Month: February 2025

Before the lights dim and the audience settles in, ready to be dazzled by a live performance, there’s a crucial preparation stage that occurs—rehearsals! A typical theatrical production involves a significant commitment of time and effort, with rehearsals spanning anywhere from 8 weeks for a play to as much as 12 weeks for a musical. That’s a substantial block of time dedicated to perfecting every element of the show!

At ASPI, rehearsals are typically structured to occur three times a week, with each session lasting between 2 to 3 hours. During these rehearsals, cast members engage in various essential activities, including practicing music, choreographing dance numbers, running lines, and reviewing blocking—the specific movements and placements that the Director assigns to each actor onstage. In addition to these focused rehearsals, the team frequently runs through the show in its entirety, allowing them to become fully immersed in the flow and dynamics of the performance.

Given the extensive time spent at the theater, it’s vital for each actor to be well-prepared with a rehearsal bag stocked with all the essentials they might need during these busy rehearsals. However, the contents of these bags can differ greatly from one actor to another, as everyone has their unique preferences and requirements. To gain insight into what fellow cast members consider indispensable, we interviewed several actors from our upcoming musical, Godspell. Their responses revealed a fascinating array of “must-haves” that help them feel comfortable, focused, and ready to bring their characters to life during rehearsals.

Every actor should have a set of essential items in their bag to ensure they are fully prepared for rehearsals and performances. According to Ali Carlson, Godspell actor, these fundamentals are indispensable for surviving the rigorous demands of the theater. She emphasizes that the absolute necessities include water to stay hydrated, a pencil for taking notes and making adjustments to their scripts, and, most importantly, their script itself. “Without their script, actors wouldn’t get very far!” Ali notes, highlighting its importance.

Once an actor is cast in a show, they receive their script, which serves as their guiding “bible” throughout the production process. This script contains not only their lines, but also vital stage directions, cues, and character insights that help them embody their roles convincingly. Being equipped with these basics allows actors to focus on their craft and adapt to the challenges that arise during rehearsals and performances.

Elizabeth Jolly-Haslitt, the director of Godspell, arrives at rehearsals more prepared than your average actor. She brings along pencils, post-its, highlighters, pens, tiny scissors, tape, a stapler, scrunchies, business cards, and even a really old granola bar. Cast member Jennifer Harkins emphasizes that “comfy shoes and a good attitude are key.”

There are also some unique items in rehearsal bags that others might not think of. For example, Glenn Sellen, another cast member, has a harmonica in his rehearsal bag! When asked why, he honestly is not sure! Carolyn Silverberg states she always brings her “vocal wellness trio”-which consists of Throat lozenges (Fisherman’s Friend), Ibuprofen (prevents swelling of vocal chords) and a portable vocal nebulizer (allows for a smoother and easier voice production).

And then finally, Kari Moody can’t live without her cheaters… which we all can relate to once we get to a certain age!

Regardless of what is included in a rehearsal bag, the actors and director always make sure to prepare thoroughly in order to deliver outstanding performances for our patrons night after night.

Experience the fruits of their hard work by purchasing tickets to “Godspell,” which will be presented from March 13th to March 23rd. Call the box office at 920-826-5852 or visit us online at www.AbramsTheater.com.

I can still remember the drive home from the last flag football game of my first-grade year. I tried to hide my tears from my dad but ultimately failed, spending most of the drive crying loudly. I had made so many great friends, had a few moments of triumph, and was even awarded a weekly MVP award by the coach. Then, suddenly, with the shutting of a car door, it was all over.

That was the first of many goodbyes I would experience in my life. Being a theater kid (now a theater adult) has made farewells a regular occurrence over the last 20 years. You spend a tremendous amount of time with a special group of people, pouring your heart and talents into creating a show, only for it to suddenly end. The same group of people is unlikely to be all together again.

Every post-show goodbye hurts in its own way, but some take much longer to get over. I think back to my experience doing “Guys & Dolls” at ASPI in 2021. It was a really fun show, but there was something about that particular group of people that made the experience especially memorable. Many of us were around the same age, grappling with similar challenges, and gradually emerging into the world—dramatically changed by COVID-19. The beautiful thing about these kinds of groups is that they don’t completely fade away. Since “Guys & Dolls” ended, many of us from the cast have stayed closely in touch.

Whether it’s doing more shows together, hanging out at karaoke, or embarking on summer adventures down the Peshtigo River, the group that officially ended with the final curtain of “Guys & Dolls” has continued to thrive in the world outside the theater. Every group of friends begins with some unifying force or message. In the case of “Guys & Dolls,” it was the shared desire to create great art, inspire the community, and build meaningful relationships with one another.

I believe this core message is what the writers of “Godspell” aimed to capture when they created the show. “Godspell” tells the story of a group of people in a chaotic world, united by the message of Jesus. Just as their community reaches a peak of connection, Jesus is taken from them, leaving them to venture into the world without the very thing that united them. This is a feeling we can all relate to—whether it’s losing friends after moving to a new city, the end of a musical, or the final game of a first-grade flag football season.

We sadly live in a world of constant endings, but if we allow ourselves to be immersed in the unity of past experiences, we also recognize that we live in a world of endless beginnings.

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we bring “Godspell” to life from March 13th to 23rd! Dive into this vibrant, fast-paced production that celebrates love, hope, and the spirit of togetherness. Don’t miss your chance to be part of our community and witness a performance filled with joy, emotion, and inspiration. Come and be inspired!

Written by Anna Olson

ASPI is honored to feature Leah Tomesek (née Wons) in this month’s Spotlight!

Leah became first involved in ASPI back in 2007! At the age of 8 years old, Leah graced the stage as “Ticklish”, one of the dwarfs, in ASPI’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

After that first production, Leah became involved in as many shows as possible, up until her 2016 high school graduation.  Some of her favorite shows that she’s been cast in include: Into the Woods in the role of “Little Red Riding Hood” and Shrek: the Musical in the role of “Gingy” and other various ensemble roles. As a kid, the theater felt like a second home to her. She learned about handling performance nerves, memorizing lines, and expressing herself. Her passion for performing started at the theater and the trajectory of her life was changed because of her young years spent at ASPI.  Leah’s whole family did shows together and she will always hold onto those memories!

Outside of ASPI, Leah was involved in her high school’s productions as well as Missoula’s Children’s Theater shows. Upon high school graduation, Leah then went to college to study vocal performance where she performed in every opera and cabaret show she was able to! Her favorite role in college was “Gretel” in Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, Hansel and Gretel. She was also involved in her university’s show choir, Platinum Edition, and many different choral ensembles. In 2020, Leah graduated (over Zoom) with a Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Viterbo University, located in La Crosse Wisconsin.

A few months before college graduation, Leah landed a position at Choral Tracks, a company that produces full vocal rehearsal tracks. She works as a full time, salaried recording artist and audio engineer!  She has a portable studio setup that she uses to sing 4-5 hours a day and fills in the rest of her day with audio engineering.  Her singing consists of sight reading around 8-10 choral pieces a day (singing all women’s parts) and using a pitch correction software for another 3-6 choral pieces. Leah is very proud and grateful to work for Choral Tracks! They make rehearsal tracks for ensembles around the world, and record all languages and all styles of music!

Outside of the theater, Leah loves reading, fitness, and video games.  On October 6th, she ran her first marathon, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon! Leah and her husband have also been living in a camper and traveling for his work. She has been enjoying trying a new lifestyle and traveling across the US!

Leah has made her return to working with ASPI in the role of music director! Most recently, she was part time music director for Gypsy and full time music director for Oklahoma, Seussical, and the upcoming production of Godspell. Leah’s wealth of knowledge and experience in music has made her an incredible asset to ASPI!

With her job, Leah has access to many different music industry programs that allow her to make rehearsal tracks for ASPI. For the theater, she will record herself singing all the parts, audio engineer her singing, and mix the tracks. The tracks make rehearsing significantly easier and allow the cast members to sing harder music without needing to play piano or read music.  This creates a more inclusive musical environment!

As an adult, Leah sees the massive benefits of feeling part of a community. Cast members become close friends and spend time together outside of rehearsal doing things like karaoke, bowling, and sharing meals. She would encourage anyone with an interest to come out and audition for a show. Theater is for everyone and the impact of these shows is not to be underestimated!

Come out to witness the amazing work and passion of Leah and the ASPI cast and crew in the upcoming production Godspell! Purchase your tickets NOW! Showtimes are March 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 7pm and March 16 and 23 at 1pm. For more information please visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ and call the Box Office with any questions, 920-826-5852.

Written by Anna Olson

Wicked: Part 1, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, made waves as a box office hit! Whether it be as a movie trailer seen on a commercial, a reel on social media, or singing your heart out in the movie theater, you are now probably familiar with the anthem “Defying Gravity” from the mind of Stephen Schwartz.

Schwartz is a composer and lyricist! He has contributed lyrics to films such as: Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt, and Enchanted along with its sequel, Disenchanted. And his musicals include Godspell (1971), Pippin (1972), and trending Wicked (2003).

Throughout his career, Schwartz has been awarded three Oscars, three Grammys, and one Golden Globe! He has also received six Tony nominations. As of April 2008, Schwartz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and American Theater Hall of Fame, and has received an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

In March, ASPI will have performances of Schwartz’s very own Godspell! Music Director Leah Tomeseck offers insight into Schwartz’s work in this unifying musical: She loves the thoughtfulness and sensitivity Stephen Schwartz brought to the table with his composing. The music for this show is very impassioned and provides joyful scenes as well as heavy ones. She references “By My Side” and the “Finale” as channels for powerful emotions, and songs “We Beseech Thee” and “Light of the World” as bringing an element of fun and lifting the mood. Both sadness and playfulness are big themes with Godspell!

Purchase your tickets NOW! Showtimes are March 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, and 22 at 7pm and March 16 and 23 at 1pm. For more information please visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ and call the Box Office with any questions, 920-826-5852.

Attention all graduating Seniors! We’re excited to announce that the Hollie Surber Memorial Scholarship is currently open for applications! This prestigious scholarship will award $500 to one deserving graduating Senior, or potentially distribute $250 each to two exceptional candidates, who are planning to further their education after high school. The scholarship is named in honor of Hollie Surber, a dedicated and passionate Board Member of Abrams Spotlight Productions. She was deeply committed to nurturing the arts and supporting the youth in our community. Tragically, she passed away in 2023, and this scholarship serves as a tribute to her inspiring legacy and dedication to theater.

Last year, the scholarship provided funding to two graduates who successfully enrolled at St. Norbert College and NWTC. While preference will be given to applicants aiming for a career in the arts or theater, we encourage all eligible students to apply.

Brigette Finger, a board member at ASPI, states, “Hollie was deeply passionate about creating opportunities and experiences for children, particularly in the arts. She was a strong advocate for our youth productions and proudly embraced her role as a ‘theater mom’ as she watched her own kids grow up on our stage.”

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a resident of Brown or Oconto counties.
• Must be graduating from high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Must have actively participated in theater or drama, whether through school or community programs.

Preference will be given to Seniors who:

• Intend to major or minor in theater, performance arts, or a related field at an accredited two- or four-year college.
• Have volunteered or participated in productions with ASPI during their high school career.

Application Process:
To apply for the scholarship, candidates must complete an online application and submit the following documents to ASPI:

• A copy of their high school transcripts, including their current grade point average.
• A comprehensive summary of their school, community, and employment activities, along with any awards and achievements. Please include information about any ASPI events in which you have participated or volunteered (limit two pages).
• A one-page essay detailing how theater or the arts have influenced their life. (Please note that essays exceeding one page will not be considered.)

These documents can either be mailed to ASPI at PO Box 127, Abrams, WI, or sent via email.

To receive the link to apply, please email us at scholarship.aspi@gmail.com.

All completed applications must be received by March 31. We encourage you to spread the word to all graduating Seniors, so we can continue to nurture and celebrate the arts within our community of youth!

Exciting news from the Abrams Spotlight Productions community! Although December 2023 may feel like a blur, it marked the launch of our “Light the Way” Capital Campaign, a vital initiative dedicated to transforming our beloved Nancy Byng Community Theater with a state-of-the-art lighting system. With our existing equipment outdated and in dire need of upgrades, ASPI recognized the challenge ahead: raising $30,000 to illuminate our stage like never before!

Throughout 2024, we welcomed an incredible outpouring of support from our community. Thanks to the generosity of our fantastic donors, we managed to raise nearly $8,000! As we kicked off 2025, we knew our mission was not yet complete, and we were determined to reach our goal.

Then, a remarkable twist of fate occurred! In January 2025, an inspired donor, moved by an article in the Oconto County Reporter about our campaign and our needs, reached out to us. After heartfelt discussions, their passion for our mission led them to pledge the remaining funds we needed to finally upgrade our lighting system!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our “Light the Way” campaign is now fully funded! This achievement owes everything to our dedicated supporters who believed in our vision for vibrant theater in the Oconto County area—and beyond!

As we gear up to implement this exciting new lighting system, we can hardly contain our excitement to unveil these enhancements to our cherished patrons in the upcoming months.

A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your incredible support! If you’re still interested in contributing—whether to this campaign, our general fund, or our scholarship fund—please don’t hesitate to reach out at theater.aspi@gmail.com or call us at 920-826-5852. Together, we’re shining brighter than ever!