WRCT Newsletter
January, 2009
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President's Corner
Andy Gilbert
WRCT President
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The Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre’s Gilbert and Jaylee Mead auditorium is a dream come true for those who have served on the Board of Directors, acted in plays, volunteered on crews and in any other way have been involved in making it a reality. Our first season of plays was a success and our desire that others have a facility which they can use for a variety of functions has been realized. We have hosted the annual meeting of the South Wood County Community Foundation, provided a venue for a play produced by an outside party, held a fashion show for participants in the Miss Wisconsin Rapids Pageant, and the list goes on. We have also put our studio theater to good use for acting workshops, smaller productions, a book sale and other community functions.
In the future we look to expand opportunities to utilize the facility and to get more people involved in Community Theater through development of acting workshops and promoting opportunities to serve on crews and learn the art of theater.
In the midst of all this excitement about opportunity, there is also the realization by the Board of Directors that the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre is now a business as well as a play production company. We have bills to pay and facilities over which we have charge and for which we are responsible. The Board, which was a hands-on operation in the past when we simply put on plays, can no longer manage the whole operation. For that reason we felt it was time to expand our staff to include a full time Executive Director. It is with pleasure that I announce that we have formally offered this position to Ellen Roeseler. Anyone familiar with the Community Theater is familiar with Ellen as she has been both the past President of the Board and the primary mover and shaker behind and in front of the drive to have our own theater. The Board has every confidence that she will ably guide and serve WRCT in her new capacity and we wish her well.
The Board is also pleased to announce that Mary Beth Rokus, who has been the face of the Community Theater as its Administrator, will continue in that role. With Ellen and Mary Beth on Board we have a staff that knows and is well known in the arts community. Stop in and chat with them, but be careful or their enthusiasm will have you begging for the opportunity to get involved, even including, heaven forbid, going out on that stage to “breaks a leg” (also known as acting).
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From the Executive Director
Ellen Roeseler
WRCT Executive Director
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Do you have what it takes to win $500?
If you haven’t heard by now, WRCT is sponsoring our first-ever talent competition. “We’ve Got Talent!” is a week-long event filled with entertainment and fun for everyone. The competition will be held from March 16 - 21. Each performer will have one 2-1/2 minute chance to wow the judges. The initial competition runs Monday–Thursday, and the top performers from each night will advance to the semi-finals on Friday. Top Friday performers will advance to the finals on Saturday night, where the top five acts will receive cash prizes ranging from $100-$500! The winner will also be featured as a guest performer in the City Band Summer Fundraiser in July, Locals on Stage in September, and the Miss Wisconsin Rapids Area Pageant in October. Shy about getting up on stage? Well, you can still be an important part of the competition by coming to the performances, because ½ of the contestants’ score will be made up of audience votes.
Here's what you can do to help—
- Pass it on! Let everyone you know hear about this fun event and encourage them to participate.
- Volunteer your time. There are plenty of volunteers needed for this event, from judges to stage managers, to ticket sellers, etc. etc. -- the list is long! The more volunteers we get, the less time any one of us has to work!
- Grab some flyers to put up around town. Mary Beth will have them ready for you in the office.
- Come and see the show. Tickets will only be $5 for most nights, $10 for the final evening.
- Be a sponsor. Sponsorship is needed for prize money and other event costs. This is a great opportunity for local businesses to buy local themselves!
- Sign up to be a competitor! If you've got a talent or a talented group of friends—hey, even if you don't—be a part of the fun. Get those high school buddies together, dust off those white bellbottoms and love beads and lip-sync to "Boogie Nights;" practice up on the bird calls that won you such critical acclaim at countless family reunions; recite your favorite poem while playing the triangle—you could have what it takes to win $500!
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OUR NEXT PRODUCTION:
By Joan Ackermann
Directed by Jody Steinke
Performance Dates:
February 20 –22; 25 –28, 2009
7:30 PM (Sunday afternoon Matinee: 2:00 PM)
Here's the cast list!
| Older Bo |
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Amy Boettcher |
| Bo |
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Celia Nalbach |
| George |
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Chuck Buchs-Hammonds |
| Charley |
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John Young |
| Arlene |
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Mystique Macomber |
| William Gibbs |
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Nick Nuber |
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| Stage Manager |
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Debbie Linzmaier |
| Asst. Director/ SM |
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Jenni Guggenheimer |
Notes from the Director:
Joan Ackermann, a contemporary American playwright is one of the freshest voices in modern theater. Ackermann’s play “Off the Map” was originally published in 1994 and has been produced throughout the United States (the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2003) and has won a fair amount of critical acclaim. With “Off the Map”; Ms. Ackermann constructs a memory play, a journey through the intricate paths along which we arrive at our identities. The play set in the wilds of northern New Mexico, takes place in the present and mainly the early 1970’s. The story is both, simple and elusive. The script’s greatest triumph is its characters, who struggle with depression and desires in pursuit of self-reliance. This off-beat evocative comedy has a compelling and lyrical quality. Through unswerving love and compassion, the characters stumble into glimpses of self-discovery and unexpected moments of grace. Humanity defined with profound humility.
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Jody is one of the multitalented wonders that keeps WRCT top notch! She has directed, acted, run props, designed costumes—you name it! You last saw her onstage in "Jakes Women" and enjoyed her directoral talents in "Bus Stop." |
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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Our Spring 2009 production:
You Can't Take it With You
By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman
Directed by Mike Edgren
AUDITION DATES!
Monday, February 23 - 6:30-8:30 PM
Tuesday, February 24 - 6:30-8:30 PM
Parts available for 17 people!
Scripts will be available for sign-out beginning January 19th at the WRCT office.
Performance Dates:
May 1 –3; 6–9, 2009
7:30 PM (Sunday afternoon Matinee: 2:00 PM)
Notes from the Director: Come help us put on one of the most popular comedies of all time! There are a total of 19 parts for men and women of all ages. From Grandpa who collects snakes and doesn't see the sense in paying taxes to Granddaughter Essie, the world’s worst ballet dancer, every single role in this play is a gem and a wonderful opportunity for an actor to shine.
 THE STORY: At first the Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize that if they are mad, the rest of the world is madder. 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. The shock sustained by the Kirbys, who are invited to eat cheap food, shows Alice that marriage with Tony is out of the question. The Sycamores, however, though sympathetic to Alice, find it hard to realize her point of view. Meantime, Tony, who knows the Sycamores are right and his own people wrong, will not give her up, and in the end Mr. Kirby is converted to the happy madness of the Sycamores, particularly since he happens in during a visit by an ex-Grand Duchess, earning her living as a waitress. No mention has as yet been made of the strange activities of certain members of the household engaged in the manufacture of fireworks; nor of the printing press set up in the parlor; nor of Rheba the maid and her friend Donald; nor of Grandpa's interview with the tax collector when he tells him he doesn't believe in the income tax. Read more!
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What's Happening in the Studio Theatre?
The Studio will be dark in February, and even darker when it reopens in March. WRCT's black box theater will finally live up to its name, as walls and ceiling will be painted that color. The interiors of most black box theaters are, true to their name, painted black. The absence of color not only gives the audience a sense of "anyplace" (allowing flexibility from play to play or from scene to scene), but also allows individual lighting cues to be that much stronger.
Want to put on your own performance in the Studio? Contact Mike Edgren, Steve Martin or Ellen Roeseler for details.
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WRCT Summer Youth Production:
After the Rain King
By Steph DeFerie
Directed by Stephanie Hoerth,
with assistance by Chris Powers
Auditions: May, 2009
Dates and times TBA
Performance Dates:
July 23–26 2009
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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2008–2009 Season:
WRCT is the Great Place
for Great Theatre!
Our Fall 2008 production:
Bell, Book and Candle
By John Van Druten
Directed by Charles Buchs-Hammonds
Our Winter 2009 production:
Off the Map
By Joan Ackermann
Directed by Jody Steinke
Our Spring 2009 production
You Can't Take it With You
By Moss Hart and
George S. Kaufman
Directed by Michael Edgren
Our Youth production:
After the Rain King
By Steph DeFerie
Directed by Stephanie Hoerth
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Fundraisers
Flower of the Month
This is what “Flower of the Month” club members have to say:
“How nice it is to have a flower every month. You really look forward to that little special thing from the florist.”
“It’s kind of fun to see what you’re going to get each month when you go.”
“Remembering I need to stop at Wunrow’s once a month just makes me smile.”
Wouldn’t you like to give someone a monthly gift of flowers? What a great way to brighten up the home or office, no matter what the season. It’s a very special gift for someone special in your life. And this year when you buy a Flower of the Month card, you’ll be helping to support WRCT as well. Thanks to the generosity of the folks at Wunrow’s Greenhouse, half of your purchase will be donated to help WRCT with administrative costs. Cards are $25 and can be purchased at the WRCT office or Wunrow’s Greenhouse. Buy one for all the special people in your life - including yourself!
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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