Skip to content
Enrichment Through Culture Enrichment Through Culture

Visual Art | Music | Theater

  • Home
  • About ETC
  • What We Do
    • Visual Arts
    • Music
    • Theater
  • After School Art
  • Tickets
  • Archive
  • Get Involved
  • Donate
Enrichment Through Culture
Enrichment Through Culture

Visual Art | Music | Theater

Jeremy

Auditions: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Posted on August 27, 2025September 6, 2025

Cumberland ETC Theater is holding auditions for their upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” on Saturday September 6, and Saturday September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Cumberland ETC Ruppel Family Theater. Rehearsals will begin in October, and the show will run from December 4-7, (two shows on the 6th) 2025. The production is based on the book and play by Barbara Robinson, and will be directed by Diane Thorp and Chris Hopkins-Hile.
Adults and children who are readers will be asked to read from a script. Children can also come in with a memorized poem or a short song.
The Story:
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids – probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdman’s collide head-on with the story of Christmas. This crowd-pleasing comedy features a few Christmas Carols and lots of laughs.

ADULT ROLES (Ages are “stage age”)
All adult roles are small except for Grace Bradley
GRACE BRADLEY (MOTHER). 30+. A main role who takes over the annual Christmas pageant; mother to Beth and Charlie; wife to Bob.
BOB BRADLEY/ (FATHER). 30+. Husband to Grace and father to Beth and Charlie. A solid family man.
MRS. ARMSTRONG. 50s+. Managerial, in voice and manner; largish, bossy, impatient.
MRS. SLOCUM, MRS. CLARK, MRS. CLAUSING. 30-60+. Pleasant, motherly women very small roles
MRS. McCARTHY. 40s, 50s. A younger, less imperious version of Mrs. Armstrong
REVEREND HOPKINS. 30s+. pastor
2 FIREFIGHTERS Ready for any fire! (appear for a few minutes in one scene)
CHILD ROLES
BETH BRADLEY. 10-12ish. A lead role who is also the show’s narrator. Grace/Bob’s daughter. Beth needs a strong voice and stage presence; is in most scenes dealing with a range of moods and situations.
CHARLIE BRADLEY. 8-9; Beth’s brother – the typical kid brother.
ALICE WENDLEKEN. 10-11. Prim, proper, pain in the neck
MAXINE: 10-11. Beth’s church Sunday school classmate,good reader.
ELMER. 12-13. The minister’s son; dislikes church; not fond of the Herdmans.
HOBIE, DAVID, BEVERLY, JUANITA, DORIS. Various ages, 7-10.
THE HERDMANS — “the worst kids in the history of the world.”
RALPH. 12-13. The oldest Herdman; ragged, scroungy, slouching manner, touch of adolescent cool.
IMOGENE. 11-12 Loud, bossy, tough, crafty. The Herdman leader.
LEROY. 10-11. Tough, very sure of himself.
CLAUDE. 8-9. Tough, combative. A crime buddy to Ollie.
OLLIE. 8-9. Boy Always looking for trouble. Claude’s usual partner in crime.
GLADYS. 7-8. Small, wiry, feisty, mean. Often funny
ADDITIONAL ROLES
Various ages, 6-up. Angel Choir members; baby angels, shepherds

 

Auditions: Diary of Anne Frank

Posted on August 18, 2025August 27, 2025

Audition Notice!

Auditions for The Diary of Anne Frank will be held at ETC on Friday, August 29 from 5-7pm, and Saturday, August 30 from 10am-12pm.

Summary

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank began to keep a diary on June 14, 1942, two days after her 13th birthday and twenty-two days before going into hiding with her parents, sister, and three other people. Hiding in the sealed-off upper rooms of the annex of her father’s office building in Amsterdam, Anne and the others cope with the day-to-day struggles of life in cramped quarters, as the spectre of tragedy looms, ever-present, over their every move.

Available Roles

Anne Frank – Stage age: ~13–18 (typically plays 13–15)
A spirited, witty, and perceptive adolescent. Warm, impatient, hopeful, and emotionally complex as she matures under duress. 

Margot Frank – Stage age: ~15–20 (often around 16–17)
Quiet, studious, obedient, intelligent, and caring. She’s a peacemaker and a steady, respectful presence in the annex. 

Mrs. Edith Frank – Stage age: ~40–45 (mid‑40s)
A reserved, cultured, devoted mother, torn by her strained relationship with Anne. Tries to maintain harmony under intolerable stress. 

Mr. Otto Frank – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to early‑50s)
Wise, compassionate, optimistic, and the group’s anchor. Anne’s beloved father and moral center, responsible for arranging their hiding. 

Mrs. Petronella (Auguste) van Daan – Stage age: ~40–45 (mid‑40s)
Loud, egotistical, flirtatious, and often meddling. Clings to comforts like her treasured fur coat, but still has moments of vulnerability. 

Mr. Hermann van Daan – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to 50s)
Selfish, quarrelsome, often sarcastic. He’s critical of Peter and others, and central to escalating tensions in the annex. 

Peter van Daan – Stage age: ~15–20 (around 17–19)
Introverted, shy, awkward. Gradually grows close to Anne and matures, forming a tender bond of friendship and first love. 

Mr. Albert Dussel (dentist) – Stage age: ~45–55 (mid‑40s to 50s)
A pedantic, hyper‑critical, stubborn man. Troubled by cramped quarters and Anne’s adolescence; adds tension by his presence. 

Miep Gies – Stage age: ~25–40 (often ~33)
Loyal, courageous helper. Brings supplies and news, boosts spirits, and ultimately preserves Anne’s diary.

Mr. Kraler – Stage age: ~35–45 (around 35–45)
Trusted friend of Otto Frank, aids in food provisions and hides the annex’s inhabitants. 

 

Island City Music 2024 Schedule

Posted on June 7, 2024June 7, 2024

Home Again / Hay River Sisters Christmas Concert

Posted on December 4, 2023December 4, 2023

Home Again / Hay River Sisters Christmas Concert (and bake sale)

Friday, December 15 at 7pm

Come enjoy a couple of the bands you saw this summer at Island City Music as they swing into the Christmas Season. Home Again and The Hay River Sisters will each have a set, and then join together with you to sing some of your favorites. And a bake sale to help you with your holiday dining! Just like downtown, a free will offering will be collected. Sponsors for this event are Louie’s Finer Meats, Dairy State Bank, and Cumberland Federal Bank.

Thank you sponsors!

Art Making Mondays at ETC

Posted on November 24, 2023November 24, 2023

Attention all 1st through 6 graders: Come join us at ETC on Mondays from November 27 to December 18, 2023, and make art! We will be using Paint, Oil Pastels, Clay and Watercolor Paint, with direction by Artist teachers Angela Nelli and Virginia Streitz.

Your child or children can be dropped off and picked up at ETC. Review the poster for all details, and sign up with Susan Bridger by calling or emailing her using the information at the bottom of the poster.

There is no cost involved in the child(ren) participating in these activities — but donations are accepted to offset the cost of materials and supplies.

 

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Posted on June 1, 2018December 29, 2023

Fri Sat June 8, 9, 7:00pm
Sun Jun 10, 2:00pm
Thu Fri Sat June 14, 15, 16, 7:00pm

A cyclone carries Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to the magical land of Oz, where they encounter all the famous characters from the pen of L. Frank Baum: the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodsman, the rubber-legged Scarecrow, Glinda the Good Witch, and the evil Witch of the West, who is determined to destroy Dorothy and steal the secret of the silver slippers.

Life Song

Posted on January 1, 2018December 29, 2023

Fri Sat January 5, 6 7:00pm
Fri Sat January 12, 13 7:00pm
Sun January 14 2:00pm Matinee

Each of us has a life song, a soundtrack of our lives, with individual songs that bring back certain memories, good times and bad times.

Ron Ruppel has developed this musical show that tells his Life Song. It’s an ambitious project, and Ron has involved about 25 of Cumberland’s best musicians to tell the story. You’ll surely recognize some of the songs and discover some good new favorites. Ron has written three original songs for this show. Other songs come from popular, country, Christian and Broadway shows.

The Savannah Sipping Society

Posted on August 1, 2017December 29, 2023

In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by Fate—and an impromptu happy hour—and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years. Randa, a perfectionist and workaholic, is struggling to cope with a surprise career derailment that, unfortunately, reveals that she has no life and no idea how to get one. Dot, still reeling from her husband’s recent demise and the loss of their plans for an idyllic retirement, faces the unsettling prospect of starting a new life from scratch—and all alone. Earthy and boisterous Marlafaye, a good ol’ Texas gal, has blasted into Savannah in the wake of losing her tom-cattin’ husband to a twenty-three-year-old dental hygienist. The strength of her desire to establish a new life is equaled only by her desire to wreak a righteous revenge on her ex. Also new to town, Jinx, a spunky ball of fire, offers her services as a much-needed life coach for these women. However, blinded by her determination and efforts to get their lives on track, she over-looks the fact that she’s the one most in need of sage advice. Over the course of six months, filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures, and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jumpstart their new lives. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment—and most importantly, realize it’s never too late to make new old friends.

 

Charlotte’s Web

Posted on June 1, 2017December 29, 2023

Thu Fri Sat June 8 – 10 at 7pm
Sun June 11 2pm matinee
and
Thu Fri Sat June 15-17 at 7pm

Charlotte’s Web has been named “the best American children’s book of the past two-hundred years.” All the enchanting characters are here: Wilbur, the irresistible young pig who desperately wants to avoid the butcher, Fern, a girl who understands what animals say to each other, Templeton, the gluttonous rat who can occasionally be talked into a good deed, the Zuckerman family, the Arables, and most of all, the extraordinary spider, Charlotte, who proves to be a true friend and a good writer. Determined to save Wilbur, Charlotte begins her campaign with the miracle of her web in which she writes, “Some pig”. Its the beginning of a victorious campaign which ultimately ends with the now-safe Wilbur doing what is most important to Charlotte. This is a beautiful, knowing play about friendship that will give both actors and audience an evening of enchantment.

Ole and Lena Win a Cruise

Posted on April 1, 2017December 29, 2023

Sat April 1 7:00pm | Sun April 2 2:00pm

Every year Lena listens to her friends at the Curler and Chat talk about their vacations, but year after year she is disappointed. Ole’s idea of a vacation is going to the Muskrat Lodge’s Annual Convention, usually a camping event held in Potsdam, at a park only 2 miles from their farm! This year, Lena has decided that she and Ole are going on a romantic vacation, even if it kills him.

Meanwhile, Ole won the grand prize raffle at the Muskrat Lodge’s annual “Don’t get your tail caught in the trap” celebration. Ole and Sven didn’t even remember that there had been a raffle, let alone what he might have won. Rumor has it that the grand prize might be a cruise to exotic ports in the Caribbean: something Ole wants no part of.

Will Ole talk Lena into going camping instead of bobbing around on a cruise ship “like a fishing boat in a walleye chop on opening day,” or will Lena finally get the romantic vacation she has dreamt about? Join in the side splitting fun for the whole family in “Ole and Lena Win a Cruise”.

  • 1
  • 2
  • …
  • 8
  • Next

1595 2nd Avenue
PO Box 191
Cumberland, WI 54829
715-822-2787
info@cumberlandetc.com

©2026 Enrichment Through Culture | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes