Union Street Players

Annie is off to a great start!

Rehearsals are underway for USP's Christmas production. Music rehearsals this week gave the cast a taste of what's to come. Tickets will go on sale later this fall. We'll keep you posted on this website so check back often! 

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Over 50 Girls Hope Opportunity Knocks in "Annie"

 Above: A group of girls hope the door of opportunity opens onto roles in USP's production of "Annie"

Hoping for a "Hard Knock Life," almost 60 girls walked through the door of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center on Saturday morning to audition for roles in Union Street Player's production of "Annie." The popular musical, based on the comic strip about a depression era orphan who escapes the orphanage and finds hope and a home, will round out USP's 2010 season.

Auditions on Saturday were reserved for young girls hoping to be cast in the role of Annie or one of her fellow oprhans. Director Cyndi Atkins was well prepared for the tremendous turnout. The girls were split into groups and run through three audition "stations." At one station they read from the script for the show's director. At another station they danced with a team of Central students helping with choreography. At a third station the girls sang for the show's vocal director, Teresa Bradley.

Auditions for all other roles, including adults and boys will be held this week:

• Monday, August 30:  6:30 PM  – 8:30 PM (boys 7 to 14 & adults ages 15 and up)
• Tuesday, August 31:  6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (boys 7 to 14 & adults ages 15 and up)
• Callbacks if needed will be on September 2 at 7 PM.
   

Those wishing to audition should come to the Pella Community Center (712 Union Street, Pella). No roles are pre-cast. No experience is necessary. The public is welcome to audition.

USP Honors Buhrow at 2010 Awards Dinner

Union Street Players gathered at Monarch's on the Molengracht last night for their 3rd Annual Award's Dinner. It was a chance to celebrate the 2009-2010 year and to honor another of USP's faithful contributors with induction in the USP Walk of Fame.

Current USP President, Tom Vander Well, served as Master of Ceremonies and provided a snapshot of what USP has accomplished in the past year. The group then watched a slideshow of photographs from this past year's main stage shows ("Little House Christmas at Plum Creek," "K.O.L.D. Radio, Whitefish Bay," and "Charlotte's Web") played to the strains of "There's No Business Like Show Business."

The group honored member, Mike Atkins, who passed away this past spring. Vander Well said that he'd considered asking for a moment of silence, but it just wasn't appropriate for theatre people. "Silence makes us nervous," he said, "and gives the feeling that someone isn't picking up their cues." He then asked those present to stand, raise their glasses in a toast to Atkins with a resounding "Huzzah!"

USP Vice-President, Deb Linn, introduced this year's inductee to the USP Walk of Fame. She shared Shelley Buhrow's many contributions to the community theater over the past 23 years including (but not limited to): actor, director, producer, writer, board member, President and Secretary. Buhrow accepted the honor, expressing her appreciation for those in USP who have meant so much to her.

The program ended, but the evening was far from over as those in attendance sat and socialized far into the night.

 
 
 

Central Seeks to Cast Adult Male in Shakespeare

The Central College Theatre Department is delighted to host Dr. Dennis Elkins as the guest artist and director of the first fall production, William Shakespeare's "Love's Labour's Lost."
 
Dr. Elkins would like to include 3 or 4 "adult" community actors ranging in age from "25 to death" . . . male or female, but he definitely would like one male in the 40+ range that can do comedy well and accents poorly. For those of you who missed your summer fix of Shakespeare in the Park with PSC, this could be the answer!
Auditions will be held Wed./Thurs. Aug 25-26 at 6:30 PM in the Kruidenier Theatre Building. Come dressed to move, have fun and do a little cold reading. Rehearsals will be held in the evenings and on weekends at Central College. The production runs Oct. 6-9.
Dennis Elkins BIO:
Most recently a professor with the Savannah College of Art & Design, Dr. Elkins has also been serving as Interim Artistic Director for the Department of Theatre at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee and is now a Professor of Theatre and Humanities at Milligan. 
 
As an actor, Elkins’ credits include productions of Richard III and She Stoops to Conquer with the Clarence Brown Company, Merchant of Venice, Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, and The Taming of the Shrew and School for Wives with the Utah Shakespearean Festival. As an Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®, this past summer, Elkins was invited to give a workshop for the VII Shakespeare Festival of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain. 
 
Also, Dr. Elkins enjoys experimenting with story-telling and reader’s theatre.  Over the past several years, he has performed one-man shows in Savannah and Columbus, Georgia as well as the Jekyll Island Club Hotel of works from C. S. Lewis, Truman Capote, O. Henry and Dr. Suess.  Most recently, Elkins directed a reader’s theatre production with music of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with the Walters State Community College vocal ensemble, The Sensations. 
 
Elkins holds a PhD in theatre from the University of Colorado, an MA from the University of Tennessee and a BA from Milligan College. Recent directing credits include Eurydice, Little Women (the musical), Titus Andronicus, All My Son’s, As You Like It, and Moliere's The Learned Ladies.
 
If you cannot make the audition times, but are available for rehearsals and performances please contact me at wilkinsona@central.edu. It may be possible for us to arrange a different audition time for you.

Shelley Buhrow Inducted to USP Walk of Fame

In 2008, Union Street Players instituted a Walk of Fame to honor individuals who have been instrumental in making the popular community theater a successful part of Pella's cultural heritage. The USP Board of Directors recently announced Shelley Buhrow as this year's inductee. This next Saturday, USP will hold their third annual Awards Dinner at Monarch's on the Molengracht to honor Buhrow for her contributions to the group over the past 23 years.

Shelley Buhrow has been a constant presence in Union Street Players from the earliest years. USP archives first credit Buhrow as having worked in the Green Room (where actors prepare to go on stage) in 1989's "Polky Dot and the Christmas Wish." Since that time, Buhrow as contributed to Pella's award winning community theater as writer ("Mom's Christmas Memories"), Director ("South Pacific," "Christmas in Tree Town"), Producer ("Sound of Music," "Music Man"), Actor ("Morning's at Seven," "Our Town") as well as serving as President of USP's Board of Directors in 1993-1994. Her long list of credits made her a logical choice for the USP Board of Directors who chose Buhrow from multiple nominations they received.

"Shelley has contributed to the success of Union Street Players in numerous ways," said current USP President, Tom Vander Well. "She exemplifies the type of person USP wants to honor in the Walk of Fame and we're excited to celebrate her many contributions to our group."

Union Street Players Walk of Fame inductees are nominated by USP members or members of the public. The Board of Directors then choose each year's inductee(s). Criteria for nominees include ten years of participation, participation in multiple roles, and contributing to USP's on-going mission. Buhrow will be the sixth inductee to the Walk of Fame. Previous inductees are: Bev Graves (2009), Dottie McGee (2008), Pat Moriarity (2008), Peggy Moriarity (2009), and Arvin Van Zante (2008).

Shelley Buhrow will be honored at Union Street Players' third annual Award Dinner. The dinner will be held at Monarch's on the Molengracht on Saturday, August 28th at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 per person, payable at the door, which includes dinner and the program. The public is welcome, though reservations are required by contacting Cyndi Atkins at 641-757-9785 or atkinsc@central.edu.

Charlotte's Web Weaves Fun for All

Union Street Players delighted audiences with this summer's production of Charlotte's Web. The classic tale by E.B. White about a pig named Wilbur and the Spider who saves his life was a big hit with every generation. Lisa Morgan made her directoral debut with USP (daughter, Jalissa, assisted) and did a great job with the cast which spanned a wide range of ages and experience levels.

Charlotte's Web had a five show run. The Wednesday night performance was unique compared to most USP shows which run from Thursday through Sunday. Marion County Bank requested a Wednesday performance so they could provide an evening of family entertainment for their employees. USP agreed to the show and opened it up to the public. The early opening night became the highest attended performance.

Kudos to cast and crew for making Charlotte's Web another successful show for USP!

Attendance for the show:

Wed:   201
Thu: 160
Fri:  164
Sat: 124
Sun: 191

Annie Auditions Draw Near!

 
 
 
 
Audition dates have been announced for the USP fall production of Annie.  Based on the Harold Gray comic strip and the book by Thomas Meehan, Annie tells beloved story of the little orphan girl who rises above the Great Depression, personal tragedy and the machinations of the scheming Miss Hannigan to be adopted by the kind Daddy Warbucks. A favorite on Broadway for many years, Annie is a story of hope that the whole family will enjoy; a show that reminds us that "the sun will come out tomorrow!"
 
Auditions are open to all and no roles are pre-cast.  Audition times are Saturday August 28:  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for girls only ages 7 to 14;  Monday, August 30:  6:30 PM  – 8:30 PM (boys 7 to 14 & adults ages 15 and up); and Tuesday, August 31:  6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (boys 7 to 14 & adults ages 15 and up) at the Pella Community Center, 712 Union.  Callbacks if needed will be on September 2 at 7 PM.  
 
There are six performances from Friday, December 3 to Saturday, December 11.  Directing the show is Cyndi Atkins assisted by Pat Moriarity and Wendy Vander Well.  Vocal Director is Teresa Bradley and accompanist is Brian Nolder.  On the production team so far is Mat Kelly, Jim Palmer, Arvin Van Zante, Peggy Moriarity, Anne McCullough Kelly, and Cody Kooi.
 
Cast members needed are: Annie, Miss Hannigan, Oliver Warbucks, Grace Ferrell, Rooster, Lily, Orphans, Servants, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Cabinet Members, Bert Healy, Boylan Sisters, Dog Catchers, Large Ensemble of Men & Women; and Sandy, the loveable mutt! 
 
For more information contact Pat Moriarity 641-628-1549 or Cyndi Atkins 641-757-9785.  Cuttings will be available at the Pella Library.  Additional information can be found at www.unionstreetplayers.com.  USP is looking for help with costumes, choreography, set construction, light board, stage crew, and makeup.  The Union Street Players are sponsored by the Pella Community Center.  Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

You can find more information about Annie, including synopsis and casting information here.

USP Drama Camp Seeks to Confirm Email Registrations

It has come to our attention that the "submit" button on the electronic registration form for Union Street Players' Drama Camp did not function properly. If you submitted your registration form in this manner, we're asking that you contact Brystal Hopkins (thehops@iowatelecom.net) to confirm and, if necessary, submit another registration in an alternative format.

We apologize for the inconvenience!!

USP Announces Auditions for "Annie"

Book by Thomas Meehan
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Audition Dates:
Saturday August 28  9:00 AM – 11:00 AM – (girls only ages 7 to 14)
Monday August 30  6:30 PM  – 8:30 PM (adults ages 15 and up)
Tuesday August 31: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM (adults ages 15 and up)
Callbacks if needed: September 2:   7 PM
Pella Community Center, 712 Union, Pella
 
2010 Production dates:
Friday December 3 – 7 PM
Saturday, December 4 – 7 PM
Sunday, December 5 – 2 PM
Thursday, December 9 – 7 PM
Friday, December 10 – 7 PM
Saturday, December 11 – 2 PM
 
Production Crew: (as of now)
Director: Cyndi Atkins    
Producer/Asst Director: Pat Moriarity
Vocal Director:
Accompanist: Brian Nolder
 
Set Design: Mat Kelly
Master Carpenter: Jim Palmer
Light Design: Arvin Van Zante
Costume Design:
Make-up Coordinator: Peggy Moriarity
Choreographer:
Program: Anne McCullough Kelly
Stage Manager:
Audition Help:  Deb Linn, Shelley Buhrow
Sound Board:
Light Board:
Front of House Coordinator:
 
Cast Needed
Annie: Big voiced, energetic, street-wise yet warm orphan.
Miss Hannigan:  Cantankerous orphanage director. Excellent comedic timing and acrid delivery.
Oliver Warbucks: Warm-hearted, sincere, but business minded, lonely.
Grace Ferrell: Oliver's faithful private secretary. Beautiful and loyal.
Rooster: Miss Hannigan's no-good brother
Lily: Rooster's floozy girlfriend.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The president
Sandy, the loveable mutt
Orphans, including Molly, Pepper, Duffy, Kate, Tessie, & more!
 
Other characters, including Bert Healy, Fred McCracken, Ickes, Ward, Bundles McCloskey, Jimmy Johnson, Boylan Sisters, Dog Catchers, Drake, cabinet members, Cecille, Annette, Mrs. Greer, Mrs. Pugh, announcer, usherette, Cordell Hull, Eddie, Francis Perkins, Henry Morgenthau, Honor Guard.
 
Background Story
Leapin’ lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world’s best-loved musicals.  Annie is a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find the parents, who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, mean Miss Hannigan.  In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil plot, befriends President Franklin Roosevelt and finds a new family and home in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and loveable mutt name Sandy. 
 
For More Information
Call Pat Moriarity 641-628-1549 or Cyndi Atkins 641-757-9785
 
We are looking for help with Costumes, Choreography, Set Construction, Sound Board, Light Board, Stage Crew, & Makeup.  Sponsored by the Pella Community Center.  Annie is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

2010 Walk of Fame Nomination Deadline Approaching!

Deadline for nominations for Union Street Players 2010 Walk of Fame are July 15th. Individuals may be nominated if they have contributed to USP over ten years, have participated in more than one capacity (e.g. actor, director, member, sets, costumes, lights, board member, and etc.), and have helped to further USP's on-going mission.

Please download the nomination form which may submitted by email or printed and mailed/faxed (641.628.9457). You may also type the appropriate information from the form into an email and send it to info@unionstreetplayers.com.

NOTE: Some individuals have had problems submitting nominations using the "submit by email" button. If you have problems, or if you submitted a form and suspect it may not have gone through, please simply type the information requested on the form in an email and send it to info@unionstreetplayers.com.

Download Walkoffamenominate_2010