NEWTON — While the performers took center stage, the success of Sister Act! The Musical at Newton Community High School was driven by an extensive team working behind the scenes.
Finley credited assistant directors Kristie Finley and Emily Ross, accompanist Dawn Colwell, light design by Kristie Finley, choreography by Brooke Olivar, and costume design by Amy Beals, Jamie Goss, and Laurie Zuber, along with costume help from Amy Beals, Amy Butler, Rochelle Koebele, Jackie Brant, Johanna Broscious, Donna Connor, Joanie Rauch, Alex Denoyer, Jamie Goss, Kelly Iffert, Jennifer Kocher, Anna Keller, Amanda Lessley, Hope Sutter, and Laurie Zuber. Additional contributions included hair by Pam Francis, makeup by Amy Heuerman, technology coordination by Aaron Kurtz, painting design by Jeannie Nix, and benefactor support from Marcia Street.
Support also included Brian Bierman for programs; Amanda Baltzell, Robin Deckard, and Lindsay Weber for the hospitality room; Cherilea Pitcher for tickets; Jill Bierman for concessions; Sadie Iffert for lobby display; Travis Hall and Larry Zuber for set design; and Theresa Coker, Kurt Bierman, Travis Hall, Doug Iffert, Leon Kocher, Gene Marble, Jason Hermann, Josh Brant, and Larry Zuber for set and painting help. The pit included Cheyenne Brickner, Ryan Cooper, John Johnson, Caitlin Ochs, Emily Ross, Jake Ramage, Brian Ridlen, and Sydney Zumbahlen.
The production also received strong support from the community, with special thanks extended to Valerie Clark, the Embarras River Tourism Council, Cork and Pork Festival, Maxine Spitler Foundation, Orell Farley Foundation, Cherilea Pitcher, Renee May and Mary Woods, NCHS secretaries, Beth Probst, Joe Sornberger, Aaron Kurtz, Luke Zuber, Jill Bierman, the St. Thomas principal, Jamie Goss, The Palm Effect, Jeannie Nix, Expert Collision Center, Chris Bradley, NCHS custodial staff, and the parents and families of the cast and crew.
Together, the effort reflected the depth of support behind the NCHS music program and the community that continued to rally around it.
