WRCT Newsletter
May, 2009
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From the Executive Director
Ellen Roeseler
WRCT Executive Director
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I’ve been working on some grant applications lately (send good thoughts!), and grant application questions are great because they really make you think about your organization and its place in the community. Better yet, they make you put into language the feeling deep in your bones that keeps the passion for your organization alive.
So I got to thinking. Do other people think about how important community theatre is? Do they realize that a healthy community theater can literally change the world? Do they????
Probably not.
So let’s think it through together—I’ll write, and you read, if that’s OK with you. Here’s the question: what’s so great about community theatre? Or in other words, if WRCT ceased to exist, what difference would it make?
Well, let’s start with the essential—everything centers around “the play.” The fact that it’s called a “play” implies fun, leisure, and entertainment. Tell a director that during the last two weeks before a show and you might hear it replaced with other four-letter words! But linguistically for most of us, the word “play” draws us in with the promise of fun. That’s good, because most people get knee-deep into it before realizing how much work it is. But everything we do is about the play – acting it, costuming it, creating the world it lives in, selling it, watching it. You might say, “the play’s the thing.”
And a wonderful thing it is, too, because this little event has the power to draw people from all walks of life, from all economic and social levels to participate in its creation and in so doing, establish relationships with other people they might never even meet. Community theatre offers a unique opportunity for people of diverse ages, income levels, backgrounds and beliefs to work together toward a common goal. Relationships are formed which carry on outside the theater and into other aspects of life. Working on a show is an intensely shared experience, and it changes people, as all such experiences do. Creating art via teamwork involves stretching oneself first and is very empowering. Exposing oneself to vulnerability in order for the team to succeed creates strong support and bonds. A surrogate family is formed, and people begin to tolerate, understand, accept, and care about each other, despite their differences outside the auditorium.
The success of an intensely shared project inspires confidence and trust. Working side by side to assure that success with someone outside of your demographic, social or economic background inspires tolerance and cooperation. Now, just take a moment and think about the potential.
Few opportunities exist for this type of interaction among adults—the local performing arts organizations remain the exception (some would argue sports should be included here, but I would challenge that argument by saying most softball teams, bowling leagues, etc. contain people you know or work with). City Band, Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Chorale—all of these groups provide a forum for group experience. However, those groups do require a passkey—you must be able to play an instrument or sing in order to get in. So where is a person to go who has not spent years in a practice room? Why, look no further than WRCT! In community theatre, you don’t need experience. You can literally walk off the street with no knowledge of theatre and we will train you in the area in which you are interested.
I believe community theatre changes attitudes and communities through the awareness caused by these shared experiences. This is why it remains so important to the heart of any community. I would go so far as to say that a town without community theatre will eventually die.
Oh, I’m not asking you for money; I know times are tough now. I’m just asking you to think about how important it is to have a place where people can exchange ideas, solve problems, create and learn to express themselves in a nonthreatening atmosphere. And when you’re planning what happens when you’re gone – what kind of legacy you want to leave behind—I hope you’ll think about us again.
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OUR SPRING PRODUCTION:
Directed by Mike Edgren
Performance Dates:
May 1 –3; 6–9, 2009
7:30 PM (Sunday afternoon Matinee: 2:00 PM)
Click here to see the cast list!
Notes from the Director:
On May 1-3, and again May 6-9, the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre will put on You Can’t Take it with You, one of the funniest and most popular American comedies ever written. The play revolves around the quirky Sycamore family, who in spite of the Great Depression refuse to let it get them down. They do exactly what they want to do all the time. Even if that means collecting snakes, playing the xylophone, or lighting off fireworks in the basement.
At first the Sycamores seem a little nutty, but it isn’t long before we realize that if they’re crazy, the rest of the world is crazier. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. The plot shows how Tony, attractive young son of the Kirbys, falls in love with Alice Sycamore and brings his parents to dine at the Sycamore home on the wrong evening. Complicating the plot are political messages hidden in candy boxes, Russian nobility fleeing the Communists, 24 years of back taxes that the patriarch of the family refuses to pay, and a basement filled with homemade fireworks.
You Can’t Take it with You won the Pulitzer Prize in 1937, was then made into a movie starring Jimmy Stewart, and took the Academy award the following year for Best Picture. “It is without a doubt one of the greatest comedies ever written,” said director Mike Edgren, “No wonder it has remained so popular today.” Edgren promises the cast of 17 will have many surprises for Wisconsin Rapids audiences. “We have an extremely talented cast of local performers who will keep you in stitches the entire evening.”
The play will appear in the Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium in the Rapids Mall across from the Senior Center. Curtain times are 7:30 each night with the exception of a 2:00 afternoon performance on Sunday May 3. Tickets can be reserved by calling the theatre office at 421-0435. Tickets can also be purchased one hour before curtain at the theatre box office. |
Mike Edgren
Director
Mike has shared his talents with us for years, both onstage and off. You have seen his directoral offerings in our production of "The Importance of Being Earnest". Mike is the chairman of the Studio Theatre Committee. He also is a very talented actor, most recently seen in "Moon Over Buffalo." He shares his life with fellow thespian Susan, and their sons David and Tim. |
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Admission: $12.00 reserved seating
Tickets on sale
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM at
WRCT Office at east end of Rapids Mall
Call 421-0435
Tickets will also be sold
an hour prior to performance
To learn more about WRCT tickets, click here. |
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You Can't Take it With You Revival Memories
By Lois Cantin
 WRCT will be performing the first revival play in May. It is a great one to do as it is one of the most hilarious plays you will ever see, OR see again if you saw it in 1980.At that time the theater went under the name of Community Company of Players.
I was fortunate to have the part of Penny Sycamore and of all the plays I was in, I think I had more fun during rehearsals with this one just because the show is so funny. As I looked at the 1980 Program, I wanted to share the cast names as I think you will recognize most of them as active theater people and at that time, many who had been involved since the beginning of the theater
Listed in order of appearance:
Penny Sycamore…………Lois Cantin
Essie……………………...Joani McCumber
Rheba…………………….Jo Smazel
Paul Sycamore…………...Byron Johnson
Mr. De Pinna……………...Bill Boehm
Ed……………………….....Nick Roberts
Donald………………….....Brody Knutson
Grandpa Vanderhof……...John Natwick
Alice…………………….....Claire Gilbert
Henderson……………..….Bill Nemer
Tony Kirby………………...Michael P. Vandre
Boris Kolenkov…………....Bill Young
Gay Wellington…………...Connie Knutson
Mr. Kirby………………......Jim Hubbard
Mrs. Kirby…………… .......Carrie Koerner
Four Men……………….....Dan Teas, Jerry Gilbert Kevin Koerner, Kevin Wiberg
Grand Duchess…………..Virginia Johnson |
I will never forget when Bill “Spider” Boehm came on stage in a toga. I thought the audience would knock the place over with their laughter. Two people who are WRCT Board members now were on crews at that time. These two were Andy Gilbert on Lighting Design and Cathy Miles on Set Design.
My dear friend, Pat Teas. who directed the play, would be proud of Mike Edgren, who is directing this time for their shared interest and enthusiasm for the play.
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What's Happening in the Studio Theatre?
Workshop I – Youth Workshop, “Act It Out”
Instructors Susan Edgren and an assistant will conduct this workshop for 4 Saturday mornings in June. The purpose is to give middle-school age children a much-needed theater experience. Topics to be covered are building a character, making dynamic choices in scene work, gaining confidence and stage presence (“what do I do with my hands?”) and voice production. The workshop is open to junior high students, and space is limited. Cost of the workshop is $50 per student for the full 4 weeks.
Workshop II – Director Workshop
FULL – WAITLIST ONLY – ACTORS NEEDED
Susan Edgren, Cathy Meils will conduct this 4-week class designed to provide education and build confidence for new directors. Topics include: script visualization, stage composition, blocking and business techniques, character development for the actor, principles of effective rehearsals. Each director will produce a Studio Theatre production after completing the class. The directors have already been selected, but ACTORS ARE NEEDED TO WORK WITH THEM.
Workshop III - Actors’ Workshop –Improvisational Techniques for the Actor
DATES TO BE DETERMINED BASED ON INTEREST
Instructor Steve Martin trains new actors and veterans on the importance of improvisational games and techniques, encouraging a high quality of theatrical productions and greater opportunities for volunteers. Improvisational Techniques for the Actor, Part I will focus on basic acting techniques, physicality and voice. Improvisational Techniques for the Actor, Part II (prerequisite Workshop I) will focus on the foundations of improvisation and include an introduction into scene study. Improvisational Games and Performance Techniques (no prerequisite), Part III will focus on improving performance techniques and preparing actors for live performance. Cost is $25 per workshop, or $50 for all three.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Mary Beth Rokus at 421-0435, or email wrct@wctc.net.
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WRCT Summer Youth Production:
Auditions:
May, 20 and 21, 2009
6:00–8:00 PM
21 parts available for ages 8–18
Crews needed also!
Performance Dates:
July 23–26 2009
Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium
Centralia Center
220 3rd Ave. S.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
 THE STORY: Glory may be just a little kid but she's in big trouble - when she accidentally opens an old, locked book she finds in an old trunk, a mysterious stranger jumps out! “I am the Rain King, The Lord Of Tears, The Master Of Sorrows, The Commander of the Darkness in your soul! I suck the happiness from your thought and leave only fear and desolation. Destruction is my bread and butter, loss is my meat and drink!” And Glory is the one responsible for releasing him from his prison and setting him free in the world again! Before she can stop him, he kidnaps Pete and disappears back into the book. To rescue Pete, Glory and her friends must follow and soon find themselves jumping from story to story - battling pirates in “Treasure Island”, helping young Arthur pull the sword from the stone in “Le Morte D'arthur” facing down bank robbers in “Prairie Rustlers” and even becoming bugs! Can they save Pete, not to mention the rest of the world, from this dangerous monster or will he cast his evil spell over us all. A funny chilling and imaginative play with an exciting climax. Learn more about youth theatre!
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2009–2010 Season:
WRCT is the Great Place
for Great Theatre!
Our Fall 2009 production:
Red Herring
By Michael Hollinger
October 16-18; 22-24, 2009
Our Holiday 2009 production:
The Last Resort
By Michael Edgren
December 11-13; 17-19, 2009
Our Winter 2010 production:
Sweet Charity
Music by Cy Coleman,
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Book by Neil Simon
March 5-7; 11-13, 2010
Our Spring 2010 production:
Hay Fever
By Noel Coward
May 21-23; 27-29, 2010
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Want a great place to hold an event?
RENT OUR THEATRE!
The Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Auditorium and the Studio Theatre are avaiable for rent. The auditorium seats 223 and is designed for a performance venue but is also ideal for a speaker's forum.
The Studio Theatre is nultifunctional and seats up to 60 people. To date, we have accomodated small theatrical events, workshops, childrens' activities, meetings, luncheons, and even a wedding. Whatever your needs, WRCT personnel are happy to work with your particular group or occasion. Call the office at 421-0435 for a fee schedule and reservation form.
That's My Pan!
Looking for a unique gift idea? Well, we have just what you are looking for, AND, you
will be helping WRCT raise funds.
What is it? A personalized, heavy-duty 9 x 13 baking pan and lid. Choose from over 100 designs on the lid and the pan. The cover comes in a choice of 4 colors - black, navy, cranberry and forest green with white lettering. The caption can read “Made With Love by” or “From the Kitchen of”.
Cost of the Pan is $30 with proceeds benefiting WRCT.
Orders can be placed with any board member or stop by the WRCT office.
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WRCT Board of Directors |
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Andy Gilbert
President |
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Charles
Buchs-Hammonds
Vice President |
Diane Schroeder
Secretary/Treasurer |
Ellen Roeseler
Executive Director |
Mary Beth Rokus
Administrator
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Mike Barrett |
Cathy Meils |
Jerry Bach |
Amy Boettcher |
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