Lakeshore Wind Ensemble March 7 concert with presentation of Wesley Teply 
Community Service Award in the Arts
The Lakeshore Wind Ensemble Association announces the 2026 winner of the Wesley 
Teply Community Service Award in the Arts to the Karen Rohrer, founder of Treehouse 
Theater. 
This award will be presented at the March 7, Lakeshore Wind Ensemble “Winds of March: 
The General” concert at the Capitol Civic Centre. The Lakeshore Wind Ensemble, 
conducted by Jeremiah Eis, will perform live musical accompaniment for a screening of 
Buster Keaton’s The General, a masterpiece of the silent film era. Everyone is welcome to 
attend, tickets are available at cccshows.org or at the Capitol Civic Centre Box Office, 913 
S. 8th St. Manitowoc, WI.
Guided by early mentors Jim Miller and Jean Wolfmeyer, Karen developed a lifelong
love for the arts while growing up in Manitowoc. That passion deepened in college,
where she began choreographing as a member of the Dance Team, laying the
groundwork for her future leadership in the arts.
After spending seven years in Milwaukee, Karen and her husband, Rob, returned to
Manitowoc to raise their family and invest in their community. Her commitment to
service includes seven years as an elected member of the Manitowoc Public School
Board, co-leading the renovation of Lincoln High School’s JFK Fieldhouse, and serving
as chair of “Holiday on the Lakeshore.” In each role, she focused on strengthening
opportunities for young people and fostering community pride.
Inspired by her daughter’s experiences, Karen saw an opportunity to strengthen youth
theater opportunities in this vibrant arts community. Combining her artistic passion and
business background, Karen founded Treehouse Theater in 2012 and served as
Executive Director through 2024. She worked alongside dedicated teams of arts
educators, enthusiasts, and volunteers to create engaging, inclusive, and thoughtfully
organized arts education and performance programs. Under her leadership, Treehouse
became a vibrant home for arts education, empowering young performers with
confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging.
Among her most treasured memories while leading Treehouse are the hours spent
collaborating with her daughter, Julie - especially while designing choreography for the
competition team. Karen’s decades of service reflect her belief that communities grow
stronger when all young people are supported and given opportunities to shine