This month, Grease Paint features the Ray Bookmeier family of Vinton. Ray, Barb, and Kevin have long been active in ACT I and their contributions to the organization can be found in every area of the community theatre program.

    Kevin, now a senior at WHS, was the first member of the family to become involved in ACT I, as a seventh grader when he appeared in our production of Bridge to Terabithia. Since that show, Kevin has lent his talents to nearly 30 productions for ACT I, Tilford Middle School, Washington High School, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and The Old Creamery. Some highlights of his seven years of theatre experience include playing the role Rolf in The Sound of Music for ACT I, playing the lead in Anything Goes for WHS last fall, and serving as Stage Manager for ACT I's productions of Life with Father and Oliver! He also served for two seasons as a member of the ACT I Board of Directors.  Kevin is primarily known, however, for his backstage expertise, and he can usually be found working set construction or on the stage crew, as he is doing for our current The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  He has also held crew positions for several productions at Theatre Cedar Rapids, including Hello Dolly! and The Secret Garden. Currently, Kevin serves as technical director for our upcoming production of The Prince and the Pauper, is Property Manager for ACT I (in charge of maintaining our inventory of set components, props, and costumes stored in various locations) and is a member of the ACT I youth board.  He also works with the Facilities Committee on the Palace Project.  In addition to theatre, his activities at WHS include chorus, Ambassadors, and National Honor Society.

    Kevin’s involvement in ACT I soon drew his parents, Ray and Barb, into the group and they have also made significant contributions to us. Ray, who is custodian at West Early Childhood Center in Vinton, is a member of the Facilities Committee and is currently the ACT I archivist. He has served on the Board of Directors, including two terms as secretary. Ray can always be found lending a hand where ever one is needed.  On stage, Ray has appeared as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, the father in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and also played a major role in The Foreigner.  Ray also served as Assistant Director for Life with Father.  Ray is also involved in the community choir.

Rolf (Kevin Bookmeier) confronts Captain von Trapp
(Ray Bookmeier) after discovering the family in hiding at
the convent during the dramatic final scene of The Sound
of Music stage by ACT I in late 1995.

    Although Barb Bookmeier vows she won’t ever appear on stage, she has contributed frequently to ACT I on crews, for costume construction, and for innumerable other tasks that help ACT I carry out its program. Barb works for the Benton County Title Company.

    Rounding out the Bookmeier family is daughter and sister Anita Yessak, who has just completed a degree in Elementary Education the University of Northern Iowa, and is currently working as a preschool teacher in Waterloo.   Her husband Jason is also completing a degree in Elementary Education and will be student teaching next year.  Jason and Anita are expecting their first child later this year.  Anita was active in theatre while in high school at WHS.

    ACT I is very grateful to the Bookmeier family for their many contributions to us and we hope for their long continued involvement, and give our best wishes to them as they anticipate the new arrival to their family!