Bridge to Terabithia

La Crosse Community Theatre
presents

Sponsored in part by Theatre G
The Russell L. and Vera M. Smith
Foundation JUNE 10–19, 2016

Coming Events at the Weber Center

June 29, 2016 The “Realize Your Dream” Outreach
FREE program: Program and “Sing” Tour
3:30 pm The Kids from Wisconsin performs a diverse
Concert: repertoire of morale-boosting musical entertainment
7:00 pm for audiences of all ages. The FREE afternoon
program is available for ages 7 to 13.

July 22, 2016 Cue Creativity
The culmination of a one-week summer camp for
7:00 pm young people, this show will light up the students’
own creative stories through the theme “Forging
August 5, 2016 Your Own Path.”

7:00 pm

July 29, 2016 Show Stomping Summer
The culmination of a one-week summer camp for
7:00 pm
young people, this show will highlight Broadway

songs and dance moves.

THANK YOU

to the

Russell L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation

for its generous support and
sponsorship this season

p. 2

La Crosse Community Theatre and the Russell L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation present

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA

A Play with Music by

KATHERINE PATERSON and STEPHANIE TOLAN

Music by

STEVE LIEBMAN

Based on the Novel by Piano/Synthesizer arrangement by

KATHERINE PATERSON SCOTT KASBAUM

Director

SARA PILLATZKI-WARZEHA

Musical Director Set Designer Costume Designer Lighting Designer

SARAH BRIAN MANDY MATTHEW
LEITZEN WARZEHA PARMETER HERRO

Sound Designer Props Designer Fight Choreographer Mask Designer/
Assistant Director
DYLAN ABIGAIL GREG
THOREN KILPATRICK PARMETER GRACE
RINESS

Stage Manager

BENNY GOETTING

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA performed by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., Normal, IL.
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Cast

Jesse Aarons................................Spencer Solberg* Miss Edmunds........................ Rachel Schoenecker
Leslie Burke.............................Courtney Peterson* Gary Fulcher......................................Matthew Lind
May Belle Aarons...........................Grace Edwards* School Children..........................................................
Mrs. Aarons....................................... Kori Ann Baer ......................Marty Backstrand, Mason Gates*,
Mr. Aarons...................................Liam Conzemius* ..........Sterling Jacob Meyer*, Hannah Reischl*,
Brenda Aarons.........................Parker Blumentritt .Rubie Stetzer, Brock Sullivan*, Anya Westrich*
Janice Avery....................................Emma Greeno* Prince Terrien...................................................Finn*

* = LCT main stage debut

Setting: Lark Creek, Virginia, a few years ago
There will be one 15-minute intermission.

p. 3

Director’s Note

open hearts, honesty, and maturity that is
beautiful to witness.

Witness with me the beauty, caring, vision,
and strength of these characters and these
talented young artists.

Bridge to Terabithia Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha, Director

June 10–19, 2016 Exciting Youth Programming
LCT’s 52st season – 358th production for 2016–2017

“It was up to him to pay back to the world • Fall and Spring classes
in beauty and caring what Leslie had
loaned him in vision and strength. ” Learn great skills, make new friends, and have fun

—Bridge to Terabithia • Summer camps

As a kid, the books of Katherine Week-long experiences that conclude with performances
Paterson spoke loudly to me. Two in open to the public
particular stood out: Jacob Have I Loved
and Bridge to Terabithia. Revisiting these • Youth productions
book as an adult, I’ve gained a whole new
appreciation for them. They are so smart, Shows based on classic children’s literature
so thoughtful, so whimsical—highlighting
both the struggles and the beauty of
youth. Getting to revisit Bridge to Terabithia
yet again in the form of this show—with
these incredible young performers, crew
and designers—has given me even MORE
appreciation for the story.

Paterson once said, “I have a lot of respect
for my readers.” For me, this means that she
respects them enough to let them explore
themes and stories that can be challenging.
I love that we get to respect our youth
here at LCT, too, by trusting them with this
story. They have come to the process with

p. 4

Cast Biographies

MARTY BACKSTRAND (Child) will MASON GATES* (Child) will be in
be in eighth grade at SOTA 2. His third grade at La Crescent Elemen-
favorite summer activity is tary. His favorite summer activities

swimming at Erickson Pool. Past shows have include baseball, swimming, and golf. Past
included The Wind in the Willows, Peter and shows elsewhere have included Honk Jr. and
the Wolf, and Sideways Stories from Wayside School House Rock Live Jr.
School.
EMMA GREENO* (Janice Avery)
KORI ANN BAER (Mrs. Aarons) will will be in ninth grade at Aquinas
be in tenth grade at La Crescent High High School. Her favorite summer
School. Her favorite summer
activities include hanging out with friends,
activities include traveling, hiking, kayaking. Past tennis, kayaking, camping, and playing with
shows have included Sideways Stories from little sister. Past shows have included James and
Wayside School, Sleeping Beauty, Babes in the Giant Peach, Treasure Island, The Tortoise
Toyland, and School House Rock Live. and the Hare, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,
and The Princess and the Pea.
PARKER BLUMENTRITT (Brenda
Aarons) will be in ninth grade at MATTHEW (CASHEW) LIND (Gary
Central High School. Her favorite Fulcher) will be in ninth grade at
Coulee Christian School. His favorite
summer activities include reading, hiking,
kayaking, camping, drawing. Past shows have summer activity is procrastination. Past shows
included James and the Giant Peach, The have included Sideways Stories from Wayside
Wind in the Willows, Tales of a Fourth Grade School and Journey to the World’s Edge.
Nothing (all LCT), The Princess and the Pea,
Sleeping Beauty, The Tortoise and the Hare, STERLING JACOB MEYER* (Child)
and Treasure Island. will be in sixth grade at Logan
Middle School. His favorite summer
LIAM CONZEMIUS* (Mr. Aarons)
will be in eleventh grade at Aquinas activity is basketball.
High School. His favorite summer
COURTNEY PETERSON* (Leslie
activities include sleeping in, waterskiing, Burke) will be in seventh grade at La
fishing, swimming. Past shows have included Crescent Middle School. Her favorite
Into the Woods (Jack) Bye Bye Birdie (Hugo),
and The Miracle Worker (James). summer activity is swimming in the La Crescent
and Hokah pools. Past shows have included
GRACE EDWARDS* (May Belle Honk Jr., School House Rock, Joseph and the
Aarons) will be in fifth grade at SOTA Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Appleseed),
1. Her favorite summer activities Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and the
original play Dreams (school).
include playing sports, swimming, and walking.
(continued on p. 6)

* = LCT main stage debut
p. 5

Cast Biographies

(continued from p. 5) RUBIE STETZER (Child) will be in
fifth grade at Trempealeau
HANNAH REISCHL* (Child) will be Elementary. Her favorite summer
in fifth grade at Providence
Academy. Her favorite summer activities include swimming and dancing. Past
shows have included Tales of a Fourth Grade
activity is swimming. Pasts shows elsewhere Nothing and School House Rock, and Peter
include Beauty and the Beast, Joseph, Shreck and the Wolf.
Jr., Annie Jr., and Peter Pan Jr.
BROCK SULLIVAN* (Child) will be
RACHEL SCHOENECKER (Miss in fifth grade at Emerson Elemen-
Edmunds) will be in ninth grade at tary. His favorite summer activity is
Onalaska High School. Her favorite
swimming. Past shows have included Honk Jr.
summer activity is hanging out with friends. Past
shows have included Romeo and Winifred, ANYA WESTRICH* (Child) will be in
Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Sideways Stories fourth grade at Northwoods
from Wayside School, Northwoods Nonsense, Elementary. Her favorite summer
Grease, and Treasure Island.
activity is swimming.

SPENCER SOLBERG* (Jesse * = LCT main stage debut
Aarons) will be in eighth grade at
G.E.T. Middle School. His favorite CHECK OUT THE
SUMMER CAMP INFO
summer activities include swimming, basketball, ON THE BACK COVER!
skateboarding, and being in plays and musicals.
Past shows have included The Pied Piper,
Dorothy in Wonderland, Blackbeard the
Pirate, Sleeping Beauty, and The King and I.

Production and Design Staff

Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha Asst. Director/Mask Designer . . . . . Grace Riness
Musical Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Leitzen Stage Mgr./Light Board. . . Benny Goetting (youth)
Set Designer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian Warzeha Asst. Stage Manager . . . . Whitney Graham (youth)
Costume Designer. . . . . . . . . . . Mandy Parmeter Backstage Mgrs.. . . . Stacy Bruemmer, Lisa Sauer
Lighting Designer. . . . . Matthew Herro (youth) Sound Board Operator . . . . . Katie Sauer (youth)
Sound Designer. . . . . . . . . Dylan Thoren (youth) Dog Handler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Kaiser (youth)
Props Designer. . . . . . Abigail Kilpatrick (youth) Running Crew (youth). . . . . . . Benji Backstrand,
Fight Choreographer. . . . . . . . . . . Greg Parmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jacob Kaiser, Joshua Kaiser,
Technical Director/Scenic Painter. . . Dillon McArdle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reilly Sullivan, Alex Yeiter

p. 6

Production Staff Biographies

SARA PILLATZKI-WARZEHA MANDY PARMETER (Costume
(Director) is the Director of Education Designer) earned her MFA in costume
for LCT and has thoroughly enjoyed design in May 2005 from the University

getting to work with the talented youth of the of Nebraska–Lincoln. Her work has taken her from
Coulee Region! She has directed a number of Oklahoma to Washington, Virginia, Nebraska, and
shows for youth, including the original musical Wisconsin. Mandy and Greg are looking forward to
BUZZ!, Stuart Little, You Can’t Take it With their son, Benjamin, and daughter, Matilda,
You, Hello, Dolly, and others. Sara also has growing up in the La Crosse community.
taught acting and theatre for Stages Theatre
Company, Black Dirt Theatre, Purple Door Youth MATTHEW HERRO (Lighting
Theatre, A+ Arts Club: Autism and the Arts, and Designer) will be a senior at Aquinas
the Northfield Arts Guild. She is hoping to meet High School. He has acted in many LCT
even more awesome young people at LCT’s
upcoming summer camps and wants you all to shows, most recently in Macbeth. He also has
register! Her work in this show is dedicated to appeared in Aquinas shows, such as Bye Bye Birdie
childhood friend Lindsay. and Into the Woods. Matthew has been lighting
designer at Aquinas for three years and is grateful to
SARAH LEITZEN (Musical Director) work with the amazing equipment in the Weber
has been part of many LCT and Center. Matthew is an eagle scout and loves
Weber Center productions, including spending time outdoors. He thanks his mom and
dad for encouraging him to do what he loves to do.
Les Miserables, Thoroughly Modern Millie,
Mary Poppins, and The Gifts of the Magi. She DYLAN THOREN (Sound Designer)
is grateful for the joys and challenges that have will be a junior next year at Logan
come with each production and thanks Eric and High School. He has most recently
Cindie for their patience with the late nights.
been seen on stage at LCT in Disney’s The Little
BRIAN WARZEHA (Set Designer) has Mermaid. He also has stage managed four past
worked technical aspects of many of youth productions and is excited to sound design
wife Sara’s productions, including for his first time.

painting, designing, and sewing costumes. Other ABIGAIL KILPATRICK (Props
theatre credits include serving as technical director Designer) will be in eighth grade at
for the Northern Fort Playhouse, directing and SOTA 2. Her favorite summer
technical directing for the Redfield Area Arts Council,
and acting at Northern State University and for NFP. activities include watching TV and coming to the
Favorite roles include John in Miss Saigon, Smudge theatre. Past shows have included (Lighting
in Forever Plaid, and Dad in Leaving Iowa. Designer) Sideways Stories from Wayside
School, (Shiela) Tales of a Fourth Grade
Nothing, (Technician) Billy Elliot: The Musical,
and (Technician) Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

(continued on p. 8)

p. 7

Production Staff Biographies

(continued from p. 7) Thank you to our
2015–2016 season
GREG PARMETER (Fight
Choreographer) earned his MFA from sponsors!
the Johnny Carson School of Theatre
Altra Financial Advisors
and Film at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Associated Bank
His acting credits include seasons with the Commercial A/V Systems
Nebraska Repertory Theatre, Virginia Shake- Dahl Automotive
speare Festival, Northern Fort Playhouse and a Gundersen Health System
tour with Hampstead Stage Company. Greg is in La Crosse Radio Group
his eighth season with LCT. He thanks Mandy, Logistics Health, Inc.
Ben, and Matilda for their love and support. Mueller Media
Schomburg Refrigeration
DILLON MCARDLE (Technical Russell L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation
Director/Scenic Painter) is LCT’s State Bank Financial
technical director. A Viterbo University United Fund for the Arts and Humanities
Vendi Advertising
alum, he enjoys building things, grilling out with Wisconsin Public Radio—WLSU/WHLA
friends, and blowing snow. He would like to thank WXOW TV-19
his lovely wife, Megan, and son, Miles, who mean Xcel Energy
the world to him.
This program was supported in part by a
GRACE RINESS (Asst. Director/ grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with
Mask Designer) is excited to be part funds from the State of Wisconsin and the
of this show and get to know National Endowment for the Arts.

eveyone involved. She has been in Disney’s The
Little Mermaid, The Gifts of the Magi, and
Billy Elliot: The Musical with LCT. When Grace is
not in the theatre, she is attending Western
Technical College for digital media productions.
“Thank you all for your patience and kindness.”

BENNY GOETTING (Stage Manager)
will be attending St. Olaf College next
fall. His interests include music, theatre,

Doctor Who, and video games. Previous shows have
included Little Shop of Horrors, Charlie Brown,
and Once Upon a Mattress. Benny would like to
thank Sara, Greg, Grace, Dillon, and Tim.

(continued on p. 10)

p. 8

Special Acknowledgments

Thank you to all who made this production possible, including Theresa M. Smerud (photos), CBS Graphics,
Debbie Solberg (photos), parents of all cast and crew members, Vicki Riness (audition accompanist and
sewing help), Viterbo University Fine Arts Center, and Larry Clark.

GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY!
Stop by the box office or go online:
www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

LCT Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Director. . . . . . . . David R. Kilpatrick President. . . . . . . . . . Nancy Wigdahl Sedbrook
Artistic Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Parmeter President-Elect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sara Battison
Education Director. . . . . Sara Pillatzki-Warzeha Second Vice-President. . . . . . . Wayne Oliver
Technical Director. . . . . . . . . . . . Dillon McArdle Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Isaacs
Costume Supervisor. . . . . . . . Mandy Parmeter Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . Susan McDonald-Conroy
Director of Publications. . . . . . . Eric Severson Past President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Horne
Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessi Davidson Nancy Flottmeyer, Gary Mundinger, Brian K.
Box Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan Puffer Murphy, Randy Nelson, Karl Noll, Joan Temple,
Box Office Staff . . . . . . April Brown, Lisa Keyser Kathy Van Kirk-Przywojski, Bradley Weber
Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer

Weber Center Staff & Board

STAFF MEMBERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Director . . . . . . . David R. Kilpatrick President. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Amborn
Weber Center Technical Director . . . . Tim Harris Vice-President. . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ranscht
Office Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jessi Davidson Secretary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glena Temple
Bookkeeper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Hofer Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Michael Hartigan
House Managers. . . . . . . . . Kendra Andreska, Richard B. Artman, Dick Spencer, Nancy Wigdahl
. . .April Brown, Sharon Dawidowski, Lisa Keyser Sedbrook
Concessions Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassie George,
. . . . . Kelly Krieg-Sigman, Glenna Krzyzanowski,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet Loeffler, Dorina Lukins

p. 9

Production Staff Biographies

(continued from p. 8) ALEX YEITER (Running Crew) will
be in tenth grade at La Crescent High
WHITNEY GRAHAM (Assistant School. His favorite summer activity
Stage Manager) will be a sophomore
at Onalaska High School. Her favorite is camping. Past shows have included Tales of a
Fourth Grade Nothing, Sideways Stories from
summer activity is acting and being in shows. Past Wayside School, and Billy Elliot: The Musical.
shows have included Alice in Wonderland (Alice).
BENJI BACKSTRAND (Running
JACOB KAISER (Running Crew) Crew) will be in fifth grade at SOTA 1.
will be in ninth grade at Aquinas His favorite summer activity is being
High School. His favorite summer
inside. Past shows have included a 48-hour film
activities include playing video games, climbing festival.
trees, and visiting theme parks. Past shows have
included Sideways Stories from Wayside KATIE SAUER (Sound Board
School (LCT), Billy Elliot: The Musical (LCT), Operator) will be in ninth grade at
and The Cat in The Hat (Appleseed Community Central High School. Her favorite
Theatre).
summer activities include dance, acting, and
JOSHUA KAISER (Running Crew) volunteering. Past shows have included The
will be in eighth grade at Aquinas Wizard of Oz, The Wind in the Willows, and
Middle School. His favorite summer Billy Elliot: The Musical.

activity is theatre. Past shows have included STACY BRUEMMER (Backstage
Mary Poppins, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Manager) has been the“token adult”
The Wind in the Willows, Billy Elliot: The for LCT youth productions for three
Musical, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,
Miracle on 34th Street, and The Cat in the Hat. years. While she is most at home on the stage,
Stacy enjoys her time in the blue light playing
KATIE KAISER (Dog Handler) will with some of her favorite people, KIDS! She
be in sixth grade at Blessed would like to thank her amazing children for
Sacrament School. Her favorite their support, Sara P.-W. for her trust, and her
knight, John, for all the love.
summer activity is video games. Past shows have
included Sideways Stories from Wayside “Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the
School and The Cat in the Hat. world through the eyes of a child.” —Ron Wild

REILLY SULLIVAN (Running Crew) BE A VOLUNTEER!
will be in ninth grade Central High
School. His favorite summer Sign up online to receive email notices
of volunteer opportunities.
activities include getting sleep and theatre. Past
shows have included Billy Elliot: The Musical, lacrossecommunitytheatre.org
The Cat in the Hat, and Guys and Dolls Jr.

p. 10

Ask about season tickets at the box office!

p. 11

Meet your favorite characters!

Collect their signatures below!

SUMMER CAMP 2016
LA CROSSE COMMUNITY THEATRE
Cue Creativity!
Ages 8–14
July 18–22, August 1–5
Students will hone their physical, vocal, and imagination
skills while creating an original play all about them! Led
by professional actors, writers, and directors from around
the Midwest, this year’s summer camp will spark the
imagination and creativity of every camper.
$160

Introducing our brand-new camp for youth:

Mission: Imagination!

Ages 5–7

August 8–12
Daily, 9 am–Noon

$65
Snack included. Space is limited, so sign up early!

Register online!

www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org

428 Front Street South • La Crosse, WI • 608-784-9292