ACT I Studio
Provides New Rehearsal Space and Costume Shop

ACT I has a new space to call home.  Thanks to the generosity of John and Julie Clingman, ACT I has been given an ample space above Clingman Pharmacy which has been named the ACT I Studio.  The studio includes a large room (formerly the Knights of Columbus Hall) which has become our permanent rehearsal space.  The new rehearsal hall includes a large space with hardwood floor, adjoining another space that will provide actors with room to congregate while not working without crowding other actors who are working.   A second component of the Studio is a large apartment which will become the ACT I costume shop.  All of our costume inventory has now been moved to the new shop and volunteers are now working to organize everything.  The new costume shop provides not only storage space but workspace for costume volunteers as well as easy access to actors during without interfering with rehearsals in progress.  Completing the Studio are two smaller rooms at the front of the building which will provide ACT I with office and library space.  The studio is equipped with all utilities, including air conditioning.

ACT I will continue to maintain its other storage facilities, including the apartment over LaGrange Pharmacy (which will now be used for properties) two storage garages behind the Imperial Apartments, and space within the Palace Theatre.

ACT I volunteers Shirale Hanson and Larry Adams-Bowers took charge of the preparation, cleaning and move into the studio, assisted by Ron Baldwin, Pat Lyons, Linda Radcliffe, Teresa Strong, Steve Arnold, and Greg Douma. 

The Clingmans have provided this space to ACT I rent free.  Our only expense will be the utilities.  A big thank you from all of us to Jon and Julie for this wonderful gift to our program!

"My Fair Lady"
Gets Underway --  Auditions November 14 & 16

The centerpiece of ACT I's Season 2000-2001, "A Season of Theatre Classics," is about to go into production.  The musical "My Fair Lady," one of the greatest musicals ever written and itself based on the classic play "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw, will be cast this November.  The production team for the musical includes director Larry Adams-Bowers, assistant director Rhonda Westergard, music directors Greg and Kari Douma, and scenic designer Mary Phillips.  The auditions will be held November 14 and 16 at the ACT I Studio, 106 1/2 East 4th Street in Vinton, above Clingman Pharmacy.

There are approximately twenty adult male and female singing roles. Some of the roles will require dancing ability.  Younger males and females could be cast. There are no specific children’s roles, though some children may be cast.  Auditioners do not have to sing a song from the show but should prepare a number to sing.

Cast Named for "A Christmas Carol"

ACT I's first ever readers theatre production, part of a two show readers theatre series this season, will be performed December 1, 2, and 3 of 2000 at the Ray House.  Director Le Cox is pleased to announce her ensemble of reading actors:

Steve Arnold  (Ebeneezer Scrooge)
Bill Owens*  (Bob Cratchit)
Ron Baldwin  (The Ghost of Jacob Marley and other roles)
Ed Dickerson*  (The Ghost of Christmas Present and other roles)
Nancy Beckman  (The Ghost of Christmas Past and other roles)
Jake Hessenius  (Tiny Tim and other roles)
Tammy Hickok*  (Mrs. Cratchit and other roles)
Margie Ortgeissen  (Mrs. Fezziwig and other roles)
Alexander Vasquez  (Scrooge's Nephew and other roles)
Dustin Kearns  (Scrooge as a boy and other roles)
Aaron Murphy  (Scrooge as a Youth and other roles)
Jessica Rundlett*  (Fan and other roles)
Josie Rundlett  (Belle and other roles)
Meghan Owens (various children)
Chelsea Hessenius  (various children)
Jeff Martin*  (various children)  

*ACT I debut

Tickets for "A Christmas Carol" are specially priced at $10 for adults and $7.00 for students 14 and under.  The ticket price includes hors d'oeuvres served at intermission.  Season ticket holders get a $1.00 discount on their admissions.  Because of limited seating (only 30 patrons can be accommodated for each performance) please make your reservations early by calling the ACT I Box Office, 472-9957.  Performance times are 7:30 PM on Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2, and 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 3.

More information about the show will be given in next month's issue, which will come out during the production week.

Concludes Successful Run

The second production of ACT I's Season 2000-2001, "A Season of Theatre Classics," had a successful run at the Palace Theatre in September.  The theme of our current season worked well as a theme for this annual variety show production as well, with performers presenting favorite old routines, musical numbers, and dance routines. 

The performers included:  Terin, Kayce, Marni, Ashley, and Cami Olson (vocalists and dancers); Erin and Clare Horst (vocalists); James Koren (drums); Sara Zimmerman (vocalist); Elise and Shoshannah Dickerson (piano/vocalists); Becca Fisher, Curtis Lueckenotto, and Nathan Horst (pantomimists); Kim Kelly, Susie Meyer, Deb Miller, Joyce Rublack, Lori Smith, Jeannie Springer, and Annette Williams (tap dancing moms); Zandra Denison (vocalist); Mary Horst (storyteller); Kyle Miller (saxophonist); Darran and Kordereau Sellers (comedy); Brady, Brinkley, Brandis, and Bristian Gerber (lip syncing hula dancers); and David and Annie Horst (pianists).

The production was hosted by its director, Mary Horst.  Also a part of the production was the photo display "Picture This," in which area photographers submitted samples of their work to be viewed by patrons in the lobby before and after the show and during intermission.

Production Photographs:

The Tap Moms danced to a classic Judy Garland number.

The Gerald Horst family performed "Blue Suede Shoes."

Long time ACT I veterans, Father and Son Darran and Kordereau Sellars performed the classic baseball routine "Who's on First."

Vocalist Zandra Denison, a professional singer who moved to Benton County recently from Oklahoma, proved an exciting new talent on the local scene.

For additional photographs and information about "Encore! Encore!," check that show's page on our website, using the link on the Current Season page.

New Greenroom Loft Increases Palace Storage

Thanks to the efforts of several dedicated ACT I volunteers and some very creative use of air space within the Palace Theatre, we have added considerably to our storage space.  Now within our greenroom / shop space we have a three level area that significantly adds to our onsite storage without losing any floor space needed by actors and crew during performances.  Flats, platforms, and other set components can now be stored at the Palace when not in use in this sturdy loft built along the side wall over the stage door.   The volunteers who donated their time, labor, and design skills to create the loft include Mert Alpers, Kevin Bookmeier, Austin Karr, Lu Karr, and Matt Salger. Thanks to all for a job well done!

Members of the Month --
Ron and Nancy Baldwin

Without Ron Baldwin, there would be no group called ACT I.  It was Ron who gave the group its name twenty years ago when the fledgling community theatre group was being formed.  The acronym ACT I (for Area Community Theatre, Incorporated) was Ron's creation, and he has contributed to us in countless other ways as well from the beginning and remains active with us today as an actor, board member, and as one of those individuals who can be counted on for just about anything ACT I needs.  Ron will appear next month in our readers theatre production of "A Christmas Carol," playing the Ghost of Jacob Marley as well as several other roles, and so we honor Ron and his wife Nancy as our ACT I Members of the Month.

Not only did Ron give ACT I its name, he also appeared in that very first production twenty years ago, "You Can't Take it with You."  Ron is one of the few original members still active with us.  Among Ron's performance credits through the years have been roles in "A Thurber Carnival," "The Night of January 16th," our first production of "The Girls in 509," the title role in "Daddy's Dyin', Who's Got the Will," and Mr. Brownlow in "Oliver!," as well as roles in many other productions.  Perhaps Ron's most unusual role was in "The Boardwalk Melody Hour Murders," in which he played an FBI man in drag, disguised as a nun.  He has also served as assistant director for "The Odd Couple," he is a frequent (and current) member of the board of directors, and he usually can be found pitching in whenever ACT I operates a food booth for a fundraiser or has a work day.

"Sister" Ron made a "habit" of solving crime in
The Boardwalk Melody Hour Murders. 

Dr. Baldwin has been a fixture in Vinton for over 30 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and curriculum coordinator for the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District.  He retired several years ago but continues to work regularly as a substitute teacher, staying young by staying in regular contact with the youth of our community.

Ron's wife Nancy is one of those very loyal behind the scenes ACT I members, generously loaning Ron to us on a regular basis.  She did, however, join us onstage as a member of the chorus in Oliver!  She also pitches in with volunteer work whenever she is able.  Nancy retired recently from her long time job with Head Start.  Ron and Nancy have three grown children, Kevin, Carter, and their daughter Andrea.

In addition to his volunteer work with ACT I, Ron and Nancy have been very active in creating the Old Creamery Nature Trail.  They labor countless hours helping to make the trail a reality.  They also worked on the excellent Old Creamery Haunted Hay Ride.  In addition, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Old Creamery Theatre, currently serving as board secretary.

In celebration of his recovery from thyroid cancer, Ron and Nancy made a very generous contribution to ACT I last year at the time of the opening of the Palace Theatre which was used by ACT I to purchase our piano for the theatre.  The piano is a very tangible manifestation of the interest Ron and Nancy have had in ACT I from the beginning, but the biggest manifestation of that interest has been the twenty-one years that Ron and Nancy have supported and participated in ACT I.  A big thank you to both of you for your years of support, and we hope you can be an active part of ACT I for many years to come! 

Birth Announcements!

Two ACT I families have increased their membership rosters, and that translates into three more actresses for future ACT I productions!  Halane Cummings and her husband Phil have started their family and are now the proud new parents of twin girls, Molly and Emily, born July 9.  Gerald and Marcy Horst welcomed their seventh child (and sixth daughter) Grace Lauren into the world on September 18.  A hearty congratulations to both these families, and we're looking forward to making a similar announcement next month for Joan and Casey!

New parents Halane Cummings and Gerald Horst look appropriately frazzled in this scene from "Bye Bye Birdie."  (With apologies to Phil and Marcy.)  

ACT I TRIVIA QUIZ

Diseases and Physical Disorders

In our upcoming production of "A Christmas Carol," Tiny Tim suffers from a life threatening disorder which melts the heart of Mr. Scrooge.  Illnesses and physical disorders are no strangers to the ACT I stage.  In which of the following past ACT I shows were the following diseases or physical disorders featured?

1. Leukemia

2. Blindness

3. Cancer

4. Mental Illness 

5. Scarlet Fever 

6. A broken arm

7. Cholera

8.  Food Poisoning

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!  

Answers to Last Month's Quiz

(Great Lines From Act I Shows)

1.  "I want to marry your wife."   SLEUTH
2.  "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers."
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
3.  "I forbid him the crown!  I am the king!"
THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER
4.  "Lower!"
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
5.  "You mean they tied him up and put him in a feedbox?  Where was child welfare?"
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
6.  "Hopni skipni, hopni skipni . . ."  THE FOREIGNER
7.  "Hiya, Fats!"  BYE BYE BIRDIE
8.  "I'm going to be baptized, dammit!" LIFE WITH FATHER
9.  "Most of the people in government don't do anything."
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
10.  "Is he dead?"
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
11.  "How do you like your eggs?"  THE FOREIGNER
12.  "Do you mean alive?"  THE SECRET GARDEN

The Next Meeting of the Board of Directors of ACT I of Benton County will be Sunday, November 12 at 7:00 at the ACT I Studio.  Visitors are always welcome.

Message from
the (Interim) Editor

This month it is my pleasure to return on an interim basis to the editor's role of Grease Paint, relieving Marcy for a few months while the Horst family takes some time to enjoy their new arrival.  I love to have an opportunity to promote ACT I, and Grease Paint is the perfect forum for that.  I'm a bit nervous taking over from such a competent predecessor, but bear with me and I'll do my best until Marcy is ready to return.  For now, I take on my second interim title for the season (remember, I'm also the Interim Costume Custodian, in case anyone wants to take that job off my hands!) and I'll look forward to Marcy's return and the successful continuation of our 21st season. 

                                      Steve Arnold
                                SArnoldIA@aol.com
                           472-5308

That's Grease Paint for November, 2000!

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