NEWS LETTER
"THE BACKSTAGE PASS"
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PW'S HOLIDAY OFFERDING A HIT!
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The Workshop’s holiday presentation of Miracle on South Division Street provided laughter, tears, and applause, as everyone gave 100% on the stage, despite inclement weather (two performances had to be entirely cancelled as Mother Nature didn’t seem to realize there was a show going on!). Many thanks and “Bravos” to all for their stellar work! This type of dedication is the heart of our community theater. And . . . Please accept the Players Workshop apology for the inconvenience caused by the cancellations, but we were concerned for patron and participants being out during bad road conditions Thank you for your understanding.
NEXT UP...
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PW COMEDY OPENING
IN FEBRUARY​​​​
Chase away the winter blues with Players Workshop’s hilarious upcoming comedy Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses by Michael Parker and Susan Parker.
Described by one critic as “. . . fast-paced action, inventive physical comedy and crackling dialogue, Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses is an audience hit from start to finish . . . .”, the show opens at the Work-
shop at 1431 Grove St., Burlington, on Feb. 20, 2026, and runs for 2 weekends.
The story is set at The Lovers’ Landing Beach Hotel, which is on a barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico.
The hotel is a popular wedding destination, which has acquired a certain mystique and which Audrina Brown has just inherited from her late father. That’s when she discovers that her Uncle Bubba, the hotel manager, is running a variety of “extra-curricular activities,” which, without exception, appear to be illegal, on the property! They run the gamut from cash-prize bingo to a rum distillery to off-track betting. You name it, Bubba is doing it! Into this situation come a New England blue blood and her daughter, who are checking things out for the daughter’s wedding, and, well, everything quickly gets out of hand.
Appearing in the play are Anna Short of Burlington, as Audrina Brown, and Kevin Gobble of Wever as Wilberforce Brown, aka Uncle Bubba. Joni Ellison of Carthage plays Candy, the ditzy hotel receptionist; Jayne Gobble of Wever is the “aristocratic” Beatrice Rutherford-Smythe; Fawn Orduno of Burlington plays her daughter Traci Rutherford-Smythe, who just wants to get married without all the hoopla; Todd Haeffner of Montrose is Douglas Dupont, a guest who is a victim of mistaken identity; and Ivan Orduno of Burlington is Peter Mudd, Traci’s fiancée who keeps getting caught up in situations not of his own making.
PW veteran Libba Flores is directing, assisted by Joni Brainerd. Carol Hinkle is the producer.
Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses will run Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 26-Mar. 1, 2026. All shows are at 7:30 p.m., except for Feb. 22 and March 1, which are 2:00 p.m. matinees.
Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
For more information, call the Workshop at 319-753-6623, go to the Workshop’s Facebook page, or go to www.playersworkshoptheater.com.
PLAYERS WORKSHOP​
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CAPITOL THEATER
PROUDLY PRESENT
THE MOUNTAINTOP
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Players Workshop is pleased to partner with Capitol Theater of Burlington to commemorate Black History Month by presenting a FREE, live production of Katori Hall’s modern American classic The Mountaintop.
Set entirely in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN, The Mountaintop is a “gripping reimagination” of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, last night on earth.
In 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr., was in Memphis, to speak out on the behalf of the Memphis sanitation workers who had gone on strike after the deaths of two workers who had been crushed by a malfunctioning truck. The poor work conditions and pay the sanitation workers suffered angered the black community and encouraged them to speak out on behalf of other issues concerning civil rights
On April 3, 1968, the night before his assassination, King gave his speech, I've Been to the Mountaintop, where he declared, "We've got to give ourselves to this struggle until the end. Nothing would be more tragic than to stop at this point in Memphis. We've got to see it through.”
After delivering the speech, an exhausted Dr. King returns to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.
Appearing in the production are Victor Walker and Njeri Patric. Kent Lewis of Players Workshop, assisted by Jim Beres, is directing the play, which is also being sponsored by the local chapter of NAACP.
American playwright Katori Hall is from Memphis, TN. In March 2010, after the British production of The Mountaintop, Hall became the first black woman in history to win the Olivier Award for Best New Play. The original Broadway production starred Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett.
The Mountaintop will be presented at the Capitol Theater, 211 North 3rd St., Burlington, on Jan. 30 and 31, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and on Feb. 1, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
For more information, contact director Lewis at 319-759-1414 or the Capitol Theater at 319-237-1099. Information will also be available on the Facebook pages of both Players Workshop and Capitol Theater and at www.playersworkshoptheater.com..
The Mountaintop is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind production—and it’s FREE!
PW KIDS DO LIVING WINDOWS!
Players Workshop was once again represented during downtown Burlington’s 2026 Living Windows Event, as The Players Workshop Young Actors had a great time doing a Peanuts Christmas skit, built around the dance scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas, in the window at PVT Accounting.
PW’s participation was coordinated by PW’s Anna Short, assisted by Nikki Critser. According to Short, the idea was to do “something fast so that, if people even just briefly walked by, they would know what it was.” Response was positive from those who saw the students, with comments ranging from “love this,” “so cute,” and “fun to watch.”
The students involved were Clark Short, Regina Critser, Lauren Johnon, Noah Snyder, George Baker, William Baker, Jackson Chezum, Parker Fritz, Sylas Jones, Rori Jones, Evelyn Quattromini, Allyson Hamilton, Avery Irish, and Collin Underwood.
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY to start thinking about the annual Players Workshop Garage Sale. During these long winter months, when you might feel the urge to clean out a closet, an attic, a basement, a desk, or a garage, please consider what items you might find which you could donate to PW’s big summer fundraiser. For more information or suggestions, please contact PW’s own garage sale maven Libba Flores, at 319-750-3533.
Thanks to all the kids and adults for their positive representation of Players Workshop and a special thanks to PVT Accounting for, once again, allowing PW to use their window.
IT'S NOT TOO EARLY
to start thinking about the annual Players Workshop Garage Sale. During these long winter months, when you might feel the urge to clean out a closet, an attic, a basement, a desk, or a garage, please consider what items you might find which you could donate to PW’s big summer fundraiser. For more information or suggestions, please contact PW’s own garage sale maven Libba Flores, at 319-750-3533.
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AUDITIONS SET FOR
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DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS
Players Workshop will hold open auditions for its spring show—Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen—on Sunday and Monday, March 1-2, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., at the Workshop at 1431 Grove Street.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is loosely (very loosely) based on the novel Dracula by Bram Stoker. “Ever wondered what would happen if you took Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale and put it into a blender with Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and The 39 Steps? That’s just what happens in this lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud gender-bending romp. When her sister Mina
falls ill with a mysterious disease of the blood, Lucy Westfeldt and her fiance, Jonathan Harker, enlist the help of famed female vampire hunter Doctor Jean Van Helsing. Their hunt for the dangerous and sexy Count Dracula abounds in this bloodcurdlingly hilarious send-up to the literary classic.”
The directors are looking for 5-6 actors of any gender, but they must be aged 18 and older. Some actors will play more than one role, and there may also be gender-bending of some roles. For example, even though a role may be written as a female, a male actor could play it and vice versa.
Kara Ewinger is the director; she will be assisted by Adam Fauser. For more information, and for anyone wishing to obtain an audition packet with additional descriptions of the characters and a copy of the sides that will be used at auditions, please contact Kara at 319-759-0667 or at karaewinger@yahoo.com.
The show is slated for production on Apr. 24-26 and Apr. 30-May 3, 2026.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals,
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DON’T FORGET SMUGMUG
SmugMug is an online platform (website) for photographers to store, share, and sell their photos.
This includes longtime PW photographer DAVID BECKMAN, and he has many PW production pictures available. David is also donating any proceeds from the sale of his pictures to PW.
If you would like to view or purchase photos of any of our recent plays, scan the QR code above and go to www.davidbeckman.smugmug.com. If you would like photos from an earlier performance, send your request to pw6623@gmail.com, and we will see if we have photos from that show.
Please remember that these photos are copyrighted and not to be shared. Proceeds help Players Workshop.
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WHO'S RUNNING THE SHOW?
In case you were curious, below is the list of
PW’s Officers and Board of Directors:
Officers
President: Mary Fox
Vice-President: Kent Lewis
Treasurer: Brittany Gerst
Secretary: Michelle Huppenbauer
Board of Directors
(in alphabetical order)
Gene Anderson
Joni Brainerd
Christine Claeys
Nikki Critser
Jody Ellison
Cody Flietner
Libba Flores
Amy Ford
Lee Franklin
Jayne Gobble
Carol Hinkle
Anika Morton
Njeri Patric
Anna Short
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PW SUPPORTING CAST 2025-2026
Players Workshop invites you to join the Supporting Cast for 2025-2026 season.
This one-time financial donation runs for the theatrical season, contributing significantly to the financial stability of PW.
All those who join will have their names listed in each play program and newsletter, as well as on the PW website, for 2025-26.
You may join the Honorary Supporting Cast for 2025-2026 by completing the form at the end of this newsletter or the form in your play program.
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+
The following have already joined for 2025-2026.
Director
Barb Bonnett (in memory of George Bonnett)
George & Clara Klein
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Star
Tonja & Tim Binder
Mary Fox
Lillian Robbin
Supporting Actor
Carolyn Dorting
Bonnie Downes
Barbara Drozdz (in memory of Jim Drozdz)
Dr. Amy Groeltz -- The Smile Shoppe
Jon & Peggy Hart
Judy Johnson
Brian & Sara Sink
Duane & Bev Sherbondy
Kathy & Kevin Wolfskill
Stage Crew
Cindy & Darrell Bachtell
Connie Bowen
Dan & Kathy Cahill
Lois Close
Carol Copeland
Robert Haines
Dean & Karen Hurliman
Carol Janosik
Renita Jarrett & Dave Dorethy
Mike & Kren Johnston
Cynthia Leonard
Donna & Jan Logan
Dean & Pam Marshall
Keith McNeil (in memory of Maxine)
Ralph Parish
Lori Moore
Prugh Funeral Service
Jim Raudabaugh
Chip & Dana Readinger
Carol Reed
Marlis Robberts
Tim Roberts
Kathy & Kevin Schneider
Matt & Mary Shivers
Peggy Stott
Olive Sullivan (in memory of Mary Krohlow & Rod Reeves)
Henry Villareal
Kay Wilson
Merry Wiseman (in memory of Rod Reeves)
Tammy Kimmel-Wunderlich
Usher
Judith Bartachek
Jill Baumert
Sally Bird
Jacquelyn Edwards (in memory of Dave Edwards)
KC & Beth Fleming
Barbara Hahn
Barara Hahn
Zachary Hall
Pat Mayle
John & Lisa Pomberg
Scott Hartje
Karen Hassel
Melinda & Dave Hentzel
Linda Hoenig
Marleen Holsteen
Katherine Hoth
Maureen Hutchcroft
Jessica Irish
Ladonna Kitch
Faith Krause
Shylah Lenahan
Pat Mayle
Linda Messer
Kenneth Morris
Linda Peitz
Pamela Pinkston
Connie Quee (in memory of Rod Reeves)
Jeff Rucker
Jane Sanford
Kathleen Schier
Dorothy Schulte
Anita Stapleton
Lora Turner
Kathryn Waterhouse
Calley Yaegar
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!
COMING SOON:
ANNOUNCEMENT OF
PLAYERS WORKSHOP'S
2026-2027 SEASON!​​​​​​​​​​
IS THE COMMITTEE FOR YOU?
One of the things that keeps Players Workshop functioning is the work of volunteer committees . From time to time, The Backstage Pass will feature these, so you may determine if you might like to become involved. First up—
THE MARKETING COMMITTEE
The Marketing Committee coordinates all marketing material/media (newspaper, radio, social media, website, flyers, etc.). Their job is to build awareness for the theater throughout the community.
This is done by promoting the season as well as each individual show by writing press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and updates to the website. They are tasked with maintaining a consistent look and tone through logos, color, and messaging. In addition, promoting the work of other committees such as membership, donor campaigns, and special events is an important part of this committee’s work.
In short, the marketing committee tells the theater’s story, makes sure people know what’s happening, and helps turn community interest into attendance and support.
Currently, Jayne Gobble is the chair of the committee. Other members (in alphabetical order) are Bonnie Downes, Kara Ewinger, Cody Flietner, and Mary Wienand. Pres. Mary Fox is an ex-officio member.
The marketing committee is currently looking for volunteers with experience in writing newsletters and press releases, as well as someone with web designing experience. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Jayne Gobble at jaynemjg@yahoo.com.
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