eoMAKPAc

ffiuffimTo moximize use of the Omak Performing Arts Center, mointoin ond improve its physicol structure and leod the effort to roise funds for its

perpetuity. - Mission of the nonprofit Omak Performing Arts Center Foundation

Comrrrg! PAC ceLebrates 25th, arLrLversary 2cl4-2cl5The dream of a state-of-the-art entertainment venue

began with conversations among a few Omak communitymembers in the early tlaos. That longing came true whenthe Omak Performing Arts Center opened its doors for the

first time in tsss. Now the star arts center for the entireOkanogan Valley, the zota-ts performance year will markthe PAC's twenty-fifth anniversary. Loretta Nansen

donated the seed money to form a fund raising committeethat helped rally the entire community to make the dream

a reality. In the late t98os, the PAC was finally constructedwith a bond issue overwhelmingly passed by OmakSchool District voters. Although the PAC is part of the

Omak School District, it is used for everything fromclasses in theater arts to tests, graduation and otherceremonies, it's a popular venue for community events.

The nonprofit Omak PAC Foundation supports, promotes,

and helps maintain the facility.Over the years, the PAC has seen such glittering annual

musicals produced by the Okanogan Valley Orchestra and

Chorus such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Oklahoma,""Sweet Charity," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," and

"Spamalot" as well as PAC Foundation sponsored

nationally known programs.The Children's Dance Theater continues its acclaimed

Christmas programs, as well as annual dance recitals bythe Lorrie Fraley Wilson dance students. Through the

Omak High School Pioneer Players, students in theaterarts have the opportunity to learn the techniques of playproduction. OVOCs popular orchestra and chorus

concerts continue to be a draw for audiences across the

Valley. Other events such as conferences also take

advantage ofthe PACs facilities.As heavy use of the venue and technology has

advanced, the PAC Foundation's support has helpedmaintain and upgrade the facility in ways that support and

supplement the District's budget.

Stage floor renovation 2014The PAC stage floor gleams after a disastrousrainstorm in zor: necessitated a complete rebuilding.Although the cost was covered by District insurance, itreplaced a floor installed in the summer of zorz by PACand OVOC volunteers and which was paid for by agrant from Home Depot.

Jfu^"+lN ?AC Fwwtdafint arrrj, tlur cn^^,tvwt^ ty to dlh,rato uL 20L4-L5!

I}ffi}mOmak, Washington vytrrrw.omakpac.org Spring 2014

V) d ru O ff tt S es th"e, V) tfld, d/!The yellow brick road that leads to the Emerald City and the

famous Wizard of Oz starts in Omak when OVOC raises the curtainon the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz. The spring musical willfeature some delightful surprises announced Director Janelle Cutuli.

Cast in the leading role of Dorothy Gale is a newcomer, AlexisOlmstead. "Alexis has all the qualities we were looking for, a

beautiful voice and presence on stage, dancing chops and a livelypersona that captures the youthfulness and curiosity of this famouscharacter," said Director Cutuli. Winning the coveted part ofDorothy's beloved companion Toto is Olivia Richards, who will takeover the part of the mischievous pup once Dorothy lands in Oz.

Dorothy's other close companions on her journey along the yellowbrick road are played by Doni Phillips as the Scarecrow, Ugo Bartellas the Tin Woodsman and Jim Richards as the Cowardly Lion. SteveKunkel will play the title role of the Wizard of Oz and as hiscounterpart in Kansas, Professor Marvel. Chloe Wilson plays thekindly Good Witch of the East, Glinda, and Betsy Rainsford playsher evil, nasty counterpart the Wicked Witch of the West.

For the opening and closing scenes taking place in Kansas,

Director Cutuli elected to cast a separate group from the travelers inOz. Aunt Em and Uncle Henry will be played by Jackie Sklar and AlCamp. Will Hughes, Brandon Median and Nathan Carenas will be thethree farmhands. Almira Gultch, the omery neighbor who sets all theevents in motion will be played by Lydia Amaya.

Additional cast members seen in a variety of Oz settings includeAlexa Gee, Alexis Lindsay, Alexis Salazar, Ally Schultz, AlyssaRichards, Ashley James, Aspen Hoover, Cait MacDonaid, CaitlynCoulter, Chelsea Johnson, Cierra Williams, Laura Giambalvo,Damion Dell, Daniel Garcia, Dustin Vaughn, Elijah Richards, ErinMeehan, Harry Dorsten, James Dell, Jerushah Mintzer, Joseph

Dorothy (Alexis Olmstead) and her three friends, Tin Man (UgoBartell), Scarecrow (Doni Phillips) and Cowardly Lion (Jim Richards)find themselves threatened by the Wicked Witch (Betsy Rainsford)(photo credit: Vera Zachow)

Richards, Kendall Leaver, Kennedi Bartell, Nicholas Ferriel, RockyHutson, Malachi Delano, Maria Duncan, Mary MacDonald, MyaDelano, Nichole Hall, Peg Finch, Phaon Rabenold, Rita Ingram,Samantha Rabenold, Sara Ingram, Serenity Rabenold, Sue Radek,Trevor Lindsay.

Visit www.ovocinfo.com thttp: rrwww.ovocinfo.comy forcontinuing anrormce[rc[ts aboutthuupcoming production.Performances will by Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May z, 3, 4, s, to,and t t. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at z p.m.;

Sunday perfornances at 3 p.m.

Omak Pioneers Players presents FoolsThe Omak High School Drama Club (Pioneer Playersy is proud to

present Fools, by Neil Simon. A comic fable set in the small villageof Kulyenchikov, Ukraine, in the late tsth century, the story centersaround a young teacher, Leon Tolchinsky. Leon is ecstatic because

he's landed a terrific teaching job in an idyllic Russian hamlet. Butwhen he arrives, he finds people sweeping dust from the stoops backinto their houses, milking cows upside down to get more cream andeven a shepherd who can't seem to find his sheep. Leon soondiscovers that the town has been cursed with Chronic Stupidity for200 years and hisjob as the teacher is to break the curse. No one tellshim that if stays over 24 hours and fails to break the curse, he too willbecome Stupid. In the meantime, he falls in love with a girl so Stupidthat she has only recently learned how to sit down. Will Leon break

the curse or fall victim to it: Will he be able to live the life of his

dreams or be just another bump on a log: Come and see foryourselvesr

Fools is directed by Douglas Leese and stars Jordan Beaver,

Gideon Bolton, Lisa Hafhill, Livia Hays, Reev Hill, Sydney Howard,Will Hughes, Chelsee Johnson, Johanna Mathinson, Locoda Miller,Dusty Mullen, Hunter Thomas and Mackenzie Vance.

The show is brought to you by the Omak Pioneer Players under the

advisement ofNicole Leese and will run April tt, tz,tl,ts atthe PAC.The House opens at 6:30 p.m. with the curtain rising at 7 p.m. Ticketsavailable at the door only: $a for adults and $a for students 1$z forsfudents with an ASB cardy. Come on out and have a laugh at ourexpense!

OPAC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORSPresidentT Lewis

Vice PresidentCarolyn Meagher

Secretary

Kathie Brown

Page 2

Treasurer

Charlie Arvidson

Omak Schools SuperintendentErik Swanson

Omak School Board Rep

Kathie Brown

Members at LargeKathy Bone,Omak

Jim Brucker, OmakGreg Grillo, Omak

David Lindeblad, OmakLivia Millard, Omak

Jim Skinner, Omak

Cari Zachow, Okanogan

PAC Technical DirectorNicole Leese

(nleese@omaksd.wednet.edu)

PAC Promotion CoordinatorVera Zachow(zachowT@msn.com)

Stage Door EditorCarolyn Meagher(carolyn@springboardpub.com)

Stage Door Spring 2014

EAOKSIACE. O O

From the editor -Most shows at the PAC are produced by locol nonprofit orgonizations. The people in these organizations, whetherboord members, or enthusiastic supporters, volunteer countless hours and moke generous donotions of time andtalent to bring quality shows to our community. From time to time Stoge Door tokes pleasure in spotlighting one ofthese dedicated people.

Justice and the Hopf violinYou can barely see him as he sits in the back row of the violin

section in the Okanogan Valley Orchestra. Isn't he too young to be inan adult orchestrat Nope. Not this young man.

Although it may be startling to see a twelve-year-old boy amongmore experienced musicians, Abraham Justice Owens can more thanhold his own. With his engaging smile and dancing brown eyes, it'sobvious that Justice is completely at home with the adult musiciansaround him. And he's very serious about his music.

Justice is part of a musical family. "Papa started me playing pianowhen I was about five or six," he said. "I played for about a year and a

half, but I wanted to play the violin." He explained that his familyused to go to meetings on the reservation where "We met this guywho played violin around the campfire. I never really knew anythingabout lthe violinl other than I'd listened to a couple of people play itand I just decided that's what I wanted to do"

Although first intrigued with bluegrass music, he soon beganformal classical lessons with Pam Hunt in Twisp. "I take lessons forclassical and on weekends I play bluegrass for fun. I play bass in ourfamily band."

Justice's first music goal was to play in the Okanogan ValleyOrchestra. By the time he was ten, his teacher considered his skilladvanced enough, but he was still using a three-quarter violin andneeded a full size instrument for the orchestra.

And thereby hangs a musical tale. A couple of years ago, while hisfamily participated in a fiddlers camp, Justice's three-quarter violin

needed repairing. The day before camp ended, one of the musicians inthe class approached him and said he repaired violins as well playedone. "I didn't know him and he told me he had a violin for me and

when I got home to just call him and he'd send me a violin and fixmine. I was extremely surprised when he said he had a free violin forme!"

It turns out the violin Justice received came from the Hopf familyof instrument makers whose linage goes back to 1642. The line endedwith the death of Karl August Hopf in Germany in tqrs. Chick Crane,

a descendant of the Hopf family, purchased the violin for $roo in rsoo

because he was interested in the family musical history.

When asked why Mr. Crane chose to give the violin, Justiceshrugged. "Well, he said it was because I was the very youngestperson in the class...and I guess he appreciated me for... I don'treally know what."

The gift of that full-size violin made it possible for Jonathan, at age

10, to realize his dream and become a member of the OVOC orchestra.Director Don Pearce affirmed the value of Justice's participation."He's a great young man who takes music seriously, but has fun as

well. You can always see the joy on his face when he plays, and that

kind of passion for music is rare in one so young."

Now that he's achieved his first goal, Justice is looking toward his

next goal-to play in a larger orchestra. And from therer Who knowswhere this talented young musician will gor

Justice and fellow violinists Jim Kalberer and Jackie Chambersconcentrate during an OVOC concert. (photo by Bruce Thornton)

Stage Door Spring 2014

The Family Band with Justice (age 12) on bass; his father Jonathanon banjo; brother Courage (age 14) on guitar and sister Odessa (age'10) on violin.

Page 3

C? O M A K PAQ ..,Your Performing Arts center

P.O. Box327Omak, WA 98841Change Service Requested

Wizard of OzMay 2-3 and

May 9-10,May4&11

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAIDOMAK, WAPERMIT NO. 6

www.omakpac.orgOr visit us on Facebook

Omak PAC

Want to be on our mailing !ist?Emailyour name and address to:

Foundation extends a grateful THANKYOU to the sponsors of our 2013-14

performance year:

. Community Foundation of NCW

ffimnns Attract6;3Fools - Omak High School Drama Club,Friday & Saturday, April ll-12,18-19,7 p.m.

The Wizard of Oz - OVOC, Friday &Saturday, NI.ay 2-3 & May 9-10,7 p.m.;

Sunday, May 4 & 11,3 p.m.

Dance Recitals - Lorrie Fraley Wilson

School of Dance, Friday & Saturday, May30-31, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday,

Thursday, June 16, 18, 19, 6:30 p.m.

Omak OMS & OHS End of Year Concert

- Monday, June 2, 6:30 p.m.

Wenatchee Valley Graduation, Saturday,

June 14, I p.m.

. WESTAF. Okanogan Country Radio

. ARTSWA. National

il:"J,LTtJor the Arts

. Omak lnn

. . Confluence Health at Omak Clinic. Omak Kiwanis

C\ . lcicle Fund

t\\- . okanogan-omak RotarylLlir . Doug Sklar, financial advisor

dltl=- ror Edward Jones F\0trStage Door Spring 2014

TI_IANKYOU!