Veteran performers featured in ‘Voices of Christmas’

In addition to the youthful participants featured last week, 11 veteran performers are in final preparation for this week’s production of “Voices of Christmas.”

The play adapted by Dr. Lynn Steveson will be presented at St. Anne’s Historic Church in Anna on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m.

For more information, call 833-9441 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday reservations.

Seating is limited. Parking will be behind Stinson Memorial Library in Anna.

The play is presented by the PAST organization of Union County.

“Retired” performers include Wanda Dillow, former elementary school teacher in Anna District No. 37, who plays the role of Elizabeth. 

Lola Lehman is a retired registered nurse who portrays the prophetess Anna. 

Willene Minor, is a homemaker and pastor’s wife who shares the role of Elizabeth with Wanda Dillow. 

Daryl Parks, resident Hebrew scholar, will be seen as Simeon.

Billie Porter is retired from Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna and plays the role of innkeeper. 

Deb Rossberg, a former school secretary portrays a neighbor.

Still active in the work force is Emily Beanland, owner of Attitudz Original Hair Salon, who is the play’s narrator. 

Ricky Borders, a social worker and guidance counselor portrays Joseph. 

Leo Driscoll, construction supervisor at Southern Illinois University, is seen as Herod. 

Steve Haldeman, a junior high science teacher in Shawnee District No. 84, plays Zechariah.

The Rev. Bill Minor, pastor of Anna First United Methodist Church, plays the third king, Balthasar.

Dr. Steveson, the plays adaptor and director, calls this group, “Christian Circle Theatre.”

She says, “It is a loose construct with no formal organizational structure.  All of our plays are suitable for family audiences. New performers appear in each production, as well as many repeat performers. 

“Leo Driscoll, for example, has been in all five of the PAST productions, as well as the City of Anna’s sesquicentennial production, ‘Moments to Remember’.” 

“Community theatre presents many challenges,” Steveson said.

“The main challenge is to build a rehearsal schedule around the busy lives of the performers.  Another is to create a feeling of ensemble in a short rehearsal period. A play’s cast needs to ‘gel’ quickly to become a cohesive unit,” she said.

Steveson began her life in theatre as the third billy goat in her 1st grade production of the Grimm story, “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” 

She earned her bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University’s famed theatre and speech education departments. She later earned her doctorate in speech communication from Southern Illinois University, with emphasis in performance studies and theatre. 

“I’ve had some great teachers along the way.  I recently discovered that I have been directing plays for 48 years. Once theatre gets in your blood, it tends to stay there forever,” she said.

Steveson has written, adapted, or compiled and even performed six productions for the benefit of PAST from 2003-2010. 

She has also directed plays and dinner theatre performances for Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna and the Anna First United Methodist Church.

PAST board members Barbara Bauer and Elaine Crain have been working behind the scenes sewing costumes, and doing publicity and ticket reservations.