homegrown Theater and several shows at Salem’s Pentacle Theatre. Mike joined the Keizer Homegrown Theatre Board in 2020. Mike has always loved the experience of live theatre and makes time to attend shows in Ashland, Eugene, Portland, and recently twice in New York City.
Laura Davis
Board Member | Secretary
Laura grew up in Southern California. With her family they moved to Salem, Oregon in 1977. She graduated from Sprague High School participating in the Theatre and Dance Team. She graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Communication Management with Theatre Arts studies. She married Erik Davis and lived in Lake Oswego. She worked in banking and lending. They moved to Salem to start a family. Back in the workforce she did hotel sales and marketing and ran a successful home-based business. She is very active in the theatre community. Back in Salem she quickly jumped into the local theatre world. She has served on committees and volunteered for Pentacle and Keizer HomeGrown Theatre. Being on stage is where she loves to be. She is very pleased to be a Keizer Homegrown Theatre Board member and looks forward to continuing the success of the theatre. She is also a big Disney fan.
Raylin Jesper
Student Board Member
Raylin attends McNary High School (class of 2027) with a 4.0 GPA. They are involved in theatre, Video Production, and law program activities. Raylin was involved in Mamma Mia, The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza Trap, The Little Mermaid, and the 11th Annual McNary One Acts Festival. They are on the McNary Student Advisory Committee and plan to go to law school on the east coast.
Jeff Minden
Board President | Box Office IT
Jeff Minden graduated from McNary High School in 1999. In 2004 he graduated from Southern Oregon University. He is probably most recognized for his performances on the KHT stage as Joe Pendleton in Heaven Can Wait, Henry Bingham in The Fox on the Fairway, and Brent Reynolds in Drop Dead. He is also well known as the Director of KHT shows like The Hitchhiker/Sorry Wrong Number and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Jeff runs the KHT the box office software.
Celeste Guptill
Board Member | Volunteer Committee Chair
Celeste has been active in volunteering all of her adult life, so saying “yes” to serving on the Keizer Homegrown Theatre (KHT) board was an easy decision! She has volunteered with every committee and activity her kids have been involved in, including the choir, orchestra and band committees at Whiteaker and McNary. She also ran a major fundraiser for the Salem Youth Symphony. Celeste grew up in Keizer, attended two years at the Academy for Performing Arts school in Huntington Beach, and participated in acting and modeling at the Beverly Hills Studios. She met her husband in 1996 and, after having their first child in 1998, she began writing and directing children’s plays for churches and other non-profits as a hobby. She enjoys taking the backseat role off the stage and creating an atmosphere through the arts that transcends ages and stages, and communicates life lessons through drama.