Shawano County Arts Council Inc

The calendar is flipped to June, and this month will mark two personal events. It shows another birthday, which usually in itself not a big deal, but after having cancer, it is a big deal. Also, I’m now an official one year survivor, and I don’t take that lightly. My oncologist says right now I am cancer free and I hope to God that I stay that way. I think I mentioned that my hair has grown in curly, and I really like my care-free hairdo. However, my oncologist told me that my curls probably aren’t permanent. Oh well, I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.

On to “Footloose”, our summer musical. Last month I listed the main roles and the people playing them, but didn’t have room for the kids that form the supporting company (singers and dancers). Here they are: Jake Schertz, Emilie Aschenbrenner, Susie Nagrant, Miranda Ruby, Sam Steenbock, Alicia Moon, Brittany Bozich, Jessica Drogemuller, Miranda Hagberg, Rheanna Dathe, Roberta Braga, Victoria Lilly, Erick Raether, Andy Schley. I should also note the following: Choreographers- Amy Reinke, Rosalind Greiert, Nichole Roloff; Lighting/Sound- Don Klose, Will Church; Stage Management – Maribeth Weidner; Costume Designers – Maribeth Weidner, Cheryl Jones-Ritter; Set Design & Construction – Dan Terrio, Cherish Heath, Jeff Vollendorf. The cast will provide the props needed. Dan Terrio, Director of “Footloose”, told me that rehearsals are in fast swing. The week of June 9^th will see the cast deep into choreography, taught by Amy Reinke of Shawano. Dan said it’s been rather refreshing working with such a diverse cast. He commented: “I can tell you right now, that this production is bound to be one of the most high energy musicals to hit this area in a long time, and I’m excited to see it open!” The opening is on Thursday, July 10^th. Other performances are on July 11, 12, 13 and 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. We are happy to announce that during the second week, there will be an additional performance on Wednesday, the 16^th. We have added this extra show, due to the high demand for tickets for our summer musicals. Our last two summer shows have sold out for virtually every performance.

I mentioned in last month’s column, that the Box in the Wood Theatre Guild members were gathering at the storage shed behind the theatre for a spring cleanup. Well, we did, and the small crew worked diligently, under the able direction of Sergeant..I mean, President, Kimberly Brei! To accomplish our mission we needed a plan, and Kim had one, thank goodness. Every movement had a purpose, and we all knew what we had to accomplish. The shed now looks clean and organized….job well done!

For those of you who are members/donors of the Shawano County Arts Council and/or The Box in the Wood Theatre Guild, you will be receiving your SCAC Newsletter in the mail soon. This issue will bring you up to date on the summer events, including the Art Fair in July and the Shawano Folk Music Festival in August. When you join the SCAC or the Guild, you are put on the mailing list to receive the newsletter, which is published quarterly. Check out our website at shawanoarts.com for online membership applications and lots of information about the goings on at the Mielke Arts Center. You can call 715-526-2525 and leave a message for Diane Vollendorf, the Guild Membership Chair, or Linda Blohowiak, SCAC President. They will contact you.