Come From Away Program

Audience Services

PURCHASING TICKETS

• The box office is open from 3 pm until 5 pm Monday through Friday and for one hour prior to each performance.

• The box office accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit cards.

• Single tickets become available for purchase 60 days before a production’s opening night.

NEED TO EXCHANGE YOUR TICKETS?

Any ticket exchanges must be done through the box office in person or over the phone. Tickets may only be exchanged for another performance of the same show.

UNABLE TO USE YOUR TICKETS?

Please contact the box office to see if an exchange for a different date can be made. On rare occasions, LCT has allowed a ticket for one production to be used at a different production. If no exchanges can be made, the ticket price may be written off as a donation tax credit.

CAMERAS AND/OR RECORDING EQUIPMENT

The use of cameras and/or recording equipment is strictly prohibited in the theatre. If you need to answer a call, please do so in the lobby so as to not disrupt the performance.

GREETING THE ARTISTS

Flowers may be left in the box office for the stage manager to deliver or you may hand them to the cast member once they are in the lobby at the conclusion of the performance. Audience members are not allowed backstage.

BAD WEATHER POLICY

If you have concerns about the weather facing an upcoming performance, please call the box office to double check that the performance will still continue. On rare occasions, LCT has canceled performances due to bad weather or cast conditions. If this occurs, exchanges or refunds will be issued.

BABIES AND SMALL CHILDREN

Every individual, no matter the age, must have a ticket in order to attend the performance. If you would like to bring your children, please purchase seats for them even if they will be seated on someone’s lap.

SEAT RESERVATIONS

Reservations for the general public begin at least 60 days before the opening of each show; season ticket reservations open the week prior. Patron donors may reserve their seats at any time. Please call the box office at 608-784-9292 if you have any questions.

LATE SEATING POLICY

Late arrivals will be seated at the house manager’s discretion during an appropriate point in the performance. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after the show begins, we reserve the right to release your seat(s) to someone else.

A Note from our Executive Director

One of the most remarkable things about Come From Away is that it reminds us that community isn’t something abstract. It isn’t just an idea. It isn’t just a word we put in our name, on a website, or in a mission statement.

Community is something we do. Something we have to practice.

In this story, when the world stopped on September 11, 2001, a small town chose to open its doors and its hearts to people from all over the world. They didn’t have a concrete plan. They didn’t have time to prepare. They simply saw people who needed care and decided to show up.

A similar thing happens with every production you see on our stage. Everyone involved helps create a community ready to welcome others. And I’m not just talking about the actors you see under the lights, but also the directors shaping the vision, the designers building the world, the crews working behind the scenes, the volunteers welcoming you at the door, and the staff helping bring each show together. For Come From Away, we are especially grateful to director Greg Parmeter, a former Artistic Director of LCT, for creating a welcoming environment for all. We also thank our dedicated production team and this extraordinary ensemble of performers who so beautifully capture the heart, humor, and humanity of this story. Together they have created a place ready to welcome you, though they had a bit more time to plan than the people of Gander.

And in that way, you, the audience, are a bit like the “plane people.” You are the ones being welcomed into a new community to share in an experience together, though you had a little more choice in the matter than the "plane people."

Community theatre only works because a community chooses to gather. Your presence here tonight isn’t just attendance. It’s participation in something larger. It's practicing community.

At the heart of our mission at LCT is creating community through theatre. Come From Away reminds us that this only happens when people are willing to open up to each other. In theatre, that doesn’t just happen between performers and the audience. It happens between audience members too, in the conversations before the show, the laughter during it, and the connections we make afterward.

That’s why, after every performance, we invite you to stay for Welcome to the Bluffs. Inspired by the spirit of the show’s “Welcome to the Rock,” this is our way of extending a La Crosse welcome. It's another opportunity to practice community, to meet neighbors, talk with artists and community partners, and simply spend a little more time together.

Because in this theatre, and in this community, nobody is a stranger.

Thank you for being part of this story, and thank you for being part of LCT.

ERIK VOSE Executive Director

Director’s Note

Jenna Boyd, who originated the role of Beulah in London, said in an interview “You know about where the pebble drops, but not about where the ripples went.” Come From Away is a show all about ripples. The ripples from 9/11 continue to touch us and the world is a different place. America is a different place.

On September 11, 2001, a pebble caused by the attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania dropped in the unlikeliest of places: Gander, Newfoundland. Or rather, 38 pebbles in the form of passenger jets forced to land short of their destinations when the United States closed their airspace for the first time in history. Suddenly, 7,000 people from all over the world became refugees in a town of 9,000 people. It’s as if the city of La Crosse had to take in 41,000 people in a matter of a few hours. The task facing the local populace was staggering. It was less a pebble making some ripples and more a meteor making a tsunami.

For five days in the fall of 2001, the people of Newfoundland welcomed 7,000 strangers into their towns, their churches, their clubs, and their homes. But they didn’t see what they were doing as extraordinary. (It was.) They didn’t feel heroic. (They were.) They believed they were simply doing the right thing. The only thing. The people on those planes were lost in a foreign land, many unable to speak the language, and were welcomed with open arms, warm beds, ample food, and above all, love. From September 11 to September 16, they weren’t strangers. They were Newfoundlanders.

The ripples that flowed out from these simple, innumerable acts of kindness continue to spread. Memories were made and lasting friendships were forged. Those that lived these events found themselves irrevocably altered by the experience. Their story has inspired people all over the world thanks to productions of Come From Away. The story of Gander isn’t about 9/11 so much as a story about who we are, and who we can be. More importantly, who we should be. How far will the ripples from the pebbles you drop go?

This production is for all those who are lost, afraid, and just trying to find their way home. This is for all those who welcome those from away with open arms and say, “as long as you are here, you are home.”from the pebbles you drop go?

This production is for all those who are lost, afraid, and just trying to find their way home. This is for all those who welcome those from away with open arms and say, “as long as you are here, you are home.”

Greg Parmeter Director

Travis Head

Artist talk and opening reception

Thursday, March 26, 4 p.m.

Room 116, Lowe Center for the Arts

Charissa Bertels

In conversation and performance

Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.

Toland Theatre, Lowe Center for the Arts ALL EVENTS

Director's Circle

($1,000+)

Terry Benson

J. Michael and Vicki Hartigan

Chris and Vicki Born

David and Christine Papke

Randy and Lynn Nelson

Duane Lom

Julie Keitel

Thomas and Jan Brock

Russ and Katie Wilson

Joe and Linda Kastantin

Bill & Jackie Pritchard

Kyle Jaeger and Laura Mackey

Karl and Julie Noll

Mark and Carol Solyst

Tim and Sue Durtsche

Kristin Albrecht Charitable Fund

Designers

($500-$999)

Kathy Spelker

Brad & Leslie Weber

Richard and Pamela Strauss

Tom and Heidi Grau

Drexler Donor Fund

Marilyn Franzini and Jim Brickl

Vantage Architects

Actors ($250-$499)

Judy and Dick Williams

Aurel and Sue Mailath

Pat and Dick Spencer

Joan Allen

Brian and Karen Rude

American Marine

Kathleen and Joe Zietlow

Joe Hammes & Aaron Wickesberg

Cam and Carlene Roberts

Kenna and RogerChristians

Bob and Kay Conzemius

Patron Donor List

Patrons

($100-$249)

Fran Dieter

Steve and Karen Lind

Dave and Abbie Gerzema

Clem and Addie Bott

Karen Guptill

Sandra Proksch Troope

Cari Fleischer

Barbara and James Hemker

Patrice and Tony Vander Wielen

Robert and Maureen Freedland

Theron and Julie Wilson

Robert and Silvana Richardson

Jean and Mark Ledman

Daryl and Nancy Ertl

Mary Hubbard

Mike and Cheri Herro

Cheryl Loehr

Elsie Patterson

Mike and Lynn Hickey

Mark and Cari Burmaster

Corine Neuman, Teresa Mears, and Kathy Niefeldt

Jolene Demaiffe and Ellen Pedretti Fendt

Edgar Storey & Wanda DuCharme

Tina Ruskey

Bruce Kerr

Michelle and Thomas Kelley

Susan and Fred Heuer

Dianne Pogreba

Tom and Lori Nigon

Janine and Ken Merkitch

Rosemary Nelson

Maureen and Lou Guillou

Eric Westerberg

Colleen Walsh

Bob and Kay Conzemius

Leah Reimann

Joan and John Peter Temple

Joyce Wichelt

Steven and Katie Fleis

Tom and Sharon Ryan

Patrons ($100-$249)

Cont. (anonymous)

Marla French

Jane Miller

Jim and Monique Howe

Dave Larsen

Terry and Loran Zibrowski

Larry and Beth Peterson

Robert and Laurel Allen

Dr. Robert Howman

Kathy and Paul Callan

Sue Hammersmith

Barbara and Herbert Heili

Sandy Sechrest

Eileen Walsh Doyle

Eric Westerberg

Colleen Walsh

Bob and Kay Conzemius

Theresa Brennan

Lisa Martin

Terry Benson

Roger & Jean Klousia

La Crosse Community Theatre Presents

Book Music and Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein

Original Broadway Production Produced by Junkyard Dog Productions

Original Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen

Arrangements by Ian Eisendrath

STARRING

Katie Bakalars

Michelle Walker

Makenna Johnson

Colleen Schulz

ACCOMPANIST

EDDIE

DRAMATURG LAURIE KINCMAN

COSTUME DESIGNER

JESSICA RIGDON

Brittany McGuire

Kelley Manson

Brad Weber

Dustin Luecke

Lanie The Kissing Cod

DIRECTED BY GREG PARMETER

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

TECHNICAL DIRETOR & SCENIC DESIGNER LEX VIOLETTE

SOUND DESIGN SRINIVASA

Jeremiah Galvan Aaryn Jones

Brandon Harris

Ryan Rosenberg

PROPS MASTER KRISTI

BECHTEL

LIGHTING DESIGN

CASSIE VORBACH

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theater and presented in 2016 by Ford's Theatre. Come From Away (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals' Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam, Connecticut. The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, and The Fifth Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington, also provided development support.

Come From Away is Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

The Company

The Company

The Company

Friends of LCT Donors

The Friends of LCT Campaign aims to continually raise operational funds for LCT from large gift givers sustained over five-year long pledges. We thank the following for their pledges:

EXECUTIVE (Pledged $25,000+)

Russel L. and Vera M. Smith Foundation

Keith and Mary Isaacs

ASSOCIATE (Pledged $12,500 - $24,999)

Pat and Joe Heim

Karl and Julie Noll

CONTRIBUTOR (Pledged $5,000 - $11,499)

Tom and Jan Brock

Vicki and Chris Born

Michael and Sharon Markee

Randy and Lynn Nelson

Theresa and Scott Smerud

Julie Keitel

Cheryl Vieth

Laux Family Partners

Kurt and Julie Shroeder

Michael and Rose Porter

Duane Lom

Diane, Crystal, Brenda ..................................................................... KATIE BAKALARS

Hannah, Margie, Mickey ............................................................. MICHELLE WALKER

Janice, Britney, Flight Attendant ............................................... MAKENNA JOHNSON

Beulah, Delores, Customs Officer ................................................... COLLEEN SCHULZ

Bonnie, Martha ...........................................................................BRITTANY MCGUIRE

Beverly, Annette, Reporter ............................................................. KELLEY MANSON

Oz, Joey, Customs Officer, Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, Head Cardiologist...... BRAD WEBER

Kevin T., Garth, President Bush ......................................................... DUSTIN LUECKE

Kevin J., Dwight, Ali, Officer Stephenson ..................................... JEREMIAH GALVAN

Bob, Muhumuza, Captain Bristol .........................................................AARYN JONES

Claude, Derm, Brenda's Brother, Eddie .......................................... BRANDON HARRIS

Nick, Doug, Male Townsperson .................................................... RYAN ROSENBERG

Conductor ................................................................................... KRISTIN FREEDLUND

Bass ..................................................................................................... PAUL JEWSON

Drums .............................................................................................. DAVID STOLESON

Percussion ............................................................................................AARON FROST

Guitar .............................................................................................. JACOB SHAMBAN

Mandolin, Guitar 2 ................................................................................ KYLE RENFRO

Fiddle .................................................................................................NATHAN OLSON

Whistles, Flutes .................................................................... STEPHANIE BROOKMAN

Piano, Accordion ......................................................................................... EDDIE KIM

Production Team

Director ............................................................................................ GREG PARMETER

Assistant Director & Intimacy Director ........................................... TAYLOR RAMMER

Music Director DIANE FOUST

Accompanist ............................................................................................... EDDIE KIM

Dramaturg LAURIE KINCMAN

Stage Manager .................................................................................... MEGAN PENCE

Choreographer ................................................................................... EMMA FRAYER

Technical Director, Set Designer ........................................................... LEX VIOLETTE

Props Master ..................................................................................... KRISTI BECHTEL

Costume Designer ............................................................................ JESSICA RIGDON

Lighting Designer ............................................................................ CASSIE VORBACH

Audio Designer .................................................................................. SRINI CHADANA

Conductor ................................................................................... KRISTIN FREEDLUND

Assistant Soundboard Operator ............................................................ TODD OLSON

Light Board Operator ................................................................... MALANA KINSTLER

Crew ............................................... CAITLIN CALIRI, KATYA CARTER, LIZZ BRANNON

Costume Shop Volunteers ............................ CHARLOTTE GRANT, SHARON MARKEE, SUZANNE YOUNG, NANCY MAHLUM, RUTH DRISCOLL, CHRISTINE PAPKE, CHERYL VEITH, PAT CHILSEN, TRINA SCHLIFER, JANE KRUGER, CAROL SOLYST, JULIE KEITEL

LCT Staff

Executive Director ................................................................................................ ERIK VOSE

Artistic Director ............................................................................................... MARY CATE WESLING

Director of Education .................................................................................. KATELYN KLIEVE

Technical Director ........................................................................................... LEX VIOLETTE

Costume Shop Supervisor THERESA SMERUD

Marketing Manager | Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor ...................... JESSICA RIGDON

Weber Center Operations Manager | LCT Audio/Visual Manager ........ RYAN VAN BERKUM

Front of House ............ SHARON SINGER-DAWIDOWSKI; ADDIE ZANER; ANNA GOODMAN; ANGIE STRITTMATER; MIKE SPECK; STEVEN WALKER; AMANDA WIESE

Head Carpenter and Flyman ......................................................... MACKINLEY BRUEMMER

Resident Scenic Designer and Charge Artist .......................................... AUGUST JENNINGS

Scene Shop Staff ........................................................................................ JAMES MURPHY

Youth Apprentice ...................................... ANTHONY KENDHAMMER, LAKEN BUCHHOLTZ

Lighting and Sound shop sponsored by

Mary Isaacs

At La Crosse Community Theatre, our mission is to honor and celebrate our rich theatrical heritage while establishing a sustainable foundation for the years to come. With collaboration as a cornerstone, we are a dynamic, educational, and visionary force shaping the destiny of our community by adapting to the ever-changing arts landscape and showcasing excellence in local community entertainment.

LCT Advisory Board

Alex Lueck

Anna Taylor

Arla Clemons

Bill Pritchard

Brady Lowe

Gregory Parmeter

Joan Temple

John Lyche

Jon Lamb

Karen Fries

Kenna Christians

Kristin Freedlund

Mary Ann Gschwind

Matthew Curtis

Megan Pence

Nate Mohlman

Peter Bosgraaf

Richard Walters

Shannon Kummerow

Shaundel Washington-Spivey

Stacie Schmidt

Susan Durtsche

Thomas Behrenbeck

Vendi

LCT Board of Directors

Who's Who

KATIE BAKALARS ( Diane, Crystal, Brenda) Katie is humbly elated to be a part of this wonderful creative team. Past credits include The Wicked Witch in "The Wizard of Oz", Kate Monster in "Avenue Q" and Slyvia in Grey Area's production of "The Thin Place". This show is such a special testimony to the goodness in all of us. Thank you for supporting local arts and enjoy the show!

MICHELLE WALKER ( Hannah, Margie, Mickey) Michelle is absolutely elated to be a member of this all-star cast! It is shows like Come From Away that make theatre so important, especially in times like these. She hopes you laugh, cry, see yourself, and are left with a lasting impression of tolerance and acceptance. You may recognize her from past shows including: Les Miserables as Madame Thenardier, Guys and Dolls as Adelaide and as a sketch comedy artist in Live! From La Crosse. Outside of theatre you'll find her teaching preschool children, a career she is quite passionate about. Thank you for coming and supporting local theatre!

MAKENNA JOHNSON ( Janice, Britney, Flight Attendant) MaKenna is thrilled to be back on the LCT stage! Previously, she was in White Christmas with LCT. She earned her Bachelor’s in Theatre performance from UWL. A couple of her favorite roles there include Susan (Company) and Stella (A Streetcar Named Desire). After graduating, she went on to earn her Master’s from UW-Milwaukee and

now works as a law librarian. She thanks her friends, family, and amazing fiancé for their support! Enjoy the show!

COLLEEN SCHULZ (Beulah, Delores) La Crosse Community Theatre debut! Previous productions: Mamma Mia! (Tanya), Hair (Sheila), Spring Awakening (Martha), Legally Blonde (Serena), Into the Woods (Stepmother), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Jolene Oaks), Dracula (Mina). Endless gratitude to Andrew for his unwavering support and allowing this to be possible, to Dad for nurturing my love for music and theatre, and to Greg and this incredible cast and crew for taking a chance and welcoming me so warmly. For Mom.

BRITTANY MCGUIRE ( Bonnie, Martha) Brittany is beyond thrilled to be part of this production and back on the LCT stage for the first time since 2019! Past shows include 9 to 5 (Judy), Cinderella (Stepmother), and Elf (Ensemble). Brittany is a high school social studies teacher and often works behind the scenes as a middle and high school drama director. So much love and thanks to Sean and the boys for their constant support and willingness to share her with theatre. Enjoy the show!

KELLEY MANSON ( Beverly, Annette) Kelley is thrilled to a part of this production and truly honored to stand on the LCT stage with her friends and share this beautiful story with you. Past credits include Next

Who's Who

to Normal (Diana), Bad Seed (Christine), and Blood Brothers (Mrs. Johnstone). She is deeply grateful to her husband and two daughters for their unwavering love and support. To the ones who've left, you're never truly gone.

BRAD WEBER ( Oz, Joey, Customs Officer,

Mr. Michaels, Terry, Matty, Rabbi, Head

Cardiologist) Brad is grateful to be back on stage at LCT participating in his 15th production. Previous productions include Next to Normal (Dan), Secret Garden (Archibald), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), and Les Misérables (Thénardier). By day, Brad is a Healthcare Administrator supporting the Department of Surgery at Mayo Clinic Health System and serves on several community-based boards. Brad, Leslie and their 3 children (Charley, Marie, Andrew) love to spend time camping, flying (well, at least Brad and Andrew), and participating in the performing arts.

DUSTIN LUECKE ( Kevin t., Garth, President Bush)

Dustin returns to the Lyche Theatre stage for the first time since LCT's Newsies (Davey). Other credits include: The 39 Steps (Hannay), The Misanthrope (Alceste), and The Weber Center's [title of show] (Jeff) Film: Come Here Brother Wolf (director/ producer) TV: Wake Up Wisconsin on WXOW 19 (anchor). All my love to Dominique (who always believes in me), my kids, and family(s). "Because we come from everywhere, we all come from away."

JEREMIAH GALVAN ( Kevin J., Dwight, Ali, Officer Stephenson) Jeremiah Galván is grateful to share this deeply human story about loss and hope with such a wonderful gaggle of, well, humans! While not his first production—The Odd Couple (Felix), The Diary of Anne Frank (Otto Frank), Elf: The Musical (Buddy), 12 Angry Men (Juror 8)—this one is special. Endless thanks to his fabulous wife and kids for keeping a candle in the window and the kettle on. Wherever you've come from, welcome. Matt. 25:35

AARYN JONES ( Bob, Muhumuza, Captain Bristol) Aaryn is so excited to join this production of Come From Away. His previous roles include; Newsies LCT 2019 (Specs), Rent LCT 2023 ensemble and The Wizard of Oz 2023 (Crow). Aaryn has also participated in many of the choral ensembles at Viterbo from 2016 to 2020 including Platinum edition, 9th St Singers, and Concert Choir. It's been some time since Aaryn's involvement in the theater and he's glad for a chance to return to performing.

BRANDON HARRIS ( Claude, Derm, Brenda's Brother, Eddie) Everyone has a story about how they started that day; Brandon was in an acting class at 73rd and Broadway in NYC when the first plane hit the WTC, and he experienced the events of that day firsthand. He and his roommate walked down to ground zero to see the tragedy with their own eyes. He is grateful to tell this story of another perspective

Who's Who

of those events with an amazing group of people. We can all be kinder to each other. Thank you for supporting local arts. Much love to Alison, my family, and friends.

RYAN ROSENBERG ( Nick, Doug, Townsperson)

Ryan Rosenberg (Doug/Nick) is thrilled to return to the LCT stage. Most recently seen at LCT in Next to Normal, you may also find him gigging locally, sharing his love for musical theater within his acoustic sets. When not conducting analytical research at Fastenal, or keeping up with his boys, he enjoys outdoor and music related adventures with loved ones. He would like to thank Jolie and his family for all their support.

GREG PARMETER ( Director) Greg teaches voice, movement, and performance at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Before joining the faculty at UWL Greg served as the artistic director of La Crosse Community Theatre for nine years where he directed the regional premiers of Les Miserables and Mary Poppins, plus the world community theatre premier of Billy Elliot the Musical. While at UWL, Greg has won two national awards for directing from the American College Theatre Festival for his productions of What the Constitution Means to Me and Severe Clear: 9/11 From Memory to History, which he co-wrote with his friend, colleague, and Come From Away dramaturg, Laurie Kincman. Greg would like to thank Mandy, Benjamin, and Matilda for their

love and support, as well as the entire cast, crew, his colleagues in the department of theatre and dance, and the LCT staff for making it possible to direct this powerful piece of theatre. When Greg joined LCT as a come from away, he found his artistic heart. When he left, he left a part of it behind.

TAYLOR RAMMER ( Assistant Director) Taylor is incredibly grateful to be assistant directing LCT’s production of Come From Away! Taylor recently directed SDLAX’s production of Witches?! In Salem?! Last year, she was also seen on stage in UW-La Crosse’s productions of What the Constitution Means to Me (Heidi) and Cabaret (Sally Bowles). Come From Away has been an absolute dream to work on and she is so honored to have been a part of it! Enjoy the show!

LAURIE KINCMAN ( Dramaturg) Laurie is Chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance at UW-La Crosse, where she teaches stage management, arts administration, and dramaturgy. Recent credits include dramaturgy for The Game’s Afoot and What the Constitution Means to Me, projections design for Cabaret, and stage management for Art in Motion. This production is especially meaningful because it brings full circle Laurie & Greg’s September 11 storytelling, which began in 2019 with the project that would become Severe Clear.

Who's Who

MEGAN PENCE ( Stage Manager) I’m so grateful to LCT for letting me be back in the tech booth to stage manage this amazing show! Thank you to the cast and crew for all their dedication in bringing it to life. By day, I’m the office manager for ABRA Auto Body, and I love volunteering with the Onalaska Lions Club and Miss La Crosse Oktoberfest—because Oktoberfest is life! Special thanks to my family and friends who traveled to be here, and to those who kept me fed and my dogs cuddled while I was at rehearsal.

DIANE FOUST ( Music Director) I am so proud to be a part of the telling of this story—this true story— about how some islanders took care of people who literally came down from the sky because of a tragedy not of their making. I get inspiration from their generosity, their humor, their grit, and their persistence to make the world a better place for those 6600+ travelers (and their pets!) for a few days. Thanks to all this wonderful cast, crew, and production team for their hard work and dedication to this show. And thanks, as always, to the love of my life for his unconditional support.

EDDIE KIM ( Accompanist, Piano, Accordion)

Eddie Kim (Accompanist, Piano/Accordion) remembers being woken up by friends to the news on that fateful morning, since it was still early in the day on the West Coast. He hopes that the messages inside this beautiful journey urge us all towards

deeper connections in serving one another, especially across lines of national origin, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation (including no affiliation). We all come from away.

EMMA FRAYER ( Choreographer) Emma loves staying involved in LCT through choreography, costume design, and volunteering wherever needed. She would like to thank her family for supporting her lifetime interest and her husband for putting up with a crazy schedule.

LEX VIOLETTE ( Technical Director, Set Designer)

Lex is overjoyed to be the Technical Director and Scenic Designer for this production! Lex has been involved in theatre for 16 years, in a wide variety of roles. Some of their favorite past credits include: Deer Camp (Scenic Designer/TD), Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man (Director, Scenic Designer, TD), and Dog Sees God (Tricia, TD). When not at the theatre, she can be seen thrifting, watching Netflix, or hanging out with her cat, Esper. Lex would like to thank their chosen family for their continued support. Enjoy the show!

KRISTI BECHTEL ( Props Master) Kristi is thrilled to be part of this production! Past credits include Scrooge in Rouge (Stage Manager), [Dog Sees God] (Stage Manager), [Fiddler on the Roof] (Stage Manager), [Sex Tips from a Gay Man to a Straight Woman] (Sound Design), [Lend Me A Tenor] (Props

Who's Who

Designer), and One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall (Stage Manager). For Kristi's day job, she is a mental health therapist and teaches for UWL and WSU. Kristi would like to thank the LCT staff for their support. Enjoy the show!

JESS RIGDON ( Costume Designer) Jess is very excited to work on this monumental piece of theatre. Come From Away is an interesting challenge costume-wise with over 50 characters being played by 12 performers, most of whom don't leave the stage! Her previous design work for LCT includes Adventures Await, White Christmas, A Doll's House Part 2, and many more. She serves as LCT's Marketing Manager/Assistant Costume Shop Manager. She'd like to thank everyone in her life for their patience and support over the last few months!

CASSIE VORBACH ( Lighting Designer) This is Cassie's fourth season designing for LCT. Her past designs at LCT include Frozen, Waitress, Bright Star, Diary of Anne Frank, White Christmas, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wizard of Oz and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

SRINI RAO CHADANA ( Audio Designer) Srini is thrilled to join the team for Come From Away at LCT. He has previously designed sound for productions including One Christmas Eve, Adventure Awaits, Oliver, Deer Camp, and Steel Magnolias. With a deep

passion for storytelling through sound, Srini brings a keen ear for crafting immersive and dynamic audio landscapes that elevate the emotional journey of the audience. He is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the talented artists at LCT and looks forward to creating memorable soundscapes for many productions to come.

KRISTIN FREEDLUND ( Conductor) By day, I am the band director at Longfellow Middle School, and by night I’m grateful to serve as the pit conductor for Come From Away. Previous conducting credits include Waitress, Bright Star, Fiddler on the Roof, and Rent. I’m incredibly thankful to work alongside musicians who care deeply about the craft and trust the process. A heartfelt thank you to my parents, Barb and Phil, for always encouraging and helping me bring my ideas (yes—even the ugly stick!) to life. Much love to my very patient husband, Kyle. May we leave tonight a little kinder, a little warmer, and ready to greet the next person we meet. So grab a beer, say hello to your neighbor, kiss the cod, and heave away, me jollies—heave away!

TODD OLSON ( Assistant Soundboard Operator)

Todd is thrilled to be part of this production! He is fairly new to theatre but was in the LCT production of White Christmas as the Radio Announcer, Jimmy, and a member of the ensemble. This is his first experience supporting behind the scenes. Todd is recently retired and has too many hobbies to list. A big thanks to the

Who's Who

amazing cast, crew, and supportive humans in the audience. Here's to trying something new - enjoy the show!

CAITLIN CALIRI ( Crew) Caitlin is honored to help bring Come From Away to life at LCT! You may have seen her previously in Twilight Bowl as Maddy, in Frozen as Bulda, or in White Christmas as either Rita or Judy, with an occasional special appearance as Chorus Boy #2. As the proud daughter of a firefighter/ EMT, this show is very meaningful to her. So she is very excited to help share this story with you and would like to thank her family, especially her dad and her husband, David, for being extra supportive during this process!

KATYA CARTER ( Crew) As a Canadian and proud Newfoundlander, Katya is thrilled to be part of Come from Away and to return to LCT. A crew person at heart, she most recently stage managed Small Mouth Sounds with Gray Area Productions. Her hobbies include cross stitch, Eurovision and watching cult movie classics at the Riv. She would like to thank her boyfriend Xavier and her friends and family for encouraging her to get back into theatre.

LIZZ BRANNON ( Crew) Lizz is so excited to be back in the wings for another delightful show! She spends her days delivering the gift of music to local students, and is thrilled to add more song and dance to her nights and weekends! Thanks to family and friends,

and enjoy the many costume changes and prop hand offs- the real star of the show!

PAUL JEWSON ( Bass) Paul returns from the pit for Waitress back on the stage, but like Rent and Bright Star previously, is bringing his basses with him! Paul has been active in the La Crosse area for the last decade, playing everything from rock and pop to orchestral and jazz. He has been fortunate enough to play theater productions with the La Crosse Community Theatre, UW-La Crosse, and Viterbo University, and is excited to perform Come From Away!

DAVID STOLESON ( Drums) This is David’s fifth production playing drums for LCT. His previous shows include Lizzie, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Rent, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has performed with several local bands and is currently the drummer for Porcupine.

He is grateful to the cast, crew, and fellow musicians for the chance to share in the music and be part of such a supportive community.

Special thanks to his wife, Joy, for her steady love and support.

AARON FROST ( Percussion) Aaron is so grateful to be able to be on stage for this show. Past performances either on or under the stage at LCT include Waitress, Elf, Newsies, and... Titanic. He'd like to extend a huge thank you to his family for letting

Who's Who

him make so much noise in the house trying to learn these instruments!

JACOB SHAMBAN ( Guitar) Jacob is stepping into his first theatre production, bringing prior stage experience from Sunday services and local open jams. Originally from Texas, he played baseball at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse before transitioning into a career in wealth management

KYLE RENFRO ( Mandolin, Guitar 2) Kyle is excited to be back in the pit for his 10th year at LCT. As a Guitar player and Mandolin hobbyist, any opportunity to play a Mandolin book is a fun challenge. Thank you to the cast, crew, his fellow pit members and his wife Kristin (the pit director!) for being the glue at home and in the show. Welcome to the Rock!

NATHAN OLSON ( Fiddle) Nathan is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, double majoring in music composition and English rhetoric. He has played in the pit for a variety of musicals for LCT including Fiddler on the Roof, Bright Star, and Waitress. He is both incredibly thankful and incredibly excited for this production run of Come From Away.

STEPHANIE BROOKMAN ( Whistles, Flutes)

Stephanie is excited to be playing again for LCT. She played in her first LCT orchestra for The Pirates of

Penzance in the old theatre building and has played in several of the pits including the Weber Center musical debut of Les Miserables in 2013. She is looking forward to playing for this amazing show with a very talented director and fellow musicians. Stephanie appreciates being asked to be part of the pit orchestra for Come From Away.

LANIE ( The Kissing Cod) Born and raised in the brisk, slightly judgmental waters of Newfoundland, Canada, Lanie has been professionally kissing strangers since birth. What began as a small-town greeting quickly escalated into a full-scale maritime career. She trained extensively in Advanced Puckering and Method Moisture before making her stage debut in Come From Away. Critics describe her performance as “bracing,”“unexpected,” and “surprisingly committed.” When not on stage, Lanie enjoys practicing her dramatic side-eye from the prop table, rehearsing her puckering technique, judging actors silently from her perch, and advocating for equal representation of fish in musical theatre. She would like to thank the Atlantic Ocean, modern 3D printing, and anyone brave enough to lean in. Please. No tartar sauce.

The advertisements in these pages were created by youth businesses participating in the Acton Children's Business Fair. Each ad represents a real business launched by a young entrepreneur. From handmade products to creative services, these businesses reflect the imagination and initiative of local kids learning how to turn ideas into reality.

Before the fair, participants go through the process of creating their own business. They brainstorm ideas, develop products or services, set prices, design logos, and create marketing materials like the ads you see here.

The goal is simple: give kids a hands-on opportunity to experience entrepreneurship and the excitement of bringing their ideas to life.

This fair is part of the global Acton Children’s Business Fair, the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America.

Across the country and around the world, young entrepreneurs participate in similar events where they launch a business for a day and learn about creativity, leadership, and problem-solving through real-world experience.

Meet the young entrepreneurs behind these ads at the Acton Children's Business Fair Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM Misty’s Dance Unlimited Community Center, 923 12th Ave S, Onalaska, WI.

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Thank You to Our Season Sponsors!