Donna Klein

Growing up in the greater New York City area meant exposure to every Broadway and Off-Broadway play through television, print, and radio advertising. So, it followed that we had a thriving theatre program through summer school enrichment and two wonderful teachers who brought it to the middle-school-aged students at my elementary school.

I started participating in theatre in the 7th grade with a watered-down, politically correct, school-approved version of “Oliver!” That sparked something that took me through high school. It was the one place I really fit in, and it helped keep me sane. I was in nearly every play produced during those years. However, those days ended when high school was over.

Fast forward, and now we’re empty nesters on a new adventure. The last thing I expected when we moved to Presque Isle County was a viable community theatre program. The previous county we lived in had nearly one million residents the year we moved, and supported two community theatre troupes. Presque Isle County had about 13,000 residents spread out over a large area. Community theatre wasn’t on my radar.

I became aware of what was happening with plays and musicals through my early music students. I just missed Bryan Mills, who was doing wonderful things with musicals and plays at the high school in Rogers City. I was just in time, however, for Karl W. Heidemann and the seeds of what is Rogers City Community Theatre.

We had no ties to the area when we moved here, and discovering a place where I could meet a few people and enjoy some plays was exciting. A little slice of the arts and culture was alive in our county!

It wasn’t long before I found myself coming out of the audience and onto the stage. One of my students encouraged me to audition for the musical “Urinetown!” I can’t say I was excited at the prospect of being in a musical about a bodily function, but it turned out to be an experience I’ll never forget. It was one of the hardest yet most gratifying plays I’ve been in. It proved you can’t judge a play by its title as it was hilarious, too! Those of us who were in it still look back and laugh at how we survived the process. Priceless!

It was so much fun, and I met people with whom I enjoy a relationship to this day. That’s important when you know no one, and you live way out in the country. And not all of them have been on stage; some are strictly from the audience.

Accessing cultural experiences is vital to rural communities in my opinion. The opportunity to participate in something that was once on Broadway, whether a classic or something newer, allows us to be a part of that dream and to experience something bigger than ourselves. Attending a play, whether it’s familiar or you’re stepping into the unknown, allows us to enjoy some nostalgia and a chance to grow.

Putting on a play isn’t child’s play, even when children are involved in the cast and crew! It takes the entire community investing in the value of the theatrical experience. There is little reason to spend a lot of time and effort on producing a play if no one comes to see it. Audience participation is vital to the existence of community theatre.

I was so excited to see how our theatre troupe was growing its audience, and then 2020 happened. We can’t do anything about that; we can only rebuild. It takes time, and it takes an audience!

Speaking of cast and crew, theatre group offerings can be limited if people don’t audition or help behind the scenes. It’s hard to produce a play that needs five men when one auditions. It’s hard to cast a play that no one has heard of, and few want to take a chance on. I’m not going to say it’s easy, but I am going to say it’s worth it. I dare say that if you try it once, you’ll want to come back for more!

As spring begins and the theatre season picks up, please consider coming out to see a play, be in one, or support it through your donation. Groups like Rogers City Community Theatre are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, making your donation tax-deductible.

I’ve worn many hats at RCCT, and I’ll provide more insight into what it’s like to be a part of this wonderful theatre community in the future.

The Angel Next Door opens on March 20, 2026, at the Rogers Theatre in beautiful downtown Rogers City. Visit rcctheatre.org for more information.