Best gifts go both ways

Jamie Ulmer • December 16, 2025

The best gifts involve both giving and receiving. The last several weeks at Theatre Lawrence prove that point.


Actors, musicians, stage crews, front-of-house volunteers, and more have given their valuable time this month to deliver performances of the crowd-pleasing, nostalgia-filled musical White Christmas. For those involved in the show, this often means missing holiday parties of their own, waiting until the last minute to do their shopping, and enduring long days and late nights.


They have been rewarded by Lawrence and the surrounding area with the gift of a run that will have played to 99% capacity over three weeks. For volunteer performers who share their talents with the community simply because they love it, such an enthusiastic response from audiences is the most meaningful reward. The fact that not just friends and family, but the entire community, chose to make time in their busy holiday schedules to support them and Theatre Lawrence means so much to so many.


This is just one of the many ways we share the gift and impact of the arts back and forth with you, our community. From youth classes at the theatre, to visiting classrooms with Suitcase Stories, to performing at area retirement homes with the re-energized Vintage Players, Theatre Lawrence continues to deliver bright paper packages tied up with strings of favorite things. In return, the community gives us its own gifts by auditioning, volunteering behind the scenes, buying tickets, enrolling in classes, and making donations.



When a community and its theatre make each other better, that is one of the true gifts of a thriving arts organization.

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

September 30, 2026
Thank you so much to all who auditioned. We saw 59 adults for only 18 roles, and it was very difficult to make these decisions. The talent was incredible. Keep auditioning. -Brian Williams, Director CAST LIST Dorothy Gale - Essy Siegel Aunt Em/Glinda - Kelly Schellman Uncle Henry/Emerald City Guard - Tim Canady Zeke/Cowardly Lion - Nick Cordova Hickory/Tinman - Maxwell Kays Hunk/Scarecrow - Conner Booton Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West - Brandon Eisman Professor Chester Marvel/The Wizard of Oz - Jaryl Perkins Citizens of Munchkinland and Poppies [and Monkeys, Winkies, Ozians, Jitterbugs] Ainsley Rimmey - Lullaby League (Tots) Aprentis (AJ) Martin - Lollypop Guild (Tough Kids) Charlie Rimmey - Lollypop Guild (Tough Kids) Charlotte Wagner - Coroner Ellie Leon - Lullaby League (Tots) Gabi Ayala - Lullaby League (Tots) Harper Steinle - City Father 3/Fiddler James Temple - Lollypop Guild (Tough Kids) Jetty Johnson - Barrister & Nikko Lillian Clover - Teacher 1 Gracy Bishop - Teacher 2 Reese Segerstrom - City Father 2 Selah Hartford - City Father 1 Talita Hartford - Braggart Toby Rimmey - Mayor Ozians, Crows, Trees, Winkies, Jitterbugs Ashlyn Traffas Holly Wostal Katrina Kuntz Kenzie Alexander (US Dorothy) Kim Polson Aaron Polson Chris Drahozal (Winkie General) Josh Setzer (US Trio) Thomas Oliver (US Uncle Henry/Wizard) Tom Emerson, Jr. Mario Bonilla - And Toto, too
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