Prior to putting on plays on a stage, we had presented skits, (one-act plays) for the end of summer get-together sponsored by The Friends of Long Lake. In 2001 we presented I’M HERBERT with Dr Kim and Jeannie Lulloff performing. The next summer we presented WELCOME TO ACCEPTANCE with Kim Lulloff and Helen Smith performing. Ed Smith was prompter.

In the summer of 2003 the Friends of Long Lake launched a theatre project by asking  Jeannie Lulloff to start a summer theatre. The project known as Saxeville Summer Theatre produced a hilarious comedy, Let Him Sleep ‘til it’s Time for his Funeral. It starred Kim Lulloff,, (was originally Bill Harvat, but due to Illness and death of his father, Kim took over the part one week before the production), Kathy Brasch, Helen Smith, Ed Lubejko,Russ Meyer, & Sara Bourassa. It played to full houses each of three nights. Ed Smith built 9 platforms (4’X8’) which were fastened together to make a stage area 12’ deep by 24’ wide, and 22” high.  The Tuesday Morning men’s coffee group set up and took down the stage at the Saxeville Town Hall. (That is why the players became known as The Saxeville Players) That tradition continues.             The Friends of Long Lake has continued to be a very important sponsor, and/or cheer- leader for the newly formed theatre group . The first “Season” we had some curtained room- dividers, borrowed from Waupaca Country Club as our set.  Everyone involved helped furnish and “dress” the set.  The actors used their own clothes as “costumes”

In Summer ’04 we presented Red vs The Wolf by Judy Wolfman, Directed by Bettie Hill. She had some wonderfully imaginative ideas in designing the set, costumes and the whole production. Ed Smith, Len Brasch and Kim Lulloff fashioned a “playing area”or proscenium stage using lightweight piping as the structure on which  painted cardboard was fastened to represent set pieces. A tree in the foreground of the set was put together using parts of a real tree.  A woods was artistically painted by Ed and Helen Smith’s daughter- in-law. Len Brasch fashioned baffles out of tin-foil covered cardboard to hang down from the fluorescent lights on stage, bouncing the light back onto the actors. The lights were controlled by Len with a flick of a switch. Tickets have been handled by Kathy and Len Brasch. Joan & John Laabs created and printed posters & programs.The cast included: Grace Froehlich, Carol Miner, Morgan Miner, Pat Young, Ed Smith, Kathy Brasch, Rob Lennert, Tim Sattler, Sara Bourassa, & Jim Bourassa. In December ’04 the Saxeville Players received their 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation status, and became The Saxeville Players, Inc. The Board of Governors include: Jeannie Lulloff, Len and Kathy Brasch, Don Andersen, Russ Meyer, Sr., Helen Smith, and Dr. Kim Lulloff.

Therefore any donations made, where no goods or services are received are Tax Deductible!

In Summer ’05  The Pied Piper, by Claire Jones and Bob Varga was the presentation, Directed by Jeannie Lulloff.  The set was designed and built by Mrs. Deumann’s  5th grade class at Waupaca Learning Center for their production of OLIVER.  Ed Smith and Kim Lulloff assembled it on our stage, and added to it. Many community members helped to paint the set including: Barb Kelly, Carol Miner, Judy Fabricious, Joan & Kelsey Laabs, & Bettie Hill.  Kathy Brasch was costume chairman. Helen Smith, Bev Vandenberg, Pam Van Ornum, Maureen Van Amerongen, Marilyn Hebert and Carol Miner were costume creators. The Cast included: Dr. Kim Lulloff, Morgan Miner, Joan Laabs, Marilyn Hebert, Bev Vandenberg, Pam VanOrnum, Jane Marie Erickson, Ben Rice, Megan Coe, Sierra Kay Beamish, Kelsey Laabs, Makenzie Roemer, Stone VanAmerongen, Haley Van Ornum, Rae Van Ornum, Cassidy Wilson AND special music by Grace Froehlich.

            In October ’06 we  did something different. We presented An Evening of Entertainment, which included: Grace Froehlich performing her cabaret program on the keyboard- including a Sing-A- Long;  wine and cheese,  followed by two one-act plays: I’M HERBERT with Kim and Jeannie Lulloff and SORRY, WRONG NUMBER with Kathy Brasch, Helen Smith, Ed Smith, Ed Lubejko, Russ Meyer. Mary Starch handled sound effects. Both plays were Directed by Jeannie Lulloff.

            In November ’06  Saxeville Players purchased 100 comfortable Chairs, which we donated to the Saxeville Town Hall – because we care about our patrons’ comfort.  However, we are asking for the Community’s help with the costs of putting on shows by (1) Sponsoring a chair for a tax deductible gift of $60.00.  The sponsor would choose what name will be affixed to the back of the chair; (It might be in memory of a special person). And/Or (2) be part of the new “Angel” group of Donors at the Silver ($10.00), The Gold ($25.00)or The Platinum ($50.00) level.  Your name would be listed in subsequent programs in those categories.  WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!!

            SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SPONSORED CHAIRS!!!!

In 2007 we presented two productions! Jeannie directed the comedy, Spirit by Peg Kehret, using adult actors.  The set was more elaborate than any up to that point. We had doors leading to a bathroom and one to the hallway. Ed Smith built the set, assisted by Kim Lulloff. The whole Achten Family painted the set and set pieces.  Bev Vandenberg took care of the props.  The cast included:  Lynda France, Helen Smith, Angela Whirry-Achten, Max Sebora, Ed Lubejko, Don Andersen, Kate Lewellyn, and Marilyn Hebert. Everyone helped “dress” the set and provided their own costumes. Very special music was provided by Grace Froehlich.

Our other production was a Childrens Theatre production, Directed by Lisa Andersen, daughter of Russ and Ardelle Meyer and Second Grade Teacher at Waupaca Learning Center. It was It’s A Jungle Out There!, by Mary Donnelly.  The set, make-up and costumes were designed by two of the girls’ mothers, Laura Yurtis and Tammy Wilkinson. The cast included: Ally Julian, Michaela Yurtis, Lauren Karras, Ruby Battaglia, Erin Montgomery, Gillian Jepson, Faith Klick, Mary Jenks, Brianna Julian, Olivia Battaglia, Sydni Sondrol, Haeleigh Wilkinson, Maria Chiavetta. Very special music was provided by Grace Froehlich. It was in May of this year that we started conducting Childrens theatre classes.

In August ’08 we presented the delightful Children’s Musical Production, The Shoemaker and the Elves.  Jeannie Lulloff Directed/Produced and Helen Smith was Musical Director.  Assistant Director was Katie Sroka and Backstage Helper was Morgan Julius. The parents of the actor/singers were especially helpful! Becky Soper was Concession Chairperson. Ed Smith and Kim Lulloff built a creative Town Set, depicting both the interior of the shop, and the street next to it, (with the help of a special backdrop donated to us by Tricia Deuman of Waupaca Learning Center). The Actor/Singers included: Faith Klick, Zach Ross, Emma Brooks, Mary Jenks, Maria Chiavetta, Alexa Peterson, Ruby Battaglia, Erin Quella, Monica Dickson, Robby Jansen, Talia Saarinen-Barr, Haeleigh Wilkinson, Hailey Soper, Lucinda Izzo, Josephine Izzo, Savannah Jansen, Nathan Wachsmuth, Lyndsey Lippert, and Caleigh Lippert.  Jeannie conducted Childrens Theatre Classes in May .

In October of ’08 we presented the mystery/comedy, The Butler Did It! by Tim Kelly. This Agatha Christy-like spoof was to be an interesting literary weekend party put on by socialite, Miss Maple, in which detective writers were to come impersonating a character from their books.  It turned out to be a mystery weekend in which no one was who they appeared to be and a murderer was loose on the island.  The Cast included: Angie Sjoberg, Regina Gresl, Marilyn Hebert, Tim Gresl, Jeff Oestreich, Kim Lulloff, Wally Petersen, Marian Gresl, Ken Swanson, and Mandie Sjoberg. It was Directed and Produced by Jeannie Lulloff.  Kathy Brasch was Assistant Director. Set Builder was Ed Smith, assisted by Kim Lulloff. Vicky Friday painted a beautiful bookcase. Kim Lulloff devised a secret panel/ passage.  Lights and sound were coordinated by Mary Starch.  Joan and John Laabs designed posters and programs.

            In ’09 Lauri VandenBoom conducted Childrens’ Theatre classes in May, and followed that up by directing the  lovely musical presentation, The Velveteen Rabbit, based on the book by Margery Williams . The cast included Alexa Peterson, Nathan Wachsmuth, Emma Brooks, Eryn Butzin, Savannah Jansen, Elli Becker, Robbie Jansen, Jessica Shaw, Zach Ross, Emma Dzekute, Nick Cartwright, Haeleigh Wilkinson, Jane Dzekute, Wendy Shaw, Lily Shaw, Laura Dzekute, and Olivia Wachsmuth. Set Design was by Dr Kim and Jeannie Lulloff. Set construction was done by Ed Smith assisted by Kim Lulloff. Costumers were Rene Graunke, Shirley Verhalen, and Tammy Wilkinson.

Usher Coordinator was Judy Trudeau. Refreshment coordinator was Theresa Shaw, assisted by Kathleen Dzekute. Pictures for the group were taken by The Wilkinson’s

Programs were handled by Joan and John Laabs. Mary Starch was sound coordinator. Lights were coordinated by Jeannie Lulloff. Producer was Jeannie Lulloff.

Tickets for all our shows have been handled by Kathy and Len Brasch.      

In the summer of 2010 we presented two shows. We put on the delightful musical comedy, WHERE” S CHARLEY? ,Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser and Book by George Abbott, at Wild Rose High School Auditorium in mid-July. The musical is based on CHARLEY’S AUNT by Brandon Thomas. Director/Choreographer/Producer of this production was Jeannie Lulloff. Deborah Sattler was Musical Director. Tammi Kenton was Assistant Musical Director/Vocal Coach. We had live musicians.Vicki Jenks played Percussion and Barbara Kirk played Piano with Deb Sattler assisting her.Emily Lysaght and JaneMarie Erickson were Assistant Choreographers. The Cast included: Marilyn Hebert as Mrs Brassett the Housekeeper, Tim Gresl as Jack Chesney Oxford University student, Lucas Zaremba as Charley Wykeham Oxford University student, JaneMarie Erickson as Kitty Verdun, Emily Lysaght as Amy Spettigue, Jim King as both Wilkinson the theatre director and the Photographer, Gary Zurbuchon as Sir Francis Chesney, Ed Lubejko as the hilarious Mr. Spettigue, Tammi Kenton as the “real” aunt, Mrs. Beverly Smythe. The Girls Chorus included Marian Gresl, Regina Gresl, Jillian Olander,and Chelsea Olander. The Boys Chorus included Paul Gresl, Zach Ross, Keenan Brace, Wesley Hetcher (Charley’s Understudy). Sound Technician was Tammy Wilkinson. Lighting Technician was Mary Starch with Follow Spot operated by Brandon Fink. Costume Coordinator was Bev Vandenberg. Assistants to the costume Coordinator were Marilyn Hebert and Helen Smith. Props Coordinator was Barbara Kelly. Set Design and Construction was handled very nicely by Dr. Kim Lulloff and Ed Smith. Joan and John Laabs designed fun Posters and Programs. Russ Meyer and Joan Laabs solicited ads for the program. Ticket Sellers included Susan Schultz, Mary Bruyette and Namie Andersen while Judy Fabricious and Judy Trudeau managed program Distribution. Audition Assistants were Mary Starch and Judy Fabricious. We received wonderful help with the loan of costumes from Jim Romenesko of Xavier High School and Susan Rabideau of U.W. Fox Valley. Haley Flesh made a sketch of a risqué looking lady for the piano and we again used the bookcase painted by Vicky Friday. Jack Rhodes was able to find us a video from Canada of the production with Ray Bolger. Reverend Martin Ruge taught Lucas a soft shoe for “Once in Love with Amy”. Tony Garton recorded a rehearsal tape for the dances. The Friends of Long Lake were very helpful as well!

Our other production in 2010 was WILLY WONKA JUNIOR based on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, Words and Music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. This show was presented mid-August at the Saxeville Town Hall

and was Directed by Lauri Vandenboom. The Cast included: Ben Novak as Willy Wonks/Candy Man, Haeleigh Wilkinson as Mrs Bucket, Josh Macijeski as Mr Bucket, Sierra Parker as Charlie Bucket, Amber Harrison as Grandma Joe, Lucinda Izzo as Phineous Trout, Wendy Shaw as Veruca Salt, Nick Cartwright as Mr. Salt, Elizabeth Novak as Violet Beauregarde, Jessica Shaw as Mrs Beauregarde, Jess Sullivan as Mike Teavee, Emma Brooks as Ms Teavee, Lily Shaw as Matilda, Josie Izzo as Jamie. The Oompa-Loompas were: Marissa Cartwright, Chloe Genske, Josie Izzo, Sawyer Nelsen, and Lily Shaw. The set was creatively designed and painted by Tammy Wilkinson. Photography was handled by Tammy Wilkinson. Theresa Shaw handled refreshments.

During our final performance one of the Saxeville Town Board members, Mr Purvis, told us that the Saxeville Town Board wanted Saxeville Players to vacate the Saxeville Town Hall. So we did!

We thank the community for their wonderful acceptance, enjoyment, and support for our community theatre!