Patrick O'Leary, Executive Director

During his career O’Leary worked with New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs. Later working on Broadway, he stage-managed the original “Annie,” produced by Mike Nichols, “Sweeny Todd,” directed by Hal Prince, and “Blood Brothers,” starring Carol King. O’Leary co-produced two successful Off-Broadway productions with his company. As director of the tour department for Columbia Artists Management, he managed tours of the world’s leading orchestras and dance companies, including the Vienna Philharmonic, The London Symphony, The Berlin Ballet, and Twyla Tharp and Mikhail Baryshnikov. O’Leary went on to become the director of the Theatre Development Fund travel program where he planned, designed and marketed travel programs for the performing arts to destinations around the globe, including annual trips to the Dublin and Galway Theatre Festivals. O’Leary returned to South Dakota in 2006 to work with Black Hills Community Theatre in creating a space for performing arts organizations in Rapid City. O’Leary also served as an adjunct professor at BHSU’s Rapid City campus, where he taught courses in acting and theater.

Thomas Golden - Development Director

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​​Thomas grew up heavily involved in theatre and always wanted to turn that passion into a career. Working at the Opera House is his dream come true and to make a good thing even better—he can walk to work! Thomas has a wide range of experience in non-profit and the arts but has also done just about everything under the sun from professional writing to scrubbing bathrooms. He is a Sturgis Brown High School Alumnus and moved back to the Black Hills in 2013 after serving for seven years in the US Navy, primarily in Sicily and Afghanistan. He has a wife and three children and loves to explore the hills with them

Shanon Morrison, Office Manager/Bookkeeper

Shanon was born in Lead, SD where her family is one of the few who can boast five generations of workers at the Homestake Gold Mine. Shanon started her school years in Lead, SD when her family moved from the area for a few years, she spent all of her summers and vacations in the Black Hills, returning to Lead in 1986 to graduate from Lead High School in 1987. Shanon is the proud wife of Daniel, who years ago was a lifeguard at the HHOH in his teen years and where she spend many hours swimming. She is the mother of three adult children and currently three grandchildren. She has been involved with many organizations as a volunteer from a Girl Scout Leader, Boy Scout Popcorn Chairman, Lead Deadwood Youth Bowling Organization and Lead Deadwood Booster Club, to name just a few. Shanon's heart is definitely proud to be from Lead. She loves the history of the area. When not working at the HHOH she spends her time with her children and grandchildren, riding motorcycles with her family, or spending time at the MX track or working on genealogy research. Shanon has worked in the nonprofit world for 11 years and enjoys her job at the HHOH with all its history and enjoys the people she meets every day.