August 2024
Opening night of “Stage, Screen & In-Between” is quickly approaching and the performers are busy! FREE tickets will be available September 1st at local establishments: Lamb’s Fresh Market-Wausau and Rib Mtn; Festival Foods-Wausau and Weston; County Market; and Grand Theater/PAF. We have never turned anyone away at the door and will have tickets for you there each night too!
Preparing for the show includes a pre-show performance on the 400 Block! You can see us performing on stage on Sunday, September 8th @ 12:00PM. We love to have an audience (hint, hint) so we hope you can be there!
You can see us again on Labor Day. Watch for our group in the Labor Day Parade (down 3rd Avenue to the Labor Temple) on Monday, September 2nd starting @ 4:00PM. We will be handing out candy and Save The Date cards. We really enjoy saying hello to people and letting folks know about our show.
And we DO have fun outside of rehearsals! You may have heard us at Woodchuck games cheering for the Chucks and singing the National Anthem. We recently had a group picnic with activities and lots of food.
We finished our advertising campaign and have 5 sponsors and 40+ advertisers in our program this year. We love that community support!
And you can support us with a donation as well. It is time for our annual appeal, and we are sending out letters soon. We also have our VIP options. Beginning at a donation of $25, you receive two VIP tickets plus prize drawing entries; at $100 or more, you receive up to eight tickets and prize drawing entries plus drink tickets. VIP tickets are available for pickup at the theater and allow you earlier entry to the theater. You can sign up at a performance for VIP or send a donation of $25 or more and we will have tickets waiting for you at the theater.
Excitement is rising and we look forward to seeing you in the audience. Facebook users: Please ‘Like’ the CenterStage Band and Show Choir page if you have not already done so. It is a great way to keep up with all the activities and news.
See you September 2nd at the Labor Day parade, September 8th (12:00PM) at the 400 Block, and of course at the show on September 26th, 27th, and 28th (Grand Theater, 7:00PM).
Thank you for being part of our special audiences!
April 2024
Extra! Extra! CenterStage is well on its way to bringing you CENTERSTAGE AT THE GRAND 2024!
Director Joel Freiberg shared this year’s show theme and ensemble song selections with CenterStage members during the first rehearsal on January 11th.
At the annual meeting on January 18th, we elected one new Board member, James Hawkins, and at the first Board meeting also welcomed new Board member Vicki Her Moua, along with current Board members Reese Aarthun, Jodi Peters, and Ian Robinson. Officers were approved by the Board: Dan Weith, President; Lucas Gajewski, Vice President; Carley Jones, Secretary; and Sarah Verber, Treasurer.
And what do the Board and Officers do? They work with the committees to bring you the annual show at the Grand Theater!
For example:
Membership: Following auditions, we welcomed six performing members: Riley Alcoba, Tina Geissler, Veronica Spahn, Abigail Wierzbicki, Phillip Wyman, and Kristin Zaal and welcomed back Jenn Tomcek. Seasoned performers came forward and will be mentors for this first year to answer questions for the new performers.
And then there is Publicity. In March, CenterStage members began suggesting show titles, which were then narrowed down to two options for voting. The final show title will be shared on the CenterStage Band and Show Choir Facebook page soon. If you “Like” that page, you will be among the first to know!
Publicity shares updates on social media regarding how the show is coming together and the other activities in which members participate. We will be singing for the Honor Flight dinner on April 21st, as we have for every Honor Flight banquet since they began. The Memorial Day Parade is coming up in May and we plan to walk with other local organizations. More activities will be reported in future Spotlight Extras.
Sharing our Talents!
CenterStage members also share their talents in the community. Dale Burgess is on the Board for the Central Wisconsin Children’s Theater, which helps local youth enjoy acting and yes, singing and dancing! James and Paula Hawkins recently performed in the Wausau Community Theatre (theater on the side) production of Outside Mullingar. Dale Burgess and Ian Robinson were part of the Greater Northern Choral Association performance on Palm Sunday. And five members are part of the Wausau Lyric Choir, which will be presenting its Spring concert on April 20th and 21st.
How We Got Involved
Have you ever wondered how members got involved? Well, Spotlight Extra asked and here are some of the replies.
Justin Evans (2nd-year choir performer)
Auditioning for the group was mentioned to me by a number of people, but most vocal about it was Missy Kolbeck [choreographer]. I never imagined that the group would be as welcoming as they have been and have had as much fun as I have. Looking forward to creating even more memories in year 2.
