Cardboard, two-by-fours, spray foam and chalk drawings reside on the floor and walls of the Kimball Area High School cafetorium. Kimball Community Playhouse is once again preparing to put a show on the boards. Jody Markgraf, the director, paces hand-on-head, trying to figure out blocking for the cave scene. It is a difficult scene with everyone singing at different times, people coming and going, and a “hunt” for the missing children – Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. Markgraf moves the actors from the cafetorium floor, where the stage set is being constructed, onto the stage so that she can get a better perspective. Meanwhile, the “audience” for the rehearsal, actors not in this scene, Betty Nystrom the costumer, technical director Mike Simacek, and assistant director Jesi Mancini, quietly work on their concept, their lines or their jobs. Pianist Juleen Faber-Andrusick works one-on-one with Scott Babbitt who is playing Tom Sawyer. She runs over several sections of one of his solos while he captures and recaptures the notes, perfecting them. It is about two weeks before opening and this is the time a director’s nerves are tested to the limit. To the those unfamiliar with theater, it looks and sounds like complete confusion. Suddenly a vamp is played and the women cast members break into a haunting song-prayer. The men and children join in with tenor and bass voices filling out a full spectrum of melodic sound. Many of the over three dozen cast members are under five-feet tall. They will soon be lending a hand painting sets, moving scenery, and trying on costumes. They will wiggle and squirm while putting on make-up, and have to be “shushed” back-stage. Many will experience their first-ever “real” theater production from behind the lights. They will thrill to the applause and, for some, it will begin a life-long love affair with theater. Director Markgraf continues to work on the right “look” to convey the feeling of hopelessness needed for the cave scene. It is her directing debut, but she has been in front of, and behind, the scenes for a number of Playhouse productions. The main character, Scott Babbitt (Tom Sawyer) who had a major role in the Music Man playing Winthrop, says “I like the people in the play and it’s a good story.” He adds, “I like singing alot.” The musical Tom Sawyer opens Thursday, July 14, and plays through Sunday, July 17. The story, written by Mark Twain, is a fun one for kids and adults alike. Take first-love, caves and rivers, misunderstandings, a raft, an Indian, and throw in running away from home, and getting lost – what’s not to love? Tickets are on sale at the State Bank of Kimball, including their St. Augusta branch, and also at the Kimball Area High School and District office. This year ticket stubs will be used for drawing prizes at the shows.
