The curtain went down on my last show 15 years ago when I played Rosie Alvarez in a local community theater production of “Bye Bye Birdie” in Tuscola, IL. Theater always played a very large role in my life. The phrase, “Oh, I can’t…I have rehearsal.” was spoken almost daily. After performing in over 60 productions, theater took a backseat as I grew my career and family.
Over the last several years, I had been aching to get back on the stage. There was a Carnegie Hall-sized hole in my heart that needed to be filled! It all came full circle last year when I went to see DUT’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie”. I was blown away by the talent and energy of that show, and flashbacks of Tuscola’s version ran through my head. The audience could clearly see the joy and excitement on every cast member’s face as the show progressed. I knew then that I would love to be a part of it. When I found out that Nunsense was going to be their next show, I was thrilled. It is a musical that I have always wanted to do.
Because it had been so long since my last show, the nerves walking into auditions were very high. I was rusty. So rusty. Which direction is downstage again? The audition room was full of friendly, smiling faces which immediately put me at ease. From the moment I entered the DUT atmosphere, I have been met with nothing but genuine kindness and support. It is never easy being the newbie, but this group accepted me as one of their own from the very start. I cannot say enough nice things about working with DUT. They have made my transition back into theater feel effortless.
I am really proud to be a part of this show that everyone has worked so hard to put together. What a lovely, talented group of humans! Thank you for making me feel like part of the family.
Casey is playing Sister Mary Robert Anne in Decatur Underground Theater's performance of Nunsense. See her on stage April 5-7 and April 12-14