Category: News Article

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 With our existing equipment outdated and in dire need of upgrades, ASPI recognized the challenge ahead: raising $30,000 to illuminate our stage like never before!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!

Let us rise for a reading from the Gospel according to Matthew… to the tune of Godspell!

Godspell is based on the Gospel of Matthew, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. (Yes, the same composer for WICKED!)

In this timeless tale of friendship and love, an eclectic group teams up with Jesus, using a blend of parables, songs, games, and dare we say tomfoolery, to play Jesus’ life out onstage. In this new age production, Jesus’ message of kindness, tolerance, and love shines vibrantly!

Director Liz Jolly-Haslitt is seeking a cast of male and female actors, aged 16 and older, and will host auditions December 18th and 19th from 6:00-8:30 pm at the Nancy Byng Community Theater (you only need to attend one of those dates).

Performances will be March 13-23, 2025, and there will be nine performances instead of the usual eight!

In preparation for auditions, director Liz Jolly-Haslitt is looking for an openness and lack of ego in her actors, as this will not be a “just learn your lines” kind of show. There will be movement and singing,  and she is relying on the actors to help create the piece. 

The best experiences Liz has had as an actor is when the director lets the actors really play, and she hopes to give that experience with Godspell. For the upcoming production, Liz is challenging herself to go back to her drama school roots because one of the most fun aspects of Godspell is that it’s a production that is completely what you make of it! While she will have parameters and “direction” in the production, she plans to let go of control and just let the theater flow. 

In preparation for your audition, Liz suggests being open and flexible! Over prepare, but then let that prepared-ness go to be able to see what happens in the moment.

If you have never auditioned for a production before, you may actually be at an advantage! Seasoned actors sometimes get stuck in their way of doing things. Just make sure you’re prepared as possible, and then trust yourself!

Also, Liz recommends, though it may feel incredibly awkward at first, to practice your audition in the mirror. Pay attention to your movement, and make sure it’s purposeful and that your face is conveying what you want.

And don’t forget to BREATHE! If you feel nervous, take a deep breath. Nerves cause you to tense muscles which affects everything.

Stay connected by following ASPI on social media so that you don’t miss a single update on auditions and the 2025 production season!

If you have any questions please call the Box Office at 920-826-5852 or visit abramstheater.com!

For more information regarding the upcoming Godspell auditions, please visit: https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/auditions/.

Seussical the Musical is fun. It has brightly colored sets and costumes. It has lots of singing and dancing to all kinds of music that makes you want to sing and dance and think. In fact, it starts with a boy who loves to think and wonder and dream. He meets the Cat in the Hat and it’s a wild adventure from then on. He meets many characters from the books by Dr. Seuss, whose stories have been woven together with amazing music that ranges from jazz to Beach Boys rock’n’roll to a heartfelt melancholy ballad to a soft and sweet lullaby ending with a “drum-intense” big band swing number.

First seen here at ASPI in 2011, Seussical was a big step for us then, our first Broadway musical (with a brand-new lighting system – all those colors!). Thirteen years later, it is my great pleasure to present it to you again. I am so grateful to our cast and crew who have worked since September to sing, dance, build sets and props, create costumes and most of all, bring to life these funny, sweet, sour, cool, sassy, and loving characters and their stories. On the technical side, we have put every special effect we could find into this show, so be prepared for the unexpected. Be prepared for stars, colors, flashes, thunder, fog, bubbles, spooky tap dancers, and a few surprises.

I hope you enjoy all of it and find some new “thinks” of your own.

Thank you,
Debra Jolly

I was nervous when I stepped onto the stage to audition for Seussical the Musical, but by the time I hit the last note of my audition song, I felt like a Broadway performer. What a rush! Now I know why the actors love being on stage with Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc.

I’m Joan Koehne (AKA Mrs. Mayor in Seussical). I haven’t been in a show for 20+ years, not since I
performed with my kids in the first ASPI shows. ASPI founder Nancy Byng would be amazed by the
transformation. The theater has come so far! Instead of performing at the Abrams Town Hall, ASPI has a newly renovated theater facility. Instead of performing shows written by Nancy Byng, ASPI performs intricate Broadway shows, with talented singers, dancers, and actors.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the opportunity for community members like me to participate in a
show. I am having a lot of fun. I leave behind my everyday life and become someone totally different. I get to sing, dance, and interact with “theater people” of all ages.

Since 2003, ASPI has presented so many amazing shows for the community to enjoy. None of these
performances would be possible without our valued volunteers and generous sponsors. Thank you for your generosity in the past. You have helped ASPI produce remarkable shows and upgrade its facility. In 2024, ASPI repainted the theater a stunning midnight blue, installed an outdoor, lighted ASPI sign, purchased a lawn mower, and worked on foundation and landscaping projects.

ASPI is run 100% by volunteers. The theater plays an important role in the community, offering
involvement and entertainment opportunities not found in other rural communities. So, I earnestly ask for your sponsorship, so ASPI can achieve its goals in 2025 and beyond. Please make a tax-deductible donation as a Silver, Gold, Platinum or Corporate Spotlight Sponsor. Simply complete the portion below or donate securely online by going to www.abramstheater.com and clicking “Support.” Thank you!

Sincerely,
Joan Koehne, ASPI Volunteer and Performer

Twenty-five years ago, Nancy Byng had a really big think! She thunk of a theater here in Abrams. It
started out impossibly small in the town hall with sheets and wires for curtains and Nancy writing her
own scripts. But a theater is a theater no matter how small.

Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. grew and grew to where we are today. Who knows where our theater
thinks can take us next! ASPI has been through a lot of transformations, especially the last couple of years. This year, you
probably noticed our building changed colors, and we have a lit sign facing the street. Less obvious are
the improvements we completed to the building’s foundation and exterior staircase. Plus, we now own
a super-sized, commercial riding lawnmower.

But wait, there’s more! ASPI is going beyond just a theater and shows to becoming an arts campus! Our
future is as bright as a spotlight, and it shines on us, the community. Let’s work together to really make
it shine! We invite you to be part of our theater family. Your support and generosity are what turns a
simple think into something grand.

Thanks to all of the ASPI supporters in 2024. Let’s make 2025 even more spectacular.

Bill Koehne
ASPI President

Calling all actors, actresses, and thespians! With the announcement of ASPI’s upcoming 2025 season, you must be itching to know when auditions will be held!

Here is a preview to keep you off the edge of your seat: 

• Godspell
  • Director: Elizabeth Jolly-Haslitt
  • Performances: March 13-23, 2025
  • Auditions on 12/18/2024 or 12/19/2024

Did we mention that there will be nine performances instead of the usual eight?!

• The Play that Goes Wrong
  • Director: Mike Eserkaln
  • Performances: May 8-18, 2025
  • Auditions on 1/28/2025 or 1/29/2025

A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens, Jr.

• Director: Bobby Buffington
• Performances: December 4-14, 2025
• Auditions in August 2025

More information regarding auditions will be shared on ASPI’s Facebook page. Be sure to follow Abrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. so you don’t miss any important announcements!

If you have any questions please call the Box Office at 920-826-5852 or visit abramstheater.com!

Woo hoo! It’s time to unveil a new season of shows for Abrams Spotlight Productions. How exciting! But how did we get this pivotal moment in the history of the universe? (I mean, the history of the theater.) Well, it takes a small community to select the shows for the large community who then presents the shows to the broader community. This is “community” theater times three!

Role of the Production Advisory Committee

Let’s look closely at the role of one of the small communities at ASPI, the Production Advisory Committee, comprised of a group of seven theater experts. The Production Advisory Committee (PAC) researches and selects the shows for ASPI to produce. Kelsey Steeno is one of the PAC members. “It is great to serve on this committee because I like to do research on shows to see what would be a good fit for this theater,” she said. “We work together as a team to put together a great season. Everyone’s input helps.”

Director Submissions & Brainstorming

The PAC, which meets in the spring and summer, helps determine the structure and schedule of the upcoming theater season, which is announced in the fall. The committee asks directors to submit their ideas and reviews the scripts that directors suggest. They also brainstorm ideas for other scripts that would be a good fit for ASPI. “There are a lot of shows that I would love to do, but the show has to fit with the theater mission and talent and audience type,” Kelsey said.

How ASPI Chooses its Shows

When selecting shows, the PAC considers a lot of different elements including director availability, cast size, number of roles for each gender and age group, royalty availability and costs, revenue calculations, and the cohesiveness of the season as a whole. One of the shows on the PAC’s “Wish List” is Mamma Mia. “This show is performed a lot, so it is harder to get rights. Plus, now it is touring again,” Kelsey said. While Mama Mia waits in the wings, ASPI unveiled three other amazing shows for the 2025 season: Godspell, The Play That Goes Wrong, and Dickens Jr. We can’t wait to see how these shows unfold.

Gathering Your Input for Community Theater

What show would you like to see performed at the Nancy Byng Community Theater? Let us know, and the Production Advisory Committee will add it to their list of possibilities.