Latest News

ANNIE Cast List

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:09:08 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of ANNIE!

Read-through will be Monday, April 13 at 7 PM at Community Players.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes Community Players Mainstage Debut

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Music Director | Jean Spilker

Stage Manager | Marissa Saure

Performance Dates

Thursday, June 4 @ 7:30 PM

Friday, June 5 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, June 6 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, June 7 @ 2:00 PM

Thursday, June 11 @ 7:30 PM

Friday, June 12 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, June 13 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, June 14 @ 2:00 PM

THE COTTAGE Cast List

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:02:36 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of THE COTTAGE!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned, and we look forward to working with you on this show or the next.

Read-through will be Tuesday, March 3rd at 7pm at Community Players.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes Community Players Mainstage Debut

Director | Blake Tobey

Stage Managers | Tammy Cudaback and Doug Cudaback

Performance Dates

Friday, April 10 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 11 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 12 @ 2:00 PM

Friday, April 17 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 18 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, April 19 @ 2:00 PM

THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD Cast List

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 22:07:28 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD will be Wednesday, January 28th at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Mel Voorhis

Stage Managers | ClaraAnn Kirkendall, Mykaela Rideout, Leena Tunink

Performance Dates

Friday, November 21 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 22 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 23 @ 2:00 PM

Tickets on Sale NOW!

QUIZ Cast List

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:40:50 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of QUIZ!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned, and we look forward to working with you on this show or the next.

* Denotes Community Players Mainstage Debut

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Performance Dates

Friday, February 13 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 14 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 15 @ 2:00 PM

Friday, February 20 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 21 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, February 22 @ 2:00 PM

SWEENEY TODD Cast List

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:49:59 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of SWEENEY TODD!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned, and we look forward to working with you on this show or the next.

Read-through will be Tuesday, September 2nd, at our secondary rehearsal space at

Brick & Mortar Coworking.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes Community Players Mainstage Debut

Director | Mel Voorhis

Music Director | Geoffrey Driggers

Stage Manager | Zach Anderson

Performance Dates

Friday, October 24 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 25 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, October 26 @ 2:00 PM

Friday, October 31 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 1 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 2 @ 2:00 PM

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE Cast List

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:37:18 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE will be Wednesday, August 27th at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Mel Voorhis

Assistant Director & Stage Hand | Shae Stege

Stage Managers | Jonah Erikson, Mykaela Rideout, Leena Tunink

Performance Dates

Friday, May 2 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 3 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 4 @ 2:00 PM

Tickets on Sale

NOW!

THE ODD COUPLE Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 20:11:10 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of THE ODD COUPLE!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned, and we look forward to working with you on this show or the next.

Read-through will be Tuesday, July 22 at our secondary rehearsal space at Brick & Mortar Coworking.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes Community Players Mainstage Debut

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Manager | Natalie Gustafson

Performance Dates

Friday, September 5 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 6 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, September 7 @ 2:00 PM

Friday, September 12 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 13 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, September 14 @ 2:00 PM

HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:00:13 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION!

Thank you to all of the talented actors who came to auditions.

Read-through for HADESTOWN:TEEN EDITION will be Monday, June 16th at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes Community Players Debut

Director | Mel Voorhis

Music Director | Garrett Easley

Stage Manager | Marshall Tuttle

Performance Dates

Thursday, July 31st @ 7:30 PM

Friday, August 1st @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 2nd @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, August 3rd @ 2:00 PM

FINDING NEMO, JR. Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 30 May 2025 18:51:48 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition!

Read-through for the show will be on Monday, June 2nd at 9:00am at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

Director | Katie Umland

Music Director | Anna Erikson

Choreographer | Megan Hoffman

Stage Managers | Mykaela Rideout and Bailey Schwab

Show Dates

July 10th - 13th, 2025

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:40:36 GMT

Thank you to the over 50 people who came out to audition!

Read-through for the show will be on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Mainstage debut!

**These roles will be played alternatively by two actors, four performances each.

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Music Director | Kaleb Wilkening

Assistant Music Director | Jean Spilker

Choreographer | Kody Horrocks

Stage Manager | Marissa Saure

Assistant Stage Manager | Zach Hartwick

Show Dates

June 5-8 & 12-15, 2025

VERONICA'S ROOM Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:26 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition! Read-through for the show will be on Tuesday,

February 25 at 7:00pm at the theatre. Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP debut!

Director | Mason Gustafson

Stage Manager | Natalie Frahm

Show Dates

April 4-6 & 11-13

YOU GO, GODDESS! Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 17:41:28 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for YOU GO, GODDESS! will be Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Mel Voorhis

Assistant Director & Stage Hand | Shae Stege

Stage Managers | Jonah Erikson, Mykaela Rideout, Leena Tunink

Performance Dates

Friday, May 2 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 3 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 4 @ 2:00 PM

Tickets on Sale

NOW!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:55:04 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition!

Read-through for the show will be on Monday, Dec. 16 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Mainstage debut!

Director | Mel Voorhis

Music Director | Rachel Kornfeld-Lambrecht

Choreographer | Marissa Saure

Accompanist | Mark Pudwill

Stage Manager | Zach Anderson

Assistant Stage Manager | TBA

MS. BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:26:47 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition--we hope to see you out for the next show, too!

Read-through for the show will be on Tuesday, October 22 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Mainstage debut!

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Manager | Mel Voorhis

Stage Manager | Lindsay Armstrong

MELODRAMATICS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 18:37:30 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for MELODRAMATICS will be on Saturday, September 21 at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Mel Voorhis

Assistant Director & Stage Hand | Shae Stege

Stage Managers | Jonah Erikson, Mykaela Rideout, Ariana Vasquez,

Performance Dates

Friday, November 8 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 9 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 10 @ 2:00 PM

Tickets on Sale

NOW!

FARCE OF HABIT cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 21:28:50 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition--we hope to see you out for the next show, too!

Read-through for FARCE OF HABIT will be on Tuesday, August 20 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP onstage debut!

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Manager | TBA

Assistant Stage Manager | TBA

2024-2025 Season Brochure

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 22:30:55 GMT

There's always more to see at CP!

You won't want to miss seeing any of the great shows at CP this year. Download our brochure below!

CATS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 31 May 2024 21:43:48 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented auditioners!

Read-through for CATS: YOUNG ACTORS EDITION is Monday, June 3 at 9:00 AM - Noon at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

Director | Noelle McVicar

Music Director | Katie Umland

Choreographer | Megan Hoffman

Stage Managers | Devyn Hansen & Aurora Tomlinson

Performance dates:

Thursday, July 11 @ 7:30 PM

Friday, July 12 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, July 13 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, July 14 @ 2:00 PM

Ticket on-sale dates:

First Nighters | June 3

Members | June 10

General Public | July 1

ALICE BY HEART Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 22 May 2024 19:01:34 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented auditioners!

Read-through for ALICE BY HEART is Monday, June 10 at 7:00 PM at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Mainstage debut!

Director | Ariason Snurr

Music Director | Garrett Easley

Choreographer | TBA

Stage Manager | Devyn Hansen

Performance dates:

Thursday, Aug. 1 @ 7:30 PM

Friday, Aug. 2 @ 7:30 PM

Saturday, Aug. 3 @ 7:30 PM

Sunday, Aug. 4 @ 2:00 PM

Ticket on-sale dates:

First Nighters | June 3

Members | June 10

General Public | July 1

GODSPELL Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 14:58:45 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented auditioners!

Read-through for GODSPELL is Monday, April 15 at 7:00PM at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Regular Season debut!

Director | Noelle McVicar

Music Director | Jean Spilker

Choreographer | Matt Osmotherly

Stage Manager | TBA

Ticket on-sale dates:

First Nighters | May 17

Season Ticket Holders | May 20

General Public | May 27

PETER & THE STARCATCHER Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 01:46:28 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented auditioners!

Read-through for PETER & THE STARCATCHER is Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Regular Season debut!

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Music Director | Lisa Steiner

Stage Manager | Mel Voorhis

Ticket on-sale dates:

First Nighters | February 15

Season Ticket Holders | February 18

General Public | February 25

EINSTEIN'S BRAINS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:58:45 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for EINSTEIN'S BRAINS will be on Wednesday, January 24 at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Noelle McVicar

Performance Dates

Friday, May 3 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 4 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 5 2:00 PM

Tickets Available on

April 22

MISERY cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 17:06:35 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented auditioners!

Read-through for MISERY is Thursday, December 14 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Regular Season debut!

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Managers | Mason Gustafson & Natalie Frahm

Ticket on-sale dates:

First Nighters | January 19

Season Ticket Holders | January 22

General Public | December 29

SHE LOVES ME cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:55:04 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition!

Read-through for SHE LOVES ME will be on Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Regular Season debut!

Director | Mel Voorhis

Music Director | Hannah Loos

Choreographer | Jackson Waller

Stage Manager | Sterling Johnson

Assistant Stage Manager | TBA

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters | November 17

Season Ticket Holders | November 20

General Public | November 27

CHOOSE YOUR OWN OZ Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 16:15:22 GMT

Congratulations to the outstanding cast of 5th-8th graders in our latest Acting Up production!

Read-through for CHOOSE YOUR OWN OZ will be on Wednesday, September 6 at the theatre.

Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Director | Noelle McVicar

Stage Managers | Josephine Davis, Leena Tunink, Cecily Wiedel

Performance Dates

Friday, November 3 | 7:30 PM

Saturday, November 4 | 7:30 PM

Sunday, November 5 | 2:00 PM

Tickets Available on

October 23

FARCE OF NATURE cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 18 Aug 2023 19:11:23 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition--we hope to see you out for the next show, too!

Read-through for FARCE OF NATURE will be on Tuesday, August 22 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* Denotes CP Regular Season debut!

Director | Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Manager | Sawyer Crumrine

Assistant Stage Manager | TBA

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters | September 8

Season Ticket Holders | September 11

General Public | September 18

Patron Services Manager

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 21:22:14 GMT

Surprise, it's me again!

If you've been following our social media, you'll see that we have opened applications for the Patron Services Manager position. This is the last chance I'll get to write a little insert, so I took it.

It has been an amazing 18 months here at Community Players, and I am so excited to see how this season turns out. However, I'll continue to be around to volunteer occasionally.

This season has such a different variety of shows, and I am so excited to see how they all turn out.

I'll see you all around,

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

Space, Princesses, and Cats

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 19:16:42 GMT

It's the middle of summer, and we have had a very reasonable season. We have had plenty of hot days, plenty of rainy days, and we have had some perfect summer days.

My kitty Orisa and I have definitely enjoyed the milder days when we can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. She has her own little tent she sits in while I sit on my lawn chair next to her. She specifically likes to watch the cats across the street, the birds and squirrels in the trees, and the cars passing by.

Speaking of cats, if you hadn't heard yet, our upcoming show SPACE PRINCESS WARS has some cats in it. Unfortunately, they aren't real cats, but the kids have been working really hard to get the show on the stage for you. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, they are on sale now. This show lasts one weekend only (this weekend, July 20-23), so get them soon!

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

Space Princess Wars Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:47:35 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of our Stars of Summer production of Space Princess Wars. Read-through will be held Monday, June 5 at 9am-Noon; schedules, scripts, and other information will be handed out at that time.

Space Princess Wars

Cast List

Role Actor

Dad Carter Craven

Archer Skyler Kuhlman

Mom/Aunt Della Caroline Davis

Princess Amaria Leena Tunink

Bo Blaster/Farmboy Ethan Rosenthal

Moon Starchild Uriah Henning

XJ-188-E Josephine Davis

Galdromius Isaiah Bigley

Viz Lennie Jean Zukowski-Faust

Goliath Jonah Erikson

Selene Amaurice Henning

Mordra Avery Busboom

The Empress Mary Ellen Zapata

Count Voldak Michael Moss

Oltak Ryan Blake

Evil Wedding Planner Brian Cash Harwood

Special Effects Person Marie Erikson

Sound Effects Person Sophia Tunink

Uncle Stan Micah Zapata

Adorable Pony Alien Raylee Donithan

Rumblesnuffer Hayley Kuhlman

Madame Boots Brielle Toland

Mongo James Moss

Priest Ozzy Tomlinson

Brogi/Alien Chloe Jurgens

Ogmi/Alien Kessa Phillips

Bounty Hunter 1/Jeebo Carlee Kujath

Bounty Hunter 2/Cat Arianna Vasquez

Bounty Hunter 3/Alien Kellyn Phillips

Bounty Hunter 4/Jeebo Moonshine Kaufman

Goon 1/Changa Ivory Vasquez

Goon 2 Kynsley Clark

Goon 3/Alien Ivy Smith

Goon 4/Changa/Cat Ashtyn Baxa

Goon 5/Changa Ashlynn Carr

Changa/Cat Elizabeth Blake

Changa/Cat Sidney Davis

Changa/Cat Jaxon Fentress

Changa/Cat Collin Mann

Changa/Cat Nettie Dell Henning
Alien/Jeebo Kadence Clark

Alien/Jeebo Trinity Donithan

Alien/Cat Iza Kaufman

Directed by: Katie Umland

Stage Management: Aurora Tomlinson and Alayna McGinty

Changing Seasons

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 09 May 2023 18:49:49 GMT

Season Tickets for our 2023-2024 lineup are on sale now. If you haven't had a chance to hear about the exciting shows we are bringing to our stage next year, we've included them below.

Season Tickets are a great way to order your tickets ahead of time. With our flex pass option, you can choose which of our shows you come to. You could come to one show three times, and another two shows once. It's totally up to you!

We prefer this method because we know how quickly schedules can change. This way, even if you miss a show, you don't lose out on a ticket you pre-paid for!

On a similar note, THE NEVERENDING STORY opens Friday, May 5, so tickets are on sale now. Reserve your seats by calling, stopping in, or visiting our website.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

2023-2024 Season Lineup

Regular Season:

FARCE OF NATURE

SHE LOVES ME

MISERY

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

GODSPELL

Stars of Summer:

SPACE PRINCESS WARS

Acting Up:

CHOOSE YOUR OWN OZ

EINSTEIN'S BRAINS

Season Tickets are on sale

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 18:13:26 GMT

Season Tickets for our 2023-2024 lineup are on sale now. If you haven't had a chance to hear about the exciting shows we are bringing to our stage next year, we've included them below.

We prefer this method because we know how quickly schedules can change. This way, even if you miss a show, you don't lose out on a ticket you pre-paid for!

On a similar note, THE NEVERENDING STORY opens Friday, May 5, so tickets are on sale now. Reserve your seats by calling, stopping in, or visiting our website.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

2023-2024 Season Lineup

Regular Season:

FARCE OF NATURE

SHE LOVES ME

MISERY

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

GODSPELL

Stars of Summer:

SPACE PRINCESS WARS

Acting Up:

CHOOSE YOUR OWN OZ

EINSTEIN'S BRAINS

THE MUSIC MAN Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 18:18:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned. Casting this show was full of difficult decisions.

Read-through for THE MUSIC MAN will be on Monday, April 17 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

*Denotes Regular Season CP debut!

THE MUSIC MAN auditions

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 17:24:08 GMT

Auditions for The Music Man wrap up tonight! We can’t wait to bring this exciting classic to the CP stage, and we hope you’ll consider being a part of it yourself. With a large cast of adults and children, this is the perfect show to take part in whether you’re a CP regular or have never been on stage before.

At auditions, you’ll be asked to read from the script (no memorization required there) and sing one minute of a prepared solo for the production’s director and music director—it’s as easy as that! Any other questions you might have can be answered by the helpful audition assistant on-site.

We keep auditions as painless as possible, and you can look forward to working with a fun cast in a safe and welcoming environment, and to performing a professional-quality production for all of southeast Nebraska to see. Don’t let another opportunity to find yourself on the CP stage pass you by: sign up for an audition slot today!

Tyler J. Rinne

Managing Artistic Director

A play for anyone never destined to save the world

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Two versions of the spell book

PUFFS is a fast-paced irreverent comedy parody. With that in mind, we will be making accommodations for audiences of various ages to enjoy the show. The Friday and Saturday performances will feature some adult language and situations (making it a 3 on our rating scale ). The Sunday performances will be more appropriate for witches and wizards of younger ages (making it a 2 on our rating scale). These changes are allowed by our license for this show.

PUFFS is "fantastical"

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 18:18:59 GMT

This last weekend was a whirlwind. We opened PUFFS and it was fantastical. The entire cast is phenomenal. They have worked so hard these past works to bring this story to you. They are hilarious and perfectly timed for the most laughs. We also had three different Zack Smiths with amazing performances.

Our new setup has us walking through a different door to get to the seats now. It may have thrown a couple of people off, but I only heard good things about our new setup.

Speaking of, if you haven't had a chance to see our new setup yet, or want to see who else will play Zack Smith, get your tickets today. Our Friday and Saturday performances will contain strong language, adult situations, and crass humor, however, our Sunday performances are more appropriate for witches and wizards of younger ages.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

New Seating, New Orientation

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 20:40:29 GMT

Things look a little different around here. At the next show you attend, whether it be PUFFS, THE NEVERENDING STORY, or our season-closing classic THE MUSIC MAN, you’ll be one of the first patrons to sit on our new risers in our new audience configuration!

One of the benefits of calling a Black Box theatre like ours home is that it opens up so many possibilities for telling stories (and for seating). We hadn’t changed up our audience orientation since the 2008-2009 season, so we felt that—with the delivery of our new lightweight risers—this was a perfect time to mix things up again. With the help of some very dedicated volunteers putting in some long hours over the weekend, the auditorium is looking quite different, and awfully exciting!

We hope you’ll appreciate this change of scenery and seating when you attend your next show at Community Players.

Tyler J. Rinne

Managing Artistic Director

Fantasy Rehearsals

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 18:42:09 GMT

My rehearsals are a world of fantasy. Two different ones, actually. With Acting Up, 31 kids and I have entered the world of Fantastica and The NeverEnding Story. Meanwhile, on the mainstage, rehearsals have just begun for Puffs, a heartfelt and silly sendup of everyone’s favorite boy wizard. Through these two shows, the casts and audiences alike will be able to connect with their favorite fictional worlds, while making an experience that is wholly unique and, dare I say, magical?

As both an actor and director, my favorite part of working on a show isn’t performing for a huge crowd, or taking a well-won bow on opening night, or even going out to the bar on a Friday with the cast and crew; it’s the nightly rehearsals, where you get to discover that magic of creation. There is no better experience than working with a talented and fun cast of actors and discovering something new during the rehearsal process.

We already have some magical surprises planned for you with both of these shows: Fantastica is populated by some pretty amazing puppet creatures, and Puffs is set to feature some unexpected “celebrity” cameos, but what I’m most excited to share with you are the surprises that we’ll come up with in the rehearsal room, the things that excite the performers as much as they’re sure to entertain

you.

Tyler Rinne

Associate Artistic Director

PUFFS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 22:40:18 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to these extremely competitive auditions.

Read-through for PUFFS will be on Monday, February 13 at 7:00pm at the theatre.

Scripts and full schedules will be handed out at that time.

* CP Regular Season debut

Director – Tyler Rinne

Stage Manager – M.J Harvey

Assistant Stage Manager - TBA

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - March 3

Season Ticket Holders - March 6

General Public - March 13

Book your ticket for Agatha Christie thriller

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:00:00 GMT

This February, CP has everything a mystery lover could want. We have one of the most popular mystery writers of all time. We bring their most famous character to the stage, in arguably their most recognizable adventure. It would be a crime to miss Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.

Tickets are on sale now for this classic whodunit. Performances are Feb. 10-12, 17-19.

The Orient Express is the height of glamour and luxury as it travels through Europe in the 1930s. The train is populated with passengers who boast fortunes, royal blood, and ambition. When a snowstorm strikes, however, murder becomes the new destination. Unfortunately for the killer, world-famous detective Hercule Poirot happens to be aboard as well. Can the quick-thinking sleuth unravel the tangled web of lies and treachery, or will the crime go unpunished?

“Agatha Christie’s story reminds me that we’ve always been fascinated by crime. The magic of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ is that the audience sees one of the world’s most famous fictional detectives go all the way down the rabbit hole with this case, like a 1930s true crime podcaster,” Rachele Stoops, the show’s director, said.

Playing Poirot is Scott Clark, technically making his second appearance as the Belgian detective on the CP stage, but appearing in his first CP production. Clark played the character in the 2018 Lincoln Community Playhouse production of BLACK COFFEE. That show was part of a pair of joint productions, with CP staging the Miss Marples mystery A MURDER IN ANNOUNCED The two theatres exchanged shows during their respective runs.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS features a cast of ten with a mix of new and familiar actors.

Stoops, who directed one of our COVID readers theatre productions “12 Incompetent Jurors,” directs the show. Beth Anne Viessman is the stage manager, and Sterling Johnson is the assistant stage manager.

“If you enjoy a classic murder mystery, this one checks all the boxes,” Stoops said. “There are clandestine meetings and secrets and coincidences and snow, and of course, a murder. But MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS goes so much deeper than that! Our cast will make you chuckle one minute and choke up the next - and you may leave the theater with some complicated feelings about right and wrong, and the purpose of justice.”

This script is adapted by Ken Ludwig, most known for his comedies, but also in recent years his adaptations of classic stories, including last season’s THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

Get your ticket and board the Orient Express for an unforgettable mystery.

.

Thank you for everything

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:30:02 GMT

The NeverEnding Story Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:51:25 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of our Acting Up production of THE NEVERENDING STORY.

The NeverEnding Story

Cast List

Role........Actor

Bastian....Kiptyn Behrends

Father....Bentley Anderson

Bully 1....Micah Zapata

Bully 2....Eloise Maurstad

Bully 3....ClaraAnn Kirkendall

Bookseller....Chloe Jurgens

Gmork, a Werewolf....Esme Kassmeier

Caretaker....Logan Busboom

Teacher....Arianna Vasquez

The Purple Buffalo....Jurnee Boller

Atreyu....Carter Craven

Artax, a Horse....Jonah Erikson

The Elder....Isaiah Bigley

Cairon, a Centaur....Caroline Davis

Eribo....Sophia Tunink

Troll....Kynsley Clark

Sassafranian Child....Jordynn Barber

Sassafranian Adult 1....Kessa Phillips

Sassafranian Adult 2....Adrieyn Rhoden

Morla the Ancient One....Moonshine Kaufman

Falkor, a Luck Dragon....Kaylynn Ballue

Ygramul the Many....Leena Tunink

Engywook, a Gnome....Vincent Viveros

Urgl, a Gnome....Addison Schafer

Uyulala....Iza Kaufman

Lirr, a Wind....Faith Bigley

Sheerek, a Wind....Ozzy Tomlinson

Baureo, a Wind....Adeline Bolli

Mayestral, a Wind....Kadence Clark

Maya, a Witch....Kaydence Ballue

The Childlike Empress....Josephine Davis

Directed by: Tyler Rinne

Stage Management: Emmy Hoefer, Brielle Tolland and Callen Behrends

Meet MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS guest director

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:46:35 GMT

Show your love of chocolate Feb 4

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:23:06 GMT

CP will be a stop on Main Street Beatrice’s popular Chocolate Lovers event Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

We’ll have special train-inspired chocolate treats, as well as discounted tickets for “Murder on the Orient Express.” There will also be a special train display in the lobby courtesy of the Beatrice Area Railroad Enthusiasts .

To participate you MUST register the day of the event at Vintage Venue, 620 Court St. (limited to the first 200 who register). Registration is free, plus it gets you access to chocolate treats and special deals at nearly 30 downtown Beatrice businesses that day!

Visit Main Street Beatrice's website for more information.

You could also stick around and help with light hang for "Murder on the Orient Express" which will be going on in the auditorium at the same time!

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 18:29:32 GMT

Thank you to everyone who came out to audition for this show! There was a lot of talent. Our next auditions will be for the comedy PUFFS Jan. 30, 31.

Read thru will be Monday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. at the theatre, then resume on Jan. 2.

* CP Regular Season debut

Director – Rachele Stoops

Stage Manager – TBA

Assistant Stage Manager - TBA

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - Jan. 20

Season Ticket Holders - Jan. 23

General Public - Jan. 30

Hiring Managing Artistic Director

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:12:29 GMT

Application deadline has passed for this position. The Board is currently in the final stages of interviewing candidates.

The Community Players Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for Managing Artistic Director.

This position serves as chief executive for Community Players overseeing the day-to-day operations. Position is responsible for establishing artistic vision and guidance of programming through collaboration with the Board of Directors.

The Managing Artistic Director is responsible for coordination and supervision of all productions, ensuring consistent quality of productions and volunteer experiences as well as the direction of at least three regular season productions per season. Responsibilities also include budget and finance oversight, grant writing, fundraising and development, public relations and board and staff management.

Salary Range: $40,000 - $48,000 based on qualifications.

How to apply: Please submit resume, cover letter, and list of professional references to: search@beatricecommunityplayers.com.

Application Deadline: 12/31/2022

Community Players believes in equal opportunity for employees, members and volunteers. Community Players' success depends on the effective utilization of qualified people regardless of their race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or any other characteristic protected by the law. We will not discriminate on the basis of these characteristics in any personnel or member action.

Chowing down on stage, not all it's cracked up to be

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 17:07:45 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

CP announces departure of Managing Artistic Director

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:33:50 GMT

Longtime Community Players Managing Artistic Director, Jamie Ulmer, will depart the organization in early 2023, the theater’s Board of Directors has announced.

Ulmer, who has been with the organization since 1997, has accepted the position of Executive Director for Theatre Lawrence in Lawrence, Kan.

“It is certainly with sadness that Community Players announces this departure. After 25 years, Jamie has become the enduring face of our organization and has led us to the success we have today. We wish him the same success in this new and exciting opportunity and congratulate Theatre Lawrence on finding a candidate as deserving as Jamie,” Mason Gustafson, president of Community Players board of directors, said.

Ulmer will remain with Community Players through February, the last show he will direct for the theatre is the upcoming “A Christmas Story: The Musical.”

"I will be forever grateful to the friendships and opportunities this organization and community has provided me the last 25 years,” Ulmer said. “It is certainly a bittersweet time, but I’m looking forward to this next phase of my career.”

The board of directors has formed a search committee and is beginning the process of conducting a search to fill the position.

“The board is anxious to fill this position,” Gustafson said. “We see this as an opportunity to grow.”

A CHRISTMAS STORY cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 20:24:10 GMT

THANK YOU so much to everyone who auditioned for the show! We saw a lot of wonderful people over the various audition days.

Read thru will be WEDNESDAY, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the theatre.

We are still looking for a few men 16 and older for the ensemble to play various roles. Contact the theatre to arrange an audition.

* Regular Season CP debut

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Music Director - Connor Husa

Stage Manager - Sterling Johnson

Assistant Stage Manager - Jason Wiley

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - Nov. 18

Season Ticket Holders - Nov. 21

General Public - Nov. 28

Time to paint another set

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 20:19:41 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Transitions can be hard

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:29:19 GMT

Transitions can be hard.

I have been lucky enough to call Beatrice my home for the past seven months, which is just crazy to me. The people here have been so kind and helpful in my transition, it feels like I have lived here longer.

The move here was not easy. Having lived in Omaha for the past three years, I was used to the hustle and bustle, but also the seclusion. I knew moving here would be a big change, however, I grew up in a small town, so I assumed it would be like living there. Oh, how I couldn't be more wrong.

I moved here thinking it would have small-town vibes, where everyone knows your business before you do, but to my surprise, Beatrice is more like a 'small' city. Which is just so perfect for me. The only people who know my business are the people I have met and have allowed to know my business, and if I were to try and fall back on my Omaha 'ways', where I seclude myself, they are sure to check-in. There is no way to disappear in this town, but at the same time, not everyone knows everyone else.

Which is what the show ORDINARY DAYS is all about. Finding connections with the people around you, and making sure to keep them.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

Happily Ever Before Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 16:45:00 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of our Acting Up production of HAPPILY EVER BEFORE. Read-through will be held Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 2:30-5:30 p.m.; schedules, scripts, and other information will be handed out at that time.

H appily Ever Before

Cast List

Role Actor

Snow White Addison Schafer

Cinderella Caroline Davis

Briar Rose Josephine Davis

Evil Queen Kaylynn Ballue

Wicked Stepmother Leena Tunink

Dark Fairy Kiptyn Behrends

Rumpelstiltskin Jonah Erikson

Big Bad Wolf Carter Craven

Prince Charming 1 Isaiah Bigley

Prince Charming 2 Vincent Viveros

Prince Charming 3 Micah Zapata

Woody Logan Busboom

Hayley Iza Kaufman

Brick Adeline Bolli

Mama Bear/Jelly Moonshine Kaufman

Papa Bear/Robin Hood James Given

Baby Bear/Angsty ClaraAnn Kirkendall

Clumsy Sophia Tunink

Grouchy Kynsley Clark

Bubbly Arianna Vasquez

Snoozy Kadence Clark

Tricky Kessa Phillips

Fairy Godmother/Gretel Kaydence Ballue

Pink Fairy Carlee Kujath

Blue Fairy Jordynn Barber

Bernice Hayley Kuhlman

Bertha Chloe Jurgens

Mirror/Huntsman Bentley Anderson

Goldilocks/Little Red Riding Hood Eloise Maurstad

Hansel Wyatt Enevoldsen

Directed by: Tyler Rinne

Stage Management: Cecily Wiedel, Emmy Hoefer, MJ Harvey and Claire McGrury

FOUR OLD BROADS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 16:03:32 GMT

We had a really good turnout for these auditions! Thank you to everyone who came out, it made for some tough decisions. Our next auditions will be for A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL in early October.

Read thru will be Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at the theatre. Cast members may stop by the theatre to pick up a script during office hours before that time. Cast members will also receive an email from our Virtual Callboard system by Sept. 5.

CAST LIST

* CP Regular Season debut

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Stage Manager - TBA ( contact the theatre if interested in this paid position )

Show dates:

Oct. 14-16, 21-23

Box Office opening dates:

First Nighter Patrons - Sept. 23

Season Ticket Holders - Sept. 26

General Public - Oct. 3

Gearing up for kids and fairy tales

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:26:06 GMT

There is only about a month out of the year where we don’t have kids here at the theatre rehearsing their next show, and that time is about to come to an end this week with auditions for our upcoming Acting Up production of HAPPILY EVER BEFORE. Like the kids’ near-constant presence in our auditorium, fairy-tale adaptations are frequent visitors to the youth stage.

The same things that make these stories instantly accessible to a wide audience—familiar characters and situations, clear-cut heroes and villains, a happy ending with a strong or obvious moral—are what can sometimes make them stale and predictable. That’s why, when we do choose to bring these adaptations to the stage, we always look for a fun twist or surprising change to the stories.

RUMPELSTILTSKIN, PRIVATE EYE offered a film noir take on these storybook characters, Villain School transported the baddies to a Hogwarts-like setting, and THE STINKY CHEESE MAN brought a modern, offbeat humor to the tales. HAPPILY EVER BEFORE offers a new spin by adding time travel to the mix.

If your children are in grades 5-8, we hope you’ll consider signing them up for another fun semester of Acting Up. Auditions are this Wednesday, Aug. 31 at 2:30 p.m. Or, if you’re just looking for another exciting subversion of the fairy-tale genre, join us Nov. 11-13 as we bring HAPPILY EVER BEFORE to the stage.

Tyler Rinne

Associate Artistic Director

More than just a membership

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:36:08 GMT

I recently took a trip to Kansas City with my girlfriend, Natalie, and a couple of our friends for a long weekend. We had a great time and it served as a much-needed reprieve from everyday life as the summer will start coming to a close soon (for some young readers it already has). Not lost on me was the ease of travel for this trip. Barely three hours and the vacation’s started, and the trip home doesn’t drag enough for you to compound the things that are awaiting you at work the next morning.

So, being youthful at heart and loving a good roller coaster, I asked myself, “Why don’t we come down to Worlds of Fun more often?” It’s right here, only three hours away, and it was a great time! A Season Membership pays for itself after two visits. There are all these extra perks you get on top of it like a discounted friend admission. What’s not to love? I’ve been making monthly trips to Des Moines for nearly ten years so what’s the difference in coming to Kansas City a few times a summer? Are you reading this Natalie?

I’m mentioning this here, because I couldn’t help but draw similarities between the membership I’m exploring at Worlds of Fun and the Season Membership here at Community Players. We’re right here, probably only 5-10 minutes away, and it’s a great time! A Regular Season Ticket comes at a 12% savings as compared to purchasing individual show tickets. And as you work through the First Nighter levels there are plenty of perks like exclusive events and bonus admissions. What’s not to love? And through a Season Membership, you’re helping to keep theatre alive in Beatrice. It is with your help that we’re able to continue to produce high quality entertainment here at home.

Maybe I won’t make it down to Kansas City every other weekend next summer. Maybe I’ll only make it down once and the money spent on my Worlds of Fun Season Membership will seem wasted. But an evening at CP is never wasted. We hope you will consider one of our many Season Membership options and can’t wait to see you this season!

Mason Gustafson
Board President

2022 Big Give Gage

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:17:03 GMT

Mark your calendar for this year’s Big Give Gage event Sept. 8. This annual day of giving, organized by the Gage County Foundation, is an opportunity to support the terrific work of non-profits from throughout Gage county.

This year CP has a goal of raising $10,000 which will be used to support phase five of our ongoing building improvement efforts. This phase includes purchasing new seating risers and improved handrails. Total cost for this phase of the project is just over $60,000, which is being covered in large part by a Shovel Ready Capital Improvement Grant CP recently received from the State of Nebraska. However, we need to raise a little extra funds to put this project over the top.

New for this year’s Big Give, you can make your donation online as soon as a week before the event.

25 years with CP Managing Artistic Director

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 18:57:41 GMT

It was late summer of 1997. Community Players was experiencing an especially difficult time of personnel changes and unexpected financial challenges. A search committee was tasked with finding a new Artistic Director and at the October board meeting made a recommendation. From a pool of 20 applicants, the committee recommended Jamie D. Ulmer, a recent graduate of Doane College and a native of Sutton, Neb., for the position. Marilyn Maurstad made a motion to accept the recommendation. Cliff Lindell seconded the motion. The board voted in favor, unanimously. The rest, as they say, is CP history!

Judi Knowles was a board member at that meeting, and she remembers her impression at the time was that Jamie had the “ethics, education and personality to bring us back” adding, “And he did.”

Cliff said his thoughts were “This guy’s got it together!” and that Jamie would be a “positive influence” for the theatre. Fortunately for CP, their first impressions were spot on!

In 1997 the theatre had three shows in the season, and one paid staff person. Since then, with Jamie as our Managing Artistic Director, the season has grown to six regular season shows and three family/educational shows; we have three full-time and one part-time staff, with multiple contract employees (guest directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, etc.); and yearly attendance at CP events exceeds 8,000.

Even if you are not a regular patron or volunteer, you likely are well-aware of the impact Jamie has had on our local theatre, the arts in general, and our community. Jamie oversees day-to-day operations at the theatre and is responsible for the artistic vision and guidance of programming. He has directed over 100 productions at CP, including “Les Miserables,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Noises Off,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Proof,” “Children of Eden,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and “Chicago.”

He has appeared on stage at CP as well as in productions throughout the area. He has also been an adjunct instructor for Doane University, and Southeast Community College.

Jamie’s contributions to theatre and the community don’t end at the edge of our stage. He has served as President of the Nebraska Association of Community Theatres and the Beatrice Area Arts Council, is a past member of the Main Street Beatrice and Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce boards, and is currently Vice President for Legislation with Nebraskans for the Arts. He is on the board of directors of the American Association of Community Theatre where he serves on the education, communications, and member engagement committees.

Jamie is a strong believer in the power of the arts to transform individuals and entire communities, regardless of where that community is located.

Betty Boyko, another former board member present at that fateful October 1997 meeting, recently encountered Jamie at a downtown development meeting and said she now “appreciates even more Jamie’s passion for the arts and for the community.”

Ethics, education, personality and passion. Even after 25 years, this guy really does have it together!

Gala concert to celebrate milestone

To mark the auspicious occasion of Jamie’s 25 years at CP, volunteers are working together to stage a one-night-only retrospective concert, with favorite CP stars and songs from the last 25 years. Over 25 CP veterans are returning to our stage--from the Beatrice area, from all over Nebraska, and from Iowa, Illinois, Colorado and beyond—to reprise some of the most memorable musical moments in CP history.

This gala concert is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for the performers and audience alike. You can expect a wide variety of beloved show music, with at least one song from each of the last twenty-five seasons, including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” (Judy Anderson); “Some Enchanted Evening” (Gary Thompson); “Blue Skies” (Josh Erikson); “Home” (Claire Sunderman); “Someday” (Anna Erikson and Noah Snurr); music from “Les Miserables” and so, so much more!

Join us Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. to congratulate Jamie, experience some of the musical magic from The Last 25 Years, and support CP. Tickets are on sale now ($50/$25). Cash bar will be available beginning at 7 p.m.

22-23 Board and Officers

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 18:28:49 GMT

Community Players gives a round of applause to outgoing Board members Chris Obbink and Morgan Fox.

Chris completed 19 years on the board, including serving a term as president. Morgan served on the board of six years, several of which as president.

Elected to new terms on the Board at our annual membership meeting were Jean Spilker, and Andrew Christensen, along with new members Jeffery Davis, and Wayne Price. Due to an out of state job opportunity, Andrew resigned from the board shortly after re-election. The Board appointed J’Nan Ensz to fill his vacancy, as her elected term had just expired.

Also appointed as this season’s student representative was Emmy Hoefer, who takes over from last season’s representative, Nolan Marlatt.

Officers for the new season were also recently elected and are: Mason Gustafson – President, Laura Maurstad – Vice President, Jina Raber – Secretary, J’Nan Ensz – Treasurer. The complete board list can be found here .

Thank you to all our outgoing Board members for their work and knowledge in service of the organization and welcome to our newest members!

It's always a busy time of year

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 21:25:56 GMT

A common refrain I hear from people more and more is, “You know, it’s just a busy time of year.” Pardon me while I toss a yellow flag on the field and call bu—well you know what. (Hey I made a sports reference!)

We are all busy all the time regardless of time of year. We make things work. If you’re like me you use tools like task management apps to try and keep you and the rest of the team on target. Maybe even sometimes putting something on the list right before or right after you completed it, just to have the satisfaction of checking it off. It’s the simple pleasures. It takes working together to move things forward and support the impact we make.

Do I always succeed in meeting every deadline and checking every project off the ever-growing list of priorities? Heck now! Just look at the fact that his little rant about not having time is about four days late!

If something matters and is important you make time for it. During the pandemic when we couldn’t be pulled in a hundred directions at once – I’ll admit it was kind of nice. But then you begin missing all those things and need to go out and experience life.

No matter how “busy” you think you are, participating and supporting those big important things matter. Trust me you can find time to relax and see a show, or build new friendships by auditioning or volunteering. Now pardon me while I go check one thing off my list and add four more.

Jamie Ulmer

Managing Artistic Director

Coronavirus Updates

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 17:46:34 GMT

Latest safety procedures

Masks are optional for audiences attending performances. We strongly encourage individuals who are not fully vaccinated, or who have underlying health conditions to wear masks while in the audience.

Important page update: Going forward we will update this page and our guidelines as conditions warrant. Throughout the pandemic, we have updated this page every Friday with the latest information and conditions. Our desire has always been to share information and make sure audiences feel safe and confident when attending Community Players events (4/1/22).

If you have concerns about this updated policy, please contact us. We are waiving exchange fees and will refund tickets during the pandemic.

As always we continue to clean and provide ample hand sanitizer. Early in the pandemic we updated our HVAC system to include air scrubbers that clean the air as it circulates throughout our facility.

Health conditions

We have been diligently tracking COVID-19 cases for our area throughout the pandemic, and adjusting our policies as those conditions change.

Our health district and the state of Nebraska is not only no longer sharing COVID-19 updates for the public.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

Public Health Solutions (our region's health district)

Use the tool below from the CDC to check the COVID-19 community level for any county in the country.

Gage County is currently at the "low" level of risk..

PLEASE GET VACCINATED

Everyone eligible to receive the vaccine. You can sign up to get vaccinated at https://vaccinate.ne.gov . Our staff and key volunteers are fully vaccinated and boosted.

For more information

Please contact us at 402-228-1801, or email us at either boxoffice@beatricecommunityplayers.com for ticket-related questions or info@beatricecommunityplayers.com with other concerns.

Thank you.

The value of story telling

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 17:34:28 GMT

Lately, I’ve been taking the time to watch a ton of movies. Old, new, for the fifth time, I’ve been enjoying it all. Eating snacks, curling up with my kitty, delving into the story line, and just existing there in the moment.

Just letting all my worries wash away and living in my head with the fictional characters. Pretending to be a character in that world, and acting like everything in the world is good.

Theatre can be the same way. It’s got an extra element of being in the moment as well. Acting like you’re a part of that world, seeing the way the actors interact with each other just in front of you.

There's something so special about story-telling, and there are so many different ways we are able to experience it today. We are so lucky to be living in a time where we can imagine ourselves in so many different worlds.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

ORDINARY DAYS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 20:34:11 GMT

Read thru will be Monday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. at the theatre. Scripts and scores are available at the box office.

CAST LIST

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Music Director - Jan Malone

Stage Manager - Ashley Hothan

Show Dates:

Sept. 9-11, 16-18

Ticket On Sale Dates:

First Nighter Patrons - Aug. 19

Season Ticket Holders - Aug. 22

General Public - Aug. 29

Auditions for our next production, FOUR OLD BROADS will be held Aug. 29, 30

CP's work highlighted in American Theatre magazine

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:15:27 GMT

CP's work with the documentary series "Mind Over Murder" has been featured in American Theatre magazine.

American Theatre magazine is the nation’s only general-circulation magazine devoted to theatre. American Theatre covers theatrical trends and events, stage artists of every stripe, and economic and legislative developments affecting the arts. Its main purview is America’s wide-ranging network of professional, not-for-profit theatres—commercial, amateur or university theatre is less frequently covered.

The article discusses CP's production of the play GAGE COUNTY NE and the power of theatre to impact hearts and minds. The play, produced in August 2021, in collaboration with the HBO documentary series "Mind Over Murder" explores the Beatrice Six case and its ongoing impact on our community. All episodes are currently available for streaming on HBOMax.

Read the article here.

Forecast calls for rain

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 21:39:37 GMT

This weekend, the forecast calls for SINGIN' IN THE RAIN JR.

Musicals based on or inspired by movies have become more and more common over the past few years, but there aren’t many stage musicals about the making of movies, as far as I’m aware.

"Singin’ in the Rain" is one of the all-time greatest films, and it accomplishes that by looking back at movie history while also bringing it into the modern era. The story of a trio of silent film stars trying to make the transition to talkies is supported by the great standards of the 40s and 50s written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown, two of the more prolific Hollywood songwriters of the era.

Our production involves another generation of entertainers, as it is performed by some of southeast Nebraska’s most talented young actors of today. Join us this weekend as a 21 st Century cast sings the songs of the 40s and 50s while presenting a timeless tale of Hollywood’s silent era.

Tyler J. Rinne

Associate Artistic Director

Coming or going?

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 18:03:51 GMT

What’s the saying about not knowing if you are coming or going? There is a sense of that whiplash right now at CP as we move forward on the exciting new season, as well as take a moment to celebrate the past year.

Season change? But Jamie, it’s the middle of the year, did daylight savings time mess with you that much a few months ago? No, though there may be a random clock in my house that is still an hour off. CP’s fiscal year, like many arts non-profits, doesn’t line up with the calendar year. Instead our fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30. That’s also why our season wraps up in June.

It also means it’s almost time for the first production in the new season – SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN JR. Be sure to come out and support these talented kids in our Stars of Summer program as they bring this classic movie-musical to life.

Looking back, this Friday we celebrate our volunteers with a special appreciation event, and on Monday we hold our annual meeting that reviews the past year’s accomplishments and elects new members of the Board of Directors.

It is a whirlwind of wrapping things up, like filing all these reports related to the end of the fiscal year, and getting everything in place for all the wonderful opportunities we have in store the next 12 months. We hope you will take part, on or off stage, in making the region a better place to live thanks to the arts at CP!

Jamie Ulmer

Managing Artistic Director

CP part of HBO documentary series

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 21:10:54 GMT

Using the power of live theatre to explore a divisive and emotional tragedy in our community, Community Players collaborated with a team of award-winning filmmakers, led by Nanfu Wang, on the documentary series “Mind Over Murder” airing on HBO.

The six-part series chronicles the bizarre and psychologically complex story of six individuals who were convicted for the 1985 murder of a beloved 68- year-old grandmother, Helen Wilson. Despite five of the individuals originally confessing to the crime, the “Beatrice Six” as they became known, were exonerated by DNA evidence in 2009, a turn of events which divides our community still today.

As part of the project, Community Players produced an original theatrical work titled GAGE COUNTY, NE in August, 2021. The play was written and directed by New York-based Cecilia Rubino and featured a cast of 16 area performers. For more information about our production and the thoughtful process we undertook while sharing our part of this difficult story, please click here .

We know that this case brings up strong emotions and opinions in our community. We ask those with concerns about our participation to watch the series in its entirety, after which time we would be glad to have in-person conversations about our involvement.

All episodes of the series are now available for streaming on HBO Max.

View the series trailer here:

Summer of energy

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 20:12:56 GMT

With school out for the summer, kids are once again spending their mornings at Community Players with rehearsals for our Stars of Summer program. The boundless energy, enthusiasm, and (let’s be honest) chaos of a large group of 8 to 16-year-olds has once again filled the auditorium.

Just this morning, we had one of those special rehearsals where every part of the building is humming with activity and excitement. Onstage, our choreographer was teaching over 30 kids the showstopping steps for our biggest musical number. Backstage, our music director worked on solos with our leading ladies and, in the lobby, more kids ran lines together. Finally, down in the basement, our costumer was already outfitting the stars of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, JR. in Hollywood-worthy attire.

It’s times like those that you can really feel the creative energy of Community Players, where everyone is working hard on their specialties, and also working toward a unified vision.

Tyler Rinne

Associate Artistic Director

Singin in the Rain Jr Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 31 May 2022 19:41:59 GMT

Congratulations to the cast of our Stars of Summer production of Singin' in the Rain, JR. Read-through will be held Wednesday, June 1 at 9am-Noon; schedules, scripts, and other information will be handed out at that time. Additional ensemble roles will be assigned at future rehearsals.

Singin' in the Rain, Jr.

Cast List

Role Actor

Don Lockwood Callen Behrends

Kathy Seldon Bailey Schwab

Lina Lamont Cecily Wiedel

Cosmo Brown Kiptyn Behrends

R.F. Simpson Jonah Erikson

Dexter Ethan Rosenthal

Dora Bailey Josephine Davis

Roz Sofie Poole

Broadway Melody Host Avery Busboom

Broadway Dancer #1 Leena Tunink

Broadway Dancer #2 Addison Schafer

Policeman & Student #3 David Maurstad

Miss Dinsmore Marie Erikson

Teacher Carter Craven

Zelda (Chorus Girl #1) Kaylynn Ballue

Chorus Girl #2 Brielle Toland

Chorus Girl #3 Trupti Desai

Chorus Girl #4 Hayley Kuhlman

Young Lady & Student #2 Caroline Davis

Sam the Sound Engineer Tandon Paben

1st Assistant Logan Busboom

2nd Assistant Adrieyn Rhoden

3rd Assistant Kadence Clark

Stagehand #1 Eloise Maurstad

Stagehand #2 Neeley Duff

Stagehand #3 Sophia Tunink

Student #1 Raylee Donithan

Orchestra Leader Aqua Donithan

Butler Ryan Blake

Fan #1 Arianna Vasquez

Fan #2 Carlee Cujath

Pedestrian #1 Ivy Smith

Pedestrian #2 Moonshine Kaufman

Screening Guest #1 Trinity Donithan

Screening Guest #2 Ivory Vasquez

Screening Guest #3 Kaydence Ballue

Screening Guest #4 Collin Mann

Screening Guest #5 Ashlynn Blessing Carr

Audience Member #1 Kynsley Clark

Audience Member #2 Skyler Kuhlman

Directed by: Tyler Rinne

Music Director: Katie Umland

Choreographer: Marissa Saure

Stage Management: Beth Anne Viessman and Marshall Tuttle

Busman's holidays

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:32:39 GMT

I seem to always be taking busman’s holidays.

The term comes from the 1890s in the United Kingdom. It’s the idea that in order for a busman to go on a holiday, they would need to take a bus, thereby engaging in a similar activity to what they do normally. Today the phrase means being away from your work, but doing something that closely resembles your job, anyway.

The last several weeks I’ve been going all over the area seeing shows at other theatres; from other community theatres to touring Broadway shows. As organizations have mostly returned to regular event schedules it’s been great visiting other theatres – of course seeing shows, but also running into friends and colleagues who I haven’t seen for some time.

Those visits serve as a reminder of how important live theatre is for so many people. I hope you take advantage of all the theatre and cultural opportunities throughout the area. There really are so many great things happening, but they can only continue with people like you supporting them with your attendance.

Is a busman’s holiday the best thing for my work/life balance? Probably not. But lucky for you, you’re not me.

See you at the theatre!

Jamie Ulmer

Managing Artistic Director

22-23 Student Board Rep Applications Open

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 18 May 2022 18:36:58 GMT

Each year CP appoints a high school student to serve one year on the Board of Directors. Student representatives should be a sophomore-senior in high school for the 2022-2023 school year. This is an opportunity to learn about the operations of a non-profit arts organization and give input on how CP can connect with younger members of our community.

Student representatives attend monthly Board meetings and are encouraged to participate in discussions like any member of the Board. At their discretion they can also choose to serve on various committees.

Application deadline is July 1, 2022.

Stars of Summer registration open

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 13 May 2022 18:55:10 GMT

Registration is available for our 2022 Stars of Summer production of the musical SINGIN'IN THE RAIN JR.

Auditions and registration deadline is Friday, May 27. This program is for students ages 8-16. The production will run July 21-24

22-23 production hiring

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 13 May 2022 18:45:19 GMT

Now accepting applications for production positions

We are currently hiring production specific positions for the 2022-2023 Season. These are all paid positions. The following positions are now open:

Music Director - ORDINARY DAYS
Stage Manager - ORDINARY DAYS
Guest Director - FOUR OLD BROADS
Stage Manager - FOUR OLD BROADS
Music Director - A CHRISTMAS STORY:THE MUSICAL
Choreographer - A CHRISTMAS STORY:THE MUSICAL
Stage Manager - A CHRISTMAS STORY:THE MUSICAL
Stage Manager - MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Stage Manager - PUFFS
Music Director - THE MUSIC MAN
Choreographer - THE MUSIC MAN
Stage Manager - THE MUSIC MAN

There will be one additional show hiring a guest director, which will be determined in the next few weeks.

If interested in any of these positions, please contact Managing Artistic Director, Jamie Ulmer, with a resume at director@beatricecommunityplayers.com .

We would like to have all production positions hired by Aug. 1, 2022 (ORDINARY DAYS positions to be filled ASAP).

For more information about these positions, including job descriptions and pay click here .

Rain reminds us new growth, and new season

Tue, 10 May 2022 16:41:09 GMT

The rain finally came and went. The grass is beginning to grow, the trees and flowers are blooming, and now the crops can prosper. The rain is rejuvenating; it brings about new growth.

Growing up in a small farming town makes me appreciative of every rainstorm we get. Especially the storms that end droughts and put out fires. The storms which bring life to the pastures for the livestock and the fields for the crops.

The rain is cleansing; it smells wonderful and washes away the old to make room for the new. Here at CP, we still have time before the new season starts. DESPERATE MEASURES will be here June 10 with our new season beginning in July.

We have an awesome season planned including some special events to induce excitement.

Speaking of the rain, we will begin next season with our Stars of Summer show SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, JR. Hope to see you all around here soon.

Grace Woebbecke

Patron Services Manager

Perfect show for spring

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:41:48 GMT

As the days grow warmer and the sounds of birds and springtime animals return to the air, a group of farmyard critters are coming to the CP stage. Our adaptation of the classic children’s story CHARLOTTE'S WEB will spring onto the stage for one weekend only, April 29-May 1.

Not only is this sweet show a heartwarming look at friendship and family, but it is the perfect production to enjoy this time of year. With its bright and colorful costumes, farmyard setting, and our characters’ love for basking in the sun, CHARLOTTE'S WEB will warm you up inside and out.

We welcome you to experience this childhood favorite alongside our talented cast of young actors. Add CHARLOTTE'S WEB to your Spring to-do list and get your tickets now!

Tyler Rinne

Associate Artistic Director

22-23 Season

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 21:41:22 GMT

We recently announced the shows in our 2022-2023 Season line-up! Watch the video above for the announcement.

Season Ticket brochures will be hitting the mail in early May, but you can order online now.

The season includes

Desperate Measures Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 18:19:59 GMT

Desperate Measures

Cast List

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Music Director - Judy Vrbka

Stage Manager - TBA

Assistant Stage Manager - Elizabeth Philson

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - May 20

Season Ticket Holders - May 23

General Public - May 31

You come first

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 16:40:28 GMT

You come first.

Sometimes there is confusion about our name. Generally, you’ll see it as Community Players. Occasionally it shows up as Beatrice Community Players, like our website and email addresses (that’s only due to a theatre in another state nabbing our domain name before we could get it 20+ years ago). But our legal name is Community Players.

Another reason Beatrice isn’t our first name, is when the organization was founded it was envisioned to be a resource for all of Southeast Nebraska and Northern Kansas – not just Beatrice.

The point is you – the Community – come first with our programs. We are here to provide you opportunities to connect, to grow, to learn, and be entertained. That works both ways. We need you to be here and be part of that effort.

The most frequent reason people give for not getting involved is that no one asked. I’m asking. Get involved – audition, usher, volunteer, or come to show. It’s you who put the “community” in Community Players.

See you at the theatre

Jamie Ulmer

Managing Artistic Director

THREE MUSKETEERS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 18:03:38 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned and reached out to us about casting for THE THREE MUSKETEERS. Auditions for the musical DESPERATE MEASURES will be April 11, 12.

Read thru will be Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the theatre.

* Regular Season CP debut

Director - John Marinovich

Stage Manager - Lizzy Veverka

Assistant Stage Manager - Merle Jobman

Tickets on sale:

First Nighter Patrons - March 4

Season Ticket Holders - March 7

General Public - March 14

Hiring Patron Services manager

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 20:17:19 GMT

UPDATE: THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED

Community Players is accepting applications for a creative individual with customer service skills and a love of the arts to join our staff as Patron Services Manager. This full-time position is responsible for daily box office operations and is the customer service face of the theatre. The position also provides bookkeeping, marketing, and administrative support.

Successful applicants will have the ability to work with the public, writing/editing skills, computer skills (with knowledge of desktop publishing and photo editing software preferred), familiarity with social media content creation, and basic knowledge of accounting software (preferably Quickbooks – will train the right candidate). Community Players uses Arts People for box office and donor management.

Hours : Between 30 and 36 hours per week (depending on if a show is running). Monday, Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday-Friday noon to 5 p.m. and two hours prior to performances on show days. Weekend hours required when a show is running.

Salary : Beginning at $13 an hour.

Click here for a full job description.

To apply submit resume and cover letter to Jamie Ulmer, Managing Artistic Director, at director@beatricecommunityplayers.com .

Interviews begin immediately with approximate start date Feb. 1.

CHARLOTTE'S WEB Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 19:13:34 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented young performers who auditioned!

Read-through will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the theater. Scripts and full rehearsal schedules will be handed out at that time.

Director: Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Managers: Emmy Hoefer, Callen Behrends, Peyton Raber

Tickets go on sale:

Monday, April 18 at noon

Help us keep our educational programming accessible to all!

Offices closed for holidays

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 18:37:53 GMT

The theatre offices will be closed beginning Thursday, Dec. 23 and reopening Monday, Jan. 3 for our staff to take a much needed holiday break with their friends and families.

We will not be checking messages or emails during this time. We will respond to messages beginning Jan. 3.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

CLUE Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 18:25:13 GMT

After an especially wonderful turnout at auditions, we are pleased to announce our cast list for CLUE: ON STAGE. Thank you to all that auditioned, and we encourage you to take part in future productions!

Read-through will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 7:00 at the theater. Scripts and full rehearsal schedules will be handed out at that time; please note that no further rehearsals will be held until January.

*Denotes CP regular-season debut!

Director: Tyler J. Rinne

Stage Manager: Emmy Hoefer

Assistant Stage Manager: Callan Williams

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters – Jan. 21

Season Ticket holders – Jan. 24

General Public – Jan. 31

MM 10.23.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:49:02 GMT

25 years?!

Jamie realizes that it's his 25th anniversary this week. He talks about some of the changes at CP over the years, and what hasn't changed.

ELF cast

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:05:32 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for our production of ELF – THE MUSICAL.

Read thru will be held Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the theatre. Scripts will be available at that time.

* CP regular season debut

Director – Missy Marlatt

Music Director – Zoe Tien

Choreographer – Nolan Marlatt

Stage Manager – Zach Anderson

Assistant Stage Manager – TBA

If interested in either stage management position, please contact the theatre.

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters – Nov. 12

Season Ticket holders – Nov. 15

General Public – Nov. 22

MM 10.18.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 17:59:25 GMT

Auditions and so much more

Coming to you from the set of the POPCORN FALLS town hall where not much happens, Jamie talks about all the things that are actually happening at CP over the next few weeks

MM 9.27.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:56:41 GMT

What happens the day after a show closes?

We look into some of the things that take place at the theatre after the final performance of a show.

MM 9.20.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 18:13:50 GMT

Thank you for your understanding

Last weekend we had to cancel our performances of "Mamma Mia". We talk about what comes next, and all the other exciting projects happening now at CP.

Also, there was a technical problem with our wifi half way thru the video and when we put the two parts together the audio didn't sync correctly. Sorry for the wonkiness.

Second weekend of MAMMA MIA canceled

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 15:20:57 GMT

Community Players has made the difficult decision to cancel this weekend’s performances (Sept. 17-19) of MAMMA MIA, following breakthrough COVID diagnoses among vaccinated cast members. At this time, we anticipate that next weekend’s performances (Sept. 24-26) will continue as scheduled.

Patrons with tickets for this weekend will receive an email or phone call to reschedule. Those unable to reschedule will have the option to donate their purchase price, convert their purchase to a gift certificate, or receive a refund.

We apologize for any inconvenience, but the health and safety of our patrons, volunteers, and staff is our top priority.

If you have any questions about reservations, please feel free to call the box office at (402) 228-1801 or email boxoffice@beatricecommunityplayers.com .

2021 Big Give Gage Success

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 20:30:48 GMT

CP passes goal for 3rd annual day of giving

Thanks to the generous support of patrons from around the country, CP had a successful Big Give Gage day on Friday, Sept. 10. During the third annual day of online giving CP raised $8,140 passing our $6,000 goal. This year's fundraising project was targeted to replace our over 20 year old light board.

This year more than 60 organizations participated in Big Give Gage, sponsored by the Gage County Foundation. More than $322,000 was raised to support nonprofits throughout Gage county. CP's total put us in 9th place for amount of funds raised during the day, and we had the 8th most donors. This was the most funds CP has raised during the giving day event.

Once again thank you to everyone who donated to help us upgrade our lighting equipment. This campaign targeted just one part of what we plan to eventually be $60,000 in upgrades to our lighting system.

Click here to learn more about Big Give Gage.

Popcorn Falls cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:46:00 GMT

Thank you everyone who auditioned for "Popcorn Falls". Auditions for our next regular season show, "Elf The Musical" will take place in October.

Read thru will be Tuesday, Sept. 14.

Popcorn Falls

Cast List

Stage Manager - Stacey Gydesen

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Tickets on sale for subscribers Sept. 27

Tickets on sale for general public Oct. 4

MM 8.30.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:43:31 GMT

We're still using what?

Jamie is in the booth to talk about the fundraising project for this year's Big Give Gage. Raising fund for a new light board and no longer needing to us 3.5" floppy discs to light our shows! Learn more about Big Give Gage by clicking here.

FOREST PATHS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 20:30:41 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Read-through will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 2:30-5:30. Scripts, full schedules, and other materials will be handed out at that time.

TICKETS GO ON SALE

Nov. 1 at noon

MM 8.23.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:31:00 GMT

Something's up in the basement

T his week we deep dive into the bowls of the theatre and find out about our ongoing costume inventory project. And can you guess how many pairs of shoes we own?

MM 8.12.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:40:50 GMT

Thank you & more to come

We appreciate all the support and respectful audiences at last weekend's performances of GAGE COUNTY NE. We now look ahead to all the upcoming projects at CP - it's going to be a very busy month around here!!

Gage County NE FAQ

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 17:17:56 GMT

A documentary theatrical piece such as this, based on an actual event that continues to have an impact on the lives of our community today, can be a source of questions, concerns, and yes even outrage. In collaboration with the film-making team we have provided some context on many possible questions associated with this project.

We welcome in-person dialogue. We also ask that those with concerns reserve judgement until they have actually seen the piece.

This theatrical production was going to take place regardless of CP's involvement in the project. Is it not better that local community voices helped craft the show instead of actors from New York or L.A. with no connection to our community? Knowing this is a sensitive topic, our participation in this collaboration was carefully considered over a series of months after building trust with the film-making team.

If you have concerns and would like to engage in a conversation please contact us during regular business hours to schedule a time to sit down face to face for a discussion. Thank you.

MM 8.9.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:05:30 GMT

What is documentary theatre?

We sit down with "Gage County NE" writer/director, Cecilia Rubino, to learn more about the genre of documentary theatre.

MAMMA MIA cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:42:12 GMT

MAMMA MIA cast list

* CP regular season debut

Director – Jamie Ulmer

Music Director – Alex Wooten

Choreographer – Kayleigh Schadwinkel-Hickman

Stage management - Skip Philson, Merle Jobman, Brandon Clark

Box office open dates:

First Nighter Patrons - Aug. 20

Season Ticket holders - Aug. 23

General public - Aug. 30

MM 7.12.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:59:40 GMT

It's a grab bag (or box) of fun

There is so much happening right now that Jamie had to write it all down on cards and just pull then out of a box to remember.

MM 6.14.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 18:16:36 GMT

Some Q&A about season tickets

Not one, but two guests join Jamie to talk about season tickets and the upcoming phone-a-thon planned for this Saturday.

MM 6.7.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 17:38:21 GMT

Yeah, Jamie's still here

It's been a few weeks since Jamie was around to do Monday Moment, and we're sure you were worried about him. He goes thru and several of the exciting projects that are ongoing at the theatre including giving a little update on the greenroom refresh, and a run down of the various production positions we are a currently hiring for next season.

Frozen Jr. Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 25 May 2021 16:55:47 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Read-through will be held on Tuesday, June 1 at 9:00-Noon. A full schedule, scripts, and other handouts will be given at that time. Please bring a pencil to rehearsal with you!

Additional roles of townspeople, the Snow Chorus, the Hidden Folk, castle staff, the Summer Chorus, Oaken’s family, and guards will be assigned as rehearsals progress.

TICKETS ON SALE

July 12 at noon

MM 5.10.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 10 May 2021 17:48:14 GMT

Discussing the 21-22 "Reboot" Season

Jamie and Tyler talk about the shows that will be taking the stage next season, as we all fully reconnect with our community.

Reboot 21-22 Season

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 06 May 2021 18:42:08 GMT

Announcing our 2021-2022 Season

MM 5.3.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 03 May 2021 18:14:07 GMT

Something's happening

There's weird things happening in the greenroom. Plus news about "Frozen Jr" and "Love, Linda."

MM 4.24.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 18:19:31 GMT

It's finally time for a different set

Jamie does a little scenic archeology to highlight the work our volunteers did over the weekend starting work on the set of "Love, Linda".

MM 4.19.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 17:57:22 GMT

Teasing what's around the corner

We highlight several upcoming projects and tease the 2021-2022 season announcement.

MM 4.12.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 18:15:47 GMT

So let me ask you...

This week Jamie asks Tyler to reflect on his 10 years of running out Acting Up after school program.

MM 4.5

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:13:02 GMT

There are is so much excitement going on

From our spring Acting Up production, to auditions for our premeium network TV project, to continued improvements to our facility, there is a lot of things to be excited about at CP. So much so we think Jamie said the wrong month at least once in the video.

2021 student board applications

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:12:07 GMT

Become a student rep. on the CP Board

We are currently accepting applications from students interested in serving as the student representative on the CP Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 Season. Applications are due June 1, 2021.

Each year CP appoints a high school student to serve one year on the Board of Directors. Student representatives should be a sophomore-senior in high school for the 2021-2022 school year. This is an opportunity to learn about the operations of a non-profit arts organization and give input on how CP can connect with younger members of our community.

2021-22 Board nominations

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:41:20 GMT

Theatre accepting nominations for 2021-22 Board positions

Community Players is currently accepting nominations for individuals interested in serving on the organization's Board of Directors.

Board service information:

Board consists of 12 members.
Terms are for 3 years, with term limits of 2 consecutive terms.
Board members are officially elected at the annual membership meeting in July.
Monthly board meeting - typically lasting between 60-90 minutes. Meetings are currently held on the third Monday of each month beginning at 6:30 p.m. (Virtual attendance is allowed)
All board members must purchase a season ticket at some level each year.
This is a working board. Members are expected to serve on at least 2 committees or production positions and participate in fundraising events as needed.
The board is not directly responsible for production work, though individual members as part of their committee duties may be required to ensure individuals are available to implement the work of the organization.

More information available here.

Individuals can nominate themselves or someone they feel would be an asset to the organization.

Please note that completing a nomination form does not guarantee election to the Board. The nomination committee recommends a slate of potential members based on the skills and connections currently needed by the organization.

Nomination deadline May 15, 2021.

MM 3.29

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:00:53 GMT

Spring cleaning and upcoming programs

Why does Jamie feel safe laying on the floor in the greenroom? Has he lost his mind? Does he think the COVID shot protects against whatever lives in that carpet? Or could it be new carpet?!

MM 3.22.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:53:19 GMT

Mid-way thru a marathon of events

We're about half way through a series of in-person and virtual events that are happening every week at CP! Will Jamie survive? Will anyone toss him water on the route?

12 Incompetent Jurors Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 20:20:59 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Read thru will be Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Cast members will receive an email with the link for rehearsal. Cast members new to the organization or who haven't been in a show recently, be on the look out for an email from our virtual callboard system about setting up your account. Hard copies of the script will be available at the box office, and a link will be sent with a downloadable version to be used during virtual rehearsals.

* CP regular season debut

In-person performance: Friday, March 26

On-demand streaming: April 2-4

MM 3.15.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 18:30:34 GMT

Springing ahead with lots of projects

Springing forward with lots of projects. Is he sleep deprived? Over caffeinated? Or just trying to remember everything that's happening at the theatre as we get things going full speed again on this Monday after the stupid time change?

Hiring Costume Librarian

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 23:53:42 GMT

CP is accepting applications for a part-time Costume Librarian. The successful candidate will have organizational skills to manage the theatre’s extensive inventory, coordinate rentals, and skills to perform repairs and alterations.

The position is expected to work 2 hours per week. The employee will have the flexibility to set their own hours, however, those hours must be consistent every week. Pay is $10 per hour.

Additionally, the position will be expected to costume design one regular season production each year – for additional compensation. This position will also have the first option to costume design additional shows at the theatre. This additional work will be done on a contract basis. Production compensation ranges from $300-$500 depending on the show.

Those interested should email a resume and cover letter to Managing Artistic Director Jamie Ulmer at director@beatricecommunityplayers.com . This position may start as soon as March 31.

Click here for a detailed job description .

CP to collaborate on documentary TV series

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:34:34 GMT

Original show to examine local murder and its aftermath; auditions April 14-15

Theatre, at its most basic, is about telling stories. Those stories can entertain, build understanding, and reflect on a community’s shared histories. Sometimes those stories necessitate examining difficult events and the questions they raise. No matter, they are still the story of our community.

Community Players is working with a team of award-winning documentary filmmakers to create a theatrical piece which invites the community to explore one such local event.

The story of what happened to Helen Wilson and its aftermath have impacted Beatrice and the region for more than 30 years. Community Players is collaborating on the creation of an original theatrical production which explores these events. Based on court records, investigative materials, as well as news reports and first-hand accounts, this documentary play (written and directed by Cecilia Rubino) is a unique way for the community to understand and reflect on this historic and divisive case from a fresh and collaborative perspective. Public performances of the show are tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

The various stages of the play will be filmed by a camera crew as a part of a television documentary series directed by Nanfu Wang.

We have been working closely with Nanfu Wang and her team to develop a partnership of trust and understanding, and we look forward to sharing this unique theatrical experience with our community.

As always, please reach out to us if you have questions.

Jamie Ulmer

CP Managing Artistic Director

MM 3.8.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:49:30 GMT

What a year, but we keep going

It was 1 year ago this week that the pandemic truly began to impact our operations and soon everything changed. We kept going, and this week reflect back on some of the projects we were able to achieve and look ahead to what's coming up.

MM 3.1.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 19:00:16 GMT

Discussing some upgrades

Tyler and Jamie show some of the new video equipment we've started using for our streaming productions. They also talk about other upgrades and upcoming changes at CP.

ONCE UPON A PINE cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 22:13:41 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented young actors who auditioned!

Read-through will take place on Wednesday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m. Scripts, full schedules, and other paperwork will be handed out at that time.

Cast List

Director: Tyler J. Rinne

Show performs : April 9-11

Tickets go on sale : Monday, March 29 at noon

MM 2.15.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 00:25:13 GMT

You know where may have frozen over

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

STUART LITTLE cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:32:50 GMT

Thank you to all of the young actors who submitted audition videos for STUART LITTLE!

Read-thru via Zoom will take place this Friday, Feb. 12 at 4:00 p.m. Parents/guardians will receive an email with the Zoom link, script, and rehearsal schedule.

Cast List

Director: Tyler J. Rinne

Live in-person performance: Friday, March 5 - 7:30 p.m.

On-demand streaming: March 12-14

Auditions for the final show in our Readers THREEatre series, 12 INCOMPETENT JURORS, will be later this month. Keep an eye on our website & social media channels for more information!

Last Romance cast

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 21:35:30 GMT

Thank you to everyone who submitted an audition video for THE LAST ROMANCE.

Auditions for the final show in our Readers Threeatre staged reading series, 12 INCOMPETENT JURORS, will be later this month.

Cast List

* CP debut

Director: Fly Jamerson

Live in-person performance Friday, Feb. 19 - 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale now!

On-demand streaming Feb. 26-28. On-demand tickets available soon.

Cast members:

The virtual read thru will be Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. You will receive an email with the zoom link and script. Hard copies of the scripts in 3 ring binders are available at the theatre now.

MM 2.8.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:27:45 GMT

What is a staged reading, and other news

Jamie talks about what a staged reading is, and why it's more interesting than listening to a class of 3rd graders read a book in class. Plus announcing an encore performance of SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE at the Lincoln Community Playhouse.

MM 2.1.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 19:17:42 GMT

All about the Readers Threeatre series

Tyler and Jamie talk about the upcoming series of staged readings that will fill our stage, and video channels starting Feb. 19!

Announcing special readers theatre series!

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:07:31 GMT

The uncertainty around programming during the pandemic has created an opportunity to try something different. CP will produce a series of three staged readings beginning Feb. 19 and running through April 4.

This series of shows, called “Readers THREEatre” is designed to provide performance opportunities to a wide range of actors who have not been able to be involved recently as CP has focused on small cast/small scale productions. The shows will each have one live in-person performance (with a limited “studio audience”) which will be filmed and then available for on-demand streaming the following week.

The shows are:

THE LAST ROMANCE. A romantic comedy featuring primarily older performers. Live performance Feb. 19. Streaming Feb. 26-28.
STUART LITTLE. Based on the classic children’s book, featuring a cast of young actors. Live performance March 5. Streaming March 12-14.
12 INCOMPETENT JURORS. A wacky comedy parody of “12 Angry Men”. Live performance March 26. Streaming April 2-4.

2020-2021 Season Tickets CAN be used to attend or view all of these staged readings! In person and streaming tickets for the general public are $10.

“We have had success with staged readings in the past,” Jamie Ulmer managing artistic director, said. “Two years ago our production of LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE was a great example of how fun and entertaining readings can be. And of course it doesn’t hurt that the actors don’t have to memorize the scripts.”

The shows will have a mix of virtual and in-person rehearsals. THE LAST ROMANCE and 12 INCOMPETENT JURORS will have a total of four rehearsals, two via Zoom and two in-person. STUART LITTLE will have a few more rehearsals. The shows will be staged with physical distancing and other safety precautions.

Click here to learn more about auditioning for this special series.

CP is hiring directors for THE LAST ROMANCE and 12 INCOMPETENT JURORS. Click here to learn more. This is a fast turnaround time so apply to direct ASAP!

MM 1.25.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 19:27:56 GMT

We don't meme we cosplay

It's a snow day and Jamie is channeling his inner Vermont senator in this tribute to a certain popular meme.

MM 1.18.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 19:05:03 GMT

What comes next?

From misplacing his selfie stick to discussions about what the next regular season production will be to valuing the impact the arts can have in healing our nation, Jamie goes off on a variety of topics this week.

CP receives $15,000 Main Street America grant

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 18:34:42 GMT

Theatre one of 98 businesses nationally, only one in Nebraska to receive funds

We are thrilled to announce that Community Players has been awarded a $15,000 national grant from Main Street America.

The grant is part of Main Street America’s Hartbeat of Main Street Grant Program, sponsored by The Hartford. Community Players was one of 31 small businesses selected in the second round of the grant program which will distribute more than $1.2 million to 98 businesses, and is the only Nebraska business selected to receive grant funding.

“Keeping our patrons, volunteers, and employees safe while expanding our potential impact will be possible thanks to this grant. We are thrilled the theater has been recognized with this funding,” Jamie Ulmer, managing artistic director, said.

The grant award of $15,000 will be used to pay for COVID-19 safety measures including air scrubbers and touchless fixtures in public restrooms, video equipment for filming and streaming shows, and accessibility upgrades to the facility.

“This grant also recognizes the invaluable impact cultural institutions and small businesses make in our communities and local economies. Investing in our sustainability will be a key component of the post-pandemic recovery and rediscovery of our communities,” Ulmer said.

Thousands of businesses from across the country applied for funding. Grant awards ranged between $5,000 and $15,000.

Grant proposals were judged based on: feasibility; the extent to which the grant will help address an acute business need or help a business owner implement innovative solutions to address COVID-19-related challenges; opportunity for other businesses to learn from work; how the grant would help improve the viability of business; the business’s commitment to giving back to their community and/or community engagement; and strength of letters of recommendation and supporting documents.

For more information and complete list of grantees, visit www.mainstreet.org .

MM 1.4.21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:50:33 GMT

Ready to safely start the new year!

It's a new year!!! Jamie talks about the exciting way we're kicking off 2021, including how we kept the rescheduled production of SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE fresh.

12.21.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 19:46:59 GMT

Tie some string to your finger and remember the following

Jamie all along in the office and going slightly batty has a slew of reminders for you as we close out the year. These include:

"Celebrate 2021" the virtual New Year's Eve concert
Tickets for SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE running Jan. 7-10
Holiday gift certificates
Year-end contributions

Monday Moments will be taking next week off, as we are technically closed all next week for our holiday break, but we will be back for 2021 on Jan. 4!

MM 12.7.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:49:44 GMT

CP is a winter wonderland

It's warm and snow-free outside, but CP is creating a winter wonderland inside. Plus Jamie tries to use lots of obscure words for some reason.

MM 11.30.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:56:59 GMT

Let's bother Tyler!

Jamie plays a game of how many times he can pester Tyler during one edition of Monday Moment. We also talk about the upcoming holiday show and Giving Tuesday

MM 11.23.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 18:53:14 GMT

A week of Thanksgiving at CP

Jamie has whipped up a huge buffet for his personal Thanksgiving feast, and shares what he and everyone at CP is thankful for. We also invite you during the week of Thanksgiving to share the things about your local community theatre that you are thankful for. Post on social media with #Thankful4CP. We have three daily challenges:

Tuesday, Nov. 24 - What memory of attending at CP production are you thankful for?
Wednesday, Nov. 25 - What CP program are you most thankful for?
Thursday, Nov. 26 - What CP production are you thankful to have been involved with (cast or crew)?

MM 11.16.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:27:26 GMT

Postponed but still lots of things happening

While SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE will have to wait a little longer to perform, there are still a lot of things happening at CP.

SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE postponed to 2021

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:07:09 GMT

New dates Jan. 7-10, 2021

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area the Community Players’ production of SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE has been rescheduled to January, 2021.

The one-man show which retells the life of iconic comedian George Burns was scheduled to run Nov. 19-22 at the downtown Beatrice theater. New dates are Jan. 7-10, 2021. All current ticket reservations will be automatically transferred to the new dates. Anyone with questions can contact the theater at 402-228-1801, or visit www.beatricecommunityplayers.com.

"It was a difficult decision to make because the show is ready to go, and we have proven that our extensive safety protocols can keep patrons and participants safe. However, it is the responsible thing to do given the recent alarming increase in COVID-19 cases in our community,” Jamie Ulmer, managing artistic director, said.

There have been no cases of COVID-19 directly associated with attendance at or participating in events produced by Community Players. The theater has taken a wide-range of precautions including requiring masks, temperature checks, physically distant seating, frequent cleaning, and other facility upgrades to mitigate risks of spreading the virus. Since August the organization has successfully produced three live in-person productions without incident.

SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE features Bruce Hahn as George Burns and is part of an alternative season line-up of smaller scale shows produced by the theater requiring fewer cast and crew members. Tickets for the rescheduled performances are for sale now.

While this show is postponed the theater office continues to be open to the public. All members of the general public are required to wear masks when entering the building. A complete list of the organization’s COVID-19 procedures and guidelines are available at www.beatricecommunityplayers.com/coronavirus-update and is updated weekly.

CHRISTMAS SHORTS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:18:27 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented actors who auditioned for this show!

Read-through will take place at the theatre on Monday, Nov. 9 from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. Please remember to arrive wearing a mask. Scripts and rehearsal schedules will be distributed at read-through.

CHRISTMAS SHORTS

Acting Up - Cast List

The ten performers in this show will play a variety of roles throughout

Stage Managers: Emmy Hoefer, Nolan Marlatt, Sarah Price, Ty Young

Tickets on sale:

Nov. 30 at noon

Clark receives MEMA

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 22:24:53 GMT

Brandon Clark was presented with this year’s Mary Ellen Morgan Award in recognition of his service to CP.

Brandon has participated in nearly every aspect of the organization. CP audiences may be most familiar with him from his multiple roles on stage including “Les Miserables,” “The Ladies Man,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and “Ripcord.” He has been extremely active behind the scenes including as a stage manager, lighting coordinator, and director (the young adult production of “First Date” and the regular season show “In-laws, Outlaws and Other People (Who Should be Shot)”).

He was vital in the most recent major redesign of our website, and helping to navigate launching our podcast. In July he completed serving six years on the Board of Directors. The award was presented following the opening night performance of “Silent Sky” (another show he was stage managing).

Brandon is the youngest recipient of this award, we thank and appreciate all his dedication to CP!

This award was established in 1985 in honor of Mary Ellen Morgan, a founder and invaluable member of Community Players, Inc. The award is presented annually in recognition of outstanding service in the promotion of theatre and the fine arts in the city of Beatrice and the area of Southeast Nebraska.

Click here to see a complete list of past recipients.

MM 11.2.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 18:36:13 GMT

Where the bodies are buried

Okay, maybe there are no bodies in our basement, but you do get a peak at the prop storage reorganization work in progress!

MM 10.26.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:42:51 GMT

Trick or Treat...wait is that snow!?!?

Mother Nature played a nasty trick on us Sunday as it snowed over night. Don't worry we have lots of treats for everyone at the theatre this week.

MM 10.19.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 18:34:55 GMT

Murdering Monday

It's opening week for MURDERERS. Jamie takes a little time to discuss his various places to hide bodies...or we mean reviews our COVID safety procedures.

MM 10.12.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 18:10:08 GMT

Fall Fashion Accessory for 2020

We jump from ghost tours to "Murderers" all in a normal month at CP. Jamie shows off some possible fall fashion accessories, and Tyler talks about the upcoming show he's directing and a bit about a side project for downtown Beatrice.

MM 10.5.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 17:53:44 GMT

Spooking things off the old to-do list

Who doesn't have a to-do list the piles up? We sure do. One advantage of not producing "huge" shows right now is being able to focus our attention on some of those to-do lists. Jamie talks about one set of things that have been taking up space in his office for years that will finally get a new home, and how we are starting to keep track of all of them.

MM 9.28.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 30 Sep 2020 16:57:28 GMT

Spooky season

Elena sits down with two ghouls who frequent the auditorium and talks about all the things happening in October at the theatre.

MURDERERS Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:26:37 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented actors who auditioned for this show!

Read-thru will take place at the theatre on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Please be sure to arrive wearing a mask. Scripts, rehearsal schedules, and virtual callboard information will be disseminated on Friday.

MURDERERS

Cast list

*Denotes first onstage appearance at Community Players

Stage Manager: Paige Patton

Assistant Stage Manager: Nolan Marlatt

Tickets on sale:
First Nighters – Oct. 2
Season Ticket holders – Oct. 5
General Public – Oct. 12

MM 9.21.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 18:23:44 GMT

And the winner is...

This week we draw the winner for our Colorado Cabin Getaway! Also we talk about upcoming auditions and announce that tickets for our second annual ghost tour are on sale now!!

MM 9.14.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 15:13:44 GMT

Is this a theatre or a TV studio?

Jamie shows us some of the process of what it takes to edit and post a video of a show, as we get ready to post the streaming performance of SILENT SKY. We also talk about upcoming auditions, thank our Big Give Gage donors, and congratulate this year's Mary Ellen Morgan Award winner.

MM 8.31.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:19:22 GMT

Timely history on stage and off

We are on location this week as we visit our friends at the Gage County Museum to learn more about their exhibit celebrating the the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. The exhibit and theme ties in wonderfully with our season opening production of SILENT SKY. Want to learn more? Visit the museum, of course, and make sure to catch our "Places Please" podcast episode for SILENT SKY where we talk more in depth about the exhibit and the history of discovery and innovation in our area. The podcast episode will drop next week in advance of the opening of SILENT SKY.

Win a Mountain Getaway!

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 21:23:15 GMT

We're raffling off a 3-night stay in beautiful Grand Lake, CO!

Have you ever wanted to get away from it all and take a luxurious vacation in the mountains? Here's your chance!

Enter our raffle to win a 3-night stay at Mad Moose Lodge in Grand Lake, CO:

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (sleeps up to 6 people!)
Spacious living areas, chef's kitchen, fireplace, and hot tub!
Only a five minute drive from Rocky Mountain Nation Park (and near ski resort locations!)
YOU get to pick the dates of your vacation!

Raffle tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the box office (412 Ella St. in Beatrice). The winner will be drawn on September 21 and announced on our Facebook page! Like us on Facebook

Please be aware that the winner must pay a $180 cleaning fee upon arrival at the cabin.

For more information about the cabin's many amenities:

This giveaway generously donated by Gary & Margie Higgins

MM 8.24.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 18:25:16 GMT

Check out these fancy restrooms

Among the updates we've made to keep you safe is changing out most of the features in our public restrooms to touchless!

MM 8.17.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 17:55:06 GMT

The day after...and the day after that...

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our special event the last two weekend, or who watched the streaming video. What comes next? Well a good amount as we are getting ready to open the regular season, and making plans for our educational offerings for this fall.

MM 8.3.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 14:52:45 GMT

Dear tech week...

Oh my goodness it's a tech week!! For the first time since February we are getting ready to open a show. Jame talks to the cast about the show, and they share their thoughts on how safe they have felt with CP's COVID safety plans.

MM 7.27.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:31:26 GMT

Things are happening!

Production work has started back up, with set construction, rehearsals for two in person shows, a streaming show, and a look in the lobby at some of our new safety measures.

2019-2020 Annual Report

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 19:51:21 GMT

Without a doubt this has been the most challenging year in the organization’s 44 year history. Due to the global pandemic in person production work stopped in mid-March meaning exactly one third of our planned season was canceled. It would be easy to fall into panic and despair, especially given the uncertain timeline of ever being able to return to regular operations. It is worth remembering, however, that before the pandemic the theatre had a long list of noteworthy achievements that deserve to be celebrated. In addition the way we have responded to this challenge, while unexpected and the cause of a great deal of worry and stress, is a testament to the strength and creativity of the organization and its supporters. Among this season’s highlights:

Productions . Continued to innovate and set new standards for excellence with our productions whether it is large scale musical epics, or small three person shows each regular season show this season pushed our boundaries. One bright side to not finishing the season is production were over $11,600 under budget – we won’t talk about the lost revenue, though.
Outreach . The sensory friendly performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was one of the first such performances offered by a community theatre in the state outside of Omaha.
Recognition. While we always say it’s not about winning awards, they are nice. For the first time CP was recognized by BroadwayWorld.com and their regional online best of 2019 awards. We were nominated in many categories and won several.
Making theatre accessible . Thanks to a generous patron we were able to offer a student ticket lottery to give free tickets to area high school students to our regular season productions. In addition the first Saturday of every regular season production offered special lower prices with the goal of removing price as a barrier for the community to attend shows.
Organization development . Revised the organization’s mission statement for the first time in at least 30 years, evaluated and revised several policies and procedures, and proposed updates to the bylaws.
Building projects. Deliberately planned and focused on several facility cleaning days and updates, including having a new roof put on the theatre.
COVID programming . Quickly adapted to offer a variety of programs and engagement opportunities when in-person productions had to stop.
The numbers. The stats for this season, and probably next, will forever carry an asterisk related to the pandemic. This is unfortunate because we were on track to have the most attended season with the highest number of events in the organization’s history. Regardless, counting all the organization’s in-person programming (Regular season, Stage Door, special events, touring show, etc.) Community Players was responsible for 51 events this season with a combined attendance of 5,302.

The performing arts and entertainment sector of our country and economy has been heavily damaged and for many organizations around the country that damage is already irreparable with new permanent closing being announced almost daily.

What does this mean for Community Players? That’s a question whose answer is still evolving. We are making the best plans we can taking into consideration the health and safety of our community, the responsibilities we have to our employees and volunteers, and the need to use the arts and live theatre to engage and enrich Southeast Nebraska. We are hopeful that Community Players will survive this challenge, but it will take support from our entire community to make sure that happens.

Jamie Ulmer
Managing Artistic Director

MM 7.20.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 18:12:42 GMT

Resuming rehearsals in person, but safely

Tonight we have our first in-person rehearsal since March! We are being safe, following guidelines, and monitoring COVID-19 cases in our area (which are low).

Cast lists for OUTRAGEOUS ADVENTURES & SILENT SKY

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 15:40:01 GMT

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who auditioned for both of these shows. It was the biggest turnout we’ve had for a non-musical audition in several years. This of course made the casting choices even more difficult, especially when both the shows have very small casts.

We are truly humbled and thankful for everyone who chose to audition and all the comments we heard this week from people who were excited and happy just to walk in our doors again – even though you were wearing masks, staying physically distant from each other, and smelled of hand sanitizer when you left.

Please keep an eye out for future audition opportunities – of course at this point we don’t know when they will be or for what shows.

To cast members: Please check your emails for a message from our Virtual Callboard system regarding safety protocols you will need to follow when attending rehearsals. Scripts may be picked up from the theatre.

THE OUTRAGEOUS ADVENTURES OF SHELDON & MRS. LEVINE

Cast list

Stage manager - Jeff Carrel

Read through will be Monday, July 20 at 7 P.M. at the theatre.

Tickets on sale:
2019/20 First Nighters & Season Ticket holders – July 24
General public July 27

SILENT SKY

Cast list

Stage Manager - Brandon Clark

Read through will be Monday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at the theatre.

Tickets on sale:
2020/21 First Nighters – Aug. 21
2020/21 Season ticket holders – Aug. 24
Tickets on sale for general public Aug. 31

Mamma Mia rescheduled to 2021

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 15:52:43 GMT

Musical to now open the 2021-2022 Season

We had hoped to be able to take you on an ABBA-inspired wedding vacation in June. Unfortunately health concerns prevented us from gathering to rehearse and produce the show as planned.

After considering several options including doing an outdoor concert-style version of the show, we have decided to postpone the show to September of 2021.

“We know a lot of our volunteers and patrons were very excited about this show,” Jamie Ulmer, managing artistic director, said. “Instead of trying to shoehorn it into a situation where it wouldn’t reach its full potential and have limited audience capacity, we’ve decided to push it into next year and use it to open the 2021-2022 Season.”

Punches remaining on the 2019-2020 Season ticket will be good for “Mamma Mia” in 2021. Our box office software keeps track of your punches, so you do not need to keep it squirreled away if you don’t want to.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the box office.

MM 7.13.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:31:58 GMT

Auditions! Yes, that's right!

Jamie explains how these COVID auditions will work.

Annual meeting July 21

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 23:06:59 GMT

Agenda includes bylaw revision and board election

Community Players will hold its annual membership meeting on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at Brick and Mortar Coworking.

Among the agenda items is a proposed amendment to the theatre’s by-laws and election of board members. Anyone who was a season ticket holder at any level for the 2019-2020 is considered a member of the organization and is entitled to a vote.

The meeting will be in person, and everyone who attends will be asked to follow our current safety procedures for volunteers. These can be found on our website .

The amendment to the by-laws will establish term limits for members of the Board of Directors of two consecutive three-year terms. An individual may serve two terms, take a year off from the board, and then be re-elected.

The exact text of the proposed amendment to the by-laws is:

ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors

Section 3. Term. Each Director shall serve for a term of three (3) years. The terms will be staggered with four new Directors elected each year at the annual meeting of the Organization. AMEND TO INCLUDE: No Director shall be elected to more than two (2) consecutive terms except when appointed to fill an unexpired term.

How's the theatre doing?

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 22:49:12 GMT

Something almost everyone asks me is some variation of, “How’s the theatre doing during all this?” Despite the frequency of the question I still always pause before answering. What do they want to hear? Is this the new “how’s it going?” question that we should just automatically respond to with, “Fine, and you?” Hopefully they ask because they actually care and genuinely want to know. But do they really want to know how it’s going - the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all?

The last CP event in the theatre was all the way back at the end of February. That means we are beginning month five of not having volunteers, students, and the community in the theatre on a daily basis.

That doesn’t mean we stopped finding ways to connect with the community. Our “Hold Please” initiative brought videos of past and new shows, podcast interviews with CP people from around the country, online social events like the Friday Film Club, and there was even a pop-up community mural on the side of our building. This was combined with ramped up social media and other things that kept us in people’s minds during what was supposed to be just a couple of weeks, maybe a month’s pause in our work. I’m very proud of the efforts of the CP staff and the Board of Directors during this time.

The overriding cloud hanging over all our recent efforts, however, has been making sure CP is still here when the pandemic is over. Remember it’s called “show business” and like most small businesses CP has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. In these five months we should have had four productions including some we had planned to be the financial “bread and butter” of our fiscal year. In fact we will have missed out on over 22% of our annual income by the end of July.

Fortunately we have had several breaks in the clouds. We received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds which enabled us to keep the staff fully employed up to this point. Funding came from the National Endowment for the Arts thanks to a grant from the Nebraska Arts Council. We also received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the Small Business Administration which is helping to make up for some of the lost income (that loan does have to eventually be repaid).

The most meaningful rays of light have come from the community and people like you. When the pandemic hit we saw a surge in donations, this was followed by many of you renewing and/or upgrading your season ticket or First Nighter memberships for the 2020-2021 Season. That not only gave us a funding boost, but showed how much you care about the future of the theatre.

Effectively running an organization like CP involves a lot of advanced planning – sometimes as much as a year and a half of planning before the general public sees a show or new bit of programming. That’s been one of the biggest struggles for me personally – the uncertainty about when we can do things. We’re currently working on version seven of our return to in person programming. This is the longest stretch of time that I have personally gone without working on a show since I was in high school (which is more than a couple of years ago).

Virtual programming like Zoom classes and play readings are fine and can be a fun creative alternative, as is watching a recording of a certain mega-hit musical at home on your TV. You and I both know nothing is the same as experiencing those things in the same room where it happens, though.

So how is the theatre doing during all this? The theatre building is doing fine, there’s a new roof (!), lots of things have been cleaned and organized, and there are literally gallons of hand sanitizer at the ready along with safety plans and procedures. The soul of the theatre is not doing as well. It longs to be creative and active again sharing moments of discovery, beautiful music, roars of laughter, and in-person community connections. We will get there again together with your continued support.

Hope to see you again soon!

Jamie Ulmer

Managing Artistic Director

MM 7.2.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 23:00:44 GMT

Remember what inside a theatre looks like?

Hey remember what sitting in the auditorium looks like? Jamie reminds you and makes several announcements about upcoming shows and auditions!

MM 6.22.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:57:24 GMT

CP Standby

Jamie's guest tells him he needs to get out of the house more, so he announces "CP Standby" as we get ready to resume in-person productions

MM 6.15.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:06:26 GMT

Summer youth programs

We are a little late posting last week's Monday Moment, but that doesn't make the information any less exciting. Tyler talks about the virtual Stars of Summer programs we are offering this year.

MM 6.8.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:32:08 GMT

Sometimes it's the little things that matter

Jamie is waaaaay too excited about a new bit of office equipment that was delivered to the theatre today.

MM 6.1.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 23:19:27 GMT

Art is something that can bring us together

This Saturday we invited the community to share what makes them happy and brings us together by painting images and messages on the side of our building. Coming together is what is needed now during these troubling times.

MM (on a Tuesday) 5.25.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 26 May 2020 18:23:53 GMT

Share your :)

We didn't have a live video on Monday because it was Memorial Day, but we are here with a Tuesday, talk, tell-all, tid-bit? Anyway, this week we talk about the community pop-up mural we are inviting everyone to participate in this Saturday. We also talk about a couple of reopening surveys, thank our advertisers, and reflect on the fact this should be tech week of MAMMA MIA.

MM 5.18.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:37:52 GMT

Watching the clock and seeing the time go by

It's been over two months since we had a regular rehearsal in the auditorium, but that doesn't mean we don't have creative ways for the community stay engaged.

MM 5.11.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 11 May 2020 18:18:19 GMT

What month is it?

Have you lost all sense of time? So have we. But at least we have lots of toilet paper!

MM 5.4.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 04 May 2020 20:30:30 GMT

May the fourth be with you

This week's Monday Moment has a special guest host for May the fourth. He visits with Tyler of "Dinosaur Vacation" and proves that if we don't get back to production work soon we may all go insane.

Virtual Town Hall

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 19:59:57 GMT

Learn about our plans, and give your input

We at CP know that times have been tough while we're all stuck at home. This virtual town hall meeting is a chance for our community to gather, hear about our game plan going forward, share ideas about staying creatively engaged, ask questions, and give input on the post-covid future.

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED OUR VIRTUAL TOWN HALL. We had some great discussion and ideas.

A recording of the meeting is below.

MM 4.27.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:02:43 GMT

Always stuff to do

This week Jamie is risking death to bring you the video from a scaffolding in the auditorium as he takes down lighting equipment. Just one of many things that are happening despite no in person events at the theatre.

MM.4.20.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:11:55 GMT

Dinosaur Vacation from home

Tyler with special guest star, Luna, greets us from his "man cave" and talks a bit about a special upcoming live stream.

MM 4.13.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 17:52:20 GMT

One last ticket for LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET

From a safe distance in the greenroom Tyler and Jamie talk about the upcoming video launch of last year's Acting Up production THE LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET.

MM 4.6.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 19:35:08 GMT

Home Edition - Q&A about new season

Jamie talks about the shows in the 2020-21 season, including taking live questions. Plus updates on the remaining shows in the 2019-20 season, a look at Jamie's home office and a kitty.

MM 3.30.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 30 Mar 2020 18:11:38 GMT

We're still heeeeeeeree

Jamie pesters Elena in the lobby this week. They give a run down of all the #HoldPleaseCP virtual programming that happened last week and preview things taking place this week. They also answer several live questions and share some exciting news about our roof.

MM 3.23.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:53:28 GMT

Hold Please CP

Tyler and Jamie try to stay socially distant and share plans for CP's "Hold Please" programming. They also respond to people's comments on the Sondheim musical they would like to see CP produce in the future.

MM.3.17.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 18:51:47 GMT

Monday or rather Tuesday moment: live from the bunker

Jamie sits down from the coronavirus bunker to talk about scheduling changes and the potential impact of this health crisis on the organization.

If you want to see the complete text without all of his vocal fillers and moments of going off script, click here .

MM 3.9.20

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 17:36:50 GMT

Rainy days and Mondays

It's a rainy Monday today, plus it's the day after the stupid time change so there's a lot to get us down. Follow Jamie as he goes through the building and finds things that get him down. But good news, he tells you how you can turn that around.

MM 2.24 & 3.2

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 19:31:58 GMT

A quick change and pshyc...it's cyc

Due to some weirdness on the part of Facebook, we had to figure out a workaround for downloading our videos. Don't you love when they change things on you? Anyway, this blog post is a double header looking at the change over that happened to get ready for our variety show fundraiser, and a little theatre terminology lesson.

FLAMING IDIOTS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:32:55 GMT

Thank you to all who auditioned!

Read-thru will take place at the theatre on Monday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

Director: Mason Gustafson

Stage Manager: Lapis Itzen

This production is still looking for an assistant stage manager. Contact the theatre if interested.

Tickets go on sale:

First Nighters - March 6

Season Ticket Holders - March 9

General public - March 16

NEXT AUDITIONS

MAMMA MIA!

April 6 & 7 beginning at 7 p.m.

Be part of this timeless ABBA musical!

MM 2.17.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 18:48:00 GMT

Riding a turtle of excitement

Shipwrecked is up and running, and Jamie takes a ride on Jeff's sea turtle. Yes, that's as weird as it sounds. Lots happening at CP this week, and lots of ways for you to get involved in your community.

Podcast episode for SHIPWRECKED!

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 11 Feb 2020 22:52:30 GMT

It's our first full episode! We talk about the production of "Shipwrecked! An Entertainment - The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself)" by Donald Margulies. Our guest is Tyler Rinne, CP Associate Artistic Director, who directed this production.

Subscribe on your favorite podcast player, or click below to listen.

Look Ma, we have a podcast

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 19:28:16 GMT

Learn a little bit more about the shows at CP. We are launching a new podcast called, “Places Please”

Each 15-30 minute episode will give you some fun background about the show and our production, featuring interviews with the directors, cast members, or others. The episodes are designed to be like little pre-show talks perfect for listening to on your way to the theatre right before seeing the show, or anytime you want to be just a touch more “in the know.”

Episodes will drop opening week of each show. Listen on your favorite podcast player, search for "Places Please".

You can also listen to the podcast teaser by clicking below:

MM 2.10.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 10 Feb 2020 19:02:47 GMT

Getting ready for adventure

Jamie risks life and limb to show you how some of the lighting effects work for the upcoming production of SHIPWRECKED! AN ENTERTAINMENT. We also hear about ticket deals for this weekend, and next week's auditions for FLAMING IDIOTS.

CP wins BroadwayWorld.com awards

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:24:16 GMT

Community Players received five awards from voters in the Broadwayworld.com Omaha Regional Awards. The theatre received 54 nominations across 20 categories ( Click here to see all our nominations) .

Winners were selected via online votes. This was the first time CP was nominated for these awards which covers theatres from both Omaha and Lincoln areas. CP’s five wins were the third most of all theatres.

Thank you to everyone who voted in this online poll.

MM 2.03.20

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:15:34 GMT

Always and Adventure

We've been a little behind uploading our Monday Moment videos to our website. Sorry about that! Here is the latest, post-Groundhog Day video. If you are craving the videos from January, you can find them on our Facebook page.

THE SCARECROW AND HIS SERVANT cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:59:11 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented kids who auditioned!

Scripts, schedules and other paperwork will be handed out at the first rehearsal, Wednesday, January 15 at 2:30-5:30 . Please note that some actors play multiple roles, and that additional ensemble roles will be assigned at future rehearsals.

Director: Tyler Rinne

Stage Managers: Sarah Price, Matt Price, Ty Young, Nolan Marlatt, Emmy Hoefer, Emily Allen

Tickets go on sale:

Monday, April 13 at noon

2019 by the numbers

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:44:21 GMT

Shipwrecked! Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 19:51:27 GMT

Thank you to all of those who auditioned!

Read-Through will be held at the theatre on Friday, December 20 at 7:00pm . Scripts, detailed character assignments, and full schedules will be available at that time.

Director: Tyler Rinne

Stage Manager: Allana Daubendiek

Assistant Stage Manager: Ashley Hothan

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - Jan. 24

Season Ticket Holders - Jan. 27

General public - Feb. 3

MM 12.2.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 20:04:17 GMT

Giving, Gifts, and GREETINGS!

Tyler takes a birthday break from painting to talk about all the giving opportunities at the theatre, and give you a sneak peak of the set for GREETINGS.

Monday Moment 11.25.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 19:56:07 GMT

Holiday Greetings!

Tyler sits back on the couch of the set and dreams of turkey, and a time when Jamie will be done teaching that class on Mondays at noon so he doesn't have to do the Monday Moments

2019 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 20:40:42 GMT

Community Players has the honor of being nominated for several 2019 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards! This is the first time we have been recognized by this site, so thank you to those who nominated our wonderful staff, actors, and volunteers.

We know there is a lot of great theatre in our region, but if you've been to our shows and liked what you saw, we hope you'll consider voting for CP! Below are the people and productions from Community Players that have been nominated:

Best Actor in a Musical
CONNOR HUSA - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

MIKE FOX - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

KONNER KIESEL - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

STEVE PEARSON - Lucky Stiff

Best Actor in a Play

JEFF PORTER - A Murder is Announced

TREVOR KERN - Seasonal Allergies

GARY THOMPSON - Southern Comforts

Best Actress in a Musical

JEAN SPILKER - Mary Poppins

ANNA ERIKSON - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

ELENA RINNE - Lucky Stiff

ELIZABETH VEVERKA - Lucky Stiff

Best Actress in a Play

JUDY ANDERSON - Southern Comforts

DIANE KAHNK - A Murder is Announced

Best Choreography

MARISSA SAURE & MATT OSMOTHERLY - Mary Poppins

Best Comedy
Lucky Stiff

Best Director of a Musical

JAMIE ULMER - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

JAMIE ULMER - Lucky Stiff

Best Director of a Play

TYLER RINNE - The Last Ticket Out of Thistleberry Thicket

JAMIE ULMER - A Murder is Announced

Best Drama

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

A Murder is Announced

Best Ensemble

Mary Poppins

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

A Murder is Announced

Lucky Stiff

Best Music Director

JEAN SPILKER - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

RACHEL KORNFELD-LAMBRECHT - Lucky Stiff

Best Musical

Mary Poppins

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Lucky Stiff

Best Orchestra

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Mary Poppins

Lucky Stiff

Best Original Script

The Last Ticket Out of Thistleberry Thicket

Best Production for Young Audiences

The Last Ticket Out of Thistleberry Thicket

The Hobbit

Pinkerton!!!

Best Supporting Actor of a Musical

NOAH SNURR - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

MIKE FOX - Mary Poppins

NOAH SNURR - Lucky Stiff

Best Supporting Actress in a Play

MORGAN TUNINK - Seasonal Allergies

JANET ENSZ - A Murder is Announced

ELIZABETH VEVERKA - A Murder is Announced

ROSALIE DUFFY - A Murder is Announced

Best Supporting Actress of a Musical

ELENA RINNE - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

ELIZABETH VEVERKA - Mary Poppins

NAOMI LUTZE - Mary Poppins

LISA STEINER - Lucky Stiff

Best Young Actor/Actress in a Musical

ARIHANNA MARLATT - Mary Poppins

DAVID MAURSTAD - Mary Poppins

Best Young Actor/Actress in a Play

EMMY HOEFER - The Last Ticket Out of Thistleberry Thicket

TREYTON BAEHR - The Last Ticket Out of Thistleberry Thicket

FISCHER ENSZ - Pinkerton!!!

RAQUEL MOORE - Pinkerton!!!

Monday Moment 11.18.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 16:02:09 GMT

They get to come home

After last weekend's performance of THE ISLAND OF DR LIBRIS, our production of GREETINGS finally gets to move into the auditorium for rehearsal, and we get a chat with the show's director, Charisa Ramsey.

Every Monday (more or less) we are live on Facebook talking about behind the scenes aspects of the organization, giving you a look into what it takes to run CP, or just general goofiness. We are typically live between noon and 1 p.m. or between 6 and 7 p.m. We re-post the videos on our Youtube channel and here a few hours after the live stream ends.

Monday Moment 11.11.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 20:20:50 GMT

Adventure in the CP Safari

Today we go on a safari exploring several parts of the CP building with nature guide Brandon Clark. Will he find his elusive prey? Watch and find out.

Monday Moment 11.5.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 18:30:58 GMT

How about that time change, huh?

In a lame excuse for missing the Monday Moment ON Monday, Jamie blames the time change for why the video happened on Tuesday. An extra hour of sleep means an extra day to post a live video right?

Among the things happening at the theatre are rehearsals for "The Island of Dr. Libris" opening next week, rehearsals for "Greetings," our first volunteer open house on Thursday and much, much more!

Monday Moment 10.28.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 02:40:50 GMT

The kids of ISLAND OF DR LIBRIS

With the closing of RIPCORD it's full speed ahead to this semester's Acting Up production of THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS. Tyler talks to several of the kids in the production about what to expect in this fun family show

Greetings Cast List

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 23:27:16 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the show. Sorry casting has taken a little longer than usual. Read thru is Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. at the theatre.

* CP regular season debut

Director: Charisa Ramsey

Stage Manager: TBA

Ticket on sale dates:

First Nighters - Nov. 15
Season Ticket Holders - Nov. 18
General public - Nov. 25

Monday Moment 10.21.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 18:48:51 GMT

Meet the intern!

This week we talk to our intern Bri Relyea. She will be costuming our upcoming production of GREETINGS as part of her internship.

Monday Moment 10.14.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 18:00:31 GMT

Time for Tech Week

Okay, so we've been a little lapsed in re posting our Facebook live videos recently, but here is the latest! It's tech week for RIPCORD and you get a glimpse of the naked set (no furniture get your mind out of the gutter) plus Jamie talk about various other theatre projects including upcoming auditions for GREETINGS!

Also, the staff is confused as to why Jamie is in the office over noon today.

RIPCORD cast list

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 19:53:58 GMT

RIPCORD

cast list

Abby Binder	Shelley Keebler
Marilyn Dunne	Diane Kahnk
Scotty	Sterling Johnson
Benjamin, Lewis, Clown	Mason Gustafson
Colleen, Woman in White	Ruth Kohtz Ek*
Derek, Zombie Butler, Masked Man	Brandon Clark

* CP regular season debut

New cast members (or those who haven’t been in a show in the last three years) watch your email for login information from our Virtual Callboard system. Returning actors please login and confirm all your schedule conflicts are in the system. Click here to login to Virtual Callboard

Director - Jamie Ulmer

Stage Manager - Ashley Hothan

Ticket on sale dates:

Season Ticket Holders - Sept. 30

General Public - Oct. 7

Monday Moment 8.26.19

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:48:11 GMT

Oh geeze, almost forgot!

Feels like things are busier than usual at the theatre this week, which is why Jamie almost forgot to go online at some point Monday for this week's video. He walks us through the set progress for HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, tickets for which are on sale now, talks about auditions for RIPCORD and hits a few other highlights.

THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS cast list

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 18:05:11 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented performers who auditioned for this fall's Acting Up production!

Read-thru will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 28 from 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the theatre. Scripts and rehearsal schedules will be distributed at that time.

The Island of Dr. Libris
Cast List

Dr. Libris -- Jonah Erikson

Billy Gillfoyle -- Alex Venneman

Mom -- Avery Martin

Alyssa Andrews -- Kaylynn Harder

Nikki Farkas -- Arihanna Marlatt

Hercules -- Joseph Bates

Antaeus -- Myah Hood

Robin Hood -- Peyton Raber

Maid Marian -- Cecily Wiedel

The Sheriff of Nottingham -- Maddox DeBoer

Walter Andrews -- Jude Tomlinson

Aramis -- Ashton Hofeling-Hyberger

Athos -- Ethan Dreesen

Porthos -- Callen Behrends

D'Artagnan -- Monet Baehr

Junior Wizard -- Leena Tunink

Pollyanna -- Sofie Poole

Tom Sawyer -- David Maurstad

The Space Lizard -- Bryson Bates

Voltron -- Garrett Ideus

Jack's Giant -- Brady Kujath

Jack -- Devin Viveros

Jack's Mom -- Halle Leonard

Multiple Roles
Jaedyn Baxa
Taionna Farley-Martin
Anna Hamilton
Jalen Reiman
Braxton Trauernicht

Stage Managers -- Sarah Price, Matt Price, Makenna Blum, Ty Young, Nolan Marlatt, Kelan Hereth

Director -- Tyler Rinne

Tickets go on sale: Nov. 4

Monday Moment 8.19.19

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:18:02 GMT

Here at the top of the world

This week Jamie is on the roof. Don't worry he's not going to jump. He is however, showing the state of the theatre's roof and explaining what CP is raising funds for during the upcoming Big Give Gage day on Sept. 10. Learn more about this online day of giving at www.biggivegage.org

We also hear that tickets are selling quickly for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, Acting Up begins this Wednesday, and we won't be seeing much of Jamie for most of the fall on Monday Moments as he's teaching a class or something.

Monday Moment 8.12.19

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 17:46:26 GMT

Planning to plan

This week Jamie is in his office surrounded by the fragrant smell of sharpies and dry erase markers. Over the weekend the CP held their annual planning retreat and now it's time to take all the information and put it together into an action plan for the season. Also discussed are program advertising opportunities, season tickets, and an update on rehearsals for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.

Monday Moment 8.5.19

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 17:35:36 GMT

Not a lot, but a lot

This week we're up on top of the set for HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME that continues to make great construction progress. We also talk about upcoming events like registration for this fall's semester of Acting Up, ordering season tickets, and Jamie pleads for people to ask questions so he doesn't have to ramble during next week's video.

CP part of Gage county's first giving day

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 20:10:01 GMT

Funds raised will help kick start several building repairs

CP is excited to participate in the first Big Give Gage day Sept. 10. Big Give Gage is a 24-hour time of giving where Gage County area supporters are invited to give back to their favorite local charities and help them earn valuable matching funds.

The goal of this community-wide giving event is to match Gage County area supporters’ passions and generosity with local nonprofit organizations already doing great work. Through the combined participation of all people who love and care about the Gage County area, we can significantly impact the future of our beloved community.

Big Give Gage will run from 12:00AM on Tuesday, September 10th to 11:59pm on Tuesday, September 10th. Participating sponsors and non-profit organizations will be collecting donations on the day of the Big Give. All donations collected will be used locally by the non-profits.

Bonus Funds for Big Give Gage made possible by the Gage County Foundation, and additional local sponsors. Website sponsored by the Gage County Foundation and Apt Web Development. Keep watching for more information and learn more at www.biggivegage.org

About our project

Rarely is there a day without a performance, concert, event, or rehearsal taking place at Community Players’ downtown Beatrice venue. All that activity means the building, which has housed the theatre since 1981, is in need of some repairs and TLC. The Big Give goal of $5,000 will kick start a larger, approximately $50,000 building repair effort that will allow the facility to continue serving as an entertainment and cultural hub for the community.

What needs to be repaired? There are several critical and secondary elements that need work throughout the building. Some of the major items include:

Roof . There are several leaks in various parts of the building. Fortunately none are above the audience (yet), but some are above the stage area and multiple are backstage.
Water . When it rains water enters the building from under most of the building’s emergency exits. There have also been several plumbing issues recently, including a water main break, and a burst pipe in the lobby restrooms (during a show).
Air conditioning . The backstage AC unit is original to the initial 1981 renovation of the building.
General building repairs . It has been nearly 20 years since major maintenance has been done on the exterior of the building, this includes the front door which needs replaced, and stucco repair.
Equipment replacement . Several major pieces of production equipment are nearing the ends of their expected life-spans including lighting controls and stock scenery.

How will all these projects be paid for if today’s goal of $5,000 is just the kick start? The funds raised today will be combined with other resources, and used as matching funds for grant applications making your contribution today even more impactful.

Monday Moment 7.29.19

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 00:38:19 GMT

Meet the "belles" of Notre Dame

This week we take a look at the amazing set progress that took place for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME over the weekend. Then we meet some dazzling ladies who are the "belles" (bad pun intended) of Notre Dame. Plus, Jamie reminds us about the concert with Tonic Sol-Fa at CP this week, the student ticket lottery and the nominations for the Mary Ellen Morgan Award. All that and more in this week's Monday Moment.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME cast list

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 16:14:53 GMT

Wow! What a great turn out and talent at auditions! Thank you so much everyone who auditioned. We know it may seem like we say this a lot, but this was a very difficult decision process. Everyone was so good!!

Read thru will be Tuesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at the theatre. Scripts can be picked up at the theatre prior to that, or at read thru.

We are still looking to add as many as three men to the choir. Minimal rehearsals and no memorization. Please contact the theatre to arrange an audition.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Cast List

Dom Claude Frollo – Mike Fox

Quasimodo – Connor Husa

Phoebus De Martin – Noah Snurr

Esmeralda – Anna Erikson

Clopin Trouillefou – Konnor Kiesel

Acting Ensemble (Major roles listed below, additional roles and breakdown of the solo narration songs will be assigned during rehearsal)

Jehan Frollo – Pat Marlatt

Father Dupin – Callan Williams

Florika – Elena Rinne

Frederic Charlus – Adam Umland

King Louis XI – Callan Williams

Official – Kurt Conradt

Madame – Lizzy Veverka

Saint Aphrodisius – Marshall Tuttle

Ariason James

Jenny Sutphin

Zoe Tien*

Morgan Tunink

Choir

Chase Corcoran*

Lisa Emeigh*

Linda Hemmert*

Heidi Krieger

Kari Knievel

Maya Moran*

Karen Reynolds

Mary Beth Tuttle

Doug Stokebrand

Nolan Marlatt

Eric Forrest

* CP regular season debut

Stage Manager – Sterling Johnson

Assistant Stage Manager – (this position is open, contact if interested)

Tickets on sale dates:

Season Ticket holders - Aug. 19

General Public - Aug. 26

2018-2019 Volunteer Award Winners

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 19:57:06 GMT

On Friday, June 28 we held our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. That night we recognized all of the time and work spent in all of our various volunteer areas during the 2018-2019 Season. Below are the official winners of each award, but ALL volunteers are winners in our book!

Backstage Award
Honoring Stage Managers, Assistant Stage Managers, Run Crew, Orchestra, Rehearsal Accompanists, & Set Construction
KURT CONRADT

Booth Award
Honoring Lights and Sound
ASHLEY HOTHAN

Front of House Award
Honoring House Managers, Ushers, and Box Office volunteers
RHONDARAE HENDERSON

Creative Award
Honoring Acting, Set Painting, Set Decoration, Costumes, Props, Hair and Makeup
ELIZABETH VEVERKA

Stage Door Award
Honoring all production areas involved with Stage Door productions
JOHN SPILKER

Volunteer of the Year
Honoring the volunteer who worked the most and in the most different areas
ELIZABETH VEVERKA

PINKERTON!!! cast list

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 20:25:04 GMT

Thank you to all of the talented performers who auditioned for PINKERTON!!!

Read thru will take place on Monday, June 17 from 9 a.m. - noon at the theatre. Scripts and rehearsal schedules will be distributed at that time.

Pinkerton!!!

Cast List

The Professor -- Gracin Hahn

Pinkerton -- Fischer Ensz

Emily -- Cecily Wiedel

Mother -- Bailey Schwab

Grandmother -- Ashton Hofeling-Hyberger

Dr. Aleasha Kibble -- Raquel Moore

Owner 1, Reporter 1, Mrs. Gray -- Emmy Hoefer

Owner 2, Reporter 2, Mr. Arno -- Jackson McNiff

Owner 3, Reporter 3, Deliveryperson -- Callen Behrends

Billy, Spot -- Alex Venneman

Ronald -- Peyton Raber

Aisha -- Taionna Farley-Martin

Demi -- Alayna McGinty

Kim -- Leena Tunink

Sally -- Sofie Poole

Sam -- JaeLeigh Askew

Jared -- Jude Tomlinson

Jake -- Sawyer Crumrine

Jane -- Emma Spencer

Dr. Kibble's Assistant -- Ethan Dreesen

Paperboy -- Connor Lottman

Museum Assistant 1, Rover -- Ethan Rosenthal

Museum Assistant 2 -- Sienna Orth

Museum Assistant 3 -- Mallory Schwab

Fifi -- Kate Ideus

Blue/Gold Kicker -- Kiptyn Behrends

Blue/Gold Center -- Garrett Ideus

Blue/Gold Holder -- Devin Viveros

Referee -- Braxton Trauernicht

Announcer -- Ryleigh McColery

Policewoman -- Marie Slama

Security Guard -- David Maurstad

Dinosaur Egg Student -- Eloise Maurstad

Burglar -- Brady Kujath

Ensemble roles, including: Football players, Cheerleaders, Fans, Penguins, Dinosaurs, Museum Assistants, Museum Guards, Puppeteers, and more!

Arianna Vasquez, John Slama, Raven Foster, Shayle Lautenschlager, Avery Busboom, Rozlyn Ferguson, Chris Slama, Kaylynn Harder

Stage Managers - Marshall Tuttle & Ty Young

Director – Tyler Rinne

Tickets go on sale: July 8

Monday Moment 6.10.19

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 16:51:30 GMT

Dogs! Dogs everywhere!

This week Elena takes over the Monday Moment video (because Tyler is auditioning "Pinkerton!!!" and Jamie actually took a day off). She talks about all the dog-related things happening at the theatre including the special treats available in the lobby during the run of "Lucky Stiff" that support both CP and the Beatrice Humane Society. Oh, and it's Elena's birthday this week.

Monday Moment 6.3.19

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 15:01:40 GMT

The tribulations of tech week

It's the beginning of tech week for LUCKY STIFF. No tech week is complete with some bizarre mishaps. Watch the video to find out the lengths we will go to keep rehearsals on schedule. We also have an inception-style moment when we run into the LUCKY STIFF vlog being filmed, and tell you how you can make your pets happy by coming to CP the next two weeks.

Monday Moment 5.27.19

Mon, 27 May 2019 17:29:34 GMT

A special Memorial Day message

This week we share a note we received last week talking about the impact our WWI program this fall had a local family and how their veteran family member is being honored for his service during WWI.

The arts can make a difference in more ways than you think.

Reflective and thankful

Tue, 21 May 2019 13:49:53 GMT

I am quickly coming up on the end of my second year as President of Community Players’ Board of Directors and I have been feeling reflective. What have the last two years meant to me? What have I brought to the organization? What has the organization taught me?

There is no short, cute, or exceedingly profound answer. I have learned things you would expect; how the organization functions on a day to day basis, how the employees bring heart and soul to our mission, how absolutely astounding our volunteers are, and how patient my family is with my being absent.

I’ve also learned a lot of things that aren’t so easily measured or tangible. I’ve learned how to be a stronger leader and how to move outside of my comfort zone to talk to a lot of new people. I learned that I’m an innovative fundraiser and can work as hard as anyone else on a project that I am passionate about. I’ve learned how to set firm boundaries for myself and how to mostly stick to them.

Maybe most importantly I’ve learned how much this theatre and community means to me. I know how far I will go to foster the arts in Southeast Nebraska and in our schools. I know that I wouldn’t be the person I am today, setting new goals, learning new things, and building strong relationships without Community Players.

So, as I near the end of this term and look into the next year, thank you volunteers, employees, and patrons for making this theatre a priority in our community.

Morgan Tunink

Board President

Monday Moment 5.13.19

Mon, 20 May 2019 20:16:15 GMT

CP goes to the dogs

Jamie was out of the office so it became bring your dog to Monday Moment day for Tyler. It actually ties into the two dog-themed upcoming shows at CP, so we'll let it slide. LUCKY STIFF involves a man trying to complete a final request for his dead uncle in order to inherit $6 million, otherwise the money goes to his uncle's favorite dog home. Tickets go on sale next week for season ticket holders. Registration is open for our Stars of Summer production PINKERTON!!! a play for young performers based on the series of books about a disastrous great dane.

Monday Moment 5.13.19

Mon, 13 May 2019 17:29:15 GMT

Holy cow that was fast

Many people dread coming into work on a Monday morning. This week at CP that dread turned to excitement as we discover the amazing amount of set construction progress that took place over the weekend.

We also give a special shout out to area graduates, and talk about an upcoming special concert this Saturday at the theatre.

Monday Moment 5.6.19

Mon, 06 May 2019 18:25:56 GMT

Is it safe to come out now?

This week Jamie is in hiding under the lobby concession stand because middle school students frighten him. After Elena assures him it's safe to come out they talk about the successful run of our Acting Up spring production and upcoming opportunities for students this summer.

Elena then shares how LUCKY STIFF rehearsals are going, and they make some bad dog puns.

Monday Moment: 4.29.19

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:01:08 GMT

The tech is dark and full of terrors

With apologizes to "Game of Thrones" fans this week finds Jamie reenacting his favorite moment from a certain TV show until Tyler turns on the lights and discusses tech week for THE LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET.

We then go on to recap the season announcement that took place last week and encourage people to order season tickets and to make sure they get their tickets to LAST TICKET... opening this week!

Announcing the 19-20 Season

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 15:23:29 GMT

9 shows to get you excited to step out of the house and show up!

On April 22 we announced the productions in our 2019-2020 Season. A terrific mix of family shows, entertaining musicals, and fun plays.

Regular Season:

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
RIPCORD
GREETINGS
SHIPWRECKED! THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF LOUIS DE ROUGEMONT (AS TOLD BY HIMSELF)
FLAMING IDIOTS
MAMMA MIA

Stage Door Series:

PINKERTON!!
THE ISLAND OF DR. LIBRIS
THE SCARECROW AND HIS SERVANT

Click here to learn more about the shows

Monday Moment 4.22.19

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 20:29:40 GMT

So you wrote that?

This week we talk to Tyler about writing and directing the Acting Up production THE LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET. Tyler shares with us his writing process and what it's like to direct the 33 - student cast in the upcoming world premiere production. The show opens next week with tickets on sale Monday, April 29.

Looking ahead at the rest of the week we talk about our season preview event, which is tonight (Monday, April 22) where we will officially announce the 2019-2020 Season, plus discussion of upcoming meetings, read thru of LUCKY STIFF and more.

LUCKY STIFF cast list

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 16:38:39 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for LUCKY STIFF!

Read thru will be on Tuesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m . at the theatre. Cast members watch your emails for a message from our Virtual Callboard system. We are looking forward to having a lot of fun with this show!

Lucky Stiff

Cast List

Harry Witherspoon -- Steve Pearson*
Annabel Glick -- Elena Rinne
Rita La Porta -- Lisa Steiner
Vinnie Di Ruzzio -- Noah Snurr
Luigi Gaudi -- Callan Williams
Man 1 -- Brandon Clark ( Lorry Diver, Solicitor, Man on Train, Clothing Salesman, Emcee, Croupier, Nun, Old Texan )
Man 2 -- Michael Lecher* ( Telegram deliverer, Vicious Punk, Mr. Loomis, French Waiter, Bellhop, Dapper Gambler, Leper )
Woman 1 -- Lizzy Veverka ( Landlady, Miss Thorsby, Nurse, Southern Lady #1, Drunken Maid )
Woman 2 -- Ashley Hothan ( Spinster, Southern Lady #2, Dominique Du Monaco )
The body of Anthony Hendon -- Kurt Conradt

* Regular Season CP debut

Stage Manager – Ariason James

Assistant Stage Managers – Gail Mann, Allana Daubendiek

Director – Jamie Ulmer

Music Director – Rachel Kornfeld-Lambrecht

Tickets on sale for First Nighter patrons: May 24

Tickets on sale for subscribers: May 28

Tickets on sale for general public: June 3

Monday Moment 4.15.19

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 18:50:51 GMT

A Grab Bag o' Fun

There is always a lot happening at CP, but this week seems to be particularly busy. To make sure we talk about everything going on we reached into our “grab bag o’ fun.”

THE LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET. Our Spring Acting Up production is coming up May 3-5, with tickets going on sale April 29. This is an original show written by Tyler Rinne for our after school program. It is the fourth original show Tyler has written for the program that features students in grades 5-8.
2019-2020 Season. Be sure to join us at the theatre Monday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. for our season announcement party. We’ll unveil all the shows and special events that we’ll be producing and hosting in the new season. It will also be your first chance to order season tickets.
Auditions LUCKY STIFF. Monday and Tuesday nights are auditions for our season closing musical comedy LUCKY STIFF. The show needs six men, and four women. It’s a fun musical from the writers of such shows as RAGTIME, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, ANASTASIA, and SEUSSICAL.
SOUTHERN COMFORTS. A special thank you to the cast and crew of our recently completed production of SOUTHERN COMFORTS. Also, a shout out to everyone who came and helped with strike on Sunday. The set came down in record time!

Monday Moment - 4.8.19

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 16:40:34 GMT

Mr. Jamie's Neighborhood

Every Monday (more or less) we are live on Facebook talking about behind the scenes aspects of the organization, giving you a look into what it takes to run CP, or just general goofiness. Our plan is to begin re-posting these videos here every week.

This week Jamie "stops by" the home of Gus and Amanda, only to discover that the SOUTHERN COMFORTS cast is not at home. Instead he breaks into their house and sits down to discuss what he does when a guest director is directing a regular season show.

We also talk about audience responses to the first week of SOUTHERN COMFORTS and preview next week's auditions for LUCKY STIFF.

Never too late for love

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 17:28:09 GMT

Proving that age is just a number, CP’s spring comedy explores the joys and pitfalls of finding love later in life.

“Southern Comforts” charms its way into your heart this April 5-7, 12-14.

A second chance at love does not come easy for a grumpy old widower, glued to the ballgame on his TV, and the hot-to-trot Southern widow that suddenly struts into his life. This funny and touching play about finding love when you least expect is sure to warm even the grumpiest of hearts.

Trevor Kern, most familiar to CP audiences for his various comedic and musical turns, jumps into the director’s chair to helm this production.

“I like the unconventional love story; two people, who have completed a lot of their life journey already, discover each other and find that maybe they have a few adventures left. It also speaks to me as someone who has yet to commit to someone, is set in his ways, and worries about what will happen when the time comes,” Kern said. “It’s a great story with two wonderful characters.”

Gus is content living in his large New England home by himself, doing what he wants when he wants. Then one day Amanda, visiting her daughter in the area, knocks on his door and the two of them are thrown for a loop. There’s a spark that develops between them and eventually the question transforms into how do two people with a full lifetime already combine everything for a fresh start?

One of the key things that Kern sees in this romantic comedy is the issue of hope.

“I want the audience to walk away from this show with hope. Whether it’s hope that they will find love no matter what age they are. Or hope that they can overcome life’s challenges with communication, compromise, and hard work. Or hope that they will be able to take advantage of opportunities that come knocking on their door,” he said.

Playing the pair are two actors who are no strangers to the CP stage. Gary Thompson plays the slightly grumpy Gus and Judy Anderson plays the energetic full of life Amanda. Thompson and Anderson both appeared in CP’s production of “South Pacific” (2008) though they didn’t share any scenes in that production. Now they share an entire show.

“At its base, the show is about relationships and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise,” Kern said.

Make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to experience this wonderfully entertaining comedy this April.

SOUTHERN COMFORTS cast list

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 21:31:14 GMT

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the show. What a great turnout. We apologize for the delay and appreciate everyone's patience waiting for the list.

Read thru is Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

Cast list

Gus....Gary Thompson

Amanda....Judy Anderson

Q&A with Matt and Marissa

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 20:39:40 GMT

Learn more about the MARY POPPINS choreographers

In this Q&A we talk with Marissa Saure and Matt Osmotherly. The duo are choreographing the upcoming “Mary Poppins” in addition to both playing roles in the show. They have both appeared previosuly at CP, most recently in “James and the Giant Peach,” and they have choreographed our productions of “White Christmas” and “The Producers.”

What sparked each of your interests in choreography?
MS: I grew up with no technical dance training, but was involved in musicals, flagline, and choir groups that would add movement to their performances. I grew to love the energetic and fun aspects of those performances, as well as the personal expression you were able to add to sort of make the dance your own. I’ve loved dance ever since and jump at the opportunity to be involved in projects that involve dance. I’ve choreographed a few other projects--including two other shows with Matt--and have been appointed Dance Captain for multiple productions I’ve been in. While I wish I had grown up in dance, I’m so grateful for the abilities I’ve been blessed with and the opportunity to continue to improve and grow my skills!
MO: I’ve been dancing since seventh grade and started out with Ballroom, Tap, and Hip Hop. I was able to collaborate with a friend in high school on the number “Friendship” from “Anything Goes,” and from there really enjoyed using it as a creative outlet. Since then I’ve been asked to be Dance Captain for many productions I’ve been involved in, so the chance to use the skill and come up with choreography for a whole entire musical has been very exciting. This will be the third show that Marissa and I have choreographed together.

Having a partner to choreograph with, does it make it easier or harder than doing it solo?
It makes it easier in the sense that we can throw ideas off of each other, and if you’re struggling while coming up with choreography or finishing a section, the other person can help fill in the gaps. It can make it harder if we don’t agree on something or have a different vision for a particular part, because then we have to come to a compromise.

Do you guys have a particular method of collaborating?
Sometimes we split sections up so that we can each go off and work on different parts, then meet back up and piece the number together. Most of the time we listen to the song and both throw out ideas as they come to us; sometimes our ideas are similar, which is fun. :) During rehearsal, we also usually pass teaching back and forth pretty seamlessly. Communication and having formations figured out ahead of time is super helpful for the rehearsal process.

You are both in the show as well as choreographing it. Does that create any additional challenges?
This is the first time either one of us has been in a show and choreographed it at the same time. Finding time to choreograph in the midst of all of the rehearsals and our busy schedules is the biggest challenge, as we have to focus on getting choreography done in time, while also getting to know our characters and parts.
It also can be challenging to be onstage and in the numbers when we run them, because it takes away from time we would normally have to sit back and take note of things that might need changed, fixed, etc.

What moments of choreography are you most eager to share with the audience?
Lots of moments. Elements of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (yes, we spelled that by singing the song out loud). We and the cast have put a lot of hard work into a certain section that was a bit more challenging, and we are excited for everyone to see how much dedication and energy everyone has channeled into the number. We won’t go into more detail, as you all will just have to come see the show to know what we’re talking about. :)

Sometimes actors are not the best dancers. Do you guys have any particular tricks or tips for people who consider themselves singers and actors, but not dancers?
Practice, practice, practice! Muscle memory is your friend. Learning feet first and then adding arms can be helpful. Don’t get discouraged. With practice and focus you can get it down! Testing yourself and being confident is also a great practice; people can tend to watch others when they’re unsure, but then that makes you reliant on the people in front of you.

What do you hope the audience takes away after seeing “Mary Poppins”?
We hope the audience leaves joyful and uplifted from the humor, choreography, music, characters they’ve gotten to know, and the message of the importance of family, kindness, and imagination.

LAST TICKET...cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 16:45:16 GMT

Cast for our spring Acting Up show!

The Last Ticket out of Thistleberry Thicket - Cast List
Character	Actor
Emeline	Emmy Hoefer
Mayor Fluster D. Blusterbuck	Trey Baehr
Curtis J. Magpie	Nolan Marlatt
Osgood Fruits-Pickle	Alex Venneman
Ofelia Fruits-Pickle	Makenna Blum
Harriet Vole	Arihanna Marlatt
Barty Batwing	Callen Behrends
Ms. Cinnamons	Margee Jane Harvey
Shermy Snail	Jude Tomlinson
Foggy Froggy Freeman	Maddox DeBoer
Cindy-Lou Fruits-Pickle	Olivia Eckert
Reva Hedgehog	Ashton Hofeling-Hyberger
Ms. Sparrow	Emily Allen
Delores Mousy	Cecily Wiedel
Maxine Mousy	Myah Hood
Brunilda Badger	Grace Ideus
The Thistleberry Thicket One-Man Cricket Band	Bryson Bates
Cheeky Chipmunk	Peyton Raber
Lawrence Lightning Bug	Sawyer Crumrine
Florence Firefly	Sophie Gleason
Flappy	Halle Leonard
Hugh	Joseph Bates
Mrs. Mallory Mallard	Jalen Reiman
Sally Salamander	Sofie Poole
Amanda Salamander	Jasmine Petet
Brixby Bee	Monet Baehr
Punkin	Anna Hamilton
Hop-Along Roy	Ethan Dreesen
Little Tobias Turtle	David Maurstad
PJ 'Possum	Devin Viveros
Hammy Hummingbird	Jaedyn Baxa
Benny Beetle	Garret Ideus
Betty Beetle	Taionna Farley-Martin

Respect for the kids

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:56:14 GMT

From the CP Board President

Whether it is high school kids or elementary school kids, their 10th show with us or their first, I am blown away by the talent of our youth in Beatrice.

There is so much that I admire happening in our after school and summer programs for kids in late elementary and middle school. The focus of my musings for this newsletter are the kids that take part in the main stage shows.

Last night the cast of “Mary Poppins” was working on the choreography for “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, it was not easy. We have a few high school students a middle schooler, and one elementary student taking on different roles in this production. Those kids were working just as hard, if not more so than the adults in the cast. Learning and practicing their dance steps with enthusiasm and energy that the more senior cast members (myself included) couldn’t help but envy.

They do all of this work memorizing, singing, and dancing while still going to school. Not only do they go to school, but they play a sport, or an instrument, or are in show choir, or take part in our Stage Door productions. For these kids, theater isn’t just a choice, it is a way of life. And I will keep looking up to the amazing youth I continue to interact with on and off stage. Way to go kids!

Morgan Tunink

Board President

MARY POPPINS cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 22:18:36 GMT

Wow!! Thank you so much to EVERYONE who auditioned for MARY POPPINS. It was the biggest turn out we've had for auditions for a regular season show in several years, which made the casting decisions very very difficult. We could have filled many roles several times and had just as strong of a cast. WE TRULY APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO AUDITIONED, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Read through will be Thursday, Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. at the theatre. Scripts may be picked up prior to then, but not required. (Please note the theare office will not be open for regular hours Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.)

Cast members, please watch your emails for instructions for logging into our Virtual Callboard system, and additional announcements. THANK YOU!

Mary Poppins

Cast list

Bert	Matt Osmotherly
George Banks	Mike Fox*
Winifred Banks	Naomi Lutze
Jane Banks	Arihanna Marlatt
Michael Banks	David Maurstad
Mrs. Brill	Heidi Krieger
Mary Poppins	Jean Spilker
Robertson Ay	Adam Umland
Katie Nanna	Collette Williams
Policeman	Chris Gabriel
Miss Lark	Chris Obbink
Admiral Boom	Doug Stokebrand
Park Keeper	Kurt Conradt
Bank Chairman	David Montgomery
Von Hussler	Kurt Conradt
John Northbrook	Trevor Kern
Neleus	Konner Kiesel
Miss Corry	Lizzy Veverka
Bird Woman	Marissa Saure
Miss Andrew	Amy Hansen
Valentine	Konner Kiesel
Ensemble	Morgan Tunink, Beth Anne Viessman, Holly Fischer, Jillian Hansen, Tina Rowe, Patrick Marlatt

Stage Manager – Zach Anderson

Assistant Stage Manager – Sterling Johnson

* CP regular season debut

SEASONAL ALLERGIES cast list

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:01:47 GMT

Cast announced for holiday comedy

Thank you to all of the very talented people who auditioned!

Read-Through will be held TUESDAY, October 23 at the theatre, starting at 7:00 PM.

Scripts may be picked up prior to the first rehearsal during regular business hours. Please watch your email for information from our VirtualCallboard system.

SEASONAL ALLERGIES

Cast List

Julia Shelby	Laura Maurstad*
Thomas Shelby	Sterling Johnson
Charlie Shelby	David Maurstad*
Pete Dumbowski	Trevor Kern
J.D. Cusimano	Brandon Clark
Alison Cusimano	Morgan Tunink
Emily Cantwell	Stacey Troxel*

*CP regular season debut

Hiring 2018-2019 Production Positions

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Be part of next season at Community Players!

Community Players is currently hiring the following production positions for the 2018-2019 Season. To apply or for more information please contact Managing Artistic Director Jamie Ulmer at director@beatricecommunityplayers.com .

Guest Director UNNECESSARY FARCE. Audition and rehearsals begin mid-July, production opens Aug. 24.
Music Director SOUND OF MUSIC. Auditions will be held mid-December with rehearsals beginning early January. Production runs Feb. 15-17, 22-24.
Guest Director SOUTHERN COMFORTS. Auditions and rehearsals begin late-February, show opens April 5.
Music Director LUCKY STIFF. Auditions and rehearsals begin mid-April, show runs June 7-9, 14-16.

These are all paid positions.

2018-2019 Season Announcement

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Our 2018-2019 Season is the chance to DISCOVER, CONNECT, INSPIRE our entire community. Be part of the excitement. Season Tickets are now on sale!

Regular Season

UNNECESSARY FARCE (farce) Aug. 24-26, 31-Sept. 1, 2018
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED (Agatha Christie murder mystery) Oct. 12-14, 19-21, 2018
SEASONAL ALLERGIES (holiday comedy) Dec. 7-9, 14-17, 2018
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (musical classic) Feb. 15-17, 22-24, 2019
SOUTHERN COMFORTS (romantic comedy) April 5-7, 12-14, 2019
LUCK STIFF (musical farce) June 7-9, 14-16, 2019

Stage Door Series

DISNEY'S THE LION KING, JR (Stars of Summer musical) July 19-22, 2018
THE HOBBIT (Acting Up) Nov. 16-18, 2018
THE LAST TICKET OUT OF THISTLEBERRY THICKET (Acting Up - world premiere new work) May 3-5, 2019

One Night Only Special Event Series

Big Canvas Improv - Aug. 3, 2018
Will Rogers in the 21st Century - Jan 17, 2019
Players Variety Cabaret - March 9, 2019

Volunteer Celebration

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Tue, 31 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners of our 2017/2018 Volunteer Awards!

OUTSTANDING BACKSTAGE VOLUNTEER: Mason Gustafson
OUTSTANDING BOOTH VOLUNTEER: Ashley Hothan
OUTSTANDING FRONT OF HOUSE VOLUNTEER: Rhondarae Henderson
OUTSTANDING CREATIVE VOLUNTEER: Missy Marlatt and Lizzy Veverka
OUTSTANDING STAGE DOOR VOLUNTEER: Matt Price
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Ashley Hothan

Thank you so much to ALL of our hard-working and talented volunteers! See you next season!

WWI Centential Project

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

November 11, 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the treaty which ended WWI. To mark this occasion CP is collaborating with several area organizations to present a special remembrance program.

We are collecting local stories about individuals who fought in, or were impacted by the war. These stories and other pieces of local history will be combined with songs from the era for a unique staged reading event.

The final program will be presented for the public Sunday, Nov. 11. The time and location will be announced in the coming weeks. A free will donation will be collected that day with a portion of the proceeds going to Veterans’ Memorial Park.

If you have a local story or information that has been passed down through your family to share you can bring it to the theatre, the Gage County Museum, or the Beatrice Public Library. You can also submit your stories online by clicking here .

Deadline for submitting stories is Aug. 31. Special thanks to the museum and library who are collaborating with us on this project and assisting with research.

Wishlist

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Theatre Wish list

You can help us defray the costs of producing top-quality live entertainment and arts education by donating the following items:

White photocopier paper
Colored photocopier paper
Toilet paper
3-ring binders
Yellow legal pads
General cleaning supplies
General office supplies
Filing cabinets
Large clear plastic totes
Clothes steamer
Dryel refill sheets
9 volt batteries
Gift cards/gift certificates to area businesses (Mead Lumber, Sack Lumber, Eakes Office, Walmart, Shopko, etc.)
Gift cards to area restaurants (for volunteer appreciation events, guest artists meals)
Amazon gift card
Rehearsal space
Long term storage space (for large furniture and set pieces)
Financial donations
Include CP in your long term, estate, or memorial gift planning
Volunteer your time for one of our many projects

CP hosts Arts Advocacy event

director@beatricecommunityplayers.com (Community Players) — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Rally in Support for the National Endowment for the Arts

Join Nebraskans in celebrating the nationwide day of activism for the arts during Nebraskans for the Arts Advocacy Day on March 13.

Arts Advocacy Day is an opportunity to have your voice heard. Join forces with arts organizations and fellow citizens to emphasize the value of arts in your community. By reaching out to local, state, and national legislators you can show them the importance of supporting arts funding and positive arts legislation.

The Trump administration budget once again wants to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, Humanities, Public Broadcasting and other cultural programs that enrich our country.

Community Players benefits from this funding. While CP does not directly receive an NEA grant, the Nebraska Arts Council receives funding which is distributed throughout the state, including to CP. Elimination of the NEA will impact the work we do for you here in Beatrice. The arts enjoy broad bi-partisan support and our advocacy efforts last year defeated a similar proposal.

What can you do?

Come in and tell your your story. We will have have letter and postcard writing stations set up in our lobby between noon and 5 p.m. We will also have a computer set up which will guide you through writing your own email to send to our representatives in Washington D.C. We will also have social media tools for you tell your story and and share. By working together we can make an impact. Plus we'll have free popcorn all day!

Can't make it into the theatre that day? You can still make your voice heard use this link to write your own arts impact email: https://votervoice.net/ARTSUSA/Campaigns/47344/Respond

Check back for more information as the event gets closer.