vistatheater.org

Name(s)	Plays	Current Location	Current Theater Involvement/Occupation	Memories	Comments & Suggestions

Anderson, Carl	Night of The Living Dead 2010, Kalevala 2009, The Full Monty 2007, Escanaba in da Moonlight 2006, The Wizard of Oz 2005, The Odd Couple (female version) 2004, Anatomy of a Murder 2003, Man of LaMancha 2002, The Fantastics 2001	Marquette, MI	I sell goodies. I'm still wanting to produce my magnum opus and autobiography "Blue Stallion" on the Vista stage. Al doesn't think there's an audience for it here though. Denied, story of my career.	I sell goodies. I'm still wanting to produce my magnum opus and autobiography "Blue Stallion" on the Vista stage. Al doesn't think there's an audience for it here though. Denied, story of my career.	Getting real tough with John Paan. Ryan and Chris K launching potatoes. The clumsy Knight of Mirrors. Sharing human entrails with Cheyenne. Shotgunning Leinenkugels on stage. The disappearing (magic) “Wizard” of OZ. Life-sized cutout of Buddy Keno Walsh. Al and Rose’s wedding (sudden surreal), and the Summer of Kalevala
Brown, Bobby Glenn	Bye,Bye Birdie, Babes in Arms, Pajama Game, Camelot, Secret Garden, The Wizard of OZ, The Rocky Horror Show	Marquette, MI	Still working in theatre and liven the dream. Write theatre articles and reviews for local news paper.	As a teenager it was creative outlet, a place for youth to perform and it still is today! Directing Rocky Horror in 2002 was a young kids goal come true. Being the original Frank-N-Furter at PAAC, now 8 times is unbelievable and a blast!	Never quit or give up. Always respect the Art in yourself, Not yourself in the Art. An actor's body is their instument; take good care of it. My closest and lifelong friends I met or worked with at the Vista : ) People like Lynne Anderson of The Yoopers, and Leah Hocking who is successful on Braodway. It is a unique jewel in the U.P. Please consider donating your time and or money to keep it shinning for many generations to come
Carlson, Denise	"Too many to list."	Apache Junction, Arizona	I'm teaching at a performing arts elementary school in Scottsdale, Arizona.	There are too many to list. Whorehouse was a total blast. So was Nunsense!
Carlson, Madeline	CATS, 2006, Alice in Wonderland, 2007, High School Musical, 2008, Footloose, 2008, Bye Bye Birdie, 2009, Sweeney Todd, 2009	New Orleans, LA	School, and theater	I have soooo many great memories, but one of the best was in Footloose, when Max flipped Eliisa and her shoe went flying off! But my favorite memory was in CATS...were a bat went right across the stage in the middle of the show!	I would recommend to just have fun!!
Collins, Ron	Just about everything from the first Haunted House in 1978 thru the Airband Competitions in 1985.	Janesville, WI	I write and produce my own plays as a side hobby for Broom Street Theater in Madison. I am pretty darn good at stage lighting too. If it were a paying thing I could've retired long ago.	My first memories are of seeing movies there in the early 70's. It has always smelled of stale pocorn and aging plaster. I miss it. I know a lot of the Theater's history and have been in every nook and crany of the building.	PAAC is your only hope of surviving Negaunee with out developing a drug dependancy.
Durfee, Alicia	Annie, 1998, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 2000, Guys and Dolls Jr., 2000	Washington, D.C.	Graduated from Oberlin College in 2007 with a BA in English; at Georgetown University working on an MA in Communication, Culture, and Technology; employed part-time as a researcher for the National Council on Teacher Quality	What memories DON'T I have?! Seeing Little Shop of Horrors in June of 1998 and thinking, "YES, I want to be in a show like THAT!" (and totally crushing on Seymour)...running around drinking Surge with a bunch of other crazy 12-year-olds during Annie...playing a courtesan in Forum at the tender age of 15 (and wasn't my mother proud!)...and singing "Smelly Cat" as my first audition song.	Never give in! Don't let others' ideas of what constitutes a good actor (or a good career) prevent you from following your dream. Play whenever you can, wherever you can. All experience is good experience. And, most of all, enjoy yourself! Drama can be found offstage, too - try not to get sucked in. PAAC - I miss you!
Gladwell, Eliisa	High School Musical, 2008, Footloose, 2008	Negaunee, Michigan	School, and Theater	I have a lot of memories from the Vista. I especially remember HSM because that was the first play Ihave ever had a lead in. I remember having at least 15 little kids in my dressing room every night. I remember meeting a ton of new people in HSM.	Make sure you talk slowly and loudly. Have FUN! and Practice.
Graham, Paige	The Sound of Music, 2004, The Secret Garden, 2006, CATS, 2006, Kiss Me Kate, 2007, Alice in Wonderland, 2007, and High School Musical, 2008	Marquette, Michigan	Ummmm . . . going to school! And I definitely do a lot of theater!	I have a lot of memories from the Vista theater. I remember all of the many people I've met. And my favorite memory is during Alice in Wonderland, how Jessica and I would always ride together and talk constantly. I also, believe it or not, remember being on the STAGE at the Vista theater! Imagine that?!?!?	I suggest that you don't be too hard on yourself. I mean theater's supposed to be fun! True, you have to focus sometimes, but like if you don't get the part you wanted, just accept it. Your time will come. I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE VISTA THEATER!!! DON'T EVER CHANGE!!!!!
Grigg, Kelsey	CATS, 2006	Ishpeming, Michigan	I am currently involved in a number of activities such as drama club, the plays here at school, key club, action troupe and new kids on the rock Marquette Chapter	When paige, Chealsea, Caitlin and I got to hang out together and become good friends. Whoever thought they would get me interested in acting. Thanks to them I am not afraid to act now. ha ha	Don't rush, speak clearly and slowly, accentuate your words so the audience will understand you. Never have your back to the audience. Know your cues and lines and don't chew gum on stage. Most important - listen to the director and techies as hey know what is going on. Be yourself and do not stress out before the play 'cause in the end you know everything is going to come together and be all right. Have fun with what you are working with and in the end the cast and crew becomes like one big family. Don't talk in the wings during practice or performances because the audience can hear it too.
Halsey, Kristen	Rocky Horror, 2007, 2008	Marquette, Michigan	Going to school and definitely doing a lot of theatre	Everyone I ever worked with built my confidence (especially when you're in Rocky). The cast is always amazing.	Don't dwell on rejection, build off of it.
Kangas, Gabe	Fidler on the Roof, 1989 (?) through The Hobbit, 1994 (One or two shows per year plus summer writing and acting work shops	Oak Forest, I llinois	Making tunes, working for a communications company	All the great friends I made over the years. From a young age PAAC allowed me to come into my own with people I could relate to.	Remember, the crowd doesn't know the script. Oh, and if you can see the audience, the audience can see you. And all those other cliche theater phrases. Break a leg!
Keefer, Al	Worked with or was in plays from 1984 to present	Ishpeming, Michigan	Executive Director of the Vista Theater. Thrift Shop	I forgot them all. Wait.. I do remember hauling many heavy items.	Try to enjoy and learn from any and every experience.
Kratz, Katie	Grease, Annie, The Jungle Book, The King and I, Scrooge	Ishpeming, MI	I'm working at the local Target	I have so many memories, so many wonderful memories. I remember watching rehearsals for Annie and thinking that the actors on stage were the best and that someday I would be one of them. I remember how my best friend and I would joke about PAAC popcorn, that it was better than regular because it had bits of plaster in it!	I would tell anyone who wanted to improve to just keep with their craft and to never stop, never give up.
LaChapelle, Dave	Cabaret Kiss Me, Kate, 2007 Rocky Horror, First got involved in second year, did light design for 2007	Marquette, Michigan	Currently, I am the Master Electrician at the Forest Roberts Theatre, and for the summer, I am the ligting intern at the Utah Festival Opera Company in Logan, UT	Kyle Martin, Rocky Horror callbacks, lighting mishaps, fly rail mishaps	None, I do not act. For technicians, work hard and stay committed. Donate to the Vista. It's a beautiful facility and I would hate to see anything bad become of it
Rogers, Chelsea	Chicago	Kalamazoo, Michigan	Have a BFA in Music Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Arts Adminstration and Casting.	The luxury dressing rooms! How absolutely outstanding our production of Chicago was -- having a blast with John Pann and Catherine Carter -- the floral costumes during Razzle Dazzle and the gorgeous lighting for the Cell Block Tango!	Be an intelligent actor. Avoid drama; it may be theatre, but one doesn't need to live their life as if it's a stage. Take the time to truly understand a role and have fun doing it -- don't take yourself so seriously, there is always more to learn. And dang, take it all in -- do everything, tech & otherwise.
Rudden, Mike	Alice in Wonderland, 2007 Hair, 2008	Marquette, Michigan	Senior at NMU, student teaching winter 2009 and graduating May 2009. Acting and teching at the FRT, Black Box, Lake Superior Theatre and Vista	It's a great place to just have fun doing a show with your friends. It's always great to have a venue to do less conventional shows. Never stop challenging yourself. There's always more to learn and things you can improve on, so be involved in as many productions as you can, in whatever capacity possible. And remember--fear is an actor's worst enemy.	Never stop challenging yourself. There's always more to learn and things you can improve on, so be involved in as many productions as you can, in whatever capacity possible. And remember--fear is an actor's worst enemy.
Russo, Joseph	No Dreams For Me 1986, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 1987, The Wizard of Oz 1988, Carousel and Aesop's Fractured Fables both in 1989, Fiddler on The Roof 1990 , Kiss Me, Kate 1991, The Pajama Game 1992, The Music Man 1994, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 1996, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum 2000, Sweet Charity 2001, Grease 2002, Brigadoon 2003, Cabaret 2003, Godspell 2004, Bye Bye Birdie 2009	Escanaba, MI	OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, MI	Having lots of fun!!!	Just be confident of yourself!! You can do
Sarkela, John	Kiss Me, Kate, 2007 Footloose, 2008 Kalevala, 2009	Ventura, CA & Marquette, Michigan	Writing software
Smith, Randy	Annie, Jungle Book, King and I, 2000	Grove Heights, MN	Work full time in a group home. Will be going back to school.	The awesome rehearsals and the time spent on stage with my fellow actors.	Go for it. Go to school, follow your dreams.
Wash, Max Labeaud	Hair 2008 - "woof"	Marquette, MI	I just finished a production of "Rent" at the Forest Roberts Theatre at NMU. I played the role of Benny in Shelly Russels production. I now am attending school full time and enjoy my time with my wife and children.	My memories of Hair at the Vista are the greatest . I made so many lifelong wonderful friends and I just had a ball. I would never trade those memories for anything in the world.
Weingartner, Dale	Anatomy of a Murder, 2003 The Full Monty, 2007	Gwinn, Michigan	Lobby manager for the Vista and treasurer for PAAC. Horologist	Every play and many actors bring back special memories.	There really is a sense of community at the Vista Theater, just like one big family.
Yearicks, Ryan	Anatomy of a Murder, 2003	Carthage, New York	Construction, general carpentry	How great it was to learn about theater work and how everyone made me feel welcome and helped me learn my part.	Just keep at it. I gave up after visiting some other theater groups, but hope to get back in it again. If you want to help out just let the Vista know. I didnt know anything about doing spot lights, but after a few practices I was able to run the spot light for "Chicago."

Name(s)

Plays

Current
Location

Current Theater Involvement/Occupation

Memories

Comments &
Suggestions

Night of The Living Dead 2010, Kalevala 2009, The Full Monty 2007, Escanaba in da Moonlight 2006, The Wizard of Oz 2005, The Odd Couple (female version) 2004, Anatomy of a Murder 2003, Man of LaMancha 2002, The Fantastics 2001

Marquette, MI

I sell goodies. I'm still wanting to produce my magnum opus and autobiography "Blue Stallion" on the Vista stage. Al doesn't think there's an audience for it here though. Denied, story of my career.

Getting real tough with John Paan. Ryan and Chris K launching potatoes. The clumsy Knight of Mirrors. Sharing human entrails with Cheyenne. Shotgunning Leinenkugels on stage. The disappearing (magic) “Wizard” of OZ. Life-sized cutout of Buddy Keno Walsh. Al and Rose’s wedding (sudden surreal), and the Summer of Kalevala

Brown, Bobby Glenn

Bye,Bye Birdie, Babes in Arms, Pajama Game, Camelot, Secret Garden, The Wizard of OZ, The Rocky Horror Show

Marquette, MI

Still working in theatre and liven the dream. Write theatre articles and reviews for local news paper.

As a teenager it was creative outlet, a place for youth to perform and it still is today! Directing Rocky Horror in 2002 was a young kids goal come true. Being the original Frank-N-Furter at PAAC, now 8 times is unbelievable and a blast!

Never quit or give up. Always respect the Art in yourself, Not yourself in the Art. An actor's body is their instument; take good care of it.

My closest and lifelong friends I met or worked with at the Vista : ) People like Lynne Anderson of The Yoopers, and Leah Hocking who is successful on Braodway. It is a unique jewel in the U.P. Please consider donating your time and or money to keep it shinning for many generations to come

Carlson, Denise

"Too many to list."

Apache Junction, Arizona

I'm teaching at a performing arts elementary school in Scottsdale, Arizona.

There are too many to list. Whorehouse was a total blast. So was Nunsense!

Carlson, Madeline

CATS, 2006, Alice in Wonderland, 2007, High School Musical, 2008, Footloose, 2008, Bye Bye Birdie, 2009, Sweeney Todd, 2009

New Orleans, LA

School, and theater

I have soooo many great memories, but one of the best was in Footloose, when Max flipped Eliisa and her shoe went flying off! But my favorite memory was in CATS...were a bat went right across the stage in the middle of the show!

I would recommend to just have fun!!

Collins, Ron

Just about everything from the first Haunted House in 1978 thru the Airband Competitions in 1985.

Janesville, WI

I write and produce my own plays as a side hobby for Broom Street Theater in Madison. I am pretty darn good at stage lighting too. If it were a paying thing I could've retired long ago.

My first memories are of seeing movies there in the early 70's. It has always smelled of stale pocorn and aging plaster. I miss it. I know a lot of the Theater's history and have been in every nook and crany of the building.

PAAC is your only hope of surviving Negaunee with out developing a drug dependancy.

Durfee, Alicia

Annie, 1998, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 2000, Guys and Dolls Jr., 2000

Washington,
D.C.

Graduated from Oberlin College in 2007 with a BA in English; at Georgetown University working on an MA in Communication, Culture, and Technology; employed part-time as a researcher for the National Council on Teacher Quality

What memories DON'T I have?! Seeing Little Shop of Horrors in June of 1998 and thinking, "YES, I want to be in a show like THAT!" (and totally crushing on Seymour)...running around drinking Surge with a bunch of other crazy 12-year-olds during Annie...playing a courtesan in Forum at the tender age of 15 (and wasn't my mother proud!)...and singing "Smelly Cat" as my first audition song.

Never give in! Don't let others' ideas of what constitutes a good actor (or a good career) prevent you from following your dream. Play whenever you can, wherever you can. All experience is good experience. And, most of all, enjoy yourself! Drama can be found offstage, too - try not to get sucked in.
PAAC - I miss you!

Gladwell, Eliisa

High School Musical, 2008,
Footloose, 2008

Negaunee,
Michigan

School, and Theater

I have a lot of memories from the Vista. I especially remember HSM because that was the first play Ihave ever had a lead in. I remember having at least 15 little kids in my dressing room every night. I remember meeting a ton of new people in HSM.

Make sure you talk slowly and loudly. Have FUN! and Practice.

Graham, Paige

The Sound of Music, 2004, The Secret Garden, 2006, CATS, 2006, Kiss Me Kate, 2007, Alice in Wonderland, 2007, and High School Musical, 2008

Marquette, Michigan

Ummmm . . . going to school! And I definitely do a lot of theater!

I have a lot of memories from the Vista theater. I remember all of the many people I've met. And my favorite memory is during Alice in Wonderland, how Jessica and I would always ride together and talk constantly. I also, believe it or not, remember being on the STAGE at the Vista theater! Imagine that?!?!?

I suggest that you don't be too hard on yourself. I mean theater's supposed to be fun! True, you have to focus sometimes, but like if you don't get the part you wanted, just accept it. Your time will come.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE VISTA THEATER!!! DON'T EVER CHANGE!!!!!

Grigg, Kelsey

CATS, 2006

Ishpeming,
Michigan

I am currently involved in a number of activities such as drama club, the plays here at school, key club, action troupe and new kids on the rock Marquette Chapter

When paige, Chealsea, Caitlin and I got to hang out together and become good friends. Whoever thought they would get me interested in acting. Thanks to them I am not afraid to act now. ha ha

Don't rush, speak clearly and slowly, accentuate your words so the audience will understand you.
Never have your back to the audience. Know your cues and lines and don't chew gum on stage. Most important - listen to the director and techies as hey know what is going on.

Be yourself and do not stress out before the play 'cause in the end you know everything is going to come together and be all right. Have fun with what you are working with and in the end the cast and crew becomes like one big family. Don't talk in the wings during practice or performances because the audience can hear it too.

Halsey, Kristen

Rocky Horror, 2007, 2008

Marquette,
Michigan

Going to school and definitely doing a lot of theatre

Everyone I ever worked with built my confidence (especially when you're in Rocky). The cast is always amazing.

Don't dwell on rejection, build off of it.

Kangas, Gabe

Fidler on the Roof, 1989 (?)
through The Hobbit, 1994
(One or two shows per year plus summer writing and acting work shops

Oak Forest,
I llinois

Making tunes, working for a communications company

All the great friends I made over the years. From a young age PAAC allowed me to come into my own with people I could relate to.

Remember, the crowd doesn't know the script. Oh, and if you can see the audience, the audience can see you. And all those other cliche theater phrases. Break a leg!

Keefer, Al

Worked with or was in plays from 1984 to present

Ishpeming, Michigan

Executive Director of the Vista Theater. Thrift Shop

I forgot them all. Wait.. I do remember hauling many heavy items.

Try to enjoy and learn from any and every experience.

Kratz, Katie

Grease, Annie, The Jungle Book, The King and I, Scrooge

Ishpeming, MI

I'm working at the local Target

I have so many memories, so many wonderful memories. I remember watching rehearsals for Annie and thinking that the actors on stage were the best and that someday I would be one of them. I remember how my best friend and I would joke about PAAC popcorn, that it was better than regular because it had bits of plaster in it!

I would tell anyone who wanted to improve to just keep with their craft and to never stop, never give up.

LaChapelle, Dave

Cabaret
Kiss Me, Kate, 2007
Rocky Horror, First got involved in second year, did light design for 2007

Marquette,
Michigan

Currently, I am the Master Electrician at the Forest Roberts Theatre, and for the summer, I am the ligting intern at the Utah Festival Opera Company in Logan, UT

Kyle Martin, Rocky Horror callbacks, lighting mishaps, fly rail mishaps

None, I do not act. For technicians, work hard and stay committed.

Donate to the Vista. It's a beautiful facility and I would hate to see anything bad become of it

Rogers, Chelsea

Chicago

Kalamazoo,
Michigan

Have a BFA in Music Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Arts Adminstration and Casting.

The luxury dressing rooms! How absolutely outstanding our production of Chicago was -- having a blast with John Pann and Catherine Carter -- the floral costumes during Razzle Dazzle and the gorgeous lighting for the Cell Block Tango!

Be an intelligent actor. Avoid drama; it may be theatre, but one doesn't need to live their life as if it's a stage. Take the time to truly understand a role and have fun doing it -- don't take yourself so seriously, there is always more to learn. And dang, take it all in -- do everything, tech & otherwise.

Rudden, Mike

Alice in Wonderland, 2007
Hair, 2008

Marquette, Michigan

Senior at NMU, student teaching winter 2009 and graduating May 2009. Acting and teching at the FRT, Black Box, Lake Superior Theatre and Vista

It's a great place to just have fun doing a show with your friends. It's always great to have a venue to do less conventional shows.
Never stop challenging yourself. There's always more to learn and things you can improve on, so be involved in as many productions as you can, in whatever capacity possible. And remember--fear is an actor's worst enemy.

Never stop challenging yourself. There's always more to learn and things you can improve on, so be involved in as many productions as you can, in whatever capacity possible. And remember--fear is an actor's worst enemy.

Russo, Joseph

No Dreams For Me 1986, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe 1987, The Wizard of Oz 1988, Carousel and Aesop's Fractured Fables both in 1989, Fiddler on The Roof 1990 , Kiss Me, Kate 1991, The Pajama Game 1992, The Music Man 1994, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 1996, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum 2000, Sweet Charity 2001, Grease 2002, Brigadoon 2003, Cabaret 2003, Godspell 2004, Bye Bye Birdie 2009

Escanaba, MI

OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, MI

Having lots of fun!!!

Just be confident of yourself!! You can do

Sarkela, John

Kiss Me, Kate, 2007
Footloose, 2008
Kalevala, 2009

Ventura, CA & Marquette,
Michigan

Writing software

Smith, Randy

Annie, Jungle Book,
King and I, 2000

Grove Heights, MN

Work full time in a group home. Will be going back to school.

The awesome rehearsals and the time spent on stage with my fellow actors.

Go for it. Go to school, follow your dreams.

Wash, Max Labeaud

Hair 2008 - "woof"

Marquette, MI

I just finished a production of "Rent" at the Forest Roberts Theatre at NMU. I played the role of Benny in Shelly Russels production. I now am attending school full time and enjoy my time with my wife and children.

My memories of Hair at the Vista are the greatest . I made so many lifelong wonderful friends and I just had a ball. I would never trade those memories for anything in the world.

Weingartner, Dale

Anatomy of a Murder, 2003
The Full Monty, 2007

Gwinn,
Michigan

Lobby manager for the Vista and treasurer for PAAC. Horologist

Every play and many actors bring back special memories.

There really is a sense of community at the Vista Theater, just like one big family.

Yearicks, Ryan

Anatomy of a Murder, 2003

Carthage,
New York

Construction, general carpentry

How great it was to learn about theater work and how everyone made me feel welcome and helped me learn my part.

Just keep at it. I gave up after visiting some other theater groups, but hope to get back in it again.

If you want to help out just let the Vista know. I didnt know anything about doing spot lights, but after a few practices I was able to run the spot light for "Chicago."