Imagine stepping into a space age device said to teleport you anywhere you want to go, and then getting out and finding out something has gone terribly wrong. The students of the Northeast Community College Drama Club are about to do just that. This spring, speech and theater instructor Adam Peterson and his cast and crew are performing “ On Ego” by Mick Gordon from April 30 through May 4.

Auditions were held in the Cox Activity Center March 4 and 5, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Peterson said he does not like the traditional audition process, listening and judging people while reading a script. He says the traditional auditioning process only, “ shows who can read better.” His auditions are performed by two people reading through and acting out a scene first, and then acting out the same scene a second time without a script.

Peterson also says, “everyone should be able to audition,” even if students prefer technical crew work over acting. Between the two nights of auditions 19 people tried out for the three-person cast, two men and one woman.

Now,that cast is hard at work running lines, rehearsing, and recording audio in the Northeast Audio Production studios for the multimedia parts of the play.

Crew members have been designing the set, gathering props and preparing for the first performance which will be presented during the Media and Performing Arts Career Day for high school students on April 30.

Cast and Crew:

ALEX will be played by Joseph Robert Geis

Understudy: Jonathan Howsden

ALICE will be played by Tarrah Oliverius

Understudy: Juliana Dunn

DERECK will be played by Dakota Vlotho

Understudy: Tanner Schwedhelm 

Dakota Vlotho (Derek) – Dakota has been part of theatre since high school playing a variety of supporting roles until his senior year where he starred in the world premiere of Paradise Lost and Found as the wisecracking janitor Gillis. Other notable roles in high school include Constable Locke in The Music Man, as well as playing a variety of roles in Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail. After moving to Norfolk to attend college, he played a supporting role in the play Bus Stop as the bus driver Carl. He then starred in the Neil Simon comedy The Prisoner of Second Avenue as Mel Edison. Dakota would like to thank his family and friends, the designers and crew of this production, as well as his director Adam and the cast of Joe Bob and Tarrah.

Dustin Masek (Stage Manager) – Dustin is currently pursuing his associate of applied science degree for Electromechanical Technology at Northeast. He is set to graduate May 2016. This is the first production Dustin had been involved with. He is a positive, outgoing, resourceful person. Plus, he has a sweet Mohawk! Dustin is at Northeast because he wants to better support his family. “I want to thank the crew, Adam, and my family. My wife, Amanda, and my two sons, Owen and Archer, have been unbelievably supportive and caring. Enjoy the show!”

William Eisenhauer (Prop Master) – Billy competed in One Act competition in High School and worked stage crew for their production of Grease.  He played a leading role in their production of Back to the 80’s as well.  His latest role was as an attendant in the Norfolk Community Theatre production One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Joseph Geis (Alex) – Joe Geis is an actor at NECC and has been involved in past shows of the Northeast Players and Norfolk Community Theatre including Waiting for Godot, Wait until Dark, and Six Characters in Search of an Author. Aside from NCT and Northeast Players, Joe has been involved in shows with Buzzy Productions, Joe’s Bros’ Play Co., Vermillion Community Theatre, and Vermillion High School.
Joe is honored to work alongside and for such talented, clever friends but is sad to say this will be his last show with the Northeast Players.  Joe Bob wishes to be a space bounty hunter someday.

Jonathan Howsden (Understudy for Alex / Stage Crew / Usher) – Jonathan Howsden has been in productions such as Arsenic and Old Lace, Who Dunnit and to Whom?, The Wizard of OZ, and has directed a one act play.  He has been away from the stage for about six years and is eager to be back in the light.

Juliana Dunn (Understudy for Alice / Costume Design) – This is Juliana’s first time working with the Northeast Players. She has had previous experience working on productions in her home town of Elgin. She is excited to be working with everyone and enjoyed the experience. Juliana would like to add “Thank you to all my friends and family for putting up with my craziness. And I hope you enjoy the production as much as I do.

Lauren Oestreich (Light and Projection Design) – Lauren has done light design work on 16 productions with Huff Theatre in Ankeny, IA, including one at Grandview University, 7 shows at the Des Moines Civic Center’s Stoner Studio Theater, and some work at the 4th Street Theater in downtown Des Moines. She is currently a northeast student and hopes to peruse a career in Light Design.

Patrick Brown (Assistant Director) – Patrick is a current student. He has enjoyed learning the different aspects of putting together a production. Over the past year he has made his theatre debut acting; then slowly moving into stage managing, assistant directing, directing and production managing. Patrick looks forward to continue helping out in any facet he can and helping moving the Northeast Players group forward.

Tanner Schwedhelm (Understudy for Derek / Sound Design) – This is the Schweed’s tenth play that he has been involved in, and his first as a designer for the production.  He came up with some great sound effects and found some awesome music for the show.  Tanner has enjoyed his experience.  He hopes everyone will enjoy his work and the work of the Players.

Tarrah Oliverius (Alice) –  Tarrah is a Theatre Major here at Northeast. On Ego is the fourth production that she’s acted in this school year. She’s excited to leave the ‘hooker role’ that she’s portrayed in almost every other production before this behind and she can’t even begin to tell you how excited she is that her costumes for this production don’t involve knee high go go boots and a mini skirt. Also she’d like to thank her family for all the love and support and kindly remind them that she’s broke.

Dalton McWain (Spotlight) – Dalton McWain is a freshman at Northeast Community College and is majoring in Theatre. 

Nancy Sutton Smith (Production Manager / Technical Director)

Adam Peterson (Director / Scenic Design) (director’s note)

Sara Legler (Wardrobe Crew)

Margaret Rios (Hair and Makeup Artist)

Hadley Brickner (Construction Crew Chief)

Tanner Matthews (Master Electrician)

Shane Miller (Sound)

Tiffany Jacobson (Sound Apprentice)

Kat Stuthman (Lights)

Shelly Hughes (Usher)

April Taylor (Front of House Manager)