Blog
Mike Schwab Announced As Master Builder
We are pleased to introduce our master builder for this summer’s production, Mike Schwab. Mike is a very familiar face around LPI as he has been a part of the set building crew for 13 years! His first volunteer involvement with building was in 2010 when his son Connor tried out for “Honk”. Seven years ago, Mike decided to join the LPI Board of Directors and he has been a wonderful addition to our organization. Mike has also been very involved in building sets for the many productions put on by the Random Lake School District (high school and elementary) for the past six years.
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Jim Johnson Announced As Set Designer
LPI is happy to announce Jim Johnson as this year’s set designer for Bye Bye Birdie. Jim is delighted to design Bye Bye Birdie, his third show with LPI. His first LPI show was Willy Wonka the Musical where he was assistant director/stage manager, followed up by Guys and Dolls where he was co-director. Jim will be working alongside, Mike Schwab (master builder for Bye Bye Birdie), this summer to create the amazing world of Sweet Apple, Ohio! Jim has been directing, acting and designing for the past sixteen years at many surrounding area theaters. Jim's most memorable directing experiences include Clue On Stage, Our Town, Guys and Dolls and several murder mysteries for Memories Ballroom. Jim's favorite set designs include Beauty and the Beast, Anything Goes, Clue On Stage, The Nerd and The Secret Garden. Jim's favorite on stage roles include Jacob Marley in West Bend Theater Company's A Christmas Carol, Editor Webb in Our Town, Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Andrew McNair in 1776. We at LPI are so excited to see what Jim has up his sleeve for the design of this summer production.
Tom Kamenick Announced As Co-Music Director
We are happy to introduce one of our Music Directors for this summer’s production of Bye Bye Birdie, Tom Kamenick. Tom returns (with family members) for his 5th summer with LPI! Although he dabbles with other theater groups in the area, he has done more shows with LPI than any other theater company. Bye Bye Birdie will mark his third show as music director, having previously music directed Little Shop of Horrors and Seussical. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education from UWM, but is now a practicing lawyer with a J.D. from Marquette University Law School. He plays piano and sings, but also has a background in cello and french horn. Past LPI shows include Annie Get Your Gun (Charlie Davenport), Wizard of Oz (Emerald City Guard), Shrek (Donkey), and Guys & Dolls (Nicely Nicely). Prior to law school, Tom taught two years of high school music (two choirs, two handbell choirs, African drumming, and a theater workshop) and a bit of middle school (choirs and general music). He also directed a church choir in Germantown for 14 years and sings with his current church, Grace Lutheran in Grafton. During law school, he worked as accompanist and assistant choir director for the Marquette University choirs. We at LPI could not be more excited to welcome Tom into this production staff position for this summer’s production. Tom will be teaming up with Nikki Anderson as Co-Music Directors for this summer’s production of Bye Bye Birdie.
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Nikki Anderson Announced As Co-Music Director
We could not be more excited to welcome back Nikki Anderson to our production staff for this summer's production! Nikki is returning for her 4th stint as music director for an LPI show (her 11th overall). Nikki will be teaming up with Tom Kamenick this summer to assist in the music director position. She has been a music teacher at Random Lake schools for the past 16 years and has directed over 25 plays and musicals in that time - all of them in her home away from home, the Random Lake District Auditorium.
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Kim Dussault Announced as Bye Bye Birdie Costume Designer
We are thrilled to welcome back Kim Dussault as our costume designer for this summers production of “Bye Bye Birdie”. This will be Kim’s second year as costume designer for LPI and fourth show over all with LPI. Kim started with LPI in 2019 as a volunteer for “Shrek”. She transitioned to being on stage in 2021 for “The Wizard of Oz” and 2022 for “Annie Get Your Gun”.
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Ava Childs Announced as Bye Bye Birdie Assistant Director
We are very excited to introduce to you, our assistant director for this summer’s production of Bye Bye Birdie, Ava Childs. Ava, grew up surrounded by art and music and fell in love with theatre in 6th grade when she auditioned for her first show. She has participated in both school and community theatre ever since. Ava is currently attending the University of Wisconsin Madison studying Theatre & Drama and Arts Education with the dream of becoming a high school theatre teacher. Ava has had the pleasure of playing the role of Willy Wonka, and Sofie in Mamma Mia at her high school while also participating in choir, band, madrigals ensemble, and acapella group for all four years. Most of Ava’s community theatre experience comes from Sheboygan Theatre Company, which allowed her to play some of her favorite theatre roles including Wednesday Addams in the Addam’s Family, Woman 1 in Songs for A New World, and Wickersham 1 in Seussical. Ava’s first experience with LPI was playing a member of the lullaby league and a tree during the most recent production of the Wizard of Oz in 2021. She had such a blast meeting so many new people, and is thrilled to be back with LPI for the summer of 2023! Ava is looking forward to sharing the joy of theatre-making with so many people, meeting new friends, reconnecting with old friends, and gaining incredible experience as an assistant director for the first time!
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A note from the board: 2022 Reflection and Gratitude
Dear LPI Community,
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2023 Director Announced: Ben Johnson
We at LPI are very excited welcome LPI alumnus, Ben Johnson, as our director for our 27th annual production, Bye Bye Birdie. Ben is thrilled to be on board as director this summer 2023! He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance and Choral/General Music Education with a minor in Theatre Arts from Lawrence University. Ben has been involved with theatre both regionally and professionally with various theatre companies across Northeastern Wisconsin.
LPI Welcomes New Board President
LPI is excited to welcome Daniel Klingelhoets as the new board president. Dan made his LPI debut as a citizen of Whoville in the ensemble of Seussical in 2007. Since then, Dan has appeared onstage, backstage, and as a volunteer over the years. Dan is enthusiastic and eager to work alongside the board of directors to continue the momentum to bring inclusive community theater experiences to our community.
Why LPI: Reasons to Audition for LPI this summer
Every summer LPI is thrilled to welcome cast members of all ages to our small community theater group. So what makes LPI special and unique, and why LPI? We turned to some veteran/current cast and volunteers to learn from them and asked- "Why LPI?"
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