From the President

You bought your ticket during the season ticket drive and tonight is the night you go to see the latest production by the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre. You pass through the double doors of the Gilbert and Jaylee Mead auditorium, surrender your ticket to the usher and accept a program. As you enter the auditorium, you stop to read the information on Corrine Otto, whose generosity will help the WRCT put on productions for many years to come. A friendly usher offers to help you find your seat, but, being a “seasoned” ticket holder, you politely say you know right where you are going. On the way to your seats you greet friends and see many familiar faces. Some of them, including the couple in the seats next to you and in front of you, you only know through attendance at the theater, but you have become friends and enjoy fellowship before and after the play.

So now you settle down in your seat and look at your program to see if you know anyone who's in the play. You spot some old favorites and see some new names you aren't familiar with. You wonder how the newcomers will do. Finally, you glance up at the set and marvel how those set construction people can come up with these beautiful sets for each play.

Now, the house lights go down to half, an announcement is made telling you to turn off your cell phones and that photographs are not allowed. The house lights go down all the way and all is dark. Now the theater lights come up and something wonderful happens. What looked like a series of canvas covered flats and miscellaneous furniture suddenly is the living room of a house. The people on stage who were your friends and neighbors take on a new persona. You are transported from the auditorium to another world. And for two hours you become part of the lives of those characters on the stage. This transformation is the magic which makes us all come back to the theater, whether it is the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre or a play on one of Broadway's stages.

From the Executive Director

I hope you enjoy our final production of the main stage season — Hay Fever by Noel Coward— directed by Linda Garski. Linda's article is below, but I wanted to spend a little time talking about her here. Linda is the perfect poster child for WRCT. She has no formal training in theater, but is one of our most talented and involved volunteers. She came up through the ranks, learning one job after another, gaining experience and confidence along the way. She can literally do it all— from set construction to lighting, from acting to directing—and everything in between.

All of that is great and of great value to WRCT. But more than that, more valuable, is that thing about Linda that I would bottle if I could. Linda understands what community theatre is all about. She gets that it's about opportunity, expression, and education. When someone steps into Linda's theatre, they get all three. She has literally dragged people off the street to audition (and, yes, they have thanked her for it later) and has cast more new people than any other director we have. She's not afraid to take a risk with someone inexperienced, and she's never stingy with knowledge or praise. Above all, she keeps it fun. In this show, six of the nine actors you see on stage are new to WRCT. See what I mean about risk?

Linda served on the board for several years and she knows what makes us tick from the inside out. She continues to serve as our web designer and represents our web-face to the public. She is a positive role model for the group and a great recruiter. Linda spends a lot of time building up other people—she writes tributes for the WRCT Hall of Fame, is constantly recruiting friends, coworkers and anyone who even starts to get a twinkle in their eye when theater is mentioned. I just thought it was about time someone sung Linda's praises.

WRCT is rich in artistic resources. We have fantastic teachers within the group; people with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in theatre, professional experience, and years of on-the-job training. People who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with anyone who wants to learn. People who are eager to learn more and reach a little bit outside of themselves to grow. We are indebted to all of them, and the accolades to Linda are in no way meant to slight anyone else. We are like a diamond; the more facets you cut into the stone, the greater the sparkle. Linda Garski is one of our brightest.

By Noel Coward Directed by Linda Garski Production dates: May 21-22; 27-29: 7:30 PM May 23 Sunday Matinee: 2:00 PM Tickets will also be sold an hour prior to performance: 6:30-7:30 at the box office.

Linda Garski

Spring is here! It's a time for love…a time for growth, and time for the WRCT Spring Production! This spring we present Hay Fever, one of Noel Coward's finest plays.

The synopsis: The Bliss family owns a lovely country house, which they use to relax and entertain guests. On this particular weekend, each of them—unbeknownst to the others—invites a guest for the weekend, and each intends for their guest to stay in the guest room. So now all the Blisses are mad at each other, and decide it will be fun to ruin each other's weekend. The guests, however, are clueless to what's going on. The reactions of the guests are as funny as the antics of the Bliss family. Hilarity ensues.

The play runs the last two weeks in May. For all of you folks who are planning a “staycation” rather than travelling for Memorial Weekend, here's a chance for some quality entertainment without having to pack your bags and leave town. The talented cast of 9 brings 3 beloved veteran actors along with 6 exciting new faces to the WRCT stage. They are sure to tickle your funnybone and warm your heart as we say hello to summer!

Here is the cast list:

Sorel Bliss - Jenni Guggenheimer
Simon Bliss - David Edgren
Clara - Cory Shaw
Judith Bliss - Sue Popelka
David Bliss - Gary Popelka
Sandy Tyrell - Eric Manz
Myra Arundel - Kristin Felts
Richard Greatham - Dick Antinoja
Jackie Coryton - Megan Jacobson

Opening Night Art
Join WRCT in welcoming the fine artist from the Central Coast Gallery
on the opening nights for each production from 6:30 pm to showtime

Featured Artists:
May 21, 2010    Bruce Hendricksen, Sam and Katie Johnson

Come early and enjoy this unique opportunity to meet these talented artists and support the "Arts"! 

WRCT Silver Foxes

Special Spring Studio Production

Thursday, May 13, 2010
1:00 PM
Admission: $ 5.00

Space is limited Call or stop by the theatre for tickets, 421-0435

Springtime brings to mind baseball, picnics in the park, romance, trees, and laundry flapping in the breeze.

Whoa! Wait a minute, sounds like the WRCT Silver Foxes (our senior theatre group) has something in mind for a fun-filled afternoon. Yes, they do and you are invited to join in the fun.

On May 13 th , the WRCT Studio Theatre will be bursting with springtime fun, songs, recitations, humorous skits, riddles, jokes and refreshments. And there will be surprises when the audience gets involved with the skits in a special way.

The afternoon begins with some delightful and familiar poems. Then a famous Abbot and Costello baseball comedy routine “Who's On First!” will bring tears of laughter to your eyes.

Ah, the fresh smell of sheets that were hung out to dry in the sunshine on the clothesline. “The clothesline was like a news forecast to neighbors passing by …” begins a recitation and then you will be taken on a walk back in time when our mothers knew “The Basic Rules for Clotheslines”

A trip to the park takes an unexpected twist when two friends are confronted by park security officers in a humorous skit titled “Rules Is Rules."

“How to Marry the Minister” is an intriguing skit where three ladies from the congregation each have their eye on marrying the minister. Thelma, a businesswoman, Annabel, an aging ex-beauty queen and Carrie, a volunteer committeewoman all have a plan. But first they must overcome “The Obstacle”, Brenda, the church secretary with red hair resembling a lion's mane.

You will want to be a part of this Special Spring Studio Production. Invite your family and friends. Get your ticket or reserve your space today!

The Actors-Recession Special Workshop Series

WRCT is happy to offer our new Actors' Workshop Series, facilitated by our own seasoned actor/director, Steve Martin. The first one was held on March 8 but there is still the opportunity to attend the next two. Cost is $10 for the remaining workshops.

“Fine Tune Your Instrument” – Voice & Movement June 7, 6:00 PM -9:00 PM

Have you been bitten by “the bug”? Or maybe it's just been buzzing around you for a while. Either way, you'll want to attend this three-hour workshop. Through the use of simple theater games, physical and vocal warm-ups, role-playing, and short scenes, we will explore the art of acting in a safe, supportive environment.

“Now What Do I Do?” – Improv for Actors July 26, 6:00 PM -9:00 PM

In this fun filled three-hour workshop, Steve will teach participants how to be positive, listen to others, take risks and work within a team environment. Participants will learn improve games and be encouraged to use their imaginations as they begin to develop characters, build scenes and invent ideas without using props or costumes.

To register, call 421-0435 or e-mail wrct@wctc.net

WRCT Youth Productions

IF THE SHOE FITS

By Karen Woodward
Directed by Christopher Powers, Assistant Director, Caitlyn Olson

July 23-25, 2010

Prince Owen just can't get a break. While the Prince would love more than anything to go to college and learn about computers, but sadly he must follow the tradition of the past. This means Prince Owen must throw a ball to celebrate his recent graduation and also find his bride. Everyone will be there including the Royal Fan Club and Cinderella. Who will the Prince choose, only time will tell. Filled with an evil stepmom, street rats, love struck teenagers, and even a robot or two, this show will be an adventure for the audience as much as it is for the cast.

Parts are available for 27 young. Auditions will be on May 10 & 11 from 6:00pm-9:00pm in the WRCT studio theatre.

Also this summer, WRCT presents a youth theatre opportunity from HOPO Productions:

LOOKING GLASS LAND

By James DeVita
Directed by Stephanie Hoerth and Gretchen Powers

August 14-15, 2010

The playwright takes Lewis Carroll's original “Through the Looking Glass” and literally runs with it. This wild adaptation highlights and improvises on the pure, unadulterated fun of the story. This delightful romp through Alice 's looking glass land retains all of the familiar characters then introduces dozens of new ones: a baseball team, a gospel group, a train conductor, peanut salesman, detectives, star-struck tourists and much more.

Auditions for this multi-cast production will be on Tuesday, July 27 from 10am-2pm. Kids ages 8-18 are welcome. Also needed are production crews for lights/sound, etc. For additional information, call the WRCT office at 421-0435.

WRCT WISH LIST

If you are interested in contributing any of the items below, please contact the office:

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.