by Steve Arnold

Our upcoming ACT I STAGE! children's theatre production of American Hysterical is in rehearsal, and a dedicated group of adults are mentoring over 80 young actors and actresses during the processing of putting this show on the Palace stage next month.  Among those adults is a young man very familiar to ACT I audiences as an actor, a young man who also serves the young people of our community as a teacher in our local school district.  His involvement in our current endeavor plus a featured role in our upcoming production of Annie make this a good time to honor Alex Martinez-Vasquez as our Member of the Month for June.

Alex Vasquez (right) appeared as Pablo, shown in this rehearsal
shot of our 1999 production of A Streetcar Named Desire

A native of Davenport, Alexander Vasquez came to Vinton in the fall of 1997 as a second grade teacher at West Early Childhood Center in Vinton, a position he held until the fall of 2001, when he became a fifth grade teacher at Lincoln Intermediate School in Vinton.  Last fall, another job change took Alex to the subject matter that is his first love, when he became eighth grade social studies teacher at Tilford Middle School.  Alex became involved with ACT I during his first year with the Vinton-Shellsburg School District, making his debut in May of 1999 as the jailer in The Prince and the Pauper.  He next appeared with us that fall, as Pablo Gonzales in A Streetcar Named Desire.  He also did crew work for that production.  In February of 2000, Alex appeared in our production of The Secret Garden as part of the vocal ensemble, and again Alex did crew work for that show.  He next appeared as part of the ensemble of our readers theatre production of A Christmas Carol in late 2000.  In February of 2001 for our production of My Fair Lady he wore two very different hats, as technical director, and on stage in the role of Zoltan Karpathy.  Next up for Alex was our production of Harvey, in which Alex showed his comic side in the role of Wilson.  During our summer, 2001 children's theatre series, Alex played the role of the old soldier in The Red Shoes.  In February of 2002, Alex again wore multiple hats for our production of Romeo and Juliet, serving as assistant director stage manager, fight coach, and also played the role of the Prince.  Alex took a breather from performing this season, though he did take on a completely new role for us when he was elected to a three year term on our board of directors last June.  This year he also took time out to get married, tying the knot with fellow Vinton-Shellsburg teacher Tina Martinez in a ceremony that took place at a frequent ACT I venue, the Ray House.  Tina teaches first grade at West Early Childhood Center in Vinton.  Now Alex returns to being active in productions as he works with the American Hysterical summer camp, and this September he will be seen in Annie, playing the role of Rooster.   

Alex Vasquez as Wilson (right) plays a scene with Kari
Douma as Myrtle Mae in our 1999 production of Harvey

In addition to his extensive involvement with ACT I, Alex has also been active in many other local pursuits.  He has coached Little League baseball, and has served as a negotiator for the Vinton-Shellsburg Education Association.

Alex is a Civil War living historian with several different re-enactor groups, both Union and Confederate.  Accuracy is very important in this hobby and he spends a great deal of time in research.  It is also a good way of blending acting with history, two of his favorite things.  Alex has an extensive collection of Civil War memorabilia which he uses in his historical performances.  Other hobbies include gardening, restoring Chrysler muscle cars, helping friends, and tap dancing.  (He appears regularly in Joan Cooling dance recitals and performances.)

Alex Vasquez as the young Prince in Romeo and Juliet surveys
the carnage after the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt

At home, Alex and Tina share their lives with their Boston terrier, Pig.  Their other "child" is their nine room 1895 Queen Anne Victorian home which they purchased from another long time ACT I family, the Brewers.  Issues such as kitchen remodeling and restoring stained glass now continually dominate their lives!   The house demands heavy commitments from Alex and Tina and promises to continue to demand their fascination, attention, time and money for many years to come!

Alex (downstage center left) as the bearded Zoltan Karpathy in My Fair Lady.

Alex says "ACT I is an excellent way to involve all people in the community.  As a teacher, I always stress that cooperation and unity are the best tools for success.  ACT I embodies this belief because you need everyone working together to make a good production.  This shows me that the district I'm a part of is a strong one and I'm very happy to be involved with the Vinton-Shellsburg Schools and ACT I."

We thank Alex for his years of dedication to this community and to ACT I and for his continuing commitment to us. (And many thanks to Tina for continuing to share him with us!)  We appreciate the time he has put into ACT I productions and hope that he can be active with us for years to come!

                                                                                                                    Photo by Julie Zimmer

Home
Grease Paint Online    Current Season    Scrapbook
Palace Theatre Virtual Tour    ACT I STAGE!   Gems
E-Box Office    Auditions and Calendar   All About Us    Links