As ACT I prepares to move into its new home in the Palace Theatre, we visit another ACT I family who has also moved into a new home recently. This month we feature the Stan Westergard family, who in mid October moved into a beautiful new home on First Avenue South, and by now it’s starting to feel like home for the family. Stan and Rhonda operate the local State Farm Agency, now having lived in Vinton for several years.  Rhonda and their two children, John and Kate, have been active on stage in ACT I productions for several years, while Stan continues to be one of our most devoted and supportive members.  John is currently in ninth grade at WHS and his activities include cross country and Boy Scouts.  Kate is an eighth grader active in volleyball, dance, and piano. Rhonda and the kids began with us in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and also were all in Oliver! Kate and Rhonda also appeared in The Miracle Worker and Bye Bye Birdie, where Rhonda played Mrs. MacAffee. Rhonda appeared in last year’s variety show and will also appear in this year’s edition.  Both John and Kate will be seen later this year in the ACT I STAGE! production of The Prince and the Pauper.

The home of Stan and Rhonda Westergard
and their children John and Kate, newly
constructed on the edge of Vinton.

    The Westergard’s new home was built by the Haefner-Stein crew, the same builders who are now working to finish the Palace Theatre. Guests to the home enter an eye catching foyer, and move into an inviting open kitchen/family room space. The master suite is also on the main floor. On the second floor, John and Kate’s rooms are at opposite ends with a small family room between.

John Westergard (standing, right) is pictured in his ACT I debut role,
Hobie Clark in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

    The Westergards think ACT I is a great community builder, providing good family entertainment. They are anxious to have ACT I move into their new home at the Palace Theatre and have it start to feel like home, too!

Since this article was written the have continued to enjoy their lovely home.  John and Kate not only appeared in The Prince and the Pauper as announced in this article, but filled in as last minute replacements for in the production that preceded it, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Kate playing a major role with just two weeks notice.  Each then played a major role in The Prince and the Pauper.  John's most recent ACT I role was as William in The Secret Garden.  Kate also appeared in The Secret Garden as the Ayah, and she also served on the stage crew for My Fair Lady.  Most recently for ACT I, Kate was a piano soloist in Intermezzo II. 

Rhonda continued her involvement with ACT I by appearing in A Streetcar Named Desire, The Secret Garden (as Rose Lennox) and My Fair Lady, a show for which she was also Assistant Director and Stage Manager.

John graduated from WHS in May of 2002 and will attend Iowa State University in Ames this fall.  History and Engineering are special interests.  John is also an avid reader and a passionate cross country runner.  Many people who know John don't realize that underneath his quiet exterior that he is quite the prankster and more than a little bit of a daredevil, as he enjoys white water rafting and rock climbing.  Another of John's passions is scouting; during his senior year in high school he was named First Runner- Up for the honor of Iowa Eagle Scout of the Year.

John Westergard (left) and Kate Westergard (center) each played major roles in The Prince and the Pauper in May, 1999.

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