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        Click for: VACT news archive -- 2007 and earlier

December 15, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting proposals for the 2009 "Fall Project" show.  Any VACT member may submit a project proposal, which should include confirmed production staff and whether the production is pre-cast or will be cast by auditions.  Proposals can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Dick Vock at Dick.Vock@yahoo.com.  The deadline for application is January 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its January meeting.  For more information on Fall Project Selection, please see the VACT Policies page.
December 10, 2008 --

Once Upon a Mattress and Three Piggy Opera Audition Information
January 4 - VACT Building, 405 Bruce Street, Verona, WI
12:00 or 3:00

Please choose only one audition time, 12:00 or 3:00 to attend.  Doors will open at 11:45.  Please arrive early to complete paperwork.

Please bring a photo, any size, of your child.

Each child will sing either “Happy Birthday” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or no more than 30 seconds of a song of their choosing.

Due to the number of children auditioning, all auditions will be done a cappella.

Each child will be asked to read one line that will be taught at the beginning of the audition.

Each child will learn a very short dance combination and perform it in groups.

Callbacks for leads will take place immediately follow the main audition.  The production staff will determine who will stay for Callbacks.

For questions, please contact Terry Dvorak at Terry@TheDvoraks.com.

December 1, 2008 -- VACT folks are involved in a host (heavenly host?) of Christmas productions around the area. Here is a sampling:

Jim McNeill (The "Grinch" himself) plays Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol presented by the Monroe theater guild on Fri., 12/5, Sat., 12/6, Fri., 12/12, and Sat., 12/13 @ 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees, 12/7 and 12/14 @ 2 PM. All shows @ MAC building, 1315 11th St., Monroe, easy to find, just a block West of the Square, old converted church with a big spire.

Macarey Shaefer ("Jean McLaren"), Steve Witherspoon ("Mr. MacGregor") , Jerry Pero ("Archie Beaton") are in Festival of Carols , the annual Christmas Concert at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, on Sunday, December 7 at 6:00pm . The concert will feature Good Shepherd’s Music Ministry presenting Joseph Martin’s "Festival of Carols," an audience carol sing, and Handel’s "Hallelujah Chorus" and more. A $5 donation is appreciated.

Dale & Steve Nickels, Kendra Thompson (Annelle in "Steel Magnolias), the Roller Family ("Annie Get Your Gun") are all involved in: A Prophet, A Wise Man, A Baby: Portraits of Christmas, High Point Church’s Annual Christmas Musical theatre production, which showcases the story of old delivered in a contemporary setting with drama, music, dance and live animals. This heart stirring, thought provoking, get you in the Christmas spirit, original musical production opens Friday December 12th at 7 PM at High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Rd, Madison. Additional shows Saturday, 7 PM and Sunday, 2 PM. Tickets are available in advance at High Point Church or at the door. $5, general admission. $2 children ages 2 – 12.

Verona Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the annual holiday show that benefits the Verona food pantry, Saturday, December 6th at 4 pm. The Annual Community Arts Celebration at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center organized by Hometown Dance and Fitness and benefiting the Verona Area Food Pantry. The event will feature traditional holiday music from many artists including the Memorial Baptist Church, St. James Lutheran Church Bell Choir and The Capital Chordsmen, as well as selections from The Nutcracker performed by Hometown Dance and Fitness. There may be other VACT members in the performance, but Alannah Spencer, Callie Rosenbaum and Danny Halminiak are in the St. James Bell choir.

Paul Kellerman (Yertle the Turtle) is a member of the Wisconsin Chamber Choir, presenting a concert at 7 pm Dec 13th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago in Madison. Paul has tickets for sale if anyone is interested

Sarah Engle (Molly from Annie, Jr.) has been cast as Tiny Tim and Joel Roberts (Oliver Warbucks from Annie, Jr.) has the roles of Christmas Future, Grave Digger and Fezziweg Suitor in CTM's A Christmas Carol at the Overture Center. Performances begin December 12th and run through December 21st. Contact Heather Roberts for information on discounted tickets ($20 seats that normally sell for $32). All kids 12 and under are $10.

November 6, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce the cast for its production of Camelot.  The production staff want to thank everyone who came out for auditions and helped "raise the bar" for this show.  First rehearsal will be Monday, November 10, beginning at 6:45 PM, at the VACT Rehearsal Building (not the PAC), 405 Bruce Street in Verona.  Performances will be January 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31; the 25th is a matinee.  For ticket information see the VACT Tickets Page.  Contact director, Philip Doll, or producer, Dale Nickels for more information.
October 30, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce auditions for Camelot.  Auditions will be Monday & Tuesday, November 3rd & 4th, at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Registration will begin at 6:45, so come early.  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Following music and dance auditions, readings will be provided for those auditioning for lead roles.  Callbacks for lead roles will be Wednesday, November 5th.

There are roles for all ages, including roles for youths aged 12-18 as squires.  Click Here for Character Descriptions.

Performances will be January 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31; the 25th is a matinee.  Contact director, Philip Doll, or producer, Dale Nickels for more information.

Don't forget that November 4th is Election Day.  Be sure to vote before coming to auditions.  Don't worry, we'll wait up!  Or better yet, audition on Monday!

October 8, 2008 -- VACT Children's Theater announces auditions for G2K: Once Upon A Mattress and Three Piggy Opera.  The "G2K" Getting to Know Series, from Rodgers & Hammerstein, features uniquely adapted musicals specifically for youth performers.  Auditions will be on January 4, 2009 at 12:00 and 3:00 PM at the VACT building.  "Once Upon A Mattress" will cast children ages 7 - 12 and "Three Piggy Opera" ages 4 - 6.
October 7, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater's production of Nunsense II opens Friday, October 24 and runs through Saturday November 1.  Go to the VACT Tickets Page to find out how to order tickets.  Performances are at 7:30 PM at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  A Sunday Matinee is at 2:00 PM.
October 7, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting applications to direct the 2009 Summer Musical, Wind in the Willows.  Applications can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Dick Vock.  The deadline for application is November 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its November meeting.  For more information on director applications, please see the VACT Policies page.
September 15, 2008 -- As many of you may have heard, we were unable to secure rights to perform Guys and Dolls for the Winter show.  The Winter show will now be Camelot.  Auditions will be Monday & Tuesday, November 3rd & 4th, at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Registration will begin at 6:45, so come early.  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Following music and dance auditions, readings will be provided for those auditioning for lead roles.  Callbacks for lead roles will be Wednesday, November 5th.

Performances will be January 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, and 31; the 25th is a matinee.  Contact director, Philip Doll, or producer, Dale Nickels for more information.

Don't forget that November 4th is Election Day.  Be sure to vote before coming to auditions.  Don't worry, we'll wait up!  Or better yet, audition on Monday!

September 9, 2008 -- Here are the results from the VACT Annual Meeting, held Monday, September 8.  For the VACT Board of Directors elections:
President-Elect:Katie Monk
Vice President-Elect:    Terry Dvorak
Secretary-Elect:Jerilyn Bramson
Treasurer-Elect:Missy Holcomb

Selections for the 2010 production year:
Winter Show 2010:Barefoot in the Park
Summer Show 2010:    Children of Eden

The music and lyrics for Children of Eden were written by Stephen Schwartz, who also wrote the music for Wicked.  Stephen Schwartz will be in Madison at the Overture Center on Thursday, September 25th.

August 27, 2008 -- The Verona Area Community Theater Annual Meeting will be Monday, September 8, at 7:00 PM at the VACT building.  All members are invited.  At the annual meeting we will vote in four new board members, and, most importantly, vote on the Winter and Summer shows for the 2010 production year.  Elections speeches and selection presentations are always a hoot, so don't miss this chance.  The nominees are:
President-Elect:Katie MonkPhillip Doll III
Vice President-Elect:    Terry DvorakKarl Curtis
Secretary-Elect:Jerilyn BramsonMarsha Pauly
Treasurer-Elect:Missy HolcombBradley Bellows

Here are the productions we will be voting on:

Here is the official Annual Meeting announcement and a link to the Bylaws:  
July 23, 2008 -- Fresh off the national tour of ANNIE, Madison native Abby Stevens returns to Madison to star in the 2002 Tony Award winning musical THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. The fresh-faced 22 year old is a 2003 graduate of Madison Memorial High School and daughter of Meg Stevens, who has performed in many productions with VACT and helped behind the scenes with many others. A student in the Pace University musical theatre program, Abby landed the major role of Grace, Daddy Warbuck’s secretary, after months of auditioning with hundreds of hopefuls.

This production also stars Kate Ewings, a Verona native (last seen here in 42nd Street) and Marcus Wisniewski, who was Charlie Dalrymple in our recent production of Brigadoon.

Synopsis: Taking place in New York City in 1922, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE tells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for herself. It’s a New York full of intrigue and jazz - a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever. Based on the popular movie, the stage version of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers.

Presented in partnership with the Wisconsin Union Theater, performances are Friday, August 15 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 16 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, August 17 at 2:00 pm at the Wisconsin Union TheaterTickets ($15, $20, $25) are available through the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office at (608) 262-2201 and online through www.uniontheater.wisc.edu. Students with a valid ID and seniors age 62+ will receive a $2 discount on their tickets. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted.

July 20, 2008 -- The VACT Board is accepting proposals for the Spring, 2009 Children's Theater production.  The proposal deadline is August 1, and the Board will choose a production from all submissions at its August meeting.  Please see the VACT Policies Page for guidelines for submission.  The policy was recently revised by the VACT Board to set the August 1st deadline.  Send proposals to the board in care of VACT President: Mark Holten.
July 10, 2008 -- Verona Area Community Theater announces auditions for featured dancers and vocal solos in chorus numbers for its fall production of "Nunsense II".  Auditions will be held at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, August 12, 2008.  Bring a song to sing (please bring music for the accompanist), and be prepared to learn and demonstrate a short dance sequence.  Bring your personal calendar so you can list potential rehearsal conflicts.  Performances will be October 24 - November 1, 2008.  Contact director Katie Monk with questions.
July 3, 2008 -- The VACT Projection Selection Committee will meet on Monday, July 21st at 7:00 in the VACT building music room.  The purpose of the Selection Committee is to present nominations for the 2010 winter and summer shows to be voted on at the annual membership meeting in September.  At the first meeting we will "brain-storm" and create a list of 10-15 shows to read over the summer.  In August the list will be pared down to two winter shows and two summer shows which will be submitted to the board for approval and then to the general membership for voting.  All VACT members are invited to participate in the committee.  For more information contact Selection Committee co-chairs: Julie Murphy and Marie Kyle.
July 3, 2008 -- The 2009 VACT Winter production is Guys and Dolls. 

Set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy - considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy - soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to a cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight "mission doll," out to reform the evildoers of Time Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she's been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game. 

Philip Doll will direct, and you can watch the website for auditions to be around the end of November.

March 24, 2008 -- Rich Novotney (Mortimer Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace) will be performing with the Madison Youth Choir (no, he won't be singing!), in their spring production: Greek to Me: A Choral Extravaganza of Mythic Proportions, Sunday, April 24th at the Capitol Theater at Overture Center.  Rich will be one of two narrators leading the audience through a musical interpretation of classical Greek Mythology.  Tickets are $18 and available at the Overture Center Box Office beginning March 28.
March 24, 2008 -- Tickets are now on sale for this years' Children's Production of Annie Jr. and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  Performances are on May 3rd at 1:00 and 4:00.  Both shows will be performed at each of the t imes with Billy Goats going first immediately followed by .

We have been selling tickets to the cast member's families for a couple of weeks now and have sold a total of 830 tickets between the two performances.  They are going fast.

To purchase advanced tickets, please send your request with a self addressed stamped envelope to the following:

You can also call Amy at 712-5153.
February 209, 2008 -- Auditions for the VACT summer production, BRIGADOON, will be Monday and Tuesday, April 14th & 15th at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning with children at 6:30 p.m.  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Auditions for children will begin at 6:30, and music/dance/reading auditions for adults will start when the children are done.  Callbacks for adult lead roles will be April 17th.  Show dates are June 20 - 28, 2008.  Julie Murphy will be the director.
February 29, 2008 -- The Board of Directors of VACT have chosen Nunsense II for the 2008 Fall project show.  Lead actresses will reprise their roles in the VACT 2005 projection.  Chorus roles will be filled by audition.  Watch the website for information.  Katie Monk will direct.
February 27, 2008 -- VAHS Theatre Arts will present Wuthering Heights adapted by Robert Johanson on March 14-16, 2008 in the VAHS Performing Arts Center.  Based on the wonderfully acclaimed novel by Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights was originally adapted for the stage and subsequently produced at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 1998.  According to the author of the play, the adaptation of the novel into play form strives to remain true to the original text preserving the integrity of the novel.  The original story can best be described as a Gothic novel designed to both horrify and fascinate with scenes of passion and cruelty, supernatural elements, and a dark, foreboding atmosphere.  The action of the play centers on t he character of Heathcliff and his relationship with Catherine Earnshaw.  Heathcliff's great natural abilities, strength of character, and love for Catherine Earnshaw all enable him to raise himself from humble beginnings to the status of a wealthy gentleman, but his need to revenge himself for Hindley's abuse and Catherine's betrayal leads him into a twisted life of cruelty and hatred.  Catherine is torn between her love for Heathcliff and her desire to be a gentlewoman, and her decision to marry the genteel Edgar Linton drags almost all of the novel's characters into conflict with Heathcliff.  The characters are often rough and crude, the action cruel and unforgiving, the settings bleak and cold; yet despite the dark atmosphere, the combination of these elements makes for a memorable evening of theatre.

Another unique aspect of this production is that the play is a student directed production and the first student directed production to be presented as a main stage offering.  VAHS Theatre student Sierra Nibbe directs a cast of talented VAHS Theatre veterans and newcomers in partial completion of requirements for credit in Independent Theatre Arts Projects, a class for advanced theatre students who are interested in an in-depth study of some aspect of theatre production.

The production features a talented cast of veteran performers as well as faces new to the VAHS stage.  The cast includes Dan Kitson (Mr. Earnshaw), Alex Roller (Young Hindley), Peter Hairgrove (Hindley Earnshaw), Mikaela Jaggi (Young Catherine), Amy Maxon (Catherine Earnshaw), Ben Johnson (Heathcliff), Caleb Cain (Young Heathcliff), Hannah West (Nelly Dean), Jacob Turner (Joseph), Persephone Caulkins (Francis Earnshaw), Randy Kessenich (Young Hareton), Andrew Crane (Hareton Earnshaw), Trevor Bass (Linton Heathcliff), Zach Eskrich (Edger Linton), Mary Ann Raemisch (Isabella Linton), Lindsey Tindall (Cathy Linton), Zach Holder (Mr. Lockwood).  Maureen McShane will stage manage the production and Mackenzie Pitterle will be the rehearsal assistant.

Reserved tickets for the production are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students and can be obtained by calling the VAHS Theatre box office at 845-4488.

Come out and Support Verona Theatre!!

January 14, 2008 -- Thank you to everyone that auditioned for Annie Jr.  Unfortunately, due to the large number of children that auditioned, we were unable to cast everyone.  For the very youngest children that auditioned, we are offering a wonderful alternative.  Our Assistant Director, Katie, will be directing a musical version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  If your child's name has this title next to it, you will be receiving an email with further information about this. If you were cast in Annie Jr. and would like to accept your part, please come to the VACT building between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. on Wed, Jan 16 to pick up your schedule and materials.  If you do not plan on accepting your part, please let me know.
Terry Dvorak

        Click for: VACT news archive -- 2007 and earlier