What s Your Defining Moment? Everyone who has ever been involved with The Community Players has that one special memory. We call these memories Defining Moments. Some Moments are small, others are big. Some involve that first time setting foot onstage, others don t involve being onstage at all. Defining Moments not only help to shape an individual, they also help to shape TCP. We re asking the players of TCP to share their stories, their memories and their reasons for being part of TCP. These experiences will continue to shape us, as they have over the past 29 years.
Please submit your Defining Moment no later than June 15th! Everyone who submits a Defining Moment will be eligible to win one of 15 personal head shot photo sittings with TCP s professional photographer, Scott Williams. Scott took stunning pictures of this year s production not just the performances, but the days and weeks leading up to opening night. Scott is graciously donating his time to TCP, and we are very appreciative of everything he has done for us this year! On the following pages are some of our favourite Defining Moments from the past. Please send your Defining Moment to onstage@thecommunityplayers.com
A Truck Groupie Is Born With TCP, the most important things remain the same: My wonderful friends are still there, I get to share that time of year with my dad, Charlie, and our truck is there. My first experience with the truck (our storage trailer) was spending the entire day passing stuff in, and handing the same stuff back out. I felt productive. I was one of the guys that day. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Through the years, I have been there for the emptying of the truck to find the exact piece of wood Brent or Wayne Roth remembered from years ago. I have been there for the chain-ganging to get lumber out and to put it back in. Back and forth. Same wood. Often never used. How many fingerprints does each piece have on it? In 2005 we were introduced to a new member of the TCP family: a NEW trailer ( truck 2? ). I look forward to showing new members the fun of taking things out and puzzle-placing them back in. The trucks have helped me to define my role in TCP. My encounters with them and the fun of the work team will continue to mark my years with TCP and measure the yearly cycle of productions. If the truck is any indication, our capabilities as a team are limitless. Kalina Seifried cast member, stage manager, production manager, crew, TCP leadership team
Windmills Can Blow Away Your Mind One of my funniest moments came when I played Curly in Oklahoma! I was backstage, marveling at how the windmill worked. It was a great little contraption! Chris Steingart and I were watching it spin round and round as Sara Martin (Laurie) was starting the ballet portion of the scene onstage. She would normally finish her opening dance routine, turn around and I would be there to continue the ballet number. When Sara turned around that night, she was alone onstage. I had missed my cue because I was so busy admiring the windmill. Aren t you suppose to be onstage? Chris asked me. I beelined it to the onstage wings and tried to slow down to normal pace even though my heart was racing. Sara had been ad-libbing in my absence and I am sure she was relieved to see me. When we took each other s hands, Sara's grip seemed a little tighter than on other nights (I was glad they were holding my hands and not around my throat.) It shows that life behind the stage is just as vibrant as what goes on onstage. Most of the moments that I best remember involve things that the audience doesn't even see! I have made lasting friendships within TCP. Rob Grundy cast member
Lumpth Can Be Wontherful One of my Defining Moments happened during my first show, The Music Man (2001). I stood backstage and peeked through the curtain as my 10-year-old son, Aaron, took the stage all by himself as Winthrop, complete with stage lisp, curly blond hair and really ugly brown tweed pants. I couldn't have been prouder! Every curtain call the lump in my throat got bigger and bigger. It was hard to swallow sometimes. It was a good thing that John Cull, the Director, didn't see me whisking the tears away while onstage. I would've been in trouble. Watching your child accept the applause of an audience that is on its feet, and knowing he did it all by himself, is more precious than words. Thank you, TCP. For all of that! Paula Fewkes cast member, assistant stage manager, crew
Trombone Fantasy After Retirement I volunteered for the orchestra in TCP s 2001 production of Cinderella at the age of 60, five years after I had retired. I was overwhelmed by the music that I was given, but with the help and patience of Jen Hoffman, the Musical Director, it all seemed to be coming together by our first rehearsal in the New Hamburg Arena. I couldn't imagine a theatre in an arena. At dress rehearsal I stood and stared with my mouth wide open at the theatre. When Cinderella s carriage came on with the white horses, it seemed I was really imagining everything that was going on around me. That first show was a night that I will never forget. Bill Laight orchestra
A Mother With Edge Opening the first act of Annie Get Your Gun with What the hell is going on here? and hearing gasps from the audience... at nearly every performance is part of my list of Defining Moments. I am the proud mother of three talented stage daughters, and I ve been able to see every one of them in a lead role with TCP. I now have an Irish- Jewish-edgy lingo I can t seem to lose! This comes from learning accents to play an Irish Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof and an ornery Mrs. Foster-Wilson in Annie Get Your Gun. TCP has taught us no divas here...no time. The team effort of the cast and crew work long hours to build sets, design and create costumes, rehearse, build the stage, tear down etc - all with a common goal. Thirty-four years in community theatre didn t prepare me for the thrill of REALLY dancing in Annie Get Your Gun (thank you, Laurel!), and having the chance to play a supporting role in a production for the first time. I am so grateful for the opportunity. Marianne Guistini cast member, hair and make-up designer, hat designer, crew