Monday, 9 July, 2007

For the Larsons, Kisners, and Schmisseurs, acting in PCC theatre is part of a tradition. Ellen and Dave Larson, retired from Hilltop Manor and USD 332 in Cunningham, first helped out on stage and backstage with their daughter Sarah on PCC’s Cinderella in 1994, and now they are accompanying Sarah’s daughter, MacKaillyn Willits, in this summer play. “Through the years, PCC theatre has been a family activity which has allowed us to spend more time together. I’d recommend that anyone dive in. Do it. Children and teens learn responsibility, and the how-to’s of stage work: sets, acting.” The Larsons have been volunteers in every PCC production since Cinderella.

For Nancy Kisner and daughters Audrey and Jana, their involvement with PCC theatre began with Bye Bye Birdie almost ten years ago. Jana currently attends PCC on a music scholarship, and Audrey will be a senior at Pratt High. Mom Nancy, a physician’s assistant in Greensburg, noted about being in plays together: “It’s not just a matter of spending time together. Children learn what it’s like to collaborate. Outside of team sports, you don’t see that much.” Audrey added that it has been a wonderful confidence booster too. Plus she’s enjoyed acting with friends.

The Schmisseurs have been acting with PCC theatre since Joe was in Children’s Drama Workshop when he was ten. This young man will attend PCC this fall as an Above and Beyond scholar. Also, he will continue his involvement in theatre, which has included a prior performance with his dad, Bob, in A Christmas Carol several years ago, when they played an onstage father and son as part of the Cratchit family. Joe mentioned one of the funnest moments in the current play has been “seeing my dad in a funny costume.”

Newcomers to PCC theatre, the Popoviches and the Hamms find lots to enjoy. The Popoviches, who own Pratt Christian Books and Music, originally tried-out because “Mindy is the biggest Narnia freak ever.” Fans of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series, the family have enjoyed various aspects of doing the play. For mom, Michelle, it’s been watching director Rose Beilman lead the cast of 41 and the crew of 5. For 13-year-old Mindy, it’s been having something to talk about with her family. For son J. Jay, at five, he’s enjoyed acting as a mouse.

Kim Hamm showed up at try-outs, just expecting her daughters to audition, but on a whim, she tried-out. Now her biggest joy has been watching Mariah and Brianna do far better than she expected. Also, as a surprise, she noted, “All these practices – I thought they would wear me and the girls out. But every time I come to rehearsal, I have a ball. What else would I be doing – watching TV, being a couch potato. This is so much more fun. Also, it’s so hard to find time to do things with the kids. This is just a great activity to do together.” Hamm, a homemaker, recently moved here from Texas with her husband, a St. John native who now works for the new ethanol plant.

Finally, pairs of siblings are finding something to focus on other than sibling rivalry. The Tobins, the Crumps, the Harrisons, and the Shoups are all acting in this summer play. Taylor and Tyler Tobin (alumni of PCC’s It’s a Wonderful Life) and newcomers Sidney and Samantha Harrison have all taken time, even during the summer wheat harvest, to be part of the play. Their moms have been strong supporters of their budding actors, even while their dads have been driving combines and wheat trucks. Corbyn and Cooper Crump, who also were in Children’s Drama and in It’s a Wonderful Life, have returned to the PCC stage, where Cooper has especially enjoyed the battle scene, where he stage-fights against Cole Fincham.

And with Will and Logan Shoup, it’s a matter of family pride to be on the PCC stage since mom, Rose Beilman, directs. Logan first played a role when he acted as a three-year-old in Dorotha Giannangelo’s A Christmas Carol on PCC’s Carpenter Auditorium stage. Now, as a nineteen-year-old, he continues the tradition along with Will, who is a huge fan of C.S. Lewis’. Both teens are having fun, especially with the staged fight scene. Since their mom bought the stage swords, the boys added, “Hey, aside from acting which is just plain fun, we get fake swords out of the deal.”

All of these families echo a common sentiment, “Get involved.” This weekend, you can get involved in the production by attending The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, adapted by Joseph Robinette, on Friday and Saturday in Carpenter Auditorium at 7:30p.m. The suggested donation is $ 4, with no advanced seating necessary. Doors open at 7p.m. For more information, contact Rose Beilman at 620-450-2209.