Springfield Little Theatre | 2021–2022 Season

2021-2022 SEASON

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IT'S TIME TO LEARN WHAT SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE IS ALL ABOUT INCLUDING THE LEGACY, THE CLASSES, THE ACTORS, THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE FUTURE OF SLT.

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

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2021—2022 Season

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Table of Contents Backstage 10 SEASON PREVIEW

Grab your calendar because this season's lineup will have you at the Landers each month.

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SPOTLIGHT

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BY THE NUMBERS

Next time you're at a SLT show, thank Barbara Parker for all her hard work. This volunteer has spent years working on sets and is loving every minute of it.

These are the hours of rehearsals the SLT crew put into just one show, the number of students at The Judy and the number of viewers who tuned into SLT's online shows during COVID.

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Feature 22 THE SHOW MUST GO ON

SLT has a legacy to protect, and it's one that started more than 80 years ago thanks to some generous theatre fans. Today, that legacy is going strong and getting a little bigger and better each year.

Curtain Speech 30 LISTINGS

Meet all the local businesses and supporters who help make Springfield Little Theatre possible each season.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BETH DOMANN

Meet three theatre fans who are showing their love and support to SLT by signing up to become underwriters.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Did you know SLT has a fi lm lab?

No? That's okay. Turn to p. 17 to learn how it's preparing students for careers in fi lm.

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OFFSTAGE

These three leading ladies used to be performers at SLT, and now that experience is helping them in their new careers.

The Landers Theatre

Photos by Brandon Alms, courtesy Shutterstock ,

311 E. Walnut Street Springfield, MO 65806 Box Office: (417) 869-1334 PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Travis Liles VICE PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS Luke Simon EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Beth Domann EDUCATION DIRECTOR Lorianne Dunn BUSINESS MANAGER Angela Peabody SET DESIGNER/ TECHNICAL DIRECTOR John R. “Chuck” Roger

LIGHTING AND SOUND DESIGNER /TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Jamie Bower COSTUME DESIGNER Kaley Jackson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Eli Cunningham YOUTH PROGRAMS DIRECTOR Zoe Zelonky EDUCATION OUTREACH SPECIALIST Kaleb Norman

Join in on the Action!

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AMMIE SCOTT Vice President of Strategy and Senior Account Executive FREELANCE WRITERS Juliana Goodwin, Peyson Mecke, Vivian Wheeler

What a crazy year and a half! We are so excited to be starting our 87th season.

Part of why we’re so excited for this new season is that we have a legacy to uphold. This is where people get their starts and grow.

Whether you end up in theatre or you become a doctor or lawyer, community theatre teaches you to relate to people. Just turn to p. 19 to meet three women who used to perform with us at SLT and who have used the skills they learned on stage in their adult lives. Those skills stick with you, especially the ability to empathize.

But also, we're excited to return because it means we get to see all of you again. For us, being able to entertain all of you and bring theatre and dance into the community means everything to us. It means we're connecting with the community we love and live in.

You can share that love, too. Meet three Springfieldians who are sharing their love for our not so little community theatre on p. 15.

While you’re reading, let us say thank you to all of our donors, underwriters and patrons! We couldn’t do this without you. Now, it’s time to start the season, and the only thing missing is you! So grab your season tickets and a friend and start making memories at Springfield Little Theatre and become part of our legacy.

All my best, Beth Domann Executive Director

THESE GUYS ARE SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT THE PUBLICATION. HOW MANY CAN YOU FIND? THE ANSWER IS ON PG. 38 (NO CHEATING)!

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Springfield Little Theatre

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Backstage

Season Pass

bers you know and love, a whimsical set and a story that never gets old, you’ll fall under its spell. Just be sure you make it back home by midnight, or you might turn into a pumpkin.

BY VIVIAN WHEELER KINKY BOOTS September 9–26, 2021 Kinky Boots was originally scheduled to debut on the SLT stage in June of 2020. Then COVID hit. More than a year later, the much–awaited musical will kick off the 2021-2022 season.

Kinky Boots tells the story of an unlikely pairing between a failing shoe factory owner and a determined drag queen. Winning six Tony awards, including Best Musical, Kinky Boots is filled with over–the–top costumes, a decent amount of adult humor and a story that will warm the coldest of hearts.

SECURITY GUARD FROM FULL MONTY

SHREK THE MUSICAL JR October 21–31, 2021 Everyone knows the story of Shrek, the title character of DreamWorks' smash hit movie, but to see it set to music and brought to life on stage takes the experience to a whole other level. Adapted from the original Broadway play Shrek The Musical, this mini version runs at only 60 minutes and is perfect for kiddos.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA November 19–December 5, 2021 Based on the beloved fairytale and originally written for television in 1957, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will truly enchant the entire family.

With plenty of musical num-

CINDERELLA FROM RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA 10

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

STEEL MAGNOLIAS March 4–13, 2022 Steel Magnolias explores the enduring bonds of family and friendship among a group of Southern women as they face the trials and tribulations of life in small town Louisiana.

Filled with laughs and heartbreak alike, this show is a rollercoaster of emotions. You will love every up and down.

OUISER FROM STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Photos by Brandon Alms

THIS SEASON, SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE IS SERVING UP A SLATE OF SHOWS THAT OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

THE FULL MONTY January 28, 2022–February 13, 2022 Set in Buffalo, New York, two unemployed steelworkers decide to turn their financial fate around by creating a male strip show similar to Chippendales. After assembling a ragtag crew of performers, the friends and fellow stripper wannabes navigate skepticism from their families, money issues and their own insecurities as they work to put on a show that won’t be forgotten. And after watching the finale number, we’re betting you won’t be forgetting it anytime soon, either.

THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL April 8–24, 2022 Based on the bestselling young adult novel The Lightning Thief, this musical adaptation is guaranteed family friendly fun. In this action–packed adventure, Greek mythology meets the modern day world as highschooler Percy Jackson, a son of Poseidon, races to stop war from breaking out among the Gods. Accompanied by an original hard–rocking score, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is not to be missed.

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL June 10–26, 2022 End the season under the sea with SpongeBob and friends as they battle to save Bikini Bottom from total annihilation. Original music by some of today’s most popular artists, such as Lady Antebellum, John Legend and The Flaming Lips, will have you dancing in your seats as hijinks and hilarity ensue.

Photos by Brandon Alms

Photos by Brandon Alms

PERCY AND ANNABETH FROM THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Backstage

A Helping Hand BARBARA PARKER IS A DEDICATED SLT VOLUNTEER AND RETIRED COMPUTER PROGRAMMER. PAINTING SETS IS NOT ONLY A HOBBY, IT’S HER SECOND ACT.

BY VIVIAN WHEELER If you’ve seen a Springfield Little Theatre performance in the last decade, then you’ve seen Barbara Parker’s handiwork. Whether it was the colorful flowers in Secret Garden, the Alps from Sound of Music or the dark stone buildings in Les Miserables, Parker played a role in painting it. That’s quite the resume considering before 2011, Parker had never painted a set in her life.

All of that changed when she took a watercolor class at the Springfield Art Museum.

“There was a woman in the class who always came to class looking like this,” Parker says, pointing to her paint-splattered clothes. Parker asked the woman why her clothes were covered in paint and the woman explained she volunteered her time painting sets at Springfield Little Theatre. “I thought, that sounds like more fun than anything,” she says. “I just thought that was a dream job.” When she showed up at SLT to volunteer, Chuck Rogers, co-technical director and resident scenic designer, put her to work right away, and she’s been here ever since.

At this point, Parker is Rogers’ right-hand woman when it comes to set design. “She is my other half,” Rogers says about Parker. “She’s

taken all of my weaknesses and turned them into strengths."

Luckily, Parker is equally effusive of Rogers.

When asked what her favorite part of volunteering is, Parker says, “I love meeting people like Chuck.” Over the years and through all of the sets she’s worked on, Parker says she knows her work is appreciated, and that’s rewarding.

Another part of the reward is, of course, seeing her sets come to life on stage. “We work on all

Fanfare & Factoids 35 50

Photo by Brandon Alms

There are 35 pairs of boots in the finale of Springfield Little Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots. Now those boots were made for dancing.

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The SLT team spent 200 hours on preparation for the production of The Sound of Music, which is the average time it takes for the crew to prepare for mainstage musicals.

Junior musicals take about 100 hours from table read to dress rehearsal.

2020 WAS A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER, BUT IT’S NOT THE ONLY NUMBER WITH IMPACT. WE’RE BREAKING DOWN THE STATS THAT MAKE SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE STAND OUT AS THE STAR OF THE SHOW.

Springfield Little Theatre has called The Landers Theatre home for more than 50 years, and that’s reason to celebrate. SLT moved into The Landers in 1970, but did you know the organization has been around for 87 years?

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of these pieces, but we don’t always know how they’re going to finish them,” Parker says. She’s usually in such awe that everything worked out, that she has to see a show twice. During the first viewing, all she can look at is the scenery—it’s hard not to critique every brushstroke. On the second viewing, Parker says she can actually enjoy the performance. No critiquing, no ogling the sets, just another theatre lover enjoying a show at The Landers.

Some 300 students attend weekly classes at The Judy. About twothirds of those students are part of Springfield Little Theatre’s popular Troupe programs.

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SLT’s education department moved into a nearby building that is now lovingly called The Judy.

The full name is The Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Performing Arts for Springfield Little Theatre, and the historic building turns 113 in 2021. The Judy hosts SLT’s many education programs as well as a 50-seat black box studio theatre and a 150-seat auditorium.

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More than 1,500 households streamed Springfield Little Theatre productions in 2020 across 37 states and five countries including Israel and Ireland.

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Springfield Little Theatre

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Backstage

Supporting Players YOU ALREADY KNOW IT TAKES A WHOLE CAST OF CHARACTERS TO PUT ON A SHOW, BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN THE ACTORS TO KEEP SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE RUNNING. MEET THREE SLT UNDERWRITERS WHO HELP SPONSOR SHOWS AND FIND OUT WHY THEY THINK SUPPORTING THE PERFORMING ARTS IS SO IMPORTANT.

BY VIVIAN WHEELER

CRAIG MCCOY | PRESIDENT OF MERCY SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITIES When Craig McCoy moved to Springfield in January 2020, to work for Mercy, he brought his love and support of community theatre with him.

Mercy has been an underwriter of Springfield Little Theatre in various capacities for years, but under McCoy’s direction, the health care organization created local scholarships for individuals who might not otherwise be able to take classes and participate in programs at SLT. McCoy says through this initiative, Mercy hopes to continue its mission of “serving those who are marginal-

ized and providing opportunities for people to be able to develop and find their passions.”

Of course, that’s not the only reason McCoy supports SLT. As he sees it, the arts are a big investment in business. McCoy has worked with various economic development corporations, and says he’s seen first-hand how the arts can attract businesses and individuals to town. By supporting SLT we can “make our community more well-rounded and further touch the lives and livelihood of our communities,” he says.

KATIE TONARELY | INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AT AFLAC On the day Katie Tonarely decided to sign up for adult acting classes at Springfield Little Theatre, she was watching The Sound of Music.

That was in 2015. At the time, she was a single, stay-at-home mom who was unsure about the direction of her life. After signing up for classes, Tonarley started getting cast in SLT productions, including Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, which ended up being a life-changing performance.

“Someone in the audience liked the way I was interacting with the audience and went to the director and said ‘I want her to work for me,’”

Tonarely says. “I had a job interview the next day.” Today, Tonarely has a thriving insurance practice with Aflac, which she credits directly to her experience with SLT. In an effort to pay it forward, and in what certainly feels like a little bit of kismet, Tonarely chose to sponsor last season’s production of The Sound of Music.

The perks aren’t bad either, Toneraly says: like taking her clients to SLT shows and getting her name out there. “Everybody knows Springfield Little Theatre,” she says. “It’s cool to be part of something bigger.”

Photos by Collin Yung, Brandon Alms

JOHN GENTRY | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING, POSITRONIC For John Gentry, supporting Springfield Little Theatre is a family tradition. His father, Jack Gentry, founded Positronic—a company based in Springfield that manufactures electrical components and connectors—in 1966. In the early 1980s, the Gentry family, and by extension Positronic, became patrons of Springfield Little Theatre. Nearly 40 years later, the tradition continues.

In fact, this tradition has continued even after Positronic was acquired in early 2021 by the Amphenol Corporation. “Even though Positronic is part of a larger company, that

larger company will still allow us to serve our community,” Gentry says.

And serving the community is what it’s about for the Gentry family. "To make the community well-rounded, we need to have the arts and the performing arts present, and the only way that we can provide this cultural experience is through the community supporting the arts,” Gentry says. On a smaller scale, sponsoring SLT has allowed Positronic’s employees to enjoy complimentary performances at the theatre, which means the Gentry family has been bringing fans to SLT for more than 50 years.

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Backstage

Roll The Tape SLT FILM LABS IS MAKING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FILM MAKERS.

Backstage Pass SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE HAS A LONG HISTORY OF BRINGING STORIES TO LIFE ON STAGE, BUT FOR EVERY STORY THAT MAKES IT TO THE LANDERS, COUNTLESS MORE STORIES HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES. WE TALKED TO SLT’S TWO CO-TECHNICAL DIRECTORS, JAMIE BOWER AND CHUCK ROGERS, WHO GAVE US THE INSIDE SCOOP ON HOW SLT HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND WHAT REALLY GOES ON BACKSTAGE.

BY VIVIAN WHEELER

Photos by Brandon Alms

Vivian Wheeler: How has Springfield Little Theatre evolved over the years since you’ve been involved with the organization?

Jamie Bower: When I first joined SLT [in 2003], we had very tight budgets and were trying to make sure we could keep the doors open. I tried to spend the least amount possible to produce shows. If it wasn’t for our amazing volunteers and patrons, we wouldn’t have made it. The same is true today, but the support and sheer amount of people involved has grown exponentially.

V.W.: Have there been very many memorable disasters?

Chuck Rogers (joined SLT in 1983): When we did our production of Barnum, we had a giant elephant that took up the full stage. One night the elephant’s legs got tangled up and it started tearing and falling down. I rounded up all the clowns that were in the show and gave them all a broom and a knife, and I said, ‘during the

next number, get out and get that elephant down out of the sky. Play like you know what you're doing and have fun in front of the audience.’ And they did.

V.W.: Who was your favorite Broadway performer to come to SLT? J.B.: One of the biggest treats has been having Kim Crosby grace our stage. She is such an impeccable performer and just an absolute joy to work with! Also, Robert Westenberg directed our production of Les Miserables, and working with him was definitely one of the best moments of my career.

V.W.: Can you share a funny anecdote from your career?

J.B.: Back when we did Annie Get Your Gun, on opening night, our light board failed 30 minutes before showtime. Well, we had to get a loaner. The whole process took about an hour, so Beth Domann greeted the audience when the show was supposed to start. She informed them of the issue and proceeded to do a 30-minute stand-up comedy routine to keep them entertained until we got the lights running on a backup console. The audience got two shows for the price of one that night.

C.R.: Opening night of The Full Monty, at the end of the show when we are supposed to have all of our clothes off, this blinding light comes on and we turn around and show our backsides to the audience. And we're supposed to cover up our private areas with policemen hats, just like a stripper does, and I lost my hat.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS Hosted at The Film Lab in The Judy, SLT Film Labs is an immersive, year-long program for middle- and high-school-aged students to learn the ropes of all things film.

“SLT Film Labs started as an ‘acting for the camera’ class,” says Eli Cunningham, creative director for Springfield Little Theatre and facilitator of the program. “But there were storytellers sitting, waiting their turn. So I put them to work as writers, cinematographers and directors.”

For the past four years, the program has focused on teaching hireable skills from lighting and camera work to acting and directing. With equipment like gimbals and green screens, as well as computers outfitted with industry-standard video editing software, SLT Film Labs positions graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to step into a professional setting.

After a year of biweekly classes, students walk away with more than technical skills.

“Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport,” Cunningham says. "Each shot requires each crew member to perform their job successfully. Otherwise, you have to reset and take it again and again." That collaboration came to the forefront during a local film challenge. Upper-level students participate in Springfield and The Ozarks (SATO) 48-hour film challenge where local film-makers of all skill levels compete to produce a 5-minute film in two days. This year, SLT's 301 class won the Off the Wall Prize.

Taking home a prize was an exciting benchmark, especially because today’s students find nontraditional influences—social media. “They’re not doing it like Tarantino, but like an influencer on YouTube or TikTok,” Cunningham says.

Regardless of where inspiration is drawn from, it all comes down to storytelling. “The core of our program is about how to tell a good and compelling story,” Cunningham says. “No matter your job, it’s invaluable to be able to tell a better story.”

If you are interested in participating in SLT Film Labs in the 2021–2022 school year, visit springfieldlittletheatre.org or call 417-413-2287.

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Springfield Little Theatre

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Backstage

Where Are They Now? SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE HAS NURTURED TALENT FOR NEARLY A CENTURY. NOW, WE’RE FOLLOWING UP WITH THAT TALENT AND TALKING TO PAST TROUPERS ABOUT HOW THEIR TIME AT SLT HAS SHAPED THEIR LIVES AND CAREERS.

BY PEYSON SHIELDS

THE BOLD TYPE From being a stage enthusiast to a Y.E.S. (Youth Entertainment Series) Trouper, Kylie Stack Jackson, account manager at The Great Game of Business, has leveraged skills learned at SLT throughout her career.

“SLT made me multi-faceted,” she says.

“Because I was able to live in ‘someone else’s’ shoes on stage, I feel that has contributed to being able to connect to others on

a different level. Strong human connection is important in any career.” Stack Jackson’s memories span from Y.E.S. Troupe trips to Seymour and Chicago, but her desires to explore and stay hungry are what have stayed with her each day. “SLT gave me a confidence I never would have found elsewhere,” she says. “It taught me to be bold and that being weird is a total compliment.”

A REAL LIFE PRINCESS For more than a decade, Kayla Buecker, founder and owner of Princesses of the 417, participated in camps and classes and was cast in SLT’s Youth Performance Troupe program. “SLT completely shaped me as a performer and public speaker,” Buecker says. “When I graduated from high school, I performed the song 'Let It Go' from Frozen as my senior moment for Y.E.S. Troupe.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, this would be foreshadowing of my future as an Elsa impersonator for birthday parties.”

Now, Buecker puts the skills she learned during her time at SLT to work with her

business where she leads a team of more than 40 performers who she contracts for parties and events. “I have become a successful leader because of my role models at SLT who taught me grace and acceptance and who encouraged me to be the best that I can be,” she says.

“I want to acknowledge some of the leaders at SLT who made a larger than life impact on me: Lorianne, Beth, Chryel, Chuck, Josh, Zoe, Andy.” And like a true fairytale ending, Buecker’s husband proposed to her on the Landers stage during a production of Peter Pan.

Photos by Leah Stiefermann, courtesy Casey Baltes

FROM TROUPE TO TRIBECA Throughout middle and high school, Casey Baltes spent her summers and free time at SLT as a Y.E.S. Trouper. Now, Baltes serves as Vice President of Tribeca Games where she serves as an event producer and leads the video game section of the Tribeca Film Festival.

“I think I can say, without exaggeration, that my time at SLT changed the course of my life,” she says. “Namely because of the mentorship of Beth Domann. Her guidance, friendship and support has shown

me more opportunity than I ever thought could have existed.”

From backstage to the box offi ce, Baltes’ variety of roles at SLT taught her to be a team player, which is something that’s stuck with her for more than 20 years. “Through doing so many jobs at SLT, I learned to think through problems from all perspectives, not just one point of view,” she says. “This has allowed me to be a more well-rounded leader and producer of live events.”

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Our role in the community effort to protect area children is to bring partner agencies together to facilitate a coordinated investigation and a comprehensive response to each child abuse case. Our goal is to break the cycle of child abuse and help put these children on the path to healing and change.

Please visit childadvocacycenter.org for information on how you can help us end abuse and start the healing journey.

1033 E. Walnut, Springfield, MO 65806 | childadvocacycenter.org | 417-831-2327

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Springfield Little Theatre

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the SHOW must go SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AT THE LANDERS AND IS GOING STRONG.

BY JULIANA GOODWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDON ALMS

THERE IS NOTHING LITTLE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SPRINGFIELD LITTLE THEATRE.

t has been an educational and entertainment gem for 87 years, and it all started in 1934 when a handful of friends, including Bruce Lemmon, formed Springfield Little Theatre. The group weren’t trained actors or directors; they were simply passionate about the performing arts. Lemmon was actually a medical student, and his daughter Dorothy Lemmon used to follow him to rehearsals.

As this group of theatre buffs started putting on shows, the community surrounding Springfield Little Theatre grew.

The troupe eventually caught the attention of Larry Ollis, who, at age 24, had been serving as the chief usher at the Shrine Mosque. It was his time at the mosque that sparked his love for the performing arts, and when Ollis eventually discovered Springfield Little Theatre, he fell in love with the mission and joined the board.

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Springfield Little Theatre

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ON

Today, it’s hard to imagine SLT without its home at the Historic Landers Theatre, but back in the 1930s, the theatre troupe was pretty much homeless. Without a theatre to call their own, SLT performed wherever they could, from churches and the Central High School auditorium to the basement of City Hall and the theatre on Drury University’s campus.

Over the years, the group grew to the point where it absolutely needed to have a permanent stage.

When the Historic Landers Theatre was for sale, board members Ollis and Virgil Anderson were instrumental in purchasing the building, and in 1970, these two helped secure a $100,000 loan to buy the theatre.

“Virgil and I personally guaranteed the loan,” Ollis says. “SLT didn’t have any credit, and I was too dumb to worry about that.”

The Landers Theatre was built in 1909 by John and D.J. Landers and R.W. Seward. The opulent brick and terracotta building was originally part of the Orpheum circuit of theatres, and over the years, it showcased vaudeville and tabloid shows, musicals and motion pictures, and it was the first television studio to broadcast in color outside New York or LA. But by the 1970s, the storied building had seen better days.

Springfield Little Theatre start-

ed raising seed money to give The Landers a good scrubbing. There was gum on the seats, empty light sockets, chipped paint and so much more. Troops of volunteers showed up to scrub, paint, sweep and bring the theatre back to its glory. Ollis still remembers opening night. “My goodness, it was wonderful,” he says. “We served champagne in the lobby.” Fay, Ollis’ wife, even baked cookies for the event.

After 36 years, three American wars, an untold number of shows and thousands of supporters, Springfield Little Theatre finally had a home.

PICTURED: WYATT MUNSEY AS SPONGEBOB REPRESENTING THE PRODUCTION OF SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS THE MUSICAL

MISSION EDUCATION Today, you’ll find SLT being steered by Executive Director Beth Domann. Domann has been the face of SLT for years, but back in 1978, she was a member of Y.E.S. Troupe—one of SLT’s many youth acting troupes—and she was joined by Lemmon, who never stopped following her dad to the theatre.

Throughout its long history, SLT has been teaching kids about theatre in one form or another. Some of Dorothy Lemmon’s earliest memories involve SLT classes that date back to 1950.

Lemmon and Domann, like so many members of the SLT tribe, left Landers once it was time to go to college, but both eventually returned to SLT to train oth-

er aspiring performers.

Lemmon actually oversaw the theatre’s growing education program in the early 1990s, and it was growing rapidly even back then. While Lemmon was involved, it grew tenfold from 45 students to 450. Then in 1996, Domann took over as education director before assuming the role of executive director. In 2003, Domman handed the reigns to Lorianne Dunn, which was a “game changer,” Domann says.

Under Dunn’s leadership, the education department exploded. The number of classes has mushroomed from nine a week to 90. The theatre offers acting, musical theatre, dance, voice, ballet, tap, jazz, script analysis, film lab, improvisation, classes in production and so much more.

There are now 11 Youth Performance Troupes ranging from elementary to high school students. Summers at the theatre used to be quiet, but now there are a series of summer camps and workshops that stretch all summer long.

In 2009, SLT joined Any Given Child, an initiative that started at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The mission is to provide art experience to all children nationwide.

Every school year, every fourth grader in the Springfield Public School system sees a live performance at The Landers.

Adding to SLT’s educational repertoire, SLT tacked on The Pre-Professional Track (PPT), which is designed for teen students who want to pursue musical theatre performance as a career. It is an intensive program created to develop skills in the three critical disciplines of musical theatre: acting, dance and music. “It was developed because there was a group of students who

felt like they needed more,” Dunn says. “They knew if they were going to audition for conservatory programs throughout the world, they would need to develop their technique.

We created a program to support their needs and dreams.”

While SLT spent decades fulfilling student dreams, Dunn and others at SLT had dreams of owning a fully dedicated education facility.

The space at Landers was limited, and with the education division of SLT continuing to grow, SLT needed a whole lot more room.

“It’s such an asset to Springfield.

You can’t tell me how many thousands of people have seen shows and been on stage.

It’s a unique feature to Springfield.”

— LARRY OLLIS, FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF SLT Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

23

PICTURED: BRANDON LOONEY AS LOLA REPRESENTING THE PRODUCTION OF KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL

THE JUDY In 2019, SLT found the space it needed—the McDaniel school building. SLT received a $1 million gift from the C.W. Titus Foundation and additional support from the community to purchase the building, and after a little sprucing up, all educational aspects moved to what is now called The Judith Enyeart Reynolds School of the Performing Arts—lovingly called “The Judy.”

“This is truly a dream come true and something we had envisioned for quite some time,” Dunn says. “McDaniel was built in 1908. Landers was built in 1909, so it feels in synchronicity with our beloved home base.

The Landers construction company built the McDaniel building. It was perfect.” Both buildings are on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Domann also proudly points out

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 2020—2021 Season Season

that SLT is the largest art organization in town that owns its own buildings.

The Judy is now home to education productions, administrative offices, classes, workshops, film labs, a black box theatre, a learning lab for the arts and the newest addition of The School of Fine & Performing Arts.

This new partnership with Springfield Public Schools completed its first year in 2020. The magnet school program is for children in fifth grade who are interested in performing arts. A lottery system is used to select the 50 lucky students in the program.

“They come to school every day at the Judy. We provide theatre and dance instruction, and SPS provides classroom teachers and specials,” Dunn says. “They have had myriad incredible experiences.”

The Judy has also given SLT more freedom to experiment with shows. The Judy has two stages; one seats 50 and another 150.

Unlike The Landers, which seats 525 people for each show, these smaller stages give SLT the chance to try out less well-known shows.

Fewer seats means the company doesn't have to worry about selling 5o0+ tickets.

With every classroom and stage at The Judy booked, SLT hired four full-time education staff and about 45 part-time instructors— many are past SLT troupers. “Much of the heart and commitment of our program lies in its legacy,” Dunn says. “Our students end up becoming our teachers. Many are inspired by what the education program did for them, and they want to pass it on. They know the value it had in their life.”

TOUGH TIMES AND A BRIGHT FUTURE

Photos by Brandon Alms, courtesy Springfield Little Theatre

While SLT’s education department has been a constant success story, the future didn’t always look bright for SLT. When an organization is nearly 87 years old, it’s bound to see some tough times, and for SLT, those tough times came in the 1990s when Springfield’s downtown scene started to shrivel up.

As more businesses started shuttering downtown, Domann and the rest of SLT wondered how downtown would survive as businesses neighboring The Landers closed up shop. Then in 1995, The Heer’s building, which had been a retail staple, closed.

“Heer’s was a final nail,” Domann says.

At that point, it felt like SLT was one of the few places still open downtown. “We were here when everybody left. We were just hanging out.”

Determined as ever, SLT and The Landers remained a hub of entertainment and a destination. In many ways, SLT was a backbone for downtown and continued to attract spectators as the city started to revitalize downtown and new shops and businesses eventually moved back in.

For years, SLT and downtown enjoyed new growth and increasing crowds, then the pandemic hit. “It’s one of those things we’ll look

“First and foremost, we are a community theatre. There is a place for everybody at Springfield Little Theatre,” — LORIANNE DUNN, EDUCATION DIRECTOR

back on and think, ‘Holy crap, how did we survive that?’” Domann says. One of the ways they survived was by reimagining live theatre.

For safety measures, SLT could only fill 25% of the seats. “That was maximum and that hurts a lot,” says Eli Cunningham, creative director.

“A whole weekend of shows equals one normal performance.”

Luckily, SLT’s ticketing software company was one of the first to adapt and allow streaming. Cunningham has a history in television, so they purchased equipment to broadcast the shows. If they couldn’t fill Landers, they would fill people’s homes with the sights and sounds of SLT. As is the SLT way, high school students from their film lab at The Judy volunteered to operate the cameras. Volunteers have always been the heartbeat of SLT. The effort paid off, and the 2020 season continued—although altered. But the real impact was to the theater’s bottom line. A family could now buy one ticket instead of a ticket for each person in their household. The economic impact was painful as ticket sales dropped substantially. “We don’t get funding from the City,” Domann says. “Forty-four percent of our budget comes from ticket revenue. That is a lot.”

Part of what kept SLT going was PPE funding.

Owning an historic theater is not cheap. The theater is known as “The Crown Jewel of the Ozarks” but keeping that jewel shining is costly.

In the past few years, SLT has spent $1.5 million on repairs and renovations. Domann jokes her goal used to be “world domination. But now I will settle for butts in seats.”

While the pandemic was brutal, it united people in and around the theater. “One of the silver linings in all of this is we went global,” Cunningham says. “It was the not so little theatre. We had alumni, families in Ireland, in Africa that were able to participate as audience members. People with family members who have never been able to see their grandkids in shows, it was an opportunity for them to be part of this.”

Because of that opportunity, some events will continue to be streamed in the future, such as youth performances.

Springfield Little Theatre has always been a tight-knit community and now it is a community with a global reach.

“Here is what I love about community theater: you work with so many different people from ages 4 to 80, from every socioeconomic background,” Domann says. “It is one of the most diverse experiences you will be part of.

You have their back, they have your back. It’s so fun to create that shared experience.”

And that shared experience continues to grow. SLT now averages eight mainstage performances a year plus scores of smaller shows.

Over the years, actors who trained on The Landers stage have found fame such as Kathleen Turner, Kim Crosby, Lucas Grabeel and Tess Harper.

Those who have been part of its history are tickled by its incredible legacy. Ollis says it’s an honor to know he had a hand in something that has touched so many lives. Lemmon echoed a similar sentiment. “It would be such a joy for my father to see where his efforts have finally landed in the biggest way,” she says.

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

25

six-week classes

in acting, voice, & dance sess on sess on sess on sess on v sess on v

septe ber 1 october 1 anuar februar april

story time saturdays! interactive e periences for oung fa ilies -theatrical stor telling crafts, an ga es

the judy

education series fro au itions to opening night - a learning lab for live pro uctions 26

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

n 2

e e e e n n en e e e n u en e e n e ,

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

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Haunted Ghost Tour

2 june 2, 20w2ine al a theatreicvent tasting

october 1 & 2, 2021 hour-long tours for groups of 15

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

THE PLACE TO BE OZARKS

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF

open ad Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

29

ANDREW WILSON AS PINOCCHIO REPRESENTING SHREK THE MUSICAL JUNIOR

Curtain Speech

Patron Members PRODUCER LEVEL Cynthia F. Hollander Roberta Laney Linda & Doug Roller Mark & Mary Walker Tanya Williams

Curtain Speech 30 32 32 33 34 36 38

PATRON MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSOCIATE BOARD SLT GUILD TAKE-A-SEAT CAMPAIGN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEVEL Norma Baker Household Bruce & Sandra Bell Marlena Bennett Larry Billingsley Doug Bloch David W. Brown Dr. Stephen & Carol Berner Christiansen Walter & Laura Cowart Nanette Crighton Anne Depew Ed & Vickie Donnell Jerry W. Dorris Robert and Debbie Eckert Rebecca Essenburg Household Royce Gastineau Dr Michael & Barbara Gentry Nellie D. Gold Ruth Ann Gold Mary Belle Graham Mark H. Grimm MD Melissa Higbie Shirley Huffman Todd Ingham Kathy Jolovich Kimie Ashlock and Lori Johnson GayAnn Jones Jeff Kimes Household Weston and Caitlin Kissee Susie Koerble M. Coller and S. Kronberger Andy and Cindy Lear

Randall Langsten Household Travis and Madeline Liles Bill and Kathy Love Larry and Cathy Mallory Dr. Carol J Maple Kim and McKenna Mackey Gordon McAfee Rick & Mary McQueary Keith McCoy Household Sammy Miller Bill & Charlene Mitchell Linda Overend Morris Dock & Becky Overend Barbara A. Parker Shana K. Plaster Jill and John Porter Harold & Jean Quellhorst Mike & Janet Rand Bill and Erika Schwartz Household Ruth Seboldt Kathy and Dennis Sheppard Jack and Betsy Stack Jim & Debbie Stewart Ted Smith & Faye Sturhahn Michael & Suzanne Thomas Cindy & Jon Timson Scott B. Tune Connie White Gina Wyckoff DIRECTOR LEVEL Larry Ament Brad Anderson Laura Anderson Janet and Jim Anderson Diann Barth Marilyn & Don Bracy Debbi Brake Michelle Breazeale Charles & Sherry Buchanan Dr. Rebecca Burrell

L. S. Cameron Kevin Cervellere Debbie Claus Elizabeth Conner Alice Counts Connie Cronin Rita Emerson Nancy Evans Cyd and John Everett Kyle and Karen Freiert Hal Funk Sharon J. Garnier Kip and Debbie Hilton In Memory of Winifred and Albert Hendler Darlene Henne House of Brokers Shirley Huffman Joan Ireland Jean A. Lee Bryan and Christina Magers Concha N. Marbut Joyce Mckee Lynn Dyke and Jim Meyer Susan Newcomb Household Deb Oman - Re/Max Linda Wellens Pugh Michael R & Karen J Rankin Charley and Pat Reed Randy Russell Sonia Sander Clark & Karen Selby Rosalind Sexton Karl Schmidt Marsha Smith Ben and Kimberly Smith Mary Speedone Lizabeth Stevenson Household Gene & Patsy Summers Kathryn Twibell Marcia & Jenny Umscheid Lesa L. Wood Nancy Wood

STAR CAMPAIGN LIFETIME MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIPS For information on Patron Membership, contact the Box Office at (417) 8691334. Call the Box Office to renew your membership if your name is not listed.

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Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Photo by Brandon Alms

Thank you to our Patron Members who pledged their support to Springfield Little Theatre for the 2021-2022 season with a subscription to attend all shows and an additional donation above and beyond the cost of their ticket package. We are so grateful for their support!

Kerry Ragan Wantuck, DVM Christina Robinson, DVM Paige Beatty, DVM

Wellness & Urgent Care

Ultrasound

Therapeutic Laser

Surgery

Diagnostic Services

Luxury Dog & Cat Boarding

Dentistry

Pharmacy

Radiology

Preventative Medicine

Birds & Small Mammals

330-D West Plainview Road (At the corner of Campbell and Plainview)

417-886-7070 www.healingpawsvet.com

Photo by Brandon Alms

Our passion is happy, healthy pets

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

31

Curtain Speech

Board of Directors As our advisors, planners and biggest supporters, the SLT Board of Directors is a committed group of community leaders who work tirelessly on behalf of all of us: theater attendees, funders and the community as a whole. They give generously of their talents, finances and time to ensure that our community theater continues to thrive.

PAST PRESIDENT Tom Everett

Melissa Higbie

VICE PRESIDENT Luke Simon

Corey Kilburn

Hunter Johnson

TREASURER Steve Kelly

Ryan Olson

SECRETARY Katie Tonarely

Linda Roller

Linda Overend

Randy Russell

Inviting and engaging young professionals in our community with the theater is a necessary step in developing the next generation of theater supporters and participants. Our Associate Board is a group entirely made up of young professionals who have a passion for growing the arts in our community and who are dedicated to spreading the word throughout their networks. They create opportunities throughout the season to engage other young professionals through our performances and special events, including Curtains & Corks. They give generously of their time and volunteer in a variety of areas with the theater.

2021-2022 ASSOCIATE BOARD MEMBERS

2021—2022 Season

PRESIDENT

Steven Anderson

Kathleen Hains

Alex Sheppard

Lauren Mustoe

Bethany Bell

Paige Jenkins

Morgan Brock

Kay Kincannon

Amy Lynne Sorenson

Chris Burros

Sarah Nenninger

Syd Tippie

Daniel Bush

Valerie Pfeil

Brooke Widmar

Rachel Fair

Natalie Regenold

Jess Zeppenfeldt

Kalene Jochems

Jennifer Russell

Photo by Brandon Alms

Drew Spencer

Associate Board of Directors

Springfield Little Theatre

Jan Fisk

PRESIDENT Travis Liles

2021-2022 BOARD MEMBERS

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Nancy Evans

Curtain Speech

Springfield Little Theatre Guild MEMBERSHIP

Members enjoy a monthly program, volunteer opportunities with SLT, fellowship and more. The Guild is accepting new members to continue helping Springfield Little Theatre prosper. Contact Darlene Henne at concessions to inquire about joining. For info call 417-881-4339 or visit SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org/support.

2021-2022 Members

Photo by Brandon Alms

OFFICERS Darlene Henne Cathy Sanchez Dee Biggers Mark Gideon Ruth Ann Gold Cindy Hamilton Barb Parker Janet Glenn Diana Stevenson Bob and Pam Ogden Cheryl Warren Carolyn Benton Chyrel Miller Nancy Duncan

MEMBERS Barbara Anglum Debra Appleby Kimie Ashlock Janet Banovitz Mary Barber Debbie Bradley Linda Brown Linda Buffington Gnetta Byrd Peggy Clemons Lance Coomer Trudie Courtney JoAnn Daigh Celine Daniels Janevra Dixon Morris Dock

Beth Domann Mary Emeric Pat Felton Jan Fisk Anne Gardner Linda Grayless Margaret Gregory Jim Grier Sara Hendricks Linda Hobbs Cathy Jackson Connie Johnson Gwen Jones Katie Knetzer Linda Lanham Jean Lee Peggy Lind

Artemis Leo Geovanni Leo Sherrill Luckie Judy Luxton Jennie Manes Carol McCain Sharon McCoy Terry Meyer Tim Mills Bill Mitchell Charlene Mitchell Angela Pierce Angie Porterfield Linda Ridlon Norene Rinker Linda Roller Carolann Scott

Patricia Scott John Scroggins Jeri Shean Nancy Shelton Joyce Shirkey Kara Spiva Gene Summers Patsy Summers Michael Thomas Cynthia Timson Ann Vogel Lynn Vogel Lona Wait Arlene Weiser Hazel Williams Nancy Wood

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

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Curtain Speech

Take a Seat In 1988, thanks to the original TAKE-A-SEAT Campaign, every seat in the historic Landers Theatre was completely refurbished and reupholstered. Contributors dedicated a favorite seat in their own name, business name or that of a loved one. Brass dedication plaques on the seat back as well as inclusion in each season’s Playbill tell the world about these special donors’ involvement.

The seats saw nearly 20 years of continuous use, and it became essential to replace them. Beautiful new comfortable and historically accurate seats were installed in the fall of 2006. Please TAKE-A-SEAT and join us in this labor of love. All contributions go directly to the upkeep of the theater’s new seats. Become part of the theater’s history with your name or the name of a loved one on a Landers Theatre seat!

SEAT

Allied Paint CO. Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D112 Mr. & Mrs. Norman C. Hill, Sr. Nova & Gladys Babb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K2 Dr. & Mrs. Jack Bagby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K110 Kate Baird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H4 Owsley-Baldwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F107 Richard & Harriet Baldwin John Baltes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA105 Casey Baltes & Peter Miller Michelle Baltes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA106 Casey Baltes & Peter Miller In memory of Milton Berner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D8 Carol Berner Christansen In memory of Minner Berner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D2 Carol Berner Christiansen Joseph A. Bohrer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .L3 Yvonne S. Bohrer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L1 Robert O. Boller, Sr. AIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Box 3 John C. & Betty R. Boller Don, Marilyn & Shari Bracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J101 In memory of Louis N. Brunner . . . . . . . . . . . . .E108 Jackie Bruner The Bill Buckners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J8 Burlington Northern Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J106 Dr. Rebecca Decocq Burrell & Amelia . . . . . . . . . .C1 Jim & Maggie Burton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA1 & AA2 Virgina C. Bussey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G104 Tom & Diana Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA5 Mr. & Mrs. Jerome A. Caplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2 Dr. Jerry F. Cash & Shara R. Cash . . . . . . H111 & H112 In memory of Mary Christiansen . . . . . . . . . . . . . D6 Elizabeth S. Clarke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J103 Katherine L. Clarke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K103 Dr. Michael S. Clarke & Katherine H. Clarke 34

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Barbara J. Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J4 Ken Clayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J2 Commerce Bank of Springfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . C101 Jerry & Kay Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F109 Cynthia F. Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G107 Jack H.G. & Mildred Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E110 Lester B. Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C113 Robert S. & Adalyn Cravens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E103 Michelle Craycroft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DD107 Kim Crosby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A112 Gary Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G101 Pam Cunningham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G102 Albert I. & Marie Decker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA7 Robert F. Delzell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M2 In memory of Kirk Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L112 In memory of Lt. Col. E.L. Denniston . . . . . . . . . L101 In memory of Ruthmary Denniston . . . . . . . . . . L102 Springfield Little Theatre Guild Gladys N. Dugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M4 L.U. Dugger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M6 Empire Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G4&G5 Dr. Ben C. Frankhauser, D.D.S . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C107 Dr. Jerry R. Frankhause D.D.S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C106 Mike & Sharon Faulkner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 In memory of Earl L. Fester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E101 Mrs. Bonnie Fester W. Harry Flanagan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K101 Bill R. Foster Foster Health Care Group . . . . . . .F102 Juanitha M. Foster Foster Health Care Group . . F101 In memory of Franklin D. Gamble . . . . . . . . . . . J102 Jeanne A. Gamble Guaranty Federal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F3 John A. Gerdes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G2 Gillenwaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H1

Raymond W. Glover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HH110 Olivia Hammock From Nana . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA104 John Q. Hammons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H107 Juanita Hammons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H108 Caleb Haverstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D108 Dale Haverstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D111 Julie Haverstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D110 Taylor Haverstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D109 Mr. & Mrs. Edward Eugene Heer . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Cook Rice In memory of Harry G.K. Hoffman, Sr. . . . . . . . . G112 Margaret E. Hoffman Dr. Charles B. Holt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G1 From his daughters: Jacqueline Powell & Bettye Vogel Bill & Martha Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2 Jeff & Marcia Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A101 Jennifer, Kate, & Chip Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A102 Lori K. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J3 Rex E. Johnson Mary Anne Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J1 Rex E. Johnson Rex E. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J5 & J7 Mr. & Mrs. Richard D. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H3 Harry W. Kirkpatrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H109 Nancy L. Kirkpatrick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H110 Marilyn K. Kleine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B113 Dr. & Mrs. Benjamin A. Lampert & Family . . . . .E104 Mary C. Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D107 Mr. & Mrs. W.R. Luckfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D113 John & Jean Macoce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E1 Elizabeth Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right Box 1 & 2 Mr. & Mrs. Walter M. Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .K1 Emma Jane McDaniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1

Photo by Brandon Alms

DEDICATION/CONTRIBUTOR

Photo by Brandon Alms

Mary R. McDaniel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right Box 5 & 6 McKesson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA101 Fred M. McQueary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M103 Romona McQueary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M104 Shirley G. McQueary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M101 William T. McQueary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M102 Harvey Michael . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H2 Mr. & Mrs. Paul R. Mignard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H6 Joshua & Tiffany Miller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E102 Dr. & Mrs. DeArmond Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E112 Paul Mueller Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J112 Daniel C. Manna The Leo T. Neu III Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E2 Nicholson Agency-Jay Nicholson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EE10 Don & Tim O’Brien . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H101 Faye Ollis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F111 Larry Ollis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F112 Ronald Ollis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F110 Larry & Faye Ollis Ozark World Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA3 Raymond & Georgia Christy Ozark World Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA4 Don & LInda Overend In honor of Ruth Palmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C108 Dr. & Mrs. Bert E. Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D4 James B. Porter, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E3 Bill & Marie Prater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F108 In memory of Dorthy Ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Box 7&8 Dorthy Ramp Estate Debbie Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2 Michael R. Rankin Summer Rankin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4 Michael R. Rankin Reliable Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B101 Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Cook Rice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1 Roosevelt Bank, FSP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA102 In memory of Donald Savage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HH108 Bill, Jane, Kate, & Margaret Horton In memory of Muriel Schlosser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L4 Springfield Little Theatre Guild Dr. & Mrs. Richard Seagrave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G8 In memory of Juanita Steinmetz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E107 Yates & Janet Trotter Mrs. A. P. Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D1 In memory of Ruth Alice Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C102 Sam Freeman Della Tourville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D101 Tim Tourville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D102 Janet Trotter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E106 Yates Trotter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E105 In memory of Frances Vandivort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E10 & E12 Dr. & Mrs. James T. Brown Rocco Vienhage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F106 Robert Westenberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A113 Helen C. Willis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C4 Marion Wright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA109 Madison DeLange Wutke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A108 In memory of Lillian Zell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L2 Kelley Davidson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 The Boatmen’s National Bank of Springfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B2 Ruth Walter Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F1 Don Plaster Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D14 In memory of Richard D. Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H103 In memory of Bill Sieboldt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M1 Harry G. Hoffman II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G111 Jack and Betsy Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B112 Linda S. & Jerry G. Jared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A107 Maxine Whitaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AA103 In loving memory of Dr. Kass Lear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M5 In loving memory of Jaime Ituarte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E111

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Springfield Little Theatre

WF916950 RUSH Springfield Little Theatre Ad.indd 1

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8/2/21 11:32 AM

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Landers Star Campaign Thank you to the following supporters for their generous and enduring contributions to Springfield Little Theatre and the historic Landers Theatre!

GALAXY PARTNER C.W. Titus Foundation Tal, Rosalie, Randy & Carrie Wooten SUPER NOVA American Dehydrated Foods Virgil Anderson Anonymous Thomas H. Baird III Bank of America Commerce Bank, Trustee Community Foundation of the Ozarks John & Kathleen Griesemer Family Leslie Gritzmaker Hagale Industries William T. Kemper Foundation Meeks Building Centers Ann & Leo T. Neu III, M.D. Noble & Associates Fay & Larry Ollis Paul & Carol Reinert US Bank CONSTELLATION Barbara J. Benway Drs. Stephen & Carol Berner Shirley Ann Carr The Caseys—Allen, Mary Lou, Curtis & Clayton Ed & Marian Christiansen JoAnn Clopton Empire Bank McQueary Bros. Drug Co. Midwest Fibre Sales Corp.

The Jeannette L. Musgrave Foundation Ollis & Company Insurors Opfer Communication Inc. The O’Reilly Family Foundation Pellham Phillips Hagerman Positronic Industries Inc. John C. & Roberta “Robbie” Roop Springfield Little Theatre Guild Springfield Underground Maggie Wilcox SOLAR STAR Michael, Kelly & Emilie Bridges Virgina C. Bussey Buxton-Werner Interiors Frank C. & Susan A. Carnahan Barry Cox J. Howard Fisk Family Jeff & Marcia Johnson Keith & Randy LaFerriere Melissa & Charlie Mace Scott, Brigitte, Katharine & William Marrs Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance Co. Bill & Charlene Mitchell Ron & Cathy Neville Ozarks Natural Foods—Alan, Meera, Evelyn, William & Harrison Brad Pitt Joe & Marilyn Post Tom, Marsha, Tara & Zach Slaight Dennis & Carolyn Smith SRC Holdings Corporation Yates & Janet Trotter

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Springfield Little Theatre

The Turner Family Foundation STAR “2000” In honor of Grady Affolter A Friend of the Theatre All Service Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Alltel Communications, Ray Thomas Bill H. & Margo S. Armstrong Associated Electric Cooperative Atlas Security Bob Aton Nova & Gladys Babb Bank One Marc & Kelly Barnett Jan & Gary Baumgartner Deborah Bedell—Ain’t Misbehavin’ David Bell Brad Belote & Missy Shelton Belote Byrne & Margarete Blackwood Congressman & Mrs. Roy Blunt M.D. Bonebrake Dr. & Mrs. Martin H. Boone Jr. Thomas & Cheryl Briggs Dr. & Mrs. James Brown Mark, James & Beth Brown The Jason & Julie Brown Family Sheila Brumley Pam & Bernie Burrier Don Busch Paula J. Caplan Tac & Jerry Caplan In memory of John M. & Frances Carnahan Jr. Lillian Delo Carter Dennis K. & Carol M. Chappell In memory of Lesley Church Michael & Krystyna Clarke, Clarke Orthopedic Clinic The Clutters—Larry, Ann, Blythe Dr. Leslie Irene Cogar Mrs. William T. Collinson Harold & Mickie Cook Sherry Cook Tom & Andrea Croley In memory of Don Crosby Kim Crosby Gary, Pam & Jodi Cunningham Helen & Jack Curtis Ann & John Dare DeLong Plumbing E.L. & Ruthmary Denniston Emily & Colin Denniston In celebration of Mick Denniston Michael Dobbs Barbara Domann Dr. Darrel Domann Friendship & Beauty Larry J. Eisenkramer Margaret & Dick Erb F & H Food Equipment Company

by Ed Donnell Mike & Sharon Faulkner Bette & Wilbur Feagan Dr. John P. & Pat Ferguson The Finnie Family 1ST Savings Bank Eleanor & Larry Freund Jeanne A. Gamble The Gannett Foundation/ 2021—2022 Season

Springfield News-Leader Same & Jo Gardner Ben & Kim Garwitz Mr. & Mrs. Jack T. Gentry Chuck, Crickett, Jacob & Tyler Giles Great Southern Bank Hayden Grosser The Hains Family: Art, Lisa, Chris & Kathleen June & Sam Hamra In memory of Hope Elsie Harris— Sue Crowley & Sarah Harris Heidi, Elsa, Millie, Irma, Hannah, Sophie, Phoebe Heintz Lighting Center: Corey & Mark Craven The Henrys—Roy, Connie, Brian, Brandon & Adam Daunis Day Holloway & Sons, Doug & Wally Holloway Bill, Jane, Kate & Margaret Horton Jan & Claire Horton Rick & Jenise Jackson Jerry & Linda Jared The Johansen Group: Herman & Catherine Johansen George & Patty Johnston James R. & Karah I. (Thomas) Joiner Marilyn Kleine Nancy & Link Knauer Frances Duemier Knox Andy & Cindy Lear, Alea, Alexa & Austin Mr. Jack E. & “Kitty” Catheryn Cox Lipscomb Billy & Barbara, Kaleen & Kelle Long Clyde Lorance & Hal Grissum Kathy & Bill Love Marilyn Lowe Mr. & Mrs. William Maddy Mr. & Mrs. John Mahaffey Michael Jennings Mahoney E.A. Martin Machinery Company Derek & Teri Macumber Mid & Walt Martin McDonald & Associates: Bill & Janice McDonald Evelyn I. McNabb Jim & Marietta Mellers James W. & Harriett N. Mercer Jane & Ken Meyer Mr. & Mrs. Paul Mignard In memory of Dorothy “Seral” Miller Scott D. Miller Bill & Charlene Mitchell Morelock-Ross Builders Genevieve Morris Bruce, Jan, Seth & Erin Myers Louise & Charles Nisen Bob & Carol Noble The George W. Oliver Family Vivian & Howard Orms Constance Pachl Steve & Jane Parker Ben & Jean Parnell Clydola & Paula Patterson George & Nancy Paul Whitney K, Paul Ben Payne-Stewart Tom & Jami Peebles

In memory of Lisa Phillips Pettit In memory of Milt Phillips Don & Susan Powell Gary & Lisa Powell Helen Powell Bill & Marie Prater Tom & Kim Prater Premier Health Plans Leslie & Anita Price Jean & Harold Quellhorst John, Beth & Jack Raidel In memory of Fred Rains Ed & Julie Rice Dr. Steve, Karen, Kevin & Stephanie Rice Katy Robinett John R. (Chuck) Rogers John C. & Roberta “Robbie” Roop In memory of Joseph & Lucille Russell Randy & Sandy Russell In loving memory of Sandy Russell purchased by Randy Russell Betsey & George Scruggs Clark & Karen Selby Peggy, Chelsea, Erin & Steve Sheppard Todd & Alison Smith Southern Missouri Containers Springfield Business Journal Dianne Elizabeth & Andis Osis Springfield Hospitality Club Springfield Trust Company Springfield Veterinary Hospital The Hamaker Family Kylie Stack Esther Steinhouer Ron & Lezzah Stenger E.H. & Bernice I. (Wright) Thomas George M. & Patricia Lyn Thompson II Lynn, Karen, Troy, Derek, Alex & Tyler Thompson 3M Springfield Mr. & Mrs. James Trogolo United Airlines/United Express Cathy & Randy Van Landuyt James VanZandt Family Jamie & Joshua VanZamdt Brigadier General & Mrs. Rudolph Wacker Granville Heatherington Watson III Mrs. C.L. Weaver The Weidners: John, Kristin, Doug & Tuffer Max Weintraub in honor of Connie Pachl Jack & Harriet Whiting Mary Whitney Frank F. & Ann Wiles The Rev. Carl E. Wilke, 1997 Janice Wilson Mr. & Mrs. J. Randolph Wilson Mrs. H. Garrett Wright & Family Martha S. Wright Alice Yancey Thelma M. Yancey

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Lifetime Members In 1970, when The Landers Theatre was purchased by Springfield Little Theatre, Lifetime Memberships were sold to help fund the purchase and rehabilitation of the building. We are truly thankful to these individuals who stepped up and spearheaded the campaign.

Mr. Lincoln J. Knauer Mr. C. Frank Knox Mrs. Raymond Knox Mrs. Robert C. Kramer Miss Mildred LeBolt Dr. G.B. Lemmon, Jr. Mr. Dorsey A. Love Mrs. Arch Lowe, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. W.R. Luckfield Mrs. Frank C. Mann Dr. R.W. Marshall Mr. E.A. Martin, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Edwin L. Martin Mrs. Prentiss E. McCollum Miss Mary R. McDaniel Mrs. Fred N. McQueary Mrs. L.E. Meador Mr. Charles C. Meek Mr. Terry O. Meek Mr. William C. Meet Mr. & Mrs. James E. Mellers Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Miles Mrs. Alfred M. Ollis Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence M. Ollis Dr. & Mrs. Don S. Overend Dr. Glenn Pedersen Mr. & Mrs. Fred Rains Mrs. Dorothy Ramp Mr. Henry P. Roberts, Jr. Melissa Seek Miss Louise Sergent Mr. J. Stanley Smith Mr. Charles A. Squires Mr. Charles O. Terrill Dr. W. Yates Trotter, Jr. Mrs. Frances B. Vandivort Mr. & Mrs. Robert Vienhage Mr. C. Wallace Walter Miss Mary A. Woods Dr. Wilfred E. Wooldridge Dr. & Mrs. Dan Yancey

THINK YOU FOUND THEM ALL? THERE'S A TOTAL OF 34 GARGOYLES THROUGHOUT THIS PUBLICATION, THE SAME AMOUNT THAT ARE INSIDE OF THE LANDERS THEATRE! 38

Springfield Little Theatre

2021—2022 Season

Photo by Brandon Alms

Mr. Virgil V. Anderson Jr. Ms. Judith Armstrong Dr. Cecil Auner Dr. Rex E. Ballinger Dr. Lora Bond Dr. Robert H. Bradley Dr. & Mrs. James T. Brown Mr. & Mrs. Fred A. Burg Mrs. Lynn E. Bussey Mr. Thomas L. Carter Mr. Timothy J. Carter Mrs. Russell S. Cather Mr. & Mrs. Elston Z. Chittenden Mrs. J.V. Cloud Dr. Leslie Irene Coger Mrs. Jack H. G. Cooper Mr. Lester B. Cox Mr. & Mrs. Lester L. Cox Miss Margaret Crighton Dr. Don Crosby Donna Crosby Mr. & Mrs. L.U. Dugger Mrs. T.W. Duvall Mrs. Madge Evans Mr. W. Harry Flanagan Mr. & Mrs. LeRoy Franks Mrs. S.F. Freeman Mrs. Franklin D. Gamble Mrs. Ron Gammon Dr. Grace Gardner Evelyn Ketchum Gray Mr. Leslie Gritzmaker Mrs. Boyd Holladay Dr. & Mrs. Robert D. Holland Mrs. Allen S. Humphreys Mrs. C. Ted Hutchens Mrs. Harriett Hutchens Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Hutchens Mrs. John W. Jewell Mrs. Carl R. Johnson Mrs. Helen A. Johnson Mrs. Bill George King

Photo by Brandon Alms

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2021—2022 Season