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Little Theatre Project To Debut

	Catherine Ellerton Moapa Valley Progress Submitted April 23, 2008 Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Erin Cornwall, co-founder/director, J.D. Cornwall, co-founder/Technical Director and Susan Wilson, Accompanist, the American Community Theatre Productions (ACT) will receive its inauguration on Tuesday, April 29, when “A Night With Rodgers and Hammerstein” will be presented by the W. Mack Lyon Middle School Drama Club in association with ACT. “This Little Theatre organization was founded in order to bring quality family theatre to the		Cast Members: (l to r) Macy and Abby Morgan, Rebecca Rebman, Shannon Wallace, and Kim Leavitt along with Founder/Director, Erin Cornwall (pictured in back), rehearse for production of “A Night With Rodgers and Hammerstein.” which will be performed next week.

	Moapa Valley through the presentation of musicals and plays,” stated Erin Cornwall. This initial production is free admission. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the expansion of the program. Erin received her theatrical training throughout high school and college at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. She has performed in various reviews and musicals such as “West Side Story,” “Oklahoma,” and “Fiddler On the Roof” in NYC and Las Vegas. J.D. Cornwall has done over a hundred shows for technical theatre from high school to community to Las Vegas shows. He has received national recognition for sets that he has built. This opening presentation of ACT will feature excerpts from “The Sound of Music” and “Oklahoma.” It will feature such delightful songs as “Edelweiss,” “My Favorite Things” and “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top.” “David Wilson, the principal of W. Mack Lyon Middle School, has been very supportive of our efforts,” said Ms. Cornwall. This enthusiasm was voiced by several of the cast members that were interviewed during a break in rehearsal. Jennifer Richins (Sister Berthe in The Sound Of Music) was active in the theatrical productions during her high school years but then became involved in the rest of her life which currently is as a Generation Consultant with Nevada Power. Jennifer stated, that she is “coming out of retirement,” and becoming involved in the theatre once again. Kim Leavitt (Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music) has a similar story. Involved in the theatre during high school, spending some time with the B.Y.U Folk Dancers, then becoming a teacher, retiring after 29 years, he became a Real Estate Agent and is currently planning to ‘tread the boards’ once again. It is a family project with the Wallace family members. Mom, Angela, is Sister Sophia in The Sound of Music and daughters, Abigail, Heather and Shannon also are members of the cast. Previously, the girls have been involved in the Missoula Children Theatre productions. Rebecca Rebman is in her first theatrical production but has always had ‘the dream.’ Lisa Rebman, a good Stage Mom, is backing her daughter and is the head of Rebecca’s fan club. With a cast of close to 30 actors/singers, the evening promises to be a unique and entertaining experience.