The countdown is on for Abrams Spotlight Productions’ 7th Annual Auction, happening December 9–13, 2026! This special fundraiser is an important part of helping ASPI continue to bring theater, education, and community programming to the stage. Funds raised through the auction help support building maintenance, costume maintenance, kids programming, and so much more. Whether you’ve attended a show, brought your family to one of our programs, volunteered backstage, or simply believe in the arts in our community, this is a great way to help keep the spotlight shining!
We are currently seeking donations through November 15, and there are so many ways to contribute! We welcome gift baskets, gift cards, services, large or unique items, and monetary donations. Monetary donations can be used to purchase gift cards to complement various auction baskets. Every donation—large or small—helps us create exciting auction packages and, more importantly, helps support the future of Abrams Spotlight Productions. If you would like to donate or have questions, please contact us at theater.aspi@gmail.com or call the Box Office at 920-826-5852. Mark your calendar for December 9–13 and join us for the 7th Annual Auction!
If you’ve been thinking about auditioning for Something Rotten! but aren’t sure if you should, let me give you a little push: come audition! This will be my third time directing, after previously directing Oklahoma!, and I’m so excited to bring this show to life with Abrams Spotlight Productions.
I’m a Director AND a Choreographer
I love musical theater because of the way acting, music, and movement come together. As a choreographer, I love creating choreography that feels like part of the story rather than something separate. Something Rotten! gives us so much opportunity to have fun with that, and I’m excited to create a cohesive production where all of those pieces work together.
You Don’t Have to Be an Expert
I want people of all experience levels to audition. One of my favorite parts of directing is developing people and watching them grow in confidence. You don’t have to walk into auditions knowing everything. Come willing to learn, take direction, and have fun.
Find Your People
More than anything, I want you to fall in love with being onstage. I want you to laugh, challenge yourself, try something new, and hopefully find a group of people who become your theater family. That’s one of the best parts of community theater – the people you meet along the way.
Theater Is Part of Life
I also understand that theater isn’t our whole life. We have jobs, families, kids, and plenty of other responsibilities. I’m an organized person, and I believe in respecting everyone’s time. We’ll work hard, stay focused, and make the most of our rehearsal time while remembering that everyone has a life outside the theater.
So… Why Should You Audition?
Maybe you’ve been performing for years. Maybe it’s been years since you’ve been onstage. Maybe you’ve never done a show at all. It doesn’t matter. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I should try it,” this is your sign.
Come audition. Come have some fun. Come meet some people. And maybe you’ll fall in love with being onstage – just like I have.
I hope to see you in the audition room!
Auditions for Something Rotten! are November 9th or November 11th 6pm-8pm. Head to our website or Facebook page for more details!
Abrams Spotlight Productions is thrilled to announce our 2027 season, The Spotlight on Dreams Season, a year of stories that celebrate ambition, hope, imagination, and the dreams that inspire us to reach for something more. From aspiring playwrights chasing success, to a family longing for brighter futures, to one of the most beloved fairy tales ever told, our 2027 lineup reminds us that dreams come in many forms- and that every great story begins with one.
Kicking off the season is Something Rotten!, running March 4–14, 2027, and directed by Ali Carlson. Set in the Renaissance, this hilarious musical comedy follows brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they dream of creating the next big theatrical hit while competing with the wildly popular William Shakespeare. Filled with laugh-out-loud comedy, catchy songs, and countless Broadway references, this Tony Award-nominated musical is a must-see for theater lovers. Interested in taking the stage? Auditions for Something Rotten! will be held in November 2026, with dates to be announced soon.
Next, we present The Glass Menagerie, running May 13–23, 2027, and directed by Heather Anderson Cox. Tennessee Williams’ timeless American classic tells the story of the Wingfield family, each member carrying dreams of a better future while navigating the realities of everyday life. Through Tom’s memories, audiences will experience a moving and deeply human story about hope, family, and the longing for something more.
Closing the season is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, running December 2–12, 2027, and directed by Carolyn Silverberg. The most iconic dream story of all, Cinderella reminds us that kindness, courage, and believing in ourselves can transform our lives. Filled with enchanting music, unforgettable characters, and plenty of magic, this beloved family musical is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.
Season tickets are now available for the 2027 season. Season tickets provide a savings compared to purchasing individual tickets, along with the added benefit of securing your seats before they are released to the general public. In addition, all season ticket holders receive access to purchase up to two additional tickets per patron during presale.
Returning season ticket holders may renew at a discounted rate through October 1 as a thank you for their continued support. Renewal packages have already been sent via email with a direct link to complete payment.
For new season ticket holders, visit AbramsTheater.com or call the box office at 920-826-5852 to purchase today.
We are excited to share The Spotlight on Dreams Season with you and invite you to join us as, together, we discover where dreams take center stage.
Set inside a bustling 1940s radio studio, this cheerful holiday show follows a talented troupe of performers as they bring the beloved story of Kris Kringle to life before a live audience. When young Susan Walker struggles to believe in Santa Claus, an unexpected friendship with Kris sparks a journey that challenges skepticism, inspires hope, and reminds everyone of the power of faith and imagination. Filled with holiday carols, vintage charm, and heartwarming humor, Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play captures all the warmth of the classic Christmas tale while celebrating the golden age of radio. Rediscover this timeless holiday favorite in a way you haven’t seen before.
If you have questions, contact us via email (theater.aspi@gmail.com) or call the box office at 920-826-5852.
Meet the Cast!
Kristofer Van Lisberg as Kris Kringle-Brian Prestley
Cordelia Ragsdale as Doris Walker and Tap Dancer – Julie Johannes-Frohliger
Grady Williams as Fred Gailey and Charlie – Ryan Hibbard
Gracie De Marco as Susan Walker – Jesslyn Beaumia
Wallace Ainsley as Mr. Sawyer and Thomas Mara, DA – Corey Viars
Olivia Glatt as Dr. Pierce – Carolyn Silverberg
Alex Mialdo as Announcer and Drunken Santa – Bill Wons
Mr. Shellhammer and the Judge – Brandon Beaumia
Mrs. Mara and Tap Dancer – Allison Carter
Mortimer and Tap Dancer – Amelia Holtger
NY Mother – Jillian Johnson
Postman and 2 nd Mother and Tap Dancer – Emily Jones
Girl 1 and Tap Dancer – Lilah Jones
Macy and Gimbel – Bill Koehne
Tommy Mara Jr and Tap Dancer – Aubrey McGown
2nd Girl and Tap Dancer – Cassidy Mikol
Nurse – Natalie Perra
Alfred and Tap Dancer – Avery Spratlin
Miss Prong – Ana Viars
Character Descriptions
Kris Kringle: The kind-hearted, jolly man who believes he is Santa Claus.
Doris Walker: A pragmatic Macy’s executive and Susan’s mother.
Fred Gaily: A smart, warm military captain and friend/neighbor to Doris and Susan.
Susan Walker: Doris’s young daughter who is skeptical of the Christmas myth.
Marvin Shellhammer: An aggressive but bumbling junior PR executive for Macy’s.
R.H. Macy: The ambitious owner of Macy’s department store.
Mr. Sawyer: The obnoxious, antagonistic personnel director.
Judge Martin Group/Harper: The judge presiding over the case to prove Kris is Santa.
Thomas Mara, Sr.: The prosecuting attorney.
Dr. Pierce: A sympathetic psychiatrist and friend to Kris.
Ensemble Roles: Includes Mr. Gimbel, Drunken Santa, Henrika (and her mother), various shoppers, and news reporters.
Announcer: Introduces segments and reads commercials.
What an incredible weekend for the 2nd Annual Abrams Spotlight Productions Jr. Academy! We are still smiling from the energy, creativity, and excitement that filled the theater. A huge thank you goes out to all of our young performers who stepped onto the stage, tried new things, challenged themselves, and brought their enthusiasm and passion for theater to every moment. Watching these young artists learn, grow, and support one another throughout the weekend was truly inspiring.
Throughout the weekend, our campers explored all aspects of performance, including acting, movement, and improv. The improv sessions were once again a highlight, with campers laughing, thinking quickly, working together, and discovering the confidence that comes from taking creative risks. They also learned about the many different parts of theater, from storytelling and character development to teamwork and stage presence. Our volunteers loved watching the kids embrace each challenge and see their confidence grow with every activity.
A special shoutout goes to the incredible choreography that brought the final performance to life! From the opening number that immediately captured everyone’s attention to the huge finale featuring all of our campers together on stage, these young performers absolutely shined. Thank you to all of our volunteers, instructors, and supporters who helped make this experience possible. The passion and dedication that went into creating this weekend was truly something special.
The 2nd Annual Abrams Spotlight Productions Jr. Academy was one to remember, and we are already looking forward to what the future holds. We hope to see these young performers and many new faces back next summer for the 3rd Annual Abrams Spotlight Productions Jr. Academy. The journey is just beginning, and the best is yet to come! 🎭✨
More and more I am starting to feel like Fagin. You know Fagin – one of the villains from Charles Dicken’s Oliver Twist. No, I am not kidnapping orphaned children and teaching them to pickpocket, but I can’t help but think of what he says to his boys when he sends them out to do their “job” for the day.
“Good luck on your first job my dear. I’ll be waiting for you when you come back…
(Sings) You can go but be back soon You can go but while you’re working This place I’m pacing round Until you’re home safe and sound… Be back soon!”
You see, my youngest graduated high school this year. So, we have enjoyed a summer of celebrations for not only him but many of his classmates and friends.
As many parents have done before me, my son and I began looking through photos and memorabilia for his graduation table. When I opened the Rubbermaid with all his school papers and pictures, it quickly became evident just how significant a role Abrams Spotlight Productions was in his childhood. There were cast photos and signed programs from seasons of shows. On top of the pile was the program for Oliver – my son’s first play at ASPI.
I started to reflect on his role not only in Oliver, but Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast, Gypsy, Chitty Chitty and so many others, and I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. There is gratitude for the friends he made along the way; the community of theater families that welcomed us; the confidence he developed in facing his fears and standing on that stage, the teamwork and empathy he learned by collaborating with a group to create a production, and the volunteers who invested their lives into teaching him how to speak, act, sing, dance, operate a light/sound board, and work back stage.
Yes, theater involves the parents sometimes as much as the child. Driving back and forth to rehearsals, managing time schedules, and volunteering to help with plays are not always easy things to fit into busy family lives, but as a parent who has now had the chance to reflect back on the difference theater made in my son’s life, I am so thankful for the mission of ASPI. As my son begins to make the transition into his future, whether that be college or career, I know supporting him in theater is one decision I will never regret.
Theater is filled with traditions and superstitions that can seem downright strange to anyone outside the theater world. Why do actors say “break a leg” instead of “good luck”? Why is saying the name Macbeth inside a theater considered bad luck? And why does a theater keep a light burning on an otherwise empty stage? Many of these traditions have been passed down for generations, with stories and legends explaining how they began. Whether the origins are rooted in superstition, old theater customs, or simply a little bit of theatrical folklore, they’ve become part of what makes theater unique.
At ASPI, we have a few traditions of our own. One is that we try not to say “We have a show” too confidently too early! Anyone who has been around theater knows that a lot can happen between the first rehearsal and opening night. Another of our favorite beliefs is that Nancy Byng, ASPI’s founder, is still around the theater watching over us. We like to think her spirit is always nearby, keeping an eye on the performers, volunteers, and the theater she helped create. Maybe she’s making sure everything goes smoothly- or maybe she’s just making sure we’re doing it right!
And then there’s the ghost light, one of theater’s most enduring traditions. A single light is traditionally left onstage when the theater is empty. There are many stories behind it- from keeping mischievous theater spirits away to giving those spirits a light by which to perform. At ASPI, we carry on this tradition every night when we lock up the theater. The ghost light stays on, glowing on an otherwise empty stage. Whether you believe it’s keeping the ghosts happy or simply honoring an old theater tradition, there’s something special about knowing that even after everyone has gone home, the stage is never completely dark.
There’s something magical about a Holiday story. The familiar music. The holiday spirit. The characters we’ve grown up loving. And, perhaps most importantly, the reminder to believe in something bigger than ourselves.
This holiday season, Abrams Spotlight Productions is bringing that magic to the Nancy Byng Community Theater stage with Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play– and we’re looking for performers to help us bring it to life!
🎙️ But This Isn’t Your Typical Musical
Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play takes the beloved holiday story and presents it in the style of a live radio broadcast.
Instead of a traditional musical where the action happens throughout a set, performers gather around microphones and use their voices, music, movement, and live sound effects to create the world of the story.
It’s a unique theater experience for both the performers and the audience.
And that’s what makes this production so much fun.
🎅 A Story About Believing
At the center of the story is Kris Kringle, a kind and cheerful man who claims to be the real Santa Claus.
After taking a job as a department store Santa, Kris quickly wins over children and families—but his claim that he is actually Santa Claus creates quite a stir.
What begins as a question about one man’s identity becomes something much bigger when Kris’s sanity and credibility are challenged in court.
Ultimately, the story asks a timeless question:
Do you believe?
It’s a story about faith, hope, kindness, and the power of believing—even when the world tells you not to.
🎭 Who Are We Looking For?
We’re looking for performers of all experience levels!
Adults ages 16 and up are invited to audition for roles and ensemble.
We’re also looking for children ages 8–12 for children’s roles, as well as children interested in participating in a special tap dance opportunity.
Whether you’ve been performing with us for years or have never auditioned before, we’d love to see you.
You don’t have to have a long résumé. You don’t have to be a professional singer. You simply need a willingness to step up to the microphone and tell a story.
🎵 What Should You Prepare?
Auditioners should prepare a short song from a musical- under 2 minutes.
You may sing with your own musical accompaniment or a cappella. A pianist will also be available if you bring sheet music.
You may also be asked to participate in a short reading.
Children interested in the tap dance portion will participate in a brief choreography audition.
And if you can’t make it to auditions in person, video auditions will also be accepted.
📅 When Are Auditions?
Auditions will take place:
Monday, August 24 OR Tuesday, August 25 6:00–8:00 PM
You only need to attend one audition date.
We encourage you to pre-register so we can plan for auditions and create the best possible experience for everyone.
Our audition page (under Events on our website) has everything you need, including character descriptions, what to prepare, what to expect, and the pre-registration link.
❤️ Why Audition?
Maybe you’ve been waiting for the right show to return to the stage.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to audition but haven’t had the courage.
Maybe you’ve performed with Abrams Spotlight Productions before and are ready to come back.
Or maybe you’ve never stepped onto our stage at all.
Whatever your reason, this could be your opportunity.
There’s something special about creating a story together. And there’s something especially magical about gathering around a microphone, hearing the music begin, creating the sounds of the story, and knowing that an audience is experiencing it all with you.
This Christmas, come be part of the magic.
🎙️ Step behind the microphone. Find your voice. And help us tell a story about believing.
Auditions for Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play August 24 OR August 25 | 6:00–8:00 PM
One of the many things I have loved about being part of community theater has much to do with the (terrifying) thrill of standing, literally, ‘in the moment,’ on stage, moments before the play begins. The audience is out there, waiting, expectant, curious. Ready and willing to suspend belief and be carried away in the story that is about to unfold. (Though likewise unapologetically willing to register any displeasure- not at least chuckling, merely politely applauding, to name a few of those worrying responses.) There’s no room for doubt, absolutely no room for mistakes- that’s the terror of it: what if I forget my lines?! But if a mistake does happen, (i.e., someone making an entry before it is time – or not making an entry when it is time, or the most dreaded dropping of line/s) well, being in the moment also forces you and everyone there on stage with you to think on your feet. And this is where the trust and faith in one another that have become part of the comradery formed during the rehearsal season comes in- everyone has everyone’s back. Somehow, someone always manages to pick up the lost thread, weave it back into the dialogue (or deal with the early or late entrance with a bit of improv) and suddenly everyone is back on course and the play resumes its forward direction.
Each performance begins the same. Everyone is in place in the darkness behind the curtain. For me there was always moments of panic; but the absolute reality of there’s no turning back now! helped (shoved) me mentally up to the edge- that moment when the curtains have begun to open and the house lights go down as the stage lights come up- and suddenly you’re in freefall, and you know you will be for the next few hours. But everyone on stage is in freefall right along with you. You’re all in this together. The play has taken wing and become a living thing. The energy of that is incredible.
What I came away with from my on-stage experience, and which I carry with me to this day in all areas of my life, is the truth of the old adage, nothing lasts forever. Being on stage taught me to embrace being in the moment and appreciate an experience while it is happening but not to try to hang onto it. It’s always a bit of a letdown when the last performance is behind you. You miss the others you’ve spent so much time with working hard to bring the play to life and being a part of something so much larger than yourself. You miss the exhilaration and freedom of being totally outside of your everyday life for a few hours each evening during rehearsals and in the amazing rush of the live performances before an audience. Always, though, after a few (or several) days, you find yourself settling back into everyday life. But each time you find everyday life a little changed for the better. You’ve learned to let go of a thing that has finished, enjoy the memories of it always, and to be open to new and unexpected opportunities and experiences.
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