Ramona Quimby

LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS

SPONSORED IN PART BY
Franciscan Healthcare

JUNE 8–17, 2018

Youth—Theatre G

Unpredictable. Exasperating. Boisterous. Ramona Quimby.

A proupdrosdpuocntsioornof this

La Crosse Community Theatre and Mayo Clinic Health System present

RAMONA QUIMBY

By

LEN JENKIN

From the novels of

BEVERLY CLEARY

Adapted from the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary,
published by Morrow Junior Books, a division of William Morrow and Co.:

BEEZUS AND RAMONA ©1955; RAMONA THE PEST ©1968;
RAMONA AND HER FATHER ©1975, 1977;
RAMONA THE BRAVE ©1975;
RAMONA AND HER MOTHER ©1979;

RAMONA QUIMBY, AGE 8 ©1981; RAMONA FOREVER ©1984

Director

GRACE V. RINESS

Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer

JOSH WOLCOTT TATYANA ARNDT EREK WEIS

Props Master Sound Designer

KATIE KAISER BRODYN BYINGTON

Technical Director Stage Manager Assistant Director

EREK WEIS DAWN HAVICAN JACOB KAISER

RAMONA QUIMBY

is produced by special arrangement with
THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this
production is strictly prohibited.

Special Acknowledgments

Thank you to all who made this production possible, including Theresa Smerud for photography, Gateway Area Boy
Scout Council, and Riverland Girl Scout Council .

p. 3

Cast

Ramona....................................Georgia Galvan Mrs. Griggs............................Annabelle Yusten
Beezus........................................Anya Westrich Tammy/Brownie Leader/Selma............................
Mrs. Quimby...........................................AJ Kies* ...........................................Naikya Chandana*
Mr. Quimby.................................Carter Mandel Susan/Ensemble.......................Bella Bolduan*
Aunt Bea...........................Julianna Bruemmer Boy Scout Leader/Ensemble.............Owen Scott
Howie............................................ Soren Miner Ensemble.....Isidore Thomsen, Ceci Manson*,
Mrs. Kemp.................................. Grace Kearney ..................................................... Mason Gates
Hobart..........................................Joshua Kaiser
* = LCT debut

Production and Design Staff

Director......................................Grace V. Riness Assistant Director........................... Jacob Kaiser
Set Designer...................................Josh Wolcott Assistant Costume Designer..........Irina Christel
Costume Designer.......................Tatyana Arndt Crew.............Stacy Bruemmer, Andrew Egan,
Lighting Designer................................Erek Weis ................ Rachel Egan, Tiffany Heggemeier,
Props Master...................................Katie Kaiser .............Maddie Mikshowsky, Ben Parmeter,
Sound Designer......................Brodyn Byington ....................... Aidan Smerud, Matt Springer,
Technical Director................................Erek Weis ....................................................Riley Sullivan
Stage Manager............................Dawn Havican

Ramona Quimby

SETTING
Klickitat Street, Portland, Oregon, 1950’s

Director’s Note

LCT’s 54th Season Ramona Quimby is a show about an imaginative and
380th Production independent girl who’s just trying to figure it all out.
Alongside her sister Beezus, her family, and a bunch
of other friends, Ramona discovers all kinds of new
life lessons. Audience members young and old will
find something to identify with.
Grace V. Riness
Director

BECOME A VOLUNTEER!
Visit us online for more information.
www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org/volunteer

p. 4

LCT Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Producing Artistic Director. . . . . . . . Grant Golson President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Oliver
Production Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Harris President-Elect. . . . . . . . . Susan McDonald-Conroy
Marketing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessi Davidson Second Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Bradley Weber
Patron Services Manager. . . . . . Mary Cate Cichock Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Isaacs
Technical Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erek Weis Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA
Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer Past President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Battison
Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dominique Luecke
Education Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Bruemmer Nancy Flottmeyer, Bill Koutsky, Brian K. Murphy,
Front of House Staff. . . . . . . . . . . Anna Baughman, Randy Nelson, Karl Noll, Patricia Sprang,
. . . . . . . . . .Kallen Deckert, Lisa Keyser, Beth Moratto Joan Temple, Kathy Van Kirk-Przywojski

LCT’s Mission

La Crosse Community Theatre creates productions and projects that enhance the theatrical literacy of our audience
members, volunteers, students, and staff. We provide opportunities for creativity and personal growth in a fun,
collaborative environment. As a community, we celebrate human connections through communication and interaction.

Cast Biographies

BELLA BOLDUAN* (Susan/En- NAIKYA CHANDANA* (Tammy/
semble) After taking several theatre Brownie Leader/Selma) is very excited
classes and attending many camps, to work with LCT. She is a fun loving
Bella is very excited to make her LCT sixth grader who likes to sing, dance,
stage debut. Previously she has been act, and play musical instruments.
seen in Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of She plays piano, clarinet and violin. Learning guitar
Aladdin as a Dancing Camel. Bella just finished third is on her to do list. She performs every year in CHAI
grade at First Lutheran School in La Crosse and is cultural events, the International Banquet by UWL,
excited for the summer. and in Global Initiatives Week. She played Jill in
JULIANNA BRUEMMER (Aunt Bea) Missoula’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Other
is many things—a student at Logan acting credits include roles in Beauty and the Beast,
High School, a sister, and a good Shakti, and Banvaas.
friend. She is also a kid who loves GEORGIA GALVAN (Ramona) is
theatre! Ramona Quimby is her fifth excited to perform in her second
Theatre for Youth production at LCT. Julianna was show at LCT. In addition to acting, she
also in LCT’s production of Billy Elliot. Some other enjoys running, reading, art, sports,
favorite roles include Mufasa in The Lion King and Irma and hanging out with friends and
Dreadful, both at Logan High School. Julianna thanks family. She wants to thank her mom and dad for en-
her family for their love and support. She hopes you couraging her to be confident and creative, her friends
enjoy the show. for supporting her, and her little sisters for being their
crazy selves. Lastly, she wants to say to you,“Enjoy the
show, Chevrolet says so.”

* = LCT debut
p. 5

Cast Biographies

MASON GATES (Ensemble) is super CARTER MANDEL (Mr. Quimby) is
excited to be in Ramona Quimby. thrilled to be back on the LCT stage.
While he was last seen at LCT in This is his second production; he was
Bridge to Terebithia, he has appeared last seen as Ralphie in A Christmas
in many Appleseed Community Story. Carter is in sixth grade at the
Theatre productions, including Beauty and the Beast, La Crosse Design Institute and recently completed his
Honk Jr., and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor fifth performance season with the La Crosse BoyChoir.
Dreamcoat. When not onstage, he enjoys playing He thanks all of his loving family for their support and
sports and on his computer. He’d like to thank his fam- can’t wait to share the Quimby story with everyone!
ily and friends. His life motto is,“Your heart doesn’t CECI MANSON* (Ensemble) just
have the ears to listen to the people who don’t like finished second grade at Cathedral
you, so why should you?” Elementary. She is so excited to
JOSHUA KAISER (Hobart) will be a be in her first LCT show. She loves
sophomore at Aquinas High School. gymnastics, music, and her cat,
His most recent performance at the Neville Longbottom. She has loved being able to
LCT was in Aladdin, Jr. as the Sultan. spend rehearsals with her cousins and dear friends.
He has enjoyed many amazing hours She looks forward to many more.
at LCT, performing in Billy Elliot (Michael), The Little SOREN MINER (Howie) is in seventh
Mermaid (Ensemble), Mary Poppins (Michael Banks), grade and has lived in La Crosse
and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Peter Hatcher). for almost his entire life. He enjoys
He loves EVERYTHING about theatre but especially mountain biking, skiing, and playing
enjoys the people. Josh would like to thank Mom, the fiddle and percussion at school.
Dad, and Greg! He also enjoys reading and writing. Soren was most
GRACE KEARNEY (Mrs. Kemp) is recently seen as Schwartz in the LCT production of A
thrilled to be back onstage at LCT Christmas Story.
after a year of school shows. She was OWEN SCOTT (Boy Scout Leader/
last seen in Aquinas High School’s Ensemble) is delighted to be back
production of The Tempest. She onstage at LCT after his most recent
has also been seen in Godspell (Caisse), Peter Pan show of Big Fish at UWL. He has
Jr. (Wendy), and Rapunzel (Madame Gothel). She also been in A Christmas Story, The
is extremely thankful to her parents (who bus her Little Mermaid, and A Christmas Carol. When not at
back and forth to rehearsals), her musically adopted the theatre he plays soccer, attends dance class, and
grandparents, and her choir teacher, Mr. Bosgraf, who participates in show choir at Lincoln Middle School.
she will miss dearly going into sophomore year.

AJ KIES* (Mrs. Quimby) has been in ISIDORE ‘IZZY’ THOMSEN (En-
four other shows including Suessical semble) is eight years old and attends
and Alice in Wonderland. This will be third grade in the La Crosse school
her first show at LCT. She is in ninth district. When not acting he enjoys
grade at La Crescent High School reading, writing, and many outdoor
and is interested in drawing and other visual arts. activities. He was most recently seen in the role of
She’d like to thank her parents for supporting her, the Randy in LCT’s production of A Christmas Story.
wonderful directors and stage manager, and everyone
in the cast who made her feel so welcome. * = LCT debut

p. 6

Cast Biographies

ANYA WESTRICH (Beezus) is excited ANNABELLE YUSTEN (Mrs. Griggs)
to be a part of the LCT community. was last seen as Esther Jane in LCT’s
Ramona Quimby is her second show production of A Christmas Story and
here. Previously she was Billie Jean, couldn’t wait to be in another show
Maybelle’s best friend, in The Bridge to here. Annabelle is a homeschooled
Terebithia. Anya was also in the Lincoln Middle School freshman and loves every minute. She has three broth-
production of Shrek. When not performing, you can ers and two puppies. In her free time, she loves to read,
find Anya ice skating, baking, or reading a good book write, tap dance, and sing. She is also active in the
to feed her vivid imagination. Anya is a fifth grader at FIRST Lego League Robotics program and in 4-H.
Northwoods International School.
* = LCT debut

and

PRESENT

A singing competition to uncover the
best vocalist in the 7 Rivers Region.

Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

Weber Center for the Performing Arts

SPONSORED BY

John & Linda
Lyche

p. 7

Production & Design Staff Biographies

GRACE V. RINESS (Director) started KATIE KAISER (Props Master) will be
out at LCT as an actor in The Little an eighth grader at Aquinas Middle
Mermaid and has been involved ever School. She enjoys working behind
since. She’s performed in Billy Elliot, the scenes instead of being on stage.
Titanic, and Peter and the Starcatcher. She has worked crew for The Cat in the
She also assistant directed the past two Theatre for Hat, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Bridge to
Youth shows, Bridge to Terabithia and Aladdin, Jr., as Terabithia, and Aladdin, Jr. This is her first time doing
well as And Then They Came For Me. Grace has been a props, and she has enjoyed the experience.
student at Western Technical College since 2014 and BRODYN BYINGTON (Sound
will graduate with her Digital Media Productions de- Designer) is a sophomore at Aquinas
gree in 2018. She is grateful for all that LCT has offered High School. This is his third show
her and is proud to have found a home on its stage. working on sound for LCT. He was the
JOSH WOLCOTT (Set Designer) is a sound board operator for Aladdin, Jr.
La Crosse based artist, designer and and The Music Man. He has been a sound designer for
educator. He teaches math, science Appleseed Community Theater and is the technical
and theater at SOTA II. His recent director at Aquinas High School. He would like to
designs include Aladdin, Jr., The Entire thank his parents and Mr. Bosgraaf for their continued
American Revolution (in 40 minutes or less), Shrek Jr., support.
and Guys & Dolls. Josh got started in theater as a fifth DAWN HAVICAN (Stage Manager) is
grader. He is delighted to be a part of this Theatre excited to be a part of another show
for Youth production. This is the second show he at LCT. She loves all aspects of theatre
designed for LCT. and is always eager to volunteer
TATYANA ARNDT (Costume De- where ever she can. She would like
signer) is originally from Kazakhstan to thank her husband, Darryn, for his support. Enjoy
where she owned and operated an the show!
interior remodeling and housing JACOB KAISER (Assistant Director)
construction business. Her education This is Jacob’s first time in a directing
was in interior design, but she has found a new pas- position at LCT. It has been a very
sion in the arts. This is her second year at LCT. The first fun, interesting, and educational
production she costume designed was And Then There experience for him. He has been in
Were None by Agatha Christie. She would like to thank many shows at LCT, including Aladdin, Jr. (Aladdin)
her sister, Irina Christel, for her support. and Sideways Stories from Wayside School (Sammy
EREK WEIS (Lighting Designer/Tech- and Mr. Kidswater). At Aquinas High School, he
nical Director) is excited to take on the performed in Godspell (Nick), The Tempest (Caliban)
role of Technical Director here at LCT. and Harvey (Elwood understudy). He would like to
Originally from McFarland, WI, Erek thank Grace Riness and Dawn Havican for giving him
graduated from Viterbo University this opportunity.
with a B.F.A. in Theatre. He has worked at many differ-
ent theatres, the most recent being Syracuse Stage in
Syracuse, NY, where he was a carpenter. Erek is excited
to be back in La Crosse and to join LCT’s team as they
continue to produce quality theatre.

p. 8

Three Summer Camps to Choose From!

Join us this summer us as we cue up our creativity to create an original
play, learn some of the best show-stopping musical theatre numbers

from Broadway, and explore our imaginations!

Creative Capers

July 16-20 or July 30-August 3

Ages 8-13

Students will hone their physical, vocal,
and imaginative skills while creating an
original play all about them! Led by actors,
writers, and directors from the community,
this year’s camp will spark the creativity of

every camper.

Musical Madness

July 23-27

Ages 14-18

A camp developed around the interests of
the participants! Each camper will vote for
the songs they want to learn. Each round
of votes will represent a different type of
musical. Campers will develop as singers,

dancers, and performers.

Mission: Imagination

August 13-17

Ages 5-7

Travel to different places and times using
your imagination! Campers will explore a
world of possibilities through creative play
and storytelling. Each day is filled with fun
happenings and exciting opportunities that

will be playful and age appropriate.

TUITION: $80–$180
Register now, space is limited.

608-784-9292 | www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org
Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, La Crosse

2017–2018 Corporate Friends of LCT

Platinum Level

Altra Financial Advisors • Associated Bank • Casino Bar
Commercial AV Systems • Dahl Automotive

Gundersen Health System • Kaplan • KQEG TV
La Crosse Media Group • Logistics Health Inc
Mayo Clinic Health System • Russell L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation
State Bank Financial • UFAH • Vendi Advertising • Wisconsin Arts Board
Wisconsin Public Radio • WXOW TV-19 • Xcel Energy

Gold Level

Advanced Business Systems • CBS Graphics • Coulee Region Women
Denture Smart • Domino’s Pizza • Edward Jones • Lost Lake Beer

Piggy’s Restaurant • Quality Vac and Sew • Schomburg Refrigeration
Smader Insurance • Stetzer Accounting Service • Stifel • The Waterfront

Touch of Class • Travel Leaders • Viterbo University Fine Arts Center
Window World of La Crosse • WIPFLi

Silver Level

American Transmission Company • Dairyland Power Cooperative
Lawn Keepers • Pischke Motors

Bronze Level

Bodega Brew Pub • Cedar Creek • Five Star Telecom • G.E.C.U. The Friendly Credit Union
Grounded Specialty Coffee • Vicky and Harry Helfrich • Holiday Inn and Suites

Houghton’s Jackson Street Pub • King Street Kitchen • Life in Harmony Music Therapy
Maximum Real Estate • Overhead Door Company • Rudy’s Drive In

Weber Center Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dillon McArdle President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ranscht
Bookkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Battison
Graphic Design & Marketing Coordinator. . . Tegan Blank Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grant Golson
Concessions Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassie Frerks, Cassie George, Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timothy B. Schorr
. . . . . . . . . . . .Olivia Golding, Kelly Krieg-Sigman, Janet Loeffler,
. . . .Dorina Lukins, Sarah Schilke, Brittany Schilla, Dakota Viken David Amborn, Dick Spencer, Glena Temple

p. 10

Youth Opportunities in 2018–2019

Theatre Education Classes

Fall Youth Classes
September 15–November 10, 2018

Winter Youth Classes
January 12–March 2, 2019

Spring Youth Classes
March 16–April 27, 2019

Pixies, Kings and Magical
Things Performances
November 3–11, 2018

Dr. Evil and the Basket of Kittens
Auditions (tentative)
April 29–30, 2019
Performances
June 14–23, 2019

Our 55th season is
just around the corner!