Look for these familiar ACT I veterans performing at Intermezzo II:

How often in the arts, especially in small town organizations like ours, does that phrase "we need more guys" pop up in our discussions?  That may be true many places, but here in ACT I, announce auditions for a show rich in male roles like Oliver! or Romeo and Juliet, and young men show up in ample numbers. When auditions were held for Bridge to Terabithia late in 1993, only two boys auditioned. The rest of the male cast members had to be recruited. But no more! And for me, the greatest pleasure of being a part of ACT I is to watch our young performers grow up and develop as actors so that a challenging show like Romeo and Juliet becomes attainable. With the surprising number of strong young male actors available to ACT I, Romeo and Juliet was an obvious choice to showcase their talents.

Having been appointed archivist of ACT I a few months ago, I have been going through old programs and clippings from all our past shows and collecting data from them. This has reminded me of what an impressive level of credentials our young actors have developed.  The young men and women in the R&J cast have certainly been prepared for their roles with much valuable stage experience.  Kordereau Sellers (Gregory; Apothecary) has 10 previous roles, including appearances as the Boy in The Velveteen Rabbit, Avery in Charlotte's Web, most recently the Prince in The Emperor's New Clothes.

Josh Deutsch (Tybalt) is a veteran of eight prior ACT I roles, beginning in fifth grade as Kurt in The Sound of Music. From the heroic Peter in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to the deranged young arsonist Hank in Marvin’s Room to the comic Whitney Day in both Life with Father and Life with Mother, Josh has given ACT I audiences many memorable performances.  Appearing in his eighth ACT I show is Aaron Murphy, who plays County Paris in R&J. Aaron debuted as an eighth grader, playing Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie.  His other roles have included appearances in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Prince and the Pauper.  He was also assistant director for Hansel and Gretel.  Appearing as Montague and Capulet retainers are Ryan Calderwood, a veteran of seven previous ACT I shows, including major roles in Life with Father, Life with Mother, and Hansel and Gretel, and Kyle and Josh Brewer, who have six previous ACT I credits.  Josh and Kyle played the title roles in The Prince and the Pauper and Kyle also played the title role in Oliver! And Nathan Horst, appearing as an altar boy in R&J, is also in his seventh ACT I role, even though he is just in 4^th grade. Matt Meyer (Benvolio) who didn’t become involved in ACT I until the ripe old age of 11, has appeared in four previous shows.  And Dan Greaser (Petrucchio) is back for his fourth role.

Among our young women who appear in supporting roles as dancers, Erin Horst holds the record with 13 previous ACT I roles, including an appearance in this weekend's Intermezzo II.  Beckie Stravers has performed in seven previous ACT I shows, and Josie Rundlett follows with six previous roles.  Kaitlin Karrick has been seen in four past shows.  Megan Christy (our Juliet) proves a relative newcomer with three previous roles, and dancer Kayla Comer has also been seen in three other shows.

In addition to the cast, two young men who began with ACT I as seventh graders have crossed over from being actors to becoming members of the directing staff. Charlie Vogl, 17, takes on his second ACT I assignment as choreographer.  He is a veteran of four previous appearances, including this weekend’s Intermezzo II. Technical Director and set designer Kevin Bookmeier, 21, has appeared on stage with us eight times, but his assignments on the technical side bring his grand total to an unprecedented 32 previous ACT I shows, as well as several at Theatre Cedar Rapids.

During the past 22 years, (beginning with our second show, The Man Who Came to Dinner) over 400 school age performers have done at least one show with us, and many of them keep coming back for more.  

Looking back at pictures of the early shows of our veteran R&J cast members -- seeing an eight year old Kordereau Sellers, a nine year old Ryan Calderwood, a ten year old Josh Deutsch or an eleven year old Matt Meyer, or a picture of a Brewer twin, not able to decide which boy it is, one adjective cries out for use.  My apologies, guys -- but you were all really cute back then!  But next month when we see them on stage at the Palace playing 14th century Italian street punks brandishing longswords and rapiers, they will be anything but cute.  They have all successfully transitioned out of children’s roles to young adult roles, and are now not just maturing young men, but mature, skilled actors as well.

This year's edition of the Cedar Rapids Cultural Alliance coupon book, "Sample the Arts and More," is still available and can be purchased from the various member organizations, including ACT I.  The coupons are good for a variety of performances and other arts related activities. Discount coupons are available from ACT I, Theatre Cedar Rapids, The Cedar Rapids Symphony, The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Starlighters II of Anamosa; nearly every arts organization in the area is represented.  In additions to performances, many restaurants are listed as well.  Like many of the other participating organizations, ACT I offers a "buy one get one" coupon, giving two Main Stage Series tickets for the price of one.

1. The December, 1998 production of Gifts of the Magi featured Gerald and Marcy Horst (Marcy’s debut) as Della and Jim.

6.  In addition to the Ray House, The 4th Street Coffee Co. the Palace Theatre, some of our smaller productions have also been staged at Wesley United Methodist Church.