 Rachel May Roberts-Cain is originally from Cape Girardeau, Missouri where she earned her B.S. in Theatre Education from Southeast Missouri State University. After finishing her M.F.A. in performance at Michigan State University she returned as a Visiting Assistant Professor, before relocating to Kansas City where she has been teaching for Baker University, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, and the Coterie Theatre amongst others. She has been Assistant Director to three of the Coterie Theatre's 2009-10 season productions, directed for their annual Young Playwright's Festival and recently co-staged a premiere production of Arts or Crafts at the Kansas City Art Institute. As a member of Actors Equity Association Rachel has appeared on stages across the country but most recently in the Unicorn Theatre's The Little Dog Laughed and the Kansas City Actors Theatre production of Boston Marriage.
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 Morrie Enders is a self-proclaimed “Theatre Evangelist” and is proud to have spent a lifetime in community theatre. As Artistic Director of Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in Michigan, Morrie’s directing credits include The Full Monty, Ragtime, Ruthless, Lost in Yonkers, 42nd Street and the community theatre pilot production of Avenue Q (attendance record for the Parish Theatre). His production of High School Musical is the highest attended youth theatre show in the theatre’s 81 year history. In addition to directing, Morrie was responsible for the Civic’s education and outreach endeavors.
For 18 seasons, Morrie served as Artistic/Managing Director of La Crosse Community Theatre in Wisconsin where he directed 90+ plays. During his tenure, LCCT received numerous awards at the state, regional, and national levels of AACTFest. His production of Cotton Patch Gospel was performed in Heidelberg, Germany for AACT Region 10 and at The Mondial du Theatre Festival in Monaco. Morrie’s production of The Fantasticks represented the United States at the 1st Yakumo International Theatre Festival in Japan and received the People’s Choice Award. He served as a guest artist for Osugi Musical Theatre in Japan and also brought this family troupe to La Crosse for performances.
Morrie also supervised all the business, marketing, and fundraising activities of the theatre. During his LCCT tenure, season tickets rose 63% and patron donations rose 269%. He increased the corporate sponsorship program, introduced an annual media sponsor, and created new giving groups. Morrie hosted annual trips to New York City and bus trips to Chicago and Minneapolis.
In the area of community involvement, Morrie served as a board member of The Rotary Club of La Crosse and for the American Association of Community Theatre. He chaired a United Fund for the Arts campaign and served as a board member. For many years, Morrie hosted a weekly radio program dedicated to musical theatre on WLSU, the local public radio station and co-hosted an annual day of Christmas music on WLFN, a commercial radio station. He taught musical theatre history at Viterbo University and for the Learning in Retirement program.
Morrie is a popular play festival adjudicator and has judged six times for the Army Entertainment in Heidelberg, Germany. He has led workshops on marketing, directing, acting and directing musical theatre. In 2007, Morrie facilitated the Managing Director’s Conference for AACT in Charlotte, North Carolina. At this 2007 festival, Morrie received the AACT Distinguished Merit Award and was awarded the honorable designation of Fellow of AACT. |
