by Marcy Horst

 “How does she do it?  “How does she remember all those names?”  “How does she remember all those dances?”  “Doesn’t she ever lose it?”

It’s Saturday morning, 9:15, and a group of veteran dance moms are sitting in the back of the studio atop the exercise mats because the front entrance is impassable, watching their 5 and 6-year-olds shuffle step right and left.  And even though they’ve witnessed it week after week, for years, they’re still amazed.  Joan effortlessly coaxes a reluctant dancer into the group, makes her way through the crowd of budding ballerinas rearranging places, smiles and coos easily and sincerely over each little pigtail and frilly skirt, nods to her young assistant to start the music, and off they go.  Non-stop, until the last cartwheel is turned as the next class is tying on their tap shoes.   Joan then has a quick word with about fifteen moms while her assistant readies the next group, and with a quick grin, turns to her new class to do it all again.  Different dances for this class, of course, but the energy and love are the same.

Pretty soon, in walk Casey and Corey to pick up Clare.  Casey (who built the steps for the alley entrance and maintains the studio for Joan) waits for the music to stop, whispers something to Joan, gathers up Clare, comfortably quips something to the “moms,” and waves on his way out, heading home to hold down the fort until the close of the Saturday morning sessions.

This month, ACT I is proud and pleased to spotlight the Cooling family!   We first saw Joan and Casey in April of 1991 in Daddy’s Dyin, Who’s Got the Will?  Casey debuted as singing hippy Harmony Rhoads, and Joan was both backstage crew help and House Manager.  Since then they’ve appeared frequently and continuously both on and off stage.  Casey acted in Twigs, Knock ‘Em Dead, and Life With Father.  Joan has choreographed numerous productions; most recently Bye Bye Birdie, in which she also portrayed the lead role of Rosie, and Velveteen Rabbit, which she consented to do while rehearsing for the lead role of Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire.

This committed and dedicated involvement that ACT I members and viewers admire, appreciate, and have come to expect is second nature for Joan and Casey, and can also be witnessed in their family life.  It comes as no surprise that they have two talented offspring, Corey, a second-grader, and Clare, in kindergarten, both also ACT I veterans.  Corey appeared as Small Boy in Oliver! and this summer brought the house down as Toy Clown in Velveteen Rabbit.  “I’d like to play an army guy next time.”  Clare debuted in Velveteen Rabbit as one of the show-stopping Dancing Bunnies.  “I want to be a bunny again.  I liked everything about the bunny costume.”

  While commending ACT I on the variety of productions it offers, from light-hearted musicals to poignant dramas, Joan says she loved Velveteen Rabbit because both of her kids were in it.  "I actually cried at the first dress rehearsal during the curtain call.”  Joan is also a big advocate for involving as many children as possible, often volunteering to expand and create dance roles for any willing young participant.  This practice is carried over from her own dance studio, where she maintains that every child deserves the opportunity to be all he or she can be, and show the world, especially Mom, Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa.  Building the self-esteem of Benton County youth through teaching seems to be what Joan does best.  “I’m happiest when I’m creating something to teach…I don’t know, I guess I have a knack for it?”

The Coolings do have interests beyond the theatrical.  Casey, who designs sophisticated avionics communications equipment for Rockwell Collins, also enjoys snow and water skiing, snowmobiling, rock climbing, flying, and skydiving!  He’s a Webelos Den Leader, teaches 10^th grade religious education, and holds the record for number of dance recitals videotaped.  Joan enjoys writing and photography, volunteers at West Elementary portraying various storybook characters like “Cat in the Hat,” choreographs the WHS Show Choir, and is a 4-H judge and volunteer.  She’s on the State 4-H Theatre Committee and hopes to see Benton County become more involved in that area.  Corey, who aspires to be a computer whiz like his dad,” plays piano, hockey, and football.  Clare plays piano as well, is very artistic, and loves make believe games.  The Cooling family can also boast of a thrilling tree swing in their backyard, which visitors of all ages are encouraged to try.

“Vinton is a great place to raise a family, and the arts available to us in this town are a blessing!”

Casey, Joan, Corey, and Clare, ACT I of Benton County is blessed by your membership and proud to have your family as part of its family.  We look forward to your participation again and again.  (Look for Joan as choreographer in the upcoming productions of The Secret Garden and Hansel and Gretel.)

Update:

The Coolings have been busy since this article was first published!  For ACT I, Joan choreographed The Secret Garden, Hansel and Gretel, Charlotte's Web, My Fair Lady, The Emperor's New Clothes, and The Red Shoes.  She also took on another acting role, appearing as the Court Jester in The Emperor's New Clothes.  Joan was also elected ACT I president for Season 2001 - 2002.

Casey continues as ACT I's resident videographer, setting up closed circuit television in the green room.  He has added two acting roles to his ACT I credits, Lord Old in The Emperor's New Clothes and the dual role of Guglielmo Marconi and Henry Etches in our readers theatre, The Titanic Disaster Hearings.

Corey appeared in Charlotte's Web, The Emperor's New Clothes and Henny Penny.  Clare had roles in Charlotte's Web, Hansel and Gretel, The Emperor's New Clothes, and Henny Penny.  

The main event in the Cooling household, however, was the arrival of one more cast member -- Little Charlie, in the spring of 2001.

In the fall of 2003, Joan returned to ACT I to direct and choreograph our production of Annie, in which she was also featured as the character of Lily St. Regis.  Annie was very much a family affair for the Coolings.  Clare also had a major role, as Tessie, and Casey apsl appeared as a dog catcher.  There was even a cameo role in the show for the family's new dachshund, Copper, who played a runaway dog!  (Annie left Corey home babysitting for Charlie.)  Joan and Clare return for the 2004 musical, The Sound of Music, with Joan once again doing the choreography, and Clare in the role of Marta.  Joan choreographed the 2005 musical - The Music Man - as well, (with Corey in the dancing ensemble) and directed a segment of the Princess Plays.  She also choreographed the 2006 children's theatre production of Calamity James.

Joan Cooling (left) as Lily St. Regis in Annie.

                                                                                                                    Photo by Julie Zimmer

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