The Online Newsletter of
Volume 8, Number 1 June/July, 2001
The
Online Newsletter of
Volume 8, Number 1
June/July, 2001
ACT
I STAGE!
Summer
Theatre Camp 2001
You’ve
got to see it to believe it!
Holds
Orientation Week
More
than sixty area children, ages pre-kindergarten through sixth grade attended
the ACT I Stage! Summer Theatre Camp, YOU’VE GOT TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!
The camp was held for five consecutive days, from 9:00 AM until noon,
from June 11-15. Camp directors, Joan Cooling, Kari Douma, Shirale Hanson,
Marcy Horst, and April Noeller, led the youth in a variety of theatrically
geared games and exercises, and each child also participated in a simple skit.
On Friday, June 15, the final day of the Orientation, the children
presented their fully memorized skits to a packed audience of parents and
friends. The campers were then
given a casting assignment for the summer.
Four
shows are now in rehearsal and scheduled to hit the Palace stage on July 20
and run through the last weekend of July.
Some campers will be balancing two shows, repertory style. The four shows, The Emperor’s New Clothes, directed by
Gerald and Marcy Horst, Henny Penny, a puppet theatre directed by Mary Horst,
The Red Shoes, directed by Shirale Hanson, and Stone Soup, directed by Shirale
Hanson, will be presented as two productions.
The Emperor’s New Clothes will run opposite Henny Penny, The Red
Shoes, and Stone Soup.
This year's Children's Theatre Series is sponsored by Ketchen, Inc. and the Gilchrist Trust, with additional funding from the Iowa Arts Council.
Production
dates and time slots are as follows:
Friday,
July 20, 7:00 PM
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Saturday,
July 21, 10:00 AM
Henny Penny,
Red Shoes, Stone Soup
Saturday,
July 21, 2:00 PM
Emperor
Saturday,
July 21, 7:00 PM
Henny, Red, Stone
Sunday,
July 22, 2:00 PM
Emperor
Friday,
July 27, 7:00 PM
Henny, Red, Stone
Saturday,
July 28, 10:00 AM
Emperor
Saturday,
July 28, 2:00 PM
Henny, Red, Stone
Saturday,
July 28, 7:00 PM
Emperor
Sunday,
July 29, 2:00 PM
Henny, Red, Stone
Only one ticket will be required to see both productions.
You
may call the Palace Ticket information line to reserve your seats, at
472-9957.
Henny
Penny cast members Corey Cooling, Kate Martin, Maria Covington, Alyssa
Hanson, Clare Cooling, Brinkley Gerber, Danisha Pladsen, Curtis Lueckenotto,
Evan Lueckenotto, and Becca Fisher traveled to West Liberty on June 18,
accompanied by moms Julie Pladsen and Shawn Gerber, and directors, Mary Horst
and April Noeller. The group was
treated to a wonderful puppet workshop and hand made almost all of the puppets
that will be used for the Henny Penny production.
The children are proud and thrilled to be learning the art of puppetry
using their own creations!
Summer
Theatre Camp Offers a Variety of Theatre Workshops and Guest Performance
The
ACT I Stage! Summer Theatre Camp charged a fee of $20.00 for campers to attend
the Orientation Week, be cast in at least one show, attend their choice of
three workshops, and see a guest performance by Graffiti Theatre of Iowa City.
Each camper also received a commemorative t-shirt.
The t-shirt logo was designed by local artist Kate Van Steenhuyse and
will also grace show programs and posters.
Elements
of Theatre – June 18-22
Facilitated by: Marcy Horst, Mary Horst, and Shirale Hanson
The
Art of Puppetry – June 25-29
Facilitated by: Steve Arnold
Facilitated by: Joan
Cooling
Gotta
Sing! Gotta Dance!
– June 25-29
Facilitated by: Joan
Cooling, Kari Douma, and April Noeller
Creating
with Make-up
– July 23-297
Facilitated by: Colleen
Karrick
Butterfly Traveler
July 6, 2:00 PM, Palace Theatre
An
interactive children’s musical that tells the story
of
a butterfly’s migration across the United States.
performed
by: Graffiti Theatre, Iowa City, Iowa
Cast
Lists
for ACT I STAGE! Summer Repertory Productions
Henny Penny
written by Joy Chaitin and Sarah Stevens-Estabrook
music and lyrics by Joy Chaitin and Sarah Stevens-Estabrook
Director: Mary Horst
Sun/Cloud/Butterfly/Acorn
Kate Martin
Cocky Locky
Nate Horst
Queen Bee/Clouds
Marissa Eldred
Worker Bees/Ratty Fatty/Cloud Ben
Hyland
Nerdy Birdy
Clare Cooling
Groggy Froggy
Evan Lueckenotto
Henny Penny
Alyssa Hanson
Kitty Pity
Ellie Horst
Ducky Lucky
Rebecca Fisher
Loosey Goosey
Maria Covington
Turkey Lurky
Curtis Lueckenotto
Jiggy
Piggy/King/King’s Squire Corey Cooling
Sheepy
Weepy
Brinkley Gerber
Mama Llama
Danisha Pladsen
Squirmy Wormy/Tree
Jamie Becker
Stone Soup
written by Gary Peterson
Music and Lyrics by Larry Nestor
Director: Shirale Hanson
Music Director: Kari Douma
Pianist: April Noeller
Villagers:
Henri
Trevor Walker
Marie
Emily Huyck
Yvette Felicia
Hertle
Charles Adam Smith
Clothilde
Katie Larkin
Jean
Paul Carson Struve
Chardonelle
Mattison Walker
Pierre
Brian Fischer
Guy
Calvin Frazenburg
Soldiers:
Andre Aric
Hanson
Gaspar
Patrick Horst
Francois Max Nguyen
Jacques Robert Hanson
The Red Shoes
written by Shirale Hanson and Marcy
Horst
Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
Director: Shirale Hanso
Choreographer: Joan Cooling
Inge
Brei Isbell
Gretel
Ellen Frazenburg
Hans
Andy Hanson
Nils
Nathan Horst
Kristine
Emily Finch
Frederick
Isaac Isbell
Kirsten
Meghan Owens
Thora
Caily Summers
Alice
Emma Clingman
Oluf
Kolton Sellers
Marta
Tess Noeller
Erik
Luke Owens
Old
Soldier
Alexander Vasquez
Shoemaker
Jane Martin
Karen
Clare Horst
Footman
Dakoda Sellers
Princess
Sara Walston
Lady in
Waiting
Elizabeth Huyck
Grandmother Nissen Josie Rundlett
Fru
Nielsen
Ariel Niebuhr
Fru Rodholm
Emily Hora
Fru
Sorensen
Sarah Springer
The
Drummer
Alex Frazier
Fairy
1
Megan Horst
Fairy
2
Amanda Smith
Dancing Fairies:
Jacey
Cummings
Marissa Eldred
Felicia Hertle
Katie Hanson
Ellie Horst
emma Horst
Moriah Isbell
Ashley Strong
Kacie Struve
Kali Timmerman
The Emperor’s
New Clothes
written by Ruth Perry
Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen
Music and Lyrics by Allan Jay Friedman and Paul Francis Webster
Directors: Gerald and Marcy Horst
Music Director: Kari Douma
Pianist: April Noeller
Choreographer: Joan Cooling
Sentry Travis Hendricks
Becky Michon Mulder
Vicki Kali Timmerman
Emperor Greg Walston
Empress Marcy Horst
Princess Erin Horst
Millie Kaitlin Karrick
Ranger Dave Timmerman
Dudley Jeff Cumberlin
Prince Michael Kordereau Sellers
Dorcas Kari Douma
Jane
Kelly Robison
Constable Cody Robison
Lord Mal
Greg Tucker
Lord
Mal’s attendants
Patrick Horst, Rob Hanson,
Corey Cooling, Dane Peterson
Lord Old Casey Cooling
Jester Joan Cooling
Team
of Jesters
Emma Horst, Tess Noeller,
Megan Horst, Danisha Pladsen
Clare Cooling, Brinkley Gerber,
Ashley Strong, Jenna Oldham
Servants/Ladies of the Court Sarah Springer, Abby Larkin,
Rachael Larkin, Kelly Robison,
The Herald Greg Douma
Trumpet Player Blake Hansen
Auditions Announced for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"
ACT I's musical for Season 2001 - 2002 is the Stephen Sondheim classic "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Director Larry Adams-Bowers has announced that auditions will be held July 15, 16, and 17 at 7:00 at the ACT I Studio, 106 1/2 East 4th Street in Vinton, above Clingman Pharmacy. The cast includes eight women and ten men. Larry's directing staff includes Assistant Director Pat Lyons, Music Director Judy Mitschelen, and Choreographer Charlie Vogl.
For more information, visit our Calendar and Auditions page.
BUY SEASON TICKETS!!!
Adults
$28, Students $20!
ACT I has a deal you can't refuse! See all nine shows in Season 2001 - 2002 for only $28, ($20 if you're a student) and get your voting membership in ACT I thrown in as well! Your season ticket will get you in to all productions in each of ACT I's three performance series: The Main Stage Series (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Romeo and Juliet, and It Runs in the Family) The Children's Theatre Series (The Emperor's New Clothes and the triple bill of Henny Penny, Stone Soup, and The Red Shoes) and the Events Series (Family Affair, Words and Music by Skeet Powers, Poetry Reading, Intermezzo II, and The Titanic Disaster Hearings.)
Single admission prices are $9.00 for adults, $6.00 for students to age 18, and $3.00 for students through age 7 for the Main Stage Series and for the package of both shows for the Children's Theatre Series. The Events Series programs are priced at $2.00 per person per event. Individual memberships in ACT I cost $10.00 each, putting the value of the entire package at $56.00 for adults and $44.00 for students -- a savings of $28.00 for adults and $24.00 for students. Support ACT I by purchasing your season ticket at the door during the Children's Theatre Series performances, by contacting Linda Radcliffe, or by e-mailing act1ofBC@aol.com and asking to reserve your season tickets to Season 2001-2002.
For more information about our ticket prices, visit our E-Box page!
Member of the
Month
Shirale
Hanson
School’s out and West Early
Childhood second grade teacher, Shirale Hanson is home relaxing and resting up
for the coming school year. NOT!
With energy to spare, Shirale may be found at the Palace Theatre
directing not one, but two shows, for the ACT I Stage! Summer Theatre Camp.
This is Shirale’s third summer working in a directing capacity.
She co-directed her first show, The Velveteen Rabbit, in 1999 with Marcy
Horst. More than fifty area
students participated in that production. Last
year the directing team reunited to stage Charlotte’s Web, casting over 80
children.
Shirale firmly believes that
all children deserve their chance in the spotlight, and to that end, this summer
she has taken on Stone Soup, a one act musical, and The Red Shoes, a straight
play, with casts of 12 and 35 respectively.
“What is so amazing is
watching the transformation from shy, quiet, barely making eye contact, to big,
bold personality on stage. We’ve
seen it every year. And it carries
over into the rest of their lives. Parents
tell us, and we see it for ourselves.”
Visit the Palace on any given
weekday morning and you’ll find Shirale (we don’t call her Mrs. Hanson
during the summer) taking notes, conferring with moms, climbing ladders,
painting, adjusting costumes, and encouraging kids to be the best they can be.
“We use big actions and
outside voices. I love it when the
kids come up with their own staging ideas!”
Above,
Shirale Hanson coaches her young actors
during a rehearsal at the Palace Theatre
And speaking of kids,
Shirale’s own three, Andy, 7th grade, Robert, 5th grade,
and Katie, first grade, are always close at hand.
This year Andy plays Hans in the Red Shoes. After gaining much marching
experience from Velveteen Rabbit where he appeared as a Toy Soldier, Robert will
once again march down the aisle as Jacques, a soldier in Stone Soup.
And Katie will light up the stage as a Dancing Fairy in The Red Shoes.
Shirale’s husband, John, is usually found busily managing the family
farm this time of year, but always manages to design and build a few set much
needed pieces for the current production, and this summer is no exception.
Even Shirale’s dad, Ken Struve, pitches in, hauling set in his pickup,
drilling holes, and fitting screws.
Of course, the Hanson family
is busy in other areas of their lives. Shirale
coaches Andy’s baseball team, and never misses one of Robert’s baseball
games. She also stays active at her
church, planning and teaching in the summer Bible school program.
They all enjoy family outings, fun at the farm, swimming at the pool, and
attending movies at the Palace.
While quiet time is scarce
amidst the constant rehearsal schedule, Shirale manages to squeeze out a few
moments to indulge her dearest hobby, stamping. As many of her previous cast and crew members can attest,
Shirale makes beautiful, creative cards which she generously gives as Thank Yous,
birthday messages, and words of encouragement and love.
ACT I
STAGE! and the Benton
County youth are truly blessed with the leadership and generosity of Shirale
Hanson. We can’t wait to see what
she has planned for next year!
New
ACT I Board Members and Palace Trustee Member Chosen at Annual Meeting
The ACT I board met on Saturday, June 30, for
its annual yearend membership meeting. ACT
I president Pat Lyons was elected as the new Palace trustee member to represent
ACT I. Pat then resigned his
position on the ACT I board. Three
other ACT I board members had come to the end of their terms and two of those
three, Ron Baldwin and Linda Radcliffe, opted to run again, while Le Cox stepped
down. Both Ron and Linda were
reelected as well as Marcy Horst and Brian Larkin.
A meeting to nominate and elect new officers for the coming 2001-2002 Season was held on Tuesday, July 3, at 8:30. Joan Cooling was elected president, Marcy Horst, vice-president, Steve Arnold, secretary, and Linda Radcliffe maintains her position as ACT I treasurer.
act1.org Upgrades
Include Message Board -- The
Green
Room Debuts Jul
ACT I's website, act1.org, has an exciting new feature, with more eye catching changes to come! As of Sunday, July 8, ACT I now has an online message board in which a wide variety of theatrical topics can be discussed, from current productions to issues affecting the community theatre to favorite movies. The message board, called "The Green Room," is ready for lively discussions about all of those topics and more. The website, which has been updated for the current season, will also soon undergo a facelift with a completely new, more user friendly design. Steve Arnold, who has been webmaster since February of 1999, is being assisted by Adam Struve, who has given us the message board and is also designing the website's appearance for Season 2001 -- 2002.
Drop into the Green Room join in the fun, and keep watching act1.org for more updates! The Green Room
Thanks, Adam, for all your help!
ACT I TRIVIA QUIZ
First Things First!
This month, ACT I will observe two firsts: For the first time, ACT I will present two shows in repertory as we present our Children's Theatre Series on alternating nights beginning Friday, July 20; and also our first ever puppet production, Henny Penny, part of our triple bill of one acts that makes up half of our summer repertory.
For this month's quiz, we look back on other ACT I firsts, especially that might relate to our current two productions!
Identify the following:
1. One of the three productions featured in our triple bill is The Red Shoes. In what previous ACT I show did seven members of one family sing a song about another pair of shoes, this time shoes made of blue suede?
2. The Red Shoes is an original script written by Shirale Hanson and Marcy Horst, but it isn't the first time ACT I has produced a work by a local author. Name the first locally written show to ever be produced by ACT I.
3. Henny Penny may be ACT I's first puppet show, but this will not be the first time inanimate objects have played a role in an ACT I production. In which past show did a ventriloquist's dummy appear?
4. A much larger "animated figure" graced another past ACT I show. In which show did a life size laughing mannequin play a featured role?
5. Henny Penny is the first ACT I show ever produced in which the central character is a chicken. But in which previous ACT I show was the central character accused of STEALING a chicken?
6. The theme of our summer repertory children's theatre productions is "You've Got to See it to Believe it." In each of the four shows, someone "sees" something that isn't really there. In which ACT I show from the past does a character "see" a unicorn?
7. A very poignant production from several years ago would certainly fit into the theme of this seasons Children's Theatre Series. In what past show did two children create an imaginary medieval kingdom in the heart of the Virginia countryside?
Submit answers to: act1ofBC@aol.com or mail to:
ACT
I of Benton County Trivia
Quiz
Box 222, Vinton, Iowa 52349
REMEMBER:
You do not need to have all the answers in order to submit an entry!
Local
Debuts
Name the show in
which each actor or actress from our cast of Harvey debuted on the ACT I stage.
Darran
Sellers
The Night
of January 16th (1993)
Cathi Calderwood The
Sound of Music (1995)
Kari
Douma
The Secret
Garden (2000)
Elise Dickerson
Life with
Mother (2000)
Bonnie Carpenter My
Fair Lady (2001)
Alexander Vasquez
Gerald
Horst
Bye Bye
Birdie (1998)
Steve Arnold
Lois
Ewins
Bye Bye Birdie (1998)
Greg Douma
that Greg's
performance debut with us was
unscheduled;
he did one performance of this
show (for
which he was music director) for an
actor who was
indisposed.
Ron
Baldwin
produced, You Can't Take it With You,
in 1980.
Congratulations to the Bookmeier Family for answering seven out of eleven correctly!
The Next Meeting of the Board of ACT I of
Benton County will be Monday, August 12, 2001 at 8:30 PM in the ACT I Studio.
Visitors are always welcome.
Minutes of meetings from the current year
can be accessed on the Board page of our website.
Message
from
the Editor
What a deal! Four
shows for the price of one! This
summer we’ve added more wonderful elementary actors, a really neat puppet
theatre, junior high and high school students, great new directors, and You’ve
Got To See It To Believe It!
Marcy
That's
Grease Paint for July, 2001!
To look back at previous online issues, visit our Grease Paint Archives page by clicking here!
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