02 Broadcaster Press July 22, 2014 www.broadcasteronline.com 1101 Announcements Events BERGEN LUTHERAN Church: “The little white church on Timber Road.” Worship 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:15 a.m. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 995 N. Sioux Point Road, Dakota Dunes, SD. Weekend Masses: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Meet Ella Wittmuss By David Lias david.lias@plaintalk.net Ella Wittmuss couldn’t escape the fact, as the Monday, July 14 night rehearsal session for the musical “Oliver!” concluded, that her upcoming portrayal of the story’s lead character will mean more than learning lines, songs and dance steps. As director Callie Hisek began to french braid Ella’s long hair, someone plopped a wig into Ella’s hands. Once Ella’s hair is secured in braids, on goes the wig, and Ella is transformed into Oliver Twist, the gaunt, hungry orphan boy who is the lead character of the Charles Dickens’ story. “Every once in a while, I remember that I’m not a girl in this play,” she said. “It’s kind of exciting to be playing the part of a boy when in all my past shows I’ve been a girl.” Ella, the 11-year-old daughter of Alan and Sarah Wittmuss of Vermillion, may be of a tender age, but her local theatre resume is impressive. She’s appeared in last year’s Vermillion Community Theatre production of “Robin Hood, Spirit of the Greene.” In 2012, she played a supporting role in the musical “Annie,” and in the summer of 2011, she took part in the children’s theatre production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” She was cast in the VCT’s production of “Oklahoma,” in 2010. There’s a simple explanation for Ella’s rich theatre experience at such a young age. “After my first play, I thought, ‘I really want to do the next one because it was really fun doing it, especially with all of my friends.’ So, yeah, I’ve just always thought it was something I would want to do,” she said. “I always like being on stage.” “Oliver!” will be performed at the Vermillion High School Performing Arts Center July 25-28, with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Monday. There is a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, July 27. Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $7 for students K-12 and free for children five and under. Ella admits she wasn’t familiar with the musical “Oliver!” when auditions were held earlier this summer, but that didn’t stop her desire to be cast in that leading role. “I guess I thought Oliver might be fun … I kind of aimed for (the character of ) Oliver,” she said. “When we had the tryouts, I hadn’t really heard of it (the musical), but we got the movie from the library and COOL OFF THE FOOTSIES! Clearance Price Sandals Women’s & Men’s Boston 3rd • Yankton • to Boots Shoes 665-9092 312 W. BRULE Creek Lutheran Church, Elk Point, SD: Worship Service 11:00am, Sunday School 9:45am to 10:45am. CHRIST OUR SAVIOR Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod: Worship Sunday 6:00 p.m., Bible Study Tuesday, 9:00 p.m., Neuharth Center, 624-5398 or 1-800-998-1234 CHURCH OF CHRIST, 102 Prosp: Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.; Bible Study 9:00 a.m.; Bible Study 12:00 noon; Wednesday Night Classes, 7:00 p.m. Concordia Lutheran Church (LC-MS) 7 South University Street, Vermillion. Divine Service – Sunday, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday School – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. Pastor Samuel Needham. Contact us at (605) 624-3459 or at lcmsvermillion.org Director Callie Hisek and Ella Wittmuss, who plays the role of Oliver in the upcoming Vermillion Community Theatre musical presentation, lean on a stage prop during a recent rehearsal to discuss the finer points of a scene. “Oliver!” will be presented in the Vermillion CORNERSTONE CHURCH: High School Performing Arts Center July 25-28. (Photo by David Lias) A Place To Grow: Located at watched that, and we kind of got a basic idea. After learning more about the musical, I knew I wanted to try out for Oliver.” Director Callie Hisek discovered during auditions that Ella possesses all of the qualities needed to successfully portray the orphan boy. “I was looking for someone who could be both outgoing and shy at the same time, because Oliver has to play both of those,” she said. “It was really important when I was looking at all of the kids that were auditioning, to find someone who would have the strength and the maturity, because this is not an easy show for a child. “I was looking for someone who has not only all the different facets of Oliver, but also someone who has the talent that Ella has,” Callie said. “I knew that she has been in a lot of shows, and I knew that she would be mature enough to handle it, so I took all of that into consideration as well.” Ella’s petite size, as well as her talent and past theatre experience, all combined to help her land the lead role. “Oliver has be to underfed, Oliver has to appear a little weak – you have to think about the size (of the actor) and what they have to offer,” Callie said. “Ella shows all of those qualities, and it was nice to hear her and see her. “Anthony (Burbach, the musical director) and I had faith that she would be able to sing the parts, and Katherine (Reimler, the choreographer) knew that she would be able to pick up the dance steps. She’s a perfect fit,” Callie said. “Everyone has been working hard,” Ella said. “There’s a lot of lines to memorize, but I’ve got those down.” “Things are falling into place. It can be really hard because we do a lot of stuff piecemeal. We jump around a lot in rehearsal, so sometimes it gets a little scary and frustrating, but we had our first run-through last week,” Callie said. “Things are looking pretty good. I think we’re in a good spot heading into Tech Week.” That’s the term Callie uses to describe how more and more aspects of the musical are scheduled to fall into place beginning next week. “Tech Week is when we start adding all the lights and sounds and costumes and hair,” she said. “Up to this point, we’re rehearsing with some of the props, we have some of the scenery and eventually we’re going to get all of it. Tech Week is when we start putting everything together.” This summer’s experience, Ella said, isn’t all that unique when compared to her past theatrical experiences. She doesn’t view her role as being more significant than that of the musical’s supporting cast. “It’s not quite the same, yeah, but it’s not really that big of a difference to me,” she said. “It’s just a lot of fun, especially because it’s summer, and you get to hang out with all of your friends.” Her decision to audition for “Oliver!” came easily. All she had to do was recall the great time she had participating in the Vermillion Community Theatre’s 2013 summer musical. “I just remember that in the last year, it was a lot of work but it also was a lot of fun, and it was worth coming back,” Ella said. the corner of Crawford & Cherry St. Celebration Service: Sunday during the School year 9:00am and 10:30am (subject to change during holidays) in the summer Sunday 10 AM. Check us out at cornerstonesd.org or call (624-8809) for further information. DALESBURG BAPTIST Church 30503 466th Ave., Beresford, Pastor Darren Regehr. 9:45am, Sunday School; 11:00am, Morning Worship; Mid-week Services Wednesdays, 7:00pm. (605)253-2622. Dalesburg Lutheran Church: 12 miles North of Vermillion on University Road. Worship Services 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Website: www.dalesburglutheran.org Elk Point Baptist Church. Sunday worship at 11:00am, Tuesday evening Bible study at 7:00pm. 101 North Green St., Elk Point, SD 57069. (605)222-1981 FAITH FELLOWSHIP of the Open Bible on Bypass 50 and Highway 19: Sunday Celebration 10:30 a.m. Pastor Tony Armbrust, 624-2921. FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH: 401 Main Street, Makell, NE. Worship: 9am. Communion: 1st and 3rd Sundays. (605)658-0240 (home) (402)-692-3323 (church). St Paul Lutheran Church, 31903 475th Ave, Elk Point, SD 57025, Sunday Service 10:30 am, Pastor David Bentz. Thank You & Customer Appreciation Dinner Dick & Lee’s Retirement music by Matt Kiger Followed by Tony’s DJ Music BYOB & Lawn Chairs COME JOIN US The family of Tim Hughes wishes to thank you for your sympathy. We greatly appreciated all your kind words, food, monetary donations, generous donations of your time and the beautiful ?oral arrangements we received. We realize how truly blessed we are to have such wonderful family and friends during our time of loss. Your expressions of sympathy will never be forgotten. The Hughes Family not responsible for accidents HEINE Electric and Irrigation Hartington, NE (402) 254-2568 Vermillion, SD (605) 670-9567 FREE YOUTH ACTIVITY DAY Game, Fish & Parks & Volunteers ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK. FREE ESTIMATES. Irrigation sales and service What: Step Outside Program When: Sat., July 26th Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed Well Drilling – Domestic and Irrigation Pump Installation 11:00AM-3:00PM Where: Clay County Sportsman’s Club Waterline & Electric Trenching Who: Youth ages 8 years old to 17 years old. Tree & Concrete Removal Site Clearing Ditch Cleaning Must be accompanied by parent or guardian. (Parent or legal guardian needs to sign waiver form before youth participates in events.) Activities: Archery, Trap Shooting, .22 Caliber, Trapping, Grain Hauling Manure Hauling Crushed Concrete and more. To Pre-Register Contact Tony Stokely at 605-356-9491, or Kevin Noble at 605-677-7100 please leave a message. This event is limited to 60 youth. There is no cost to attend this event. Pre-registration is required. GUN SHOW Aug. 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Convention Center Sioux City, IA Open to public $7 admission Fri. 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. LA SELE RGE OF GCTION U & AM NS FOR S MO ALE! Fore more info: (563) 608-4401 Vermillion Community Theatre Presents Music, Lyrics and Book By Lionel Bart Licensed by Arrangement with Oliver Productions Ltd. and Oliver Promotion Ltd. Friday ........... July 25 at 7:00 pm Saturday........ July 26 at 7:00 pm Sunday ......... July 27 at 2:30 pm Monday ........ July 28 at 7:00 pm $14.00 for Adults $7.00 K-12 No Charge Under Age 5 Vermillion High School Performing Arts Center Vermillion, South Dakota vermillioncommunitytheatre.org