Ode to Cedar Summerstock

Direct, First-Person Testimony

Jun 04, 2025

Since its founding in 2017, Paula and I have been Cedar Summerstock Theatre* fans… live theatre during summer months; collegiate artists performing major musical productions. Several years ago, I joined the board of this local nonprofit organization. I cite this to admit my positive bias as I cobble together this ramble.

I could discuss the impact this program has had on communities and audiences in North Iowa and Southern Minnesota (rehearsals in St. Ansgar, performances in Osage). But I’ve taken a different approach here. Let me simply exit stage left and let five articulate actors tell you about their Summerstock experiences.

Paula & I host season-opening & -closing parties. The 2025 cast & crew.

*****

“Cedar Summerstock Theatre (‘Cedar’ colloquially**) has cemented itself as the most impactful two months of my life. The mission to bring theatre into a rural community, and the (organization’s) courageous leadership demonstrates how much direct influence we have on the world around us.”

“Performing in this rural environment truly changed my perspective on where musical theatre should be located. My high school stage, a 1200-seat auditorium, was constantly full. Yet Osage / Mitchell County has been more appreciative than I’ve experienced from other productions, making these shows so rewarding.”

“Cedar taught me a lot about endurance as an actor because there was simply no time to rest. And I loved that. Honestly one of the best, most rewarding summers of my life.”

“My experience at Cedar was a joyous turning point in my life, both artistically and personally. I had the chance to experience firsthand just how much discipline and commitment it takes to build a career in the theatre. I was also able to experience the gifts of collaboration and human connection.”

“At Cedar, young actors put passion into practice and use their training for the first time in their lives to make a serious impact on an entire town. This is almost impossibly significant! It cannot be overstated how many people have been truly changed because of this powerful work.”

silhouette of three performers on stage — An infusion of talent & energy & excellence in rural Iowa

“Cedar offered a safe and fun environment to be bold in my craft. The best part was seeing that my work actually had an impact on the audience. I had numerous conversations with audience members curious about my take on a character.”

“My time at Cedar will be experience I value for the rest of my career. I learned so much about professionalism, how to face fast turnaround, and how important theatre is to big and small communities.”

“The local community eagerly embraced our work and welcomed us with open arms. It was hard work— I don't think I've ever worked harder in my theatrical life. But I also have never had more fun.”

“I finished my season at Cedar truly feeling like I had made a difference and had a second home I could always come back to.”

a group of people standing around a table with makeup — Hey, it’s not just learning the lines… you gotta look the part too!

“I’ve always been a New Yorker with dreams as big as the city, but I never thought chasing those dreams would lead me to a small Iowa town where the best pizza around was at the local gas station. Yet, my summer in Mitchell County taught me soooo much. I learned the magic of live theatre can thrive in any community. I grew in my craft. I played a dream role. I met incredible people and put on incredible shows with them within such a short time. I even got lost in a corn field…. a few times.”

“Summers in St. Ansgar and Osage are breathtaking. Looking around, one feels constantly energized and inspired. For me, it was a chance to be fully immersed in an artform I love, and to do it in a place that I've come to love. I will hold the people and the recollections close to my heart, as long as I’m blessed with a working memory.”

“I committed my life to theatre because I believed in this art form as one that could truly inspire us to live more enlightened lives. As theatre played a larger role in my life, every decision I made had a different importance on the outcome of my story and the people around me. There is simply no way to see a good piece of theatre and not reflect on who you are, and who you are becoming.”

“The best part: the community welcoming us with open arms. I will always treasure the home I had there. I've carried a piece of that small-town heart with me ever since.”

“Pursuing acting as a profession, Cedar gave me the chance to be thrown into the fire of doing four musicals in one summer. In my acting training, there would be a lot of analyzing and preparation. At Cedar, there was no time for that, simply because of limited time to put on productions. This benefitted me greatly because it got me out of my head. It forced me to act courageously and spontaneously without knowing whether or not it was ‘working’.”

*****

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

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*The organization spells its name “theatre”. For consistency, it’s spelled it as such throughout. **All such references were standardized (“Cedar”); quotations were lightly edited for brevity and clarity. For more info: https://www.cedarsummerstock.com

*****

I write a weekly column for the Nora Springs - Rockford Register and also distribute my rambles via the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative (IWC). My talented IWC colleagues: