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January 23, 2012-- Verona Area Community Theater opened its 63rd production, Noises Off, on Friday at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Remaining performances are this week, Thursday through Saturday, January 26, 27, & 28 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for seniors/students.  Check the VACT Tickets Page for all the ways you can get tickets.
January 10, 2012 -- The VACT Board of Directors has chosen High Society for the Fall 2012 production.  Marsha Heuer will direct.  Watch the website for audition information around August.

Based on the Philip Barry play The Philadelphia Story and the 1956 musical screen adaptation with Cole Porter's songs, High Society, the plot centers on pretentious Long Island socialite Tracy Lord, who is planning a June 1938 wedding to an equally pretentious executive when ex-husband Dexter Haven arrives to disrupt the proceedings.  Additional comic complications arise when tabloid reporter Mike Connor, who is there to cover the wedding, also falls for the bride-to-be.

January 9, 2012 -- Be sure to order your tickets for VACT's production of Noises Off.  Shows will be January 20, 21, 26, 27, & 28 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, January 22 at 2:00 PM at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for seniors/students.  Check the VACT Tickets Page for all the ways you can get tickets.
December 20, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast list for its 2012 Teen production of GREASE.  Thank you to all 78 who auditioned.  Please see the important information for cast members at the link below.
December 13, 2011 -- Thank you to all 152 children that auditioned for Seussical Junior and Welcome to the Jungle.  Please help your children understand that we are just not able to cast everyone.  Our practice space is not set up to accommodate everyone that auditioned effectively.  It becomes both a safety issue as well as an enjoyment factor for all involved.  We are committed to providing a rewarding theatrical experience for each and every child and minimizing the cast size is what allows us to do this.  Please encourage your child to try again next year.

For those children that are on the cast list, please let me know ASAP if you do not plan on accepting your part.  Terry@thedvoraks.com

Please remember to watch for an email invite.

IMPORTANT: Please read carefully

Material pick up will take place at the VACT Building from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15 (Please be prepared to pay a $20 administrative fee per child for Seussical Jr. and a $10.00 administrative fee for Welcome to the Jungle.  There is also an optional $10.00 t-shirt payment.  If this is a hardship for anyone, please let me know and we will work something out.

Please contact me if you will not be picking up your materials on Thursday.

Welcome to the Jungle Rehearsal Information

Rehearsals start for everyone on January 22, 12:45-1:30.

Seussical Junior Rehearsal Information

First rehearsal will take place on Sunday, January 15, 3:00 - 5:00 (Select cast members only).  I will be notifying the people that I need to come.

Rehearsals start for everyone on January 22, 3:00 - 5:00 and at 1:30 - 5:00 for some cast members only).  I will be notifying the people that I need to come.

-- Terry

 
December 12, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting proposals for the 2012 "Fall Project" show.  Any VACT member may submit a project proposal, which should include confirmed production staff and whether the production is pre-cast or will be cast by auditions.  Proposals can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Karl Curtis.  The deadline for application is January 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its January meeting.  For more information on Fall Project Selection, please see the VACT Policies page.
November 27, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce auditions for the 2012 VACT Youth Theater production, Grease. Auditions will be December 17 & 18, from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the VACT Rehearsal Building, 405 Bruce St., Verona.

Please plan to audition at only one of the audition dates with the following:

  1. Sing approximately 16 bars of a piece from a musical. Please bring music for the accompanist.
  2. Read a scene from the script to be assigned at auditions.
  3. Dance a brief routine that will be taught at auditions.
  4. Be sure to bring your calendar to list your rehearsal conflicts.
If you have questions please contact Marie Kyle at mkyle@tds.net, or Missy Holcomb at mjhcpm@hotmail.com. Performances will be at the Oregon PAC.  Marie Kyle will direct.
November 9, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast for the VACT winter show, Noises Off.  Thanks to all who auditioned.  First rehearsal, tonight, November 9, at 6:45..
November 1, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce the 2012 VACT Children's Theater productions will be Seussical, Junior, and for the younger kids, Welcome to the Jungle.  See the details in the link, below.  Here are the important dates: Auditions will be held at the VACT building, 405 Bruce Street.  Due to the unavailability of the Verona PAC, dress rehearsals will need to be on Monday and Tuesday, and we won't be able to be on the stage again until Saturday.
October 27, 2011 -- Auditions for Noises Off will be Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8, at 6:30, at the VACT Rehearsal Building, 405 Bruce Street, (NOT the High School).  Callbacks will be on the 8th, beginning at about 8:00.  The first read-through is Wednesday, November 9 at 6:45pm.  Rehearsals begin Monday, November 21!  Auditions will consist of a couple of short improvisation exercises with line readings to follow at callbacks.  Please dress comfortably!  Noises Off performances are January 20-28, with rehearsals Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 6:45pm.
October 18, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce the 2012 VACT Youth Theater production will be Grease, Performances will be at the Oregon PAC.  Marie Kyle will direct.
October 5, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater opens its 21st season with a VACT original production, Undertow: The Musical, written and directed by Verona's Karl Curtis. The show opens on Friday, October 14, 2011 at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances are Friday and Saturday, October 14th and 15th at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee, October 16th at 2:00 PM.  Additional performances are the following Thursday through Saturday, October 20-22 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors and are available by phone, email, snail mail and in person at the Verona Public Library.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
October 5, 2011 -- VACT is accepting applications for director for the Summer 2012 production of Encore! 2012.  Please submit applications to the Board of Directors, in care of VACT President, Karl Curtis.  For information on director selection, see the VACT Policies link on the left.
September 29, 2011 -- Many VACT student actors will be on stage for Verona Area High School Theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical opens tonight and runs through Sunday, October 2nd. 

VACT folks in the cast include Alannah Spencer as the Narrator, Joel Roberts as Joseph, Danny Halminiak, Kolby McConville, Alex Roller, Mike Cashman as the brothers, Jenny Marsland as Mrs. Potiphar and Michael Eddy as Pharaoh.  Also in the cast are: Taylor Weigel, Erin Bormett, Carly Roethlisberger, Frost White, Cassidy Slinger, and .Jenny Noyes.

Rounding out the children's chorus are: Elise Benz, Winter White, Oliie Gauthier, Nathan Lucas, Rachel Nelson, Sapphina Roller, Anna Heinzen, Zaria Roller, Lydia Benz, Ellie Heinzen, and Natalie Long.

Performances are September 29 - October 1 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are available at the door.

September 15, 2011 -- The VACT Annual meeting was held, September 13, at the VACT building.  Here are the results of the voting: Congratulations to the new Board members:  
August 16, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce the 2012 VACT Children's Theater productions will be Seussical, Junior, and for the younger kids, Welcome to the Jungle.  Here are the important dates: Times for auditions, rehearsals and performances will be announced.  Due to the availability of the Verona PAC, dress rehearsals will need to be on Monday and Tuesday, and we won't be able to be on the stage again until Saturday.
September 8, 2011 -- The VACT Annual meeting is Tuesday, September 13, at 7:00 PM at the VACT building.  It's time to catch up on the past year of VACT events.  If you have been involved in any way in a VACT show last year, you are half way to membership.  See below for more information about membership.  As a member, you get to vote for the 2013 winter and summer shows.  The selections are: The Board positions up for election are:  
August 16, 2011 -- Mark you calendars for the VACT Annual meeting, Tuesday, September 13, at 7:00 PM at the VACT building.  It's time to catch up on the past year of VACT events.  If you have been involved in any way in a VACT show last year, you are half way to membership.  See below for more information about membership.  As a member, you get to vote for the 2013 winter and summer shows.  The selections are: Watch your email around the first of September for the 'official' meeting announcement with a membership form you can fill out and also the slate of candidates for the board of directors.
August 16, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is happy to announce the 2012 VACT Children's Theater productions will be Seussical, Junior, and for the younger kids, Welcome to the Jungle.  Here are the important dates: Times for auditions, rehearsals and performances will be announced.  Due to the availability of the Verona PAC, dress rehearsals will need to be on Monday and Tuesday, and we won't be able to be on the stage again until Saturday.
August 16, 2011 -- For the musically challenged members of the VACT family, we are presenting a play for the winter 2012 show.  Noises Off by Michael Frayn, presents a manic menagerie as a cast of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called NOTHING'S ON.  Doors slamming, on- and backstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.

Auditions will be November 7 & 8 at the VACT Building, 405 Bruce St.  Shannon Plunkett will be the director.

August 12, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast for the VACT Original Production, Undertow: The Musical, written and directed by Karl Curtis.  Thanks to all who auditioned.  First rehearsal, Monday, August 15 at 6:45.
July 8, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting proposals for the 2012 VACT Children's Theater and Youth Theater productions.  The deadline for submitting proposals is August 1st.  Send proposals to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Dale Nickels.  For more information on Children's Theater Selection, please see the VACT Policies page.
June 24, 2011 -- The VACT Production Selection Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00 PM in the VACT building music room.  The purpose of the Selection Committee is to present nominations for the 2013 winter and summer shows to be voted on at the annual membership meeting in September.  At the first meeting we will "brain-storm" and create a list of 10-15 shows to read over the summer.  In August the list will be pared down to two winter shows and two summer shows which will be submitted to the board for approval and then to the general membership for voting.  All VACT members are invited to participate in the committee.  For more information contact Selection Committee chair, Marie Kyle.
June 17, 2011 -- VACT's The Wizard of Oz has received great publicity in local media. Here are three links:
June 8, 2011 -- The Verona Area Community Theater is proud to present one of America’s most beloved stories, The Wizard of Oz, at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center beginning Friday, June 17 and running through Saturday, June 25.

The show will feature a flying Wicked Witch, Dorothy, evil monkeys and even a real live Toto!  The cast of Wizard of Oz is 97 munchkins and adult strong.  Verona Area Community Theater was started in 1992 and has since produced over 60 shows ranging from small casts of four to over one hundred.  Extremely talented VACT veteran actors, along with some new faces make this a show you don’t want to miss.

The Wizard of Oz opens at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center on June 17 and runs through June 25.  Show times include June 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25 at 7:30pm and June 19 at 2:00pm.

Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $8 for Senior Citizens and students.  Pick up tickets in person at the Verona Public Library Monday and Tuesdays between 4 and 6 pm, or by calling 608-845-2383, or go to the VACT Ticket Page to order tickets.

This project is supported by the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from The Evjue Foundation, Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times.

May 31, 2011 -- VACT alumni: Jenny Marsland, Roberta Riportella and Tom Hensen are involved in an upcoming production of To Gillian On Her 37Th Birthday, by Michael Brady, the inaugural production of The Sugar River Project, with proceeds benefiting NAMI Dane County (National Alliance on Mental Illness). 

Two years ago Gillian died in a tragic accident, leaving behind a bereft teenage daughter and a guilt-laden grieving husband.  David has refused to move on from the loss of his wife, buying the cottage they used to summer in and living at the beach year round.  Rachel, their daughter, misses her mother but is also ready to get her own life back.  Her father's grief scares her and she looks to her mother's sister, Esther, to help.  Esther, in turn, tries to set David up with another woman, Kevin, in the hope that someone new will help him let go of Gillian.

Directed by Stuart Brooks, featuring Pete Bissen, Tom Hensen, Jenny Marsland, Roberta Riportella, Kathy Lynn Sliter, Jessica Witham, and Libby Zabit. Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com, $20 advance/$25 day of show.

Performances are: Thursday, June 9, 7:30pm, Friday, June 10, 7:30pm, and Saturday, June 11, 4:00pm & 8:00pm.

May 24, 2011 -- Here is the brochure for VACT's summer drama classes and workshops for 2011!  Please feel free to forward this brochure to others that may be interested in the classes, but are new to VACT.

Adults, please be sure to note the special audition class for our members ages 18 and up!

Contact Katie Monk (katiemonk@me.com) for details.
April 14, 2011 -- Thanks to everyone that auditioned.  Here is the cast list. FIRST REHEARSAL is next Monday, April 18 at 6:45 pm at the VACT Building, 405 Bruce Street.
April 5, 2011 -- VACT is accepting applications for director for the Winter 2012 production of Noises Off.  Please submit applications to the Board of Directors, in care of VACT President, Dale Nickels.  For information on director selection, see the VACT Policies link on the left.
March 7, 2011 -- The Verona Area Community Theater is proud to present two scholarships for students actively involved in the fine arts.  This includes the visual arts, music, drama, dance, TV/radio, or technical areas in the theater.  The Senior scholarship is designed to assist graduating seniors who intend to continue studying the fine arts at a college or university.  Students are not required to major in the fine arts, but are expected to continue active participation in the fine arts.  The camp scholarship is designed to assist a current freshman, sophomore or junior planning to further his or her studies in the fine arts by attending a summer camp. The application deadline for both scholarships is April 1st.
March 7, 2011 -- VAHS Theatre Arts will present the eccentric, absurd, original production of Murther! by Jacob Turner --March 18th-20th, 2011 in the VAHS Performing Arts Center.

Miranda Catford is just your ordinary, naive teenage girl who is simply looking for money. She walks into a random house where the door is open and finds immediate employment with the owner of the house, Agatha Catford, a witch who is completely out of her mind. Miranda becomes the maid and is supposed to clean up the already clean house for a dinner party of four with Agatha, her husband Karl, who is a vampire, and her parents Brian and Muriel, a warlock and a witch, respectively. After taking a phone call from a mysterious stranger, Miranda discovers that there is a plot to murther Karl Catford, and the murtherer will be the unexpected guest. As the night progresses and Miranda delves deeper into this house of absolute absurdity, several unexpected guests arrive, including a sorceress, the mayor, Mrs. Claus, a grizzly bear, and a snowman. The first act ends with a gunshot and the characters go wild in their hunt to solve the ancient question: whodunit? However, this absurd play has just as absurd of a final twist.

Murther! has previously been seen as a Staged Reading in May 2009 but this is the first full-blown production. While tackling the darker theme of a murder mystery, the absolute craziness that takes place in the show is sure to delight, entertain, and engage as audiences will witness a story the likes of which they have never seen before. Auditions were held in December and a talented cast of veteran performers and new faces to the VAHS stage began rehearsals in January preparing the show for performance. Students featured in the production include Lindsey Tindall (Miranda Catford), Maddi Peplinski (Agatha Catford), Rebecca Kehl (27!? Catford), Kyle Kretschmann (Karl Catford), Nick Christian (Dave Snowmanson), Veronique Yeo (Mr. Fluffypants), Jeff Anderson (Brian Catford), Jannike Heide (Muriel Catford), Alannah Spencer (Malycivethia Snowmanson), Kristin Hoel (Mrs. Claus), Blake Garcia (Destiny), Natalie Strait (The Mayor), Madeleine Pierce (Grizzle T. Bear), and Sarah Kretschmann (The Woman in Black).

The production will be directed by Jacob Turner with A.J. Schoeberle as Assistant Director, Rebecca Kehl as Tech Mistress, Mary Morris as Props Manager, Hayley Pollei as Stage Manager, Rachel Romens as Assistant Stage Manager, in addition to numerous other hard-working student production staff members. The show also features the work of several veteran VAHS theatre adults, including Steven J Nibbe as Producer/Tech Director, Nancy Horns as the Costume Designer, and Fanny Leung as the Make-Up Designer. Reserved tickets for the production are $10.00 and can be obtained by calling the VAHS Theatre box office at 845-4488.

March 4, 2011 -- Tickets for VACT Children's Theater productions, Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and Stone Soup are $6.00 for reserved seats and can ONLY be purchased at the VACT Building, 405 Bruce Street, Verona each Sunday from 12:30 - 1:00 and 4:30 - 5:00 starting March 13th.  There are no reservations allowed for these tickets.  Tickets can also be purchased at the door but there will be a very limited number of seats available by then.  Show Date: April 23 at 1:00 and 4:00.

Tickets for the VACT Youth Theater production, Footloose are available through the VACT Ticket line, 845-2383, by email at tickets@vact.org, or at the VACT Building, 405 Bruce Street, Verona, every Sunday starting on March 13th from 5:00 - 5:30.  Tickets are $12.00 and $8.00.  Performance Dates are April 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 at the Oregon PAC.  See the VACT Tickets Page for more information. 

March 4, 2011 -- The VACT Board of Directors has chose an original production, Undertow: The Musical, written (book, music and lyrics) by Karl Curtis with additional music and accompaniment by Greg Matysik.  Set at the beach and in the high school of a fictitious American coastal town, the show takes a campy, comedic and ultimately inspiring look at life as a teenage outcast who hopes the greatest scientific discovery of the age will help him land the girl next door.
February 28, 2011 -- Auditions for the VACT summer production, The Wizard of Oz, will be Monday and Tuesday, April 11th & 12th at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning with children at 6:30 p.m.  Please prepare 30 seconds or less of a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, and if you plan to use the accompanist, please bring your own music.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Auditions for children will begin at 6:30, and music/dance/reading auditions for adults will start when the children are done.  Callbacks for lead roles will be Wednesday, April 13th.  Show dates are June 17 - 25, 2011.  Terry Dvorak will be the director.
February 1, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater opens its 58th production, Guys and Dolls, on Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances are Friday and Saturday, February 18th and 19th at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee, February 20th at 2:00 PM.  Additional performances are the following Thursday through Saturday, February 24-26 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors and are available by phone, email, snail mail and in person at the Verona Public Library.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
January 10, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast for the Youth Theater show Footloose. Thanks to everyone who auditioned.

PLEASE NOTE: The cast list has been recently updated. If you did not see your name on the previous list, please check this version.

 
January 10, 2011 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the casts for the Children's Theater shows Beauty and the Beast Jr. and Stone Soup.  Thanks to everyone who auditioned.  
December 8, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast for Guys and Dolls.  Thanks to everyone who auditioned.  
December 8, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting proposals for the 2011 "Fall Project" show.  Any VACT member may submit a project proposal, which should include confirmed production staff and whether the production is pre-cast or will be cast by auditions.  Proposals can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Dale Nickels at dnickels@ipswitch.com.  The deadline for application is January 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its January meeting.  For more information on Fall Project Selection, please see the VACT Policies page.
December 6, 2010 -- Auditions for the VACT winter production, Guys and Dolls, will be Monday and Tuesday, December 6th & 7th at the VACT Building, at 7:00 p.m. (not the PAC this time).  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Audition readings for lead parts will follow.  Callbacks for lead roles will be later Tuesday, about 9:00.  Show dates are February 18 - 26, 2011.  David Watts will be the director.
December 6, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater opened its 20th season Friday with Irving Berlin's White Christmas.  The stage adaptation of the Bing Crosby Christmas classic comes to life on stage at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Remaining performances are this week, Thursday through Saturday, December 9 - 11 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors and are available by phone, email and at the door.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
November 22, 2010 -- After you see VACT's White Christmas, be sure to see more VACT members in CTM's upcoming holiday production of A Wonderful Life.  Appearing in the musical, adapted from the film by Frank Capra, are VACT alumni: Donovan Armbruster (Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun) as Mr. Martini, Rick Henslin (Gaston in Beauty and the Beast) as Tom Bailey, Roberta Riportella (Smokey Joe's Cafe) as Mrs. Hatch, Tom Hensen (Arthur in Camelot) as Henry Potter, Jenny Marsland (Storyteller in Children of Eden), Alex Roller (Who Cadet in Sesusical), Joel Roberts (Tom Sawyer in Tom Sawyer), and Kate Ewings (Guenevere in Camelot).

An "American Christmas Carol" - based on Frank Capra’s beloved film, George Bailey discovers that life really is wonderful because of the love and respect of his community and family.  A grand scale musical presented in the Capital Theater, Overture Center for the Arts.  Performances are December 10 - 23, and ticket prices are $12 to $35. Call 608-258-4141 or visit www.ctmtheater.org.

November 15, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater opens its 57th production, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, on Friday, December 3, 2010.  The stage adaptation of the Bing Crosby Christmas classic comes to life on stage at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances are Friday and Saturday, December 3rd and 4th at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee, December 5th. at 2:00 PM.  Additional performances are the following Thursday through Saturday, December 9 - 11 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors and are available by phone, email, snail mail and in person at the Verona Public Library.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
November 3, 2010 -- VACT Children's Theater announces auditions for next year's productions.  Auditions will be Saturday, January 8, 2011.  See the detailed information, below. Audition information for the VACT Youth Theater production, Footloose will be posted soon.
October 20, 2010 -- Auditions for the VACT winter production, Guys and Dolls, will be Monday and Tuesday, December 6th & 7th at the VACT Building, at 7:00 p.m. (not the PAC this time).  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Audition readings for lead parts will follow.  Callbacks for lead roles will be later Tuesday, about 9:00.  Show dates are February 18 - 26, 2011.  David Watts will be the director.
October 2, 2010 -- VACT is accepting applications for director for the Summer 2011 production of Wizard of Oz.  Please submit applications to the Board of Directors, in care of VACT President, Dale Nickels.  For information on director selection, see the VACT Policies link on the left.
September 22, 2010 -- The Verona High school will present the fall comedy musical whodunit, Curtains (from the creators of Cabaret and Chicago) next week.  Shows are Thursday through Friday evenings Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 at 7:30 PM and Sunday Oct. 3 at 2 PM.  Tickets are reserved seating and $10 for adults and $5 for students.  Contact the box office for ticket information at 845-4488.  Come out and see the show.

Curtains is a send-up of backstage murder mystery plots, set in 1959 Boston, Massachusetts.  It takes its characters on an emotional and artistic adventure.  It is an excellent combination of imagination, one liners, and frivolity with an undertone of dark humor; a unique show that will be enjoyed by the cast as much as by an audience of all ages.  Cast include Jacob Turner (Lieutenant Frank Cioffi), Lindsey Tindall (Niki Harris), Alannah Spencer (Georgia Hendricks), Maddi Peplinski (Carmen Bernstein), Joel Roberts (Aaron Fox), Kyle Kretschmann (Sidney Bernstein), Michael Eddy (Christopher Belling), Sarah Kretschmann (Bambi Bernet), Sam Daering (Daryl Grady), Sam Fauble (Johnny Hatmon), Danny Halminiak (Oscar Shapiro), Ryan Moffat (Bobby Pepper), Jannike Heide (Jessica Cranshaw), and Jeff Anderson (Randy Dexter).  Alyssa Dvorak served as a Producer and Adrienne Kramer stage managed the production.  Many other students are involved in the chorus, backstage help, set construction and pit.  It should be fun for all.  Spread the word.

Tom Hensen will be reprising the role of Arthur in Theatre Unlimited's production of Camelot at the Janesville Performing Arts Center (408 South Main Street, Janesville) on Oct 8th, 9th,14th,15th &smp; 16th @ 7:00 PM., and a 2:00pm Matinee on Oct 10th.  Ticket Prices: $12 (except Thursday Oct. 14th: "Pay-what-you-can" Night); Call 608-758-0297 for reservations.

Kate Ewings (Guenevere in Camelot) will be in the Madison Theatre Guild production, The Glass Menagerie.  This semi-autobiographical account of Tennessee Williams' early days in 1930s St. Louis is a heartbreaking yet often funny memory play told from the perspective of Tom Wingfield. The Glass Menagerie is the story of a family desperate to break free of the burdens of their past and their present. Each escapes into their own personal glass menagerie as a means of eluding the pain of their own - and each other's - existence.
Performances run Friday, October 1 through Saturday, October 16 in the Drury Theatre at The Bartell (113 East Mifflin Street, Madison WI). Check the MTG website for exact performance dates and times.
Tickets are $15. Purchase tickets in advance at http://madisontheatreguild.org/ or in person in the Bartell Lobby starting one hour before the performance. All seating is general admission. Group rates for ten or more do apply. Learn more at: http://madisontheatreguild.org/.

September 14, 2010 -- Congratulations to the new VACT Board members elected at the annual meeting: Contact Dee Baldock if you would like to help in the development of Encore! 2012.
September 10, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the cast for White Christmas.  Thanks to everyone who auditioned.  
August 10, 2010 -- White Christmas auditions are set for Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday September 8 at 7:00 PM at the VACT BUILDING.  Note: NOT the High School.  Although the leads are precast, there are singing and dancing roles available both in the showgirl chorus and the other chorus.  Also, approximately 20 speaking parts and vocal solos will be cast.  We need LOTS of men to be soldiers, dancers, etc.  If you want to audition to be a showgirl dancer, come prepared with tap shoes to dance and everyone should bring a short section of a song to sing.
August 10, 2010 -- Mark you calendars! The VACT Annual Meeting will be Monday, September 13 at 7:00 at the VACT Building.  Come early to register.  We will be voting on new board members and productions for the 2012 season.  The productions are:  
August 10, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the schedule for its 20th season, 2010-2011.  Check the website regularly for more audition announcements.
August 10, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce a Bits of Broadway Theater workshop for children ages 7-12.  The workshops will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15 to 5:30 PM September 14 through October 21.  See the flier and registration form below: Contact Terry Dvorak at Terry@TheDvoraks.com for more information.
July 29, 2010 -- Some VACT members are busy this summer in upcoming productions.  Oregon Straw Hat Players are presenting Meredith Wilson's The Music Man, directed by Wendy Jones Hill (Laurie in VACT's Oklahoma!).  Also performing are Amanda Moschea (Lucy in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Dennis Reichhold (Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, Sami Elmer (Snake and Storyteller in Children of Eden), and Roberta Riportella (in Smokey Joe's Cafe).  Performances are Saturday, July 31st at 8:00 PM, Sunday, August 1st at 2:00 PM, and next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, with a matinee, Saturday, August 7th at 2:00 PM.  Tickets can be purchased online at oshponline.tix.com/.

VACT members involved in Middleton Players Theatre's production of Stephen Sondheim's Company are Marsha Pauly (Cory in Barefoot in the Park) and Hayley Mason (Morgan Le Fey in Camelot) doing choreography, and in the cast are Jerry Pero (Storyteller in Children of Eden) and Ben Johnson (Father in Children of Eden).  Performances are August 13, 14, 19 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, August 21 at 2:00 PM at the Middleton Performing Arts Center.  Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

Appearing in Four Seasons Theatre's production of South Pacific alongside Lodi's Tom Wopat and Verona's Ali Foss, are: Steve Nibbe (VAHS PAC manager, last seen in VACT's Annie), Tom Hensen (Telephone Guy in Barefoot), Rick Henslin (Gaston in Beauty), Dennis Reichhold (see above), Samantha Bock (Eve in Children of Eden), Kate Ewings (Genevieve in Camelot), Jenny Marsland and Sierra Nibbe (Storytellers in Children of Eden), and Joel Roberts (Tom Sawyer in Tom Sawyer).  Shows are August 20 & 21 at 7:30 PM and August 22 at 2:00 PM, at the Wisconsin Union Theater

July 19, 2010 -- The deadline for submitting proposals for the 2011 VACT Children's Theater production is August 1st.  Send proposals to the VACT board in care of Katie Monk.
June 13, 2010 -- Tickets for Verona Area Community Theater's production of Children of Eden are available by phone, e-mail or in person.  Check out the Tickets Page for all the ways to get your tickets.  Children of Eden opens this Friday at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.
June 12, 2010 -- The VACT Production Selection Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 6th at 7:00 PM in the VACT building music room.  The purpose of the Selection Committee is to present nominations for the 2012 winter and summer shows to be voted on at the annual membership meeting in September.  At the first meeting we will "brain-storm" and create a list of 10-15 shows to read over the summer.  In August the list will be pared down to two winter shows and two summer shows which will be submitted to the board for approval and then to the general membership for voting.  All VACT members are invited to participate in the committee.  For more information contact Selection Committee chair, Marie Kyle.
May 22, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is pleased to announce the Summer Drama Camp schedule for 2010!  This year we are excited to offer the following classes: See the brochure, below.  Scholarships are available for those in need.  
April 15, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is very proud to announce the cast list for the Summer 2010 production Children of Eden.  Thank you to everyone that auditioned.  It was a very difficult casting process because of all the talent. The first rehearsal is Monday, April 19, at 6:45 PM, in the VACT Building at 405 Bruce St.  Please bring money for book deposits and staff gifts.  Parents, please plan to stay with your child through announcements.  If you are not accepting your role, please let Phil (213-3828) or Dee (332-7991) know as soon as possible.
Directions to the VACT Rehearsal Building.
April 14, 2010 -- VACT is accepting applications for director for the Winter 2011 production of Guys and Dolls.  Please submit applications to the Board of Directors, in care of VACT President, Katie Monk.  For information on director selection, see the VACT Policies link on the left.
February 17, 2010 -- Tickets sales have begun for the VACT Children's Theater productions of A Race to the Finish and Music Man, Jr, as well at the VACT Youth Theater production of Fame. 

Tickets for Fame are available through the VACT Ticket line, 845-2383, and by email, tickets@vact.org.  Performances will be at Oregon High School Performing Arts Center, April 22, 23 & 24 at 7:30 PM.  For more information see the VACT Tickets Page.

Tickets for A Race to the Finish and Music Man, Jr may only be purchased at the VACT Building during rehearsals beginning February 28.  There is a limit of 10 tickets per purchase until all families have had a chance to buy.

February 9, 2010 -- The Verona Area Community Theater is proud to present two scholarships for students actively involved in the fine arts.  This includes the visual arts, music, drama, dance, TV/radio, or technical areas in the theater.  The Senior scholarship is designed to assist graduating seniors who intend to continue studying the fine arts at a college or university.  Students are not required to major in the fine arts, but are expected to continue active participation in the fine arts.  The camp scholarship is designed to assist a current freshman, sophomore or junior planning to further his or her studies in the fine arts by attending a summer camp. The application deadline for both scholarships is April 1st.
February 3, 2010 -- Auditions for the VACT summer production, Children of Eden, will be Monday and Tuesday, April 12th & 13th at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning with children at 6:30 p.m.  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Auditions for children will begin at 6:30, and music/dance/reading auditions for adults will start when the children are done.  Callbacks for lead roles will be Wednesday, April 14th.  Show dates are June 18 - 26, 2010.  Philip Doll will be the director.
January 19, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater opens its 53rd production, Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, on Friday, January 22, 2010 at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances this weekend are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM.  Additional performances are next Thursday, through Saturday at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are available at the door for $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
January 12, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is very pleased to announce the cast for The Music Man Jr.. First rehearsal will take place on Sunday, January 17, 3:00 – 5:00.

Please contact the Director, Terry Dvorak (terry@thedvoraks.com) with any questions.

January 12, 2010 -- The VACT Board of Directors has chosen Irving Berlin’s White Christmas for the Fall 2010 production.  Missy Holcomb will direct.  Watch the website for audition information around August.
January 12, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is very pleased to announce the cast for A Race to the Finish. Rehearsals for A Race to the Finish will run as follows:
The First Show Cast will rehearse on Sundays from 1:30 -2:15 p.m.
The Second Show Cast will rehearse on Sundays from 2:15-3:00 p.m.

Please contact the Director, Katie Monk (katiemonk@me.com) with any questions.

January 11, 2010 -- Verona Area Community Theater is very pleased to announce the cast for the "All-Teen" production of Fame. Rehearsals will be Sundays, beginning, January 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the VACT Building.

Performances will be held on Thursday, April 22, Friday April 23 and Saturday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. in the Oregon High School Performing Arts Center. Please contact the Director, Terry Dvorak (terry@thedvoraks.com) with any questions.

December 17, 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater is very pleased to announce a new "All-Teen" production of Fame for youth grades 7 - 12.

Auditions will be Sunday, January 10, 2010 at the VACT Building located at 405 Bruce Street in Verona.

Please contact the Director, Terry Dvorak (terry@thedvoraks.com) with any questions.
December 3, 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting proposals for the 2010 "Fall Project" show.  Any VACT member may submit a project proposal, which should include confirmed production staff and whether the production is pre-cast or will be cast by auditions.  Proposals can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Katie Monk at katiemonk@me.com.  The deadline for application is January 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its January meeting.  For more information on Fall Project Selection, please see the VACT Policies page.
November 19, 2009 -- The Cast List has been posted for VACT's Winter 2010 production, Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park.  Thank You to all who came out for auditions.  You made it a difficult, but thoroughly enjoyable process to cast the show.
Dale Nickels, Director
October 26, 2009 -- The Verona Area Community Theater fall, 2009 production, Something's Afoot, a musical spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries, opens Friday at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances will be October 30 & 31, November 5, 6, 7 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, November 1 at 2:00.  Tickets for Something's Afoot and the entire 2009-2010 VACT schedule can be ordered by going to the VACT Tickets Page.
October 12, 2009 -- VACT Children's Theater announces auditions for next year's productions.  Auditions will be Sunday, January 10, 2010.  See the detailed information, below. Note: Music Man audition times have been combined - see the updated audition details.
October 12, 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater is accepting applications to direct the 2010 Summer Musical, Children of Eden.  Applications can be submitted to the VACT Board, in care of the VACT President, Katie Monk.  The deadline for application is November 1, and the VACT Board will select a director at its November meeting.  For more information on director applications, please see the VACT Policies page.
September 21, 2009 -- A number of VACT members are appearing in Stoughton Village Players' production of Fiddler on the Roof.  Jerry Pero (Police Sergeant in Wind in the Willows) is Perchik, Nate Ewings (Ellard in Foreigner) is Motel, Ariel Wilberg (Winnie Tate in Annie, Get Your Gun) and Mike Mitchell (Judge in Wind in the Willows) are in the Ensemble, and Tom Hensen (Arthur in Camelot) is Tevye.  Performances are October 15-24, 2009, and tickets are available through the Stoughton Village Players website.
September 15, 2009 -- Here are the results from the VACT Annual Meeting, held Monday, September 14.  For the VACT Board of Directors elections:
President-Elect:Dale Nickels
Vice President-Elect:    Greg Bass
Secretary-Elect:Marie Kyle
Treasurer-Elect:Philip Doll III

Selections for the 2011 production year:

 
September 14, 2009 -- Auditions for VACT's Winter 2010 production, Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park will be Monday and Wednesday, November 16 & 18, 2009, at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Watch the website for more information as the auditions dates draw close.
August 25, 2009 -- The VACT Annual Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 14, at 7 p.m.  Watch the website and your email for the official announcement with the slate of board elections and production selections.
August 25, 2009 -- The VACT Board has approved the 2010 VACT Children's Theater productions: Music Man, Terry Dvorak, director, and A Race to the Finish, Katie Monk, director.  Auditions will be in January and performances are scheduled for Saturday, April 17th.  Watch here for more information.
August 25, 2009 -- VACT announces the cast for its Fall, 2009 production: Something's Afoot, a musical spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries.  Performances will be October 30 & 31, November 5, 6, 7 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, November 1 at 2:00.  Tickets for Something's Afoot and the entire 2009-2010 VACT schedule can be ordered by going to the VACT Tickets Page.
July 20, 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater announces auditions for the 2009 Fall production, Something's Afoot, a musical spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries.  Dee Baldock will produce and Matt Pulda will direct.  Auditions are Monday and Tuesday, August 17 & 18, at 7:00 PM at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Come early to register. Call-backs will be on Thursday, August 20.  Contact Matt Pulda or Dee Baldock for information.
July 14, 2009 -- The deadline for submitting VACT Children's Theater proposals is August 1.  The VACT Board will choose the 2010 Children's Theater project at its August board meeting.  For more information see the VACT Policies#Childrens page.
July 9, 2009 -- Katie Monk (Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun) and Erik Sherpe (General Gengus Khan Schmitz in Seussical) will be in the Middleton Players Theatre production of The Producers.  Shows are August 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 7:30 PM, and August 16 at 2:00 PM.
June 30, 2009 -- The VACT Production Selection Committee will meet on Monday, July 13th at 8:00 PM in the VACT building music room.  The purpose of the Selection Committee is to present nominations for the 2011 winter and summer shows to be voted on at the annual membership meeting in September.  At the first meeting we will "brain-storm" and create a list of 10-15 shows to read over the summer.  In August the list will be pared down to two winter shows and two summer shows which will be submitted to the board for approval and then to the general membership for voting.  All VACT members are invited to participate in the committee.  For more information contact Selection Committee co-chairs: Dale Nickels and Marie Kyle.
June 19, 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater opens its 51st production, Wind in the Willows, on Friday, June 19, 2009.  The characters of Kenneth Grahame's beloved stories come to life on stage at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Performances this weekend are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM.  Additional performances are next Thursday, through Saturday at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are available at the door for $12 for adults and $8 for Students/Seniors.  For more ticket information, see the VACT Tickets Page.
April 16 2009 -- Verona Area Community Theater is proud to present the cast for its 2009 summer production, Wind in the Willows.  Thank you to all who auditioned. First rehearsal is Monday, April 20 at the VACT Building (not the High School), at 6:45 PM.
April 7, 2009 -- VACT is accepting applications for director for the Winter 2010 production of Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park.  Please submit applications to the Board of Directors, in care of VACT President, Dick Vock.  For information on director selection, see the VACT Policies link on the left.
April 7, 2009 -- Auditions for the VACT summer production, Wind in the Willows, will be Monday and Tuesday, April 13th & 14th at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center, beginning with children at 6:30 p.m.  Please bring a song to sing for your audition.  It does NOT have to be from the show, but please bring music for the accompanist.  Be prepared to learn and perform a brief dance audition.  Auditions for children will begin at 6:30, and music/dance/reading auditions for adults will start when the children are done.  Callbacks for lead roles will be April 15th.  Show dates are June 19 - 27, 2008.  Dee Baldock will be the director.
March 9, 2009 -- The Verona Area Community Theater is proud to present two scholarships for students actively involved in the fine arts.  This includes the visual arts, music, drama, dance, tv/radio, or technical areas in the theater.  The Senior scholarship is designed to assist graduating seniors who intend to continue studying the fine arts at a college or university.  Students are not required to major in the fine arts, but are expected to continue active participation in the fine arts.  The camp scholarship is designed to assist a current freshman, sophomore or junior planning to further his or her studies in the fine arts by attending a summer camp. The application deadline for both scholarships is April 1st.
March 2, 2009 -- For Tickets to VACT Children's Theater's production of Once Upon a Mattress and Three Piggy Opera, contact Amy Hall at 608-712-5153 or asashall@charter.net.
Dates/times she will be selling tickets at the VACT building:
3/08: 2:00 and 5:00
3/15: 5:00
3/22: 5:00
3/29: 2:00 and 5:00
March 2, 2009 -- A number of our VACT students are performing in VAHS Theatre Arts' production of Neil Simon's Rumors, March 19-22, 2009 in the VAHS Performing Arts Center.  The cast includes VACT veterans: Mary Ann Raemisch, Persephone Caulkins, John Lyell, Amy Maxon, Zack Eskrich, Jacob Turner, Kristin Lucas, Alyssa Dvorak, Danny Halminiak, Jenny Noyes and Sarah Kroth, many of whom were recently in Camelot.

Rumors takes place in upper Manhattan at the home of Charley and Myra Brock.  The Brock's are holding a party to celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary.  However, the first guests to arrive at the home, Ken and Chris Gorman, hear a gun shot.  They find Charley upstairs bleeding from the head.  Myra and the servants are missing, and a bunch of frozen and half-thawed food is discovered unprepared in the kitchen.  Comic complications arise when, given everyone's upper class status, they decide they need to do everything possible to conceal the evening's events from the local police and the media.  Neil Simon said that Rumors was the hardest play he had to write because every line had to further the plot.

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

January 26, 2009 -- The VACT Board chose Something's Afoot, a musical spoof of Agatha Christie mysteries for the 2009 Fall Project.  Dee Baldock will produce and Matt Pulda will direct.
January 5, 2009 -- Here is the cast list for the VACT Children's Theater productions of Once Upon a Mattress and Three Piggy Opera.  
January 2, 2009 -- Be sure to order your tickets for VACT's production of Lerner and Loewe's Camelot.  Shows will be January 23, 24, 29, 30, & 31 at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, January 25 at 2:00 PM at the Verona Area High School Performing Arts Center.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for seniors/students.  Check the VACT Tickets Page for all the ways you can get tickets.

        Click for: VACT news archive -- 2008 and earlier