Calling all Volunteers for Upcoming Production

After realizing the dreams of many individuals with developmental disabilities, Project Stage Light is looking to reveal some more hidden talent.

This time, however, the program is also taking its casting call to the community and is seeking volunteers to help with the production of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

An informational meeting for interested volunteers and actors will take place on March 29th at the Cape Girardeau Public Library from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This will be the second production for Project Stage Light, a cultural arts program for children and adults with special needs, sponsored by the Association for persons with Intellectual Disabilities (AID), in conjunction with VIP Industries. The first production was "A Christmas Carol," performed last December.

"We have been able to witness, first hand, the life altering effects of cultural arts. AID wants to expand this to the community," said Meagan Edmonds, who is the coordinator for Project Stage Light and the director of the play.

It is now through SHINE (Sharing, Helping, Inspiring New Experiences), a volunteer-based program designed to work in conjunction with the programs offered by AID, that volunteers from the community are being sought to help make this next performance a success.

In addition to selecting a cast and crew from the employees at VIP, organizers of Project Stage Light are taking their casting call to the community. Potential actors should have a desire to perform, enthusiasm, and a willingness to try something different and meet new people.

"Every individual with developmental disabilities deserves an opportunity to explore something new and exciting. If the interest is there and they want to participate, we want them involved!" Meagan said.

Edmonds, who is adapting "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," is excited about the opportunity to bring people together from across the area. The play is set to be performed in September at the Cape Central Middle School, which houses a 900-seat auditorium.

"This is going to be a big undertaking, but with the community's help, it will be as successful as the last show," Meagan said. "I want to touch more lives and affect more people. I want Cape to be filled with the light that shines from each participant."

Project Stage Light organizers are looking for volunteers who have a desire to want to help, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn and share with the VIP employees and community participants.

Once being selected to become a mentor for the SHINE program, a mentor can choose a specific role he or she would like to play in the program. Some of the possible positions include an actor mentor, backstage crew, sound technician, wardrobe/costuming, set design, publicity, usher/ticket agent, and advertising.

As for a time commitment on the mentor's part, ideally he or she should be available on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning in mid-May and going through September. However, a full commitment to those times is not necessary.

"If the applicant is available only once a week or even once a month, we would gladly take them," Meagan said.

All volunteers and actors from the community will need to fill out an application before being considered to take part in this next production. Each applicant will be given a background check and have to complete a training program.

SHINE Applications can be picked up at the March 29th public meeting, at VIP's office, located at 1330 Southern Expressway in Cape Girardeau, or can be downloaded from VIP's Web site at www.vipindustries.com/aid. The deadline for applications is April 15th. For more information, please contact Meagan at 334-1166.