Celebrating our extraordinary volunteers

Jamie Ulmer • August 25, 2025

Last week we celebrated nearly 400 rock stars who played leading roles in the success of Theatre Lawrence’s 2024–2025 season.


Our theme last season was extraordinary theatre created by extraordinary people. And extraordinary they were—these individuals donated more than 30,530 hours across every corner of the organization. From building sets and sewing costumes, to running lights and sound, shifting scenery like backstage ninjas, ushering, serving at the bar, performing with the Vintage Players, supporting special events, and bringing shows to life—our volunteers made it all possible.


Looking back at the calendar, there were only 10 days all year without a class, rehearsal, performance, or public event happening at Theatre Lawrence (and that includes holidays!).


A special shout-out to the winners of our Charley Awards, given to volunteers who contributed 350 hours or more last season (full list of winners below). An extra round of applause for Rob Claassen, our Volunteer of the Year—for the second year in a row!


Here’s to even more extraordinary achievements in the 2025–2026 season. Thank you, and bravo!


Jamie Ulmer

Executive Director

2024-2025 Charley Award Winners

Jeffery Mueller

Andrea Beyer

Ian Beyer

Isabel Warden

Beth Dearinger

Jaryl Perkins

Lily Davis

Karen Bayouth

Paula Nigh

Malachi Swwedberg

Shirly Unekis

Secily Rees

Shelby Easum

John Mitchell

Patrick Kelly

Kimberly O’Brien

Mario Bonilla

Ron Chin

Pam Gieseke-Becker

Rob Claassen

Marilyn Brobst

Bob Newton

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

Stylized “Guys & Dolls” logo in orange, red, and white with dice on a black background
May 11, 2026
CAST LIST: GUYS & DOLLS, SR. We would like to extend a huge thank you to every single person who auditioned for Guys & Dolls Sr. The talent, enthusiasm, humor, and heart in the room made this an incredibly difficult and exciting casting process, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you! Because of the overwhelming amount of talent , remaining speaking roles will be assigned after our first read-through rehearsal on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM. This truly is going to be a celebration of ensemble, community, and the joy of performance at every stage of life. Thanks to EVERYONE!!! See ALL y'all tomorrow, 6:30 Theatre Lawrence, Downstairs Rehearsal Room. PRINCIPAL CAST Sky Masterson: JEFF LADY Sarah Brown: TERRY THOELKE Nathan Detroit: WALTER OLKER Miss Adelaide: CYNDI ROOD Nicely-Nicely Johnson: STEVE FENDT Benny Southstreet: JARYL PERKINS Rusty Charlie: CHRIS DRAHOZAL Additional cast members: BARBARA BRYDENTHAL BETH CHAMBERS BETH RUNDQUIST BETSI ANDERSON BRENDA WILCH BROOKS APPELBAUM CAROL DOBBINS CAROLYN WULFKUHLE CHERYL WAGNER CHUCK MOSLEY CINDY HILLS DAVE MOSHER DEB MADDEN DEE AGUILAR JEFF MUELLER JERRY GUFFEY JILL CANNON JILL DICKERSON JO ANDERSEN KAREN DEVICTOR LINDA CANNON MARGARET KELLEY MATT PRICE NANCY GIBBENS PAM BLOME PAM MOONEY PAUL BAEUCHLE RETA CALDWELL SUSAN RALSTON TERRI JOHNSON TOM DAVIS
Dark purple promo poster with dancer silhouette and text: “Now accepting applications” for the Striving Artist Project
April 29, 2026
Project honoring legacy of Louise ImMasche
April 27, 2026
Theatre Lawrence is currently accepting applications for select creative positions in the 2026-2027 season. To apply please send an email to julmer@theatrelawrence.com stating what show and position you are interested in being considered for, along with a resume. For consideration please apply by May 8. Open positions are: PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL (Sept. 11-13, 17-20, 2026): Director, Music Director, Choreographer LIZZIE (Oct. 22-24, 2026): Director, Music Director December Musical (Dec. 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 2026): Director, Music Director, Choreographer. Show will be announced May 25, contact us for more information. ON GOLDEN POND (Jan. 29-31, Feb. 4-7, 2027): Director Learn more about our entire 50th Anniversary Season at: https://www.theatrelawrence.com/26-27-season
More Posts