Union Street Players

Sign Up for USP's ACT UP! Drama Camp

Union Street Players is excited to announce ACT UP! Drama Camp for children and youth grades K-8! Drama camp will be held August 3-7, 2009 on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver Auditorium in the Pella Community Center. ACT UP! Drama Camp will be a fun-filled and active week of developing “playbuilding” skills. Groups will work on mime, improvisation, character development, interpretation, stage directions, voice projection, makeup, costuming, auditioning skills and MORE!

Morning sessions (8:30-11:30) will be for children grades K-4th grade and will be led by Brystal Hopkins, with a Friday evening group performance August 7th.

Afternoon sessions (12:30-3:30) will be for 5th-8th grade and will be led by Suzi Jones, with a Friday evening group performance August 7th.

Registration is $50 for the first child; $35 for 2nd sibling; $25 for each additional sibling. Registration fee includes a t-shirt for each child and snacks each day. Please click on the link below to open the registration form. The PDF registration form can be e-mailed or printed and mailed to:

Union Street Players Drama Camp
712 Union Street
Pella, IA 50219

For more information please contact Suzi Jones 641-628-1522 or email inquiries to info@unionstreetplayers.com

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD DRAMA CAMP REGISTRATION FORM

Extras Needed for Forrest Whittaker Film in Des Moines

submitted to USP:

EXTRAS!

You will be part of a simulated "protest" scene that will be shot in Downtown Des Moines.  You will be called the day before by the casting department with instructions on what time you need to be on set, where you need to be, and what you need to be wearing.  EXPECT TO SPEND THE WHOLE DAY ON SET.  YOU MAY NOT LEAVE ONCE YOU ARE IN THE SCENE.  You will be served snacks and meals.  And, you get to be part of a fantastic feature film--with 2 oscar award-winning actors!

I need solid committments!  You will be placed on a "list."  SPots are filling up fast!

Liz Nead, Owner of Nead Inspiration
Helping You Succeed Will Bring Me Success!
(c) 515-664-6881
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Photos of rehearsal

For our cast, crew and friends of USP,

Here's a few more photos from our latest rehearsal of "The Sound of Music." Don't forget, tickets are on sale now!

Captain Von Trapp (Spence Ver Meer) encourages the children to sing. Von Trapp children are: Liesl von Trapp: Nicole Vande Zande; Friedrich von Trapp: Joshua Bailey; Louisa von Trapp: Delanie Anderson; Kurt von Trapp: Tyler Rezapour; Briggitta von Trapp: Rachel Peter; Marta von Trapp: Lucy Zylstra; Gretl von Trapp: Tierney Copeland

Our fabulous nun chorus. Beautiful, heavenly music!

The Captain with Louisa.

On her way to the wedding, Maria (Brystal Hopkins) accepts a bouquet from Gretl.

The nuns enjoy a moment of laughter with the Mother Abbess (Jackie Duffy) who is also music director for our performance. Left is Sister Berthe (Jana DeZwarte).

The stage is alive, with the Sound of Music!

Cast and crew continue to perfect their lines and notes for the upcoming performance of "The Sound of Music." Tickets are still available, but selling quickly! 

The show times are Thursday July 30, Friday July 31, and Saturday Aug 1 at 7 p.m.;  and Sunday, Aug 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Community Center Office, 712 Union from 7:30-4:30 p.m. M-F, by phone with a credit card, call 641-620-9107.   

Below, Doug DeWolf as Max talks to the Von Trapp children about singing at the festival.

   Gretl sings sadly while missing Fraulein Maria.

Nominations for the 2009 USP Walk of Fame

After 20 years as Pella's community theatre, Union Street Players instituted a Walk of Fame in 2008 to honor those who have been instrumental in USP's on-going success. At the inaugural Walk of Fame Dinner, three honorees were named: Dottie McGee, Pat Moriarity and Arvin Van Zante. It should be noted that Dottie McGee was beginning her battle with cancer at that time and will be presented with her award at this year's dinner.

After the inaugural class, it was the intention of the USP Board and members to name one honoree each year. To be nominated, a person must have been a contributing member of USP for at least ten years, have been active in multiple roles and have helped further USP's on-going mission.

The Board of Directors of USP is taking nominations for consideration in the 2009 Walk of Fame designation. Please fill out and email or mail the nomination form below.

Download 2009 USP Walk of Fame Nomination Form

Sneak Peak

Thursday Night in Pella on June 25 featured a sneak peak at USP's upcoming show, the Sound of Music! The nuns from the Abbey (The Mother Abbess: Jackie Duffy, Sister Berthe: Jana DeZwarte, Sister Margaretta: Jodi Vos; and Sister Sophia: Erin Valerio-Garsow) sang to the crowd.

Our wonderful accompanist, Christine Myer, is to the right.

Back at the Community Center, rehearsals continued. The Von Trapp children practice:

Tickets are now on sale at the Recreation Office within the Community Center, 712 Union from 7:30-4:30 p.m. M-F, by phone with a credit card 641-620-9107. Performances are July 30, 31, Aug. 1, 2. Join us!

Rehearsals under way!

The Community Center is filled with sound as the cast and crew prepare for "The Sound of Music." Rehearsals are starting to come together, although the set is still under construction. Anyone is welcome to attend set construction on Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. until noon. Please join us!

 

"How do solve a problem like Maria?" sing our nuns... almost. Joining Sisters Sophia, Berthe and the Mother Abbess is stage manager Dan Fynaardt.

Left to right, producer Shelley Buhrow, director Deb Linn, and Elaine Stanley watch the action closely!

Choreographer Karen Ryals leads Maria (Brystal Hopkins) and the Von Trapp children through the "Lonely Goatherd."

Show opens on July 30. Tickets may be purchased at the Recreation Office within the Community Center, 712 Union from 7:30-4:30 p.m. M-F, by phone with a credit card 641-620-9107.

USP Extends Our Condolences

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Carolyn Lubbers. Carolyn's husband, Randy, was once active in USP. He directed "The Nerd" and "The Fourposter" as well as acting in "Hello Dolly!" and "Talley's Folly" We extend our sympathy to Randy and the rest of the family.

Here is the announcement from the Town Crier.

Cast List Announced for "The Sound of Music"

Union Street Players are proud to present "The Sound of Music" this summer. The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical will be performed July 30th through August 2nd on the stage of the Joan Kuyper Farver auditorium in the Pella Community Center. The show is being directed by Deb Linn and produced by Shelley Buhrow.

Cast:

Captain Georg von Trapp: Spence Ver Meer
Maria Rainer: Brystal Hopkins
Liesl von Trapp: Nicole Vande Zande
Friedrich von Trapp: Joshua Bailey
Louisa von Trapp: Delanie Anderson
Kurt von Trapp: Tyler Rezapour
Briggitta von Trapp: Rachel Peter
Marta von Trapp: Lucy Zylstra
Gretl von Trapp: Tierney Copeland
Franz, the butler: Randal Maifeld
Fran Schmidt, Housekeeper: Joy Maifeld
Admiral von Schreiber: Tim Hall
Elsa Schrader: Patty Zylstra
Max Detweiler: Doug DeWolf
Rolf Gruber: Cameron Van Kooten
Ursula: Kaitlyn Schaudt
Herr Zeller: Greg May
Baron Elberfeld: Arvin Van Zante
Baroness Elberfeld: Connie Jaqau
Festival Duet: Don Buhrow
Festival Duet: Sally Job
Festival Bowing Lady: Shelley Buhrow
Festival Bowing Lady: Elaine Stanley
Festival Quartet: Ben Maifeld
Festival Quartet: Cole Maifeld
Festival Quartet: Jalayna Maifeld
Festival Quartet: Isabelle Hall
Soldier: Tim Hoekstra
Soldier: Ben Palmer
Soldier: Austin Rozendaal
Soldier: Chess Van Wyk
Soldier: Thomas Salz
The Mother Abbess: Jakie Duffy
Sister Berthe: Jana DeZwarte
Sister Margaretta: Terri Crumley
Sister Sophia: Erin Valerio-Garsow
Nuns:
Claire Anderson, Kelly Anderson, Cyndi Atkins, Megan Atkins, Hannah Beltman, Kim Blom, Hannah Blom, Diana Burkin, Heidi Christenson, Elizabeth De Wolf, Sarah De Wolf, Amy Dybsetter, Elizabeth Edwards, Hannah Emmert, Ruth Geurts, Isabelle Hall, Laryssa Klein, Maggie-Anne Landon, Ashley McGee, Elyse Parisee, Lori Parisee, Kaitlyn Schaudt, Karissa Schaudt, Haley Smit, Grace Solomon, Amelia Tripp, Jodi Vos, Jessi Vos, Tressa Vos, Eleanor Witt, Emily Witt, Alexa Zylstra.

Crew:

Director: Deb Linn
Producer: Shelley Buhrow
Assistant Director: Pat Moriarity
Music Director: Jackie Duffy
Choreographer: Karen Ryals
Dance Captain: Laryssa Klein
Pianist: Christine Myers
Lights/Sound: Tim & Wanda Blount
Stage Manager: Dan Fynaardt
Costume Mistress: Lori Vande Zande
Make-up Designer: Holly Long De Wolf
Set Designer: Jim Palmer

"Sound of Music" Auditions this Week!!

Auditions for Union Street Players production of The Sound of Music will take place at the Pella Community Center on:

Wednesday, May 13 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 14 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Casting will be for those between the ages of 6 and 100. No parts are pre-cast. Everyone is welcome!

Anyone wishing to be cast for a major role must come prepared to sing a song from The Sound of Music. Preview copies of scripts and music will be available for checkout from the Pella Community Library.

Production dates are July 30 through August 2nd.

Questions? Contact Director Deb Linn (641-230-0254) or Producer Shelley Buhrow (641-628-1449).

"Letters from Pella" Closes Successful Run

Another Tulip Time in Pella is behind us, and the curtain dropped on the 2009 Union Street Players premier of "Letters from Pella." The show was very well received by residents and tourists alike, who appreciated learning a forgotten chapter in Pella's rich history.

Attendance was down compared to the past Tulip Time productions, though the show enjoyed good houses. Unofficial attendance figures from Producer Pat Moriarity are:

Wed: 124
Thu: 80
Fri: 164
Sat: 142

(above) Wendy & Tom Vander Well portray Dominie H.P. Scholte and his wife, Mareah
(below) Sherm Van Zee portrays Teunis, a disgruntled immigrant