NEWS LETTER
"THE BACKSTAGE PASS"
PLAYERS WORKSHOP WELCOMES 2025 WITH COMEDY
Welcome to the SPA-DEE-DAH! in Eden Falls, Georgia, “a place where women can come and shed their worries, refocus their lives, and walk out feeling like they’re on top of the world. . . .,” as Players Workshop opens 2025 with The Hallelujah Girls, another great farce by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, & Jamie Wooten.
Located in what was an old church, the SPA-DE-DAH! is a day spa owned by Sugar Lee Tompkins, the essential “ideal of a southern woman,” the proverbial steel magnolia. When Sugar Lee is threatened with losing the day spa, her fellow southern “belles” rally round to overcome the obstacles, resulting in a “side-splitting comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout ‘Hallelujah!’”
The cast for The Hallelujah Girls is as follows: Richar’ Abel plays Sugar Lee; Joni Brainard plays the no-nonsense Carlene Travis, a three-times married woman branded the “ Black Widow of Eden Falls, GA;” Jody Ellison is the ever-optimistic Nita Mooney, a simple country girl who lives vicariously through romance novels; next is Anna Short as kind-hearted Mavis Flowers, married for 40 years but longing for romance and attention; Amy Ford plays loveable Crystal Hart, a daffy extrovert; Kathy Wolfskill portrays Bunny Sutherland, Sugar Lee’s archrival and the self-proclaimed “social arbiter of Eden Falls;” Ty Clute portrays construction worker Bobby Dwayne Dillahunt, Sugar Lee’s old high school beau; and Robert Wiley is good hearted Porter Badgett, a gregarious blowhard who doesn’t know when to shut up!
The Hallelujah Girls is being directed by Libba Flores, assisted by Nikki Critser. Carol Hinkle will serve as producer.
Shows will be Feb. 21-23, 27-28, and March 1-2 at the Workshop, 1431 Grove St., beginning at 7:30 p.m.,
except for 2:00 p.m. matinees on Feb. 23 and March 2.
For more information, call the Workshop at 319-753-6623, go to the PW Facebook page, or go the PW website www.playersworkshoptheater.com.
The Hallelujah Girls is presented with permission of Dramatist’s Play Service, NY.
PW “FLASH MOB”
AT THE HOSPITAL GALA
Attendees at the Great River Health Foundation’s annual fundraising gala, “Night of Dreams,” which was held on November 16, 2024, found themselves humming along and tapping their toes as six singers from Players Workshop provided an opening “flash mob” rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” to get the party started. Representing the Workshop (and pictured above) were Steve Poling, Lee Franklin, Nancy Roed, Dave Roed, Tim Noll, and Olivia Keller. According to Kent Lewis, the performance was very “well received.” – A great PR moment for PW.
PLAYERS WORKSHOP KIDS PERFORM AT LIVING WINDOWS
Twelve PW youth participated in downtown Burlington’s 2024 Living Windows Christmas display on Dec. 5, with a skit where 2 young actors portrayed children playing with marionettes and 2 other young actors played the marionettes, who came to life.
The 5-6 p.m. shift was handled by Zach Joyce, Sean Hanson, Seth Hanson (sailor), and Sarah Hanson (mouse).
Olivia Maracle, Liam Wiseman, Stella Wiseman (red dress), and Willow Wiseman (Raggedy Ann) took over from 6-7 p.m.
Closing out the evening from 7-8 p.m. were Courtney Copeland, Lauren Johnson, Aurora Critser (ballerina), and Regina Critser (cat).
Players Workshop would like to thank Pete Vinovich for allowing them to use the PTV Accounting office’s window.
Also, a big thank you to the PW “grown-ups” who helped with this success: Christine Claeys, Jeff Rodrigues, Nikki Critser, and Carol Hinkle—thanks to all who came “to play” and promote PW.
PW EXTENDS THANKS
To cast, crew, production staff—and any others who gave their time and talent to present 2024’s holiday offering
Also, a big thanks to the audience, for their attendance, applause, and sharing the holiday season with PW and this heartwarming show.
PW’S 7th ANNUAL ART RAFFLE
WINNER ANNOUNCED!
Congratulations to Dave Roed, who is the winner of the Players Workshop annual art raffle, the Jim Spring limited edition called Owls in Spring.
Thanks to the generosity of Players Workshop patrons, the organization raised just over $2000 selling raffle tickets during Little Shop of Horrors and On the Farce Day of Christmas.
This money will be going toward new commercial grade flooring in the lobby. The current vinyl flooring is well over 20 years old. Proceeds from PW’s garage sales have also been earmarked for the new floor, and, with over $5000 in the garage sale account, PW is very close to being able to replace the entire floor.
Pres. Mary Fox stated, “Players Workshop is grateful to all who have contributed to the success of this fundraising drive. We are humbled by the generosity of our patrons and neighbors in the Burlington area.”
FROM THE COSTUME CREW
Players Workshop has been lucky to have a hardworking crew of women dedicated to the clean-up, sorting, and organizing of all the current clothing, fabric, shoes, etc., which has filled the theater’s costume area to the brim! To date they have "put in over 130 man hours on the project, and, according to Cyndy Fabel, “we’ve hardly made a dent in our goal and vision for the costume area!”
In addition, this has left them absolutely no time to sort through new donations; THEREFORE, until further notice, any items left on the stairs or carried up to the costume room will be immediately put into the dumpster. If you do not want your items discarded in this manner, the costume crew asks that you take it to Hopefully Yours, Goodwill, a similar facility, or store it at your home until such time as they are ready (and have the space), to sort through it and hang it up.
On behalf of the costume closet crew, thank you for your understanding.
Auditions!
Director Steve Poling has announced that he will hold auditions for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at the Workshop, 1431 Grove St., on Sun.-Mon., March 2-3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Adapted by Ken Ludwig from the famous novel and set in 1934, Murder on the Orient Express follows the attempts of Belgian detective Hercule Poirot to solve a baffling crime on the famous train that runs from Istanbul to western Europe.
Parts are available for 5 men—aged 50-60 (1); aged 40-50 (1); age 20-30 (3)—and 5 women—aged 60’s (1); aged 30’s (4).
The play is presented through special arrangements with Samuel French, Inc.
Email the director at spoling1952@gmail.com or text to 319-750-0335; or go to the Facebook page or to www.playersworkshoptheater.com for more information.
SUPPORTING CAST 2024-2025 DONORS WELCOME
Players Workshop invites you to join the Supporting Cast for 2024-2025 season.
This is a one-time financial donation to Players Workshop, which will run for the theatrical season, and contributes significantly to the financial stability of PW.
Donations may be made in one of the following categories:
Usher $25-$99
Stage Crew $100-$249
Supporting Actor $250-$499
Star $500-$999
Director $1000-$2499
Producer $2500+
Director
Barbara Bonnett
Star
Tim & Tonja Binder
BNSF Railway Foundation
(matching Kevin Liles’ donation)
Mary Fox
Kevin Liles
Lillian Rubin
Carole Theesfeld
Supporting Actor
Sandra Allgood
David Beckman
Carolyn Dorting
Bonnie Downes
Eva Ann Elmer
Jon Hart
Wayne & Colleen Heibner
Nathan & Stephanie Heubner
Marlene Holsteen
Judith Johnson
Russ Leuck
Chip & Dana Readinger
Tim Roberts
Fred & Martha Wetzel
Kimberly Wittkamp
Stage Crew
Barb & David Acord
Allan G. Allsup
Cindy & Darrell Bachtell
Connie Bowen
Joni Brainerd
Dan & Kathleen Cahill
Jim & Sandy Carter
Lois A. Close
Carol Copeland
Barbara Drodz (in memory of Jim Drodz)
Mary & Bill Fortin
Becky Foy
Roger & Lori Griswald
Dr. Amy Groeltz – Smile Shoppe
Robert Haines
Carole Halicki
Kaye Hanna & Tim Hutchins
Carol Janosik
Denise Johnson
Gerhardt & Carmen Lachnitt
Cynthia M. Leonard (in memory of Mark T. Leonard)
Tammy Lohmann
Mary Marsh
Ronald Marshall
Linda Messer
John & Lisa Pomberg
Milton & Laurie Paule
Carol J. Reed
Rheinschmidt’s Flooring America
John & Kathy Schneider
Teresa, Mark, & Pat Shaffer
Sara Sink
Pauline Spees & Jim Raudabaugh
Nancy StClair
Wayne & Nancy Tolander
Keith Turrill
Peggy & Earl Stott
Kathy Wolfskill
Renee Zaiser – Razzle Travel
Usher
Judy Bartachek
Russell Benischek
Chad & Sally Bird
Lynne Carter
Lois Close (in memory of Sandra Nolte)
Joyce & Paul Dennison
Jaquelyn Edwards
Sharon Eisenmayer
Mary Fickel
Lori Fry
Russ Fry
Susan Geren
Lyle & Janice Gibson
Barbara Hahn
Linda & Harry Hoenig
Katherine M. Hoth
Dean Hurliman
Char M. L. James
Dee & Wayne Johnson
Dorothy Leazer
Pat Mayle
Mary McManis
Lucinda Milder
Ryan Nagrocki
Kendra Robertson
Kathleen Schier
Keith Schultz, Sr.
Bev & Duane Sherbondy
Brett Shollenbarger
Jyll & Paul Sly
Laura Sly
Anita Stapleton
David Teater
Larry & Linda Turley
Henry Villareal
Christine Williamson
Kay Wilson
Eunice Winters
All those who join will have their names listed in each play program and newsletter, as well as on the PW website, for 2024-25. Thank you in advance for your support. You may join the Honorary Supporting Cast by filling out the form at the end of this newsletter or the form in your play program.
Also, Players Workshop thanks these additional patrons for their financial donations to Players Workshop: James Stuart, Ava Arnold.
You may join the Honorary Supporting Cast by filling out the form in your play program.
MEET YOUR BOARD MEMBERS
Meet Burlington’s Anika (that’s with one ‘n’) Morton, one of the younger board members, who was
appointed in 2024 to complete an unexpired 2-year term, and her enthusiasm and love for theater has been most welcome. She accepted the position because she likes learning about and being involved in this community and encouraging the youth to continue pursuing the arts.
Anika currently serves on 3 committees. She works with the marketing committee, lending her expertise with social media; a lot of the Facebook postings, particularly those with photos, come courtesy of Anika. She is also part of that costume crew (see earlier article) that is currently cleaning, reorganizing, and revamping the costume area, “working towards a better, easier-to-use space.” One of her biggest loves is the youth committee—she has been the stage manager for the last couple of youth plays, and says, “It’s nice to know I’ve made a positive impact on these young minds, they always ask if I’ll be back to help again.”
She hopes that PW can continue to thrive and grow, and “I hope that the youth involvement and interest continues to gain traction and expand.”
In her spare time, she embraces a passion for music. She grew up in a musical family and feels very lucky to have been able to explore her interests and dabble in different instruments over the years. She says that currently that instrument is her voice; she has had classical training and is expanding into musical theatre through Mamma Mia! and Sister Act.
Another major pastime for Anika is baking—something she originally did with her grandma and, as she grew up, it came to be something she loves to do by herself. “I love to find and test new recipes and techniques, and now I get to share that joy with my 3 yo ‘nephew’ (my best friend’s kid).”
Obviously, Anika’s love for and ability to work with youth is something very welcome at PW, and her future is bright!
Meet Jeffrey Rodriguez, one of the most recent additions to the PW Board of Directors. Jeff is originally from Montclair, CA, and became a board member as a result of a nomination from the floor at the 2024 PW general membership meeting last May. Most unusual, Jeff nominated himself because he “wanted to make a positive impact and usher the Players Workshop into the new era by modernizing and rejuvenating the community’s passion for the Performing Arts.” His fellow workshop members agreed, and here he is.
Jeff is the chair of the fundraising committee, which he describes as being “tasked with the responsibility of forming ideas which promote community engagement while generating potential revenue.” He is also a member of the strategic planning committee, which works on projections of the future of PW and how it operates, to ensure “advantageous longevity.”—in other words, ways to make sure it continues to develop and move forward so that it is still here for future generations.
Jeff enjoys the “wonderful relationships” he has developed with his fellow board members. He said those who have been on the board a long time have made the transition to membership easy and they are always there to give guidance and support.
A content creator and filmmaker, he is also affiliated with 1/3 of the Southeast Iowa Arts Collective, and, as a lover of the performing arts, Jeff says, “My hope for the future of Players Workshop is for it to continue to thrive, meet a community’s need in regard to the performing arts and continue to inspire.”
Although his avocation is theatre/film arts, Jeff’s occupation is working in child services. When not occupied there, he enjoys filmmaking, networking, “giving back to my community through various charitable organizations and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.”
Jeff states that “I live my life by quotes as I enjoy making people laugh as we ride this rock through this human experience.”
Players Workshop Wishes All
Fellow Theater Lovers
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