What's On Now
AUDITIONS - A Christmas Story: The Musical
August 26, 27, 28, September 8, 9, 10 and 13.
Possible callbacks September 20.
The RBCC Players are excited to announce their Holiday Show!
A Christmas Story: The Musical
For those unfamiliar, this musical, which received rave reviews on its Broadway run, is based on the movie classic that runs round-the-clock on television every Christmas. Set in the 1940s in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. Rebuffed at every turn with a similar echoing response, Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desperate desire for the coveted BB gun. All the iconic scenes from the movie are here: Ralphie's friend, Flick, getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole; his brother, Randy, getting dressed in his snowsuit; the bullies, Farkus and Dill; the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; Christmas dinner; and many others.
The delightfully versatile score ranges from gentle ballads to show-stopping full-ensemble numbers such as "Ralphie to the Rescue!", "A Major Award," "Sticky Situation," "Up on Santa's Lap," "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana" and the inevitable "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!" A Christmas Story, The Musical will bring an exciting new dimension to those who have seen the movie and will certainly stand on its own for those who haven't.
Auditions will be August 26, 27, 28, September 8, 9, 10 and 13. If needed, callbacks will be September 20. We typically rehearse Monday - Wednesday from 6:30 pm - 9 pm; Sat urday from 9 am - noon; Sundays from 1 pm - 4:30 pm. Not all actors will be called for all rehearsals until we begin run throughs. There is no rehearsal Tuesday thru Saturday of Thanksgiving week. Performances will be Friday and Saturdays, December 12 , 13, 19, and 20.
To Audition: PLEASE CLICK HERE to sign up for an audition slot via Sign-up Genius. We ask that you prepare a short 1 - 2 minute monologue and a few bars of a song you can do a capella. Additionally, we would like you to bring a resume and headshot.
This is a large ensemble piece calling for 25 people, ages 7 and up. If you have ever considered trying out for a show, now is your time.
Who We Are
Founded in 1984 by former RBCC Music Director, Dan Shelhamer, the RBCC Players is a group of passionate individuals bringing theatre arts to life in the Shoreline Community. Currently led by Managing Artistic Director, Cyndi Thomsen, and Producer, Carol Colt, the RBCC Players provide a rich community-building experience through story telling.
What We Believe
The RBCC Players believe in the deep importance of creating community and impacting our world through sharing stories. Our Mission is to connect the broader community through theatre arts.
What We Do
We put on several performances each year. Our year typically begins with a holiday show in December, followed by another work, often a musical, in late Spring or early Summer. In recent years we have found a love of discovering and bringing to life new works by local playwrights -- highlighting our desire to inspire audiences and artists of all kinds to share their stories.
In The Beginning
The RBCC Players was founded in 1984 by former RBCC Music Director Dan Shelhamer. Dan believed that everyone was a performer, and helped many discover their own talents. He was inexhaustible in his passion for music and theater. Attuned to his inner child, he connected well with children. Loyal and kind -- he always found a role in any production for any child who auditioned, often writing roles into the script for them.
Meet the RBCC Players Team
Dan Shelhamer
Founding Director
Dan believed that everyone could perform and would do everything within his ability to help people discover their talents. He always found a role in any production for any childwho auditioned, often writing roles into the script for them. He was inexhaustible in his passion for music and theater. Loyal and kind, he was also a “kid magnet” because he was very much in tune with his inner child. Dan held a Bachelor of Music Degree (Cum Laude) ...
More About Dan
... Applied Piano, Master of Music Degree, Conducting, and was a Doctor of Arts, Candidate in Opera Production. He worked with the fledgling Missoula Children’s Theatre right after college, which began a lifelong journey teaching and encouraging children and youth in music and drama programs. He taught in the Seattle public school system and was Music and Stage Director for high school productions. Simultaneously, he worked with private programs at Studio East Performing Arts, Dandylyon Drama, and as Music Director for various churches in the Seattle area. Yet he found time to perform with the Seattle Opera Chorus, Silverbells Carolers, Kings Players, Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, Bainbridge Performing Arts, Seattle Musical Theater, Woodinville Theatre, and the RBCC Players.
Carol Colt
Producer
Carol and Dan met in 1985 when she volunteered to assist with administrative production for the next play. From then forward, Dan and Carol worked together for 33 years, building the RBCC Players. They were married for 31 years. Carol has a passion for cooking and entertaining and for 15 years prepared and coordinated dinner theater for the RBCC spring productions. Carol is retired from a 35-year career in sales & management. The joys in her life are her family, travel, and helping fulfill Dan’s dream for community theater with the RBCC Players.
Cyndi Thomsen
Managing Artistic Director
Cyndi joined the players in December of 1997 as a performer and over the years has helped with sound, lights, crew, costumes, and stage management. Cyndi became our primary director in 2017. Prior to the Players, Cyndi was on stage, television, and film (since 1971), working primarily in Minneapolis and Seattle. Cyndi has spent the last 25 years directing and teaching -- working to help others perfect their skills and reach their dreams. Cyndi has worked with writers, actors, directors, choreographers, and production artists -- many of whom now live the life they worked towards of sharing their stories with the World.
Supporting Roles for all our Performances
Deep gratitude to Richmond Beach Congregational Church for supporting a vision and dream and offering space, time, and talent to us over the last 40+ years. While this started as a congregational effort it has grown to support Richmond Beach, Shoreline, and Greater Seattle artists. Additionally, we would like to thank Horizon School for sharing the space with us for rehearsals and productions. We welcome students and staff to join us in the audience , on stage, or backstage, for any production.
