While there are many Horsts milling around the ACT I stage lately, and most of them look like at least two of the others, and two of them even have the same name, let us not confuse the Vinton contingency, a.k.a. The Horst Family Players, with the B-town Horsts, that is, the Horsts that hail from Blairstown, those cousins from down south, or more aptly…The David and Mary Horst family, complete with Ann, Nathan, and Ellen Jane.

Annie Horst, 11, was the first of the B-town bunch to grace our ACT I stage, as a Sweet Apple dancer in Bye, Bye, Birdie. The following summer, she, Nate, 9, and Ellie, 7, all appeared in The Velveteen Rabbit, spelling, whirring, and hopping, respectively. And, (I’m thrilled to inform our readers) it was during that summer of chauffeuring, observing rehearsals, and occasionally filling in for a missing toy, that Mary Horst was bitten by the persistent, consuming ACT I bug.

Another year passed as Mary scratched and itched, played hand bells on stage with Annie, attended more shows, and eventually said yes to a small role in Charlotte’s Web. Now that she was a full-fledged volunteer, cast, crew, "I’ll find my own costume" member of ACT I, it was easy and natural for her to take on the task of directing the annual variety show. And, of course she did so with flair, a photography showing, and her whole family (including banker husband, Dave-theatre’s-not-for-me, who stuck a flashlight up his nose for the occasion.)

However, Mary’s itch finally found its niche last summer when she joined the directing team of You’ve Got To See It To Believe It, the ACT I Stage! summer theatre camp. Her production of Henny Penny thrilled and amused audiences and earned her the title of ACT I Puppet Queen. Mary is to be commended for completely researching and teaching herself and her young actors the art of puppetry. She took a group of campers to West Liberty to a puppet workshop, and the result was a first rate set of puppets and many, many great ideas that eventually found their way into production.

Although it may seem they spend all their time traversing highways 30 and 218, the B-town Horsts have many interests beyond the theatre. The whole family stays active playing soccer, hiking, go-carting, and carousing with friends and family. They are all voracious readers, love to play board games, and take great pride in their prolific family of rabbits (who inhabit a luxury condominium built by Dave.) Notably, during all this great variety and flurry of activity, Mary may be found carting her trusty camera, documenting the occasion with award winning photographs.

Mary is currently already gearing up for her next directing stint, which will happen during the summer of 2002, and is working with the play selection committee to choose the new ACT I season. Nathan will be seen by ACT I audiences in February when he performs as an altar boy in Romeo and Juliet.

Hopefully, you’ll now recognize those B-town Horsts when you run into them at the theatre. Dave, Mary, Annie, Nate, and Ellie are the ones spreading the ACT I word throughout all of southern Benton County, hauling up a bit more talent in their Dodge Caravan every time they make their way to Vinton.

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