How about that snow?
Jamie Ulmer • January 6, 2025
How about that snow? As we dig out from this mega-dose of winter, let’s shift our focus to the joys of spring and summer. Think about working your snow-free garden, tending to beautiful plants and flowers, while keeping an eye on what’s happening in your neighbor’s backyard.
With those delightful warm thoughts in mind, our first regular season production of 2025, “Native Gardens” opening next week, will plant the seed of laughs, warmth, and sprout some thoughts too. This relatively new play is filled with fun and comedy as a misplaced fence line leads to an all-out feud between neighboring couples. This timely and topical comedy is a great way to dig out of the winter doldrums.
While it’s cold outside, it’s a hot time at TL. In addition to “Native Gardens” we have two other shows in rehearsal, youth productions and classes, and a new adult dance class every Saturday morning. TL is definitely defrosting your winter blues.
See you at the theatre
Jamie Ulmer
Executive Director
Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements
CAST LIST Diana.............................Amanda McCoy Gabe..............................Zachary Bricken Dan.................................Adam Groves* Natalie..........................Lilia Potter* Henry.............................Hunter Sullivan* Doctor Madden......Andy Huff* *denotes TL debut
I recently spent a week attending the American Association of Community Theatre’s biennial national festival. The main focus of the festival is performances by 12 shows selected through a series of state and regional festivals held around the country. But there’s much more to gatherings like this than just seeing shows. With workshops and exhibits, there’s always something new to learn—or something important to be reminded of. And of course, there are meetings—lots of meetings. I just wrapped up serving eight years on the organization’s board of directors. Most importantly, though, are the connections. In fact, that was one of the themes of the festival: “Theatre connects us all.” The hundreds of people in attendance represented the full range of community theatres, from small, all-volunteer organizations to multi-million-dollar institutions. Everyone shared the same connection—a passion for telling stories that strengthen our communities. Regardless of size or scope, we all face many of the same basic challenges. Whether in a formal workshop or a spontaneous conversation in the lobby, we came together to share, learn, and help each other thrive. You don’t have to attend a national festival to find that connection. You’ll feel it in the audience at events like our upcoming Penguin Project production of The Little Mermaid JR. , or with our Vintage Players and their reimagined annual showcase. We invite you to explore how you can become more involved at TL—perhaps by attending one of our upcoming volunteer open houses (details coming soon). It’s truly amazing what happens when we gather as a community to watch, play, and grow together. Theatre truly connects us all—and helps us all thrive—something we can all agree we need now more than ever. See you at the theatre, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director
