Dakota Stage Presents
Church Basement Ladies
Directed by Deb Carpenter
Dakota Stage Playhouse
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Church Basement Ladies
About the Show
Church Basement Ladies is a heartwarming and comedic musical that takes place in a small Midwestern town. The story revolves around a group of women who tirelessly work behind the scenes in the church basement, preparing food and organizing events for the congregation.
The ladies, including the witty matriarch Vivian, the sweet and wise matriarch’s daughter Signe, the enthusiastic and cheerful Mavis, and the sassy and mischievous Karin, form a tight-knit sisterhood as they navigate the joys and challenges of their roles in the church community.
Through a series of vignettes and musical numbers, the play offers a delightful glimpse into the lives of these spirited women. From organizing potlucks to tackling technological advancements and dealing with the occasional church gossip, the ladies bring a unique blend of humor, warmth, and relatability to their everyday experiences.
As the seasons pass and years go by, the Church Basement Ladies support each other through life’s ups and downs, celebrating weddings, consoling during losses, and finding strength in their shared faith and friendship. They embody the heart and soul of the community, embodying the values of dedication, love, and a deep sense of belonging.
Church Basement Ladies is a celebration of the unsung heroes in the church community and the often-overlooked work they do. With its catchy musical numbers, humorous anecdotes, and touching moments, the musical captures the essence of community, the power of unity, and the importance of finding joy and purpose in everyday life.
Credits
Book by Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke
Music and Lyrics by Drew Jansen
Auditions
Audition Days
March 18, 2024: 6:00 pm
Are you ready to watch church ladies finally let loose? Are you excited to see exactly what REALLY happens behind the scenes of all those lutefisk and lefse dinners? Church Basement Ladies is a delightfully warm, wonderful musical comedy to which everyone can relate! Director Deb Carpenter, Music Director Jessica Sester, and Stage Manager Lexi Belile are looking for FIVE energetic and enthusiastic people (4 females, 1 male) to play the heart-stealing cast of Church Basement Ladies. Auditions are being held at Dakota Stage, 412 East Main, March 17 and 18 from 6pm to 9pm. Please bring a short musical piece (no longer than 3 minutes, please!) to perform. Audition excerpts will be available in time for auditions, and a Bluetooth speaker for music, unless you want to sing a capella. Let us introduce this spectacular group! We look forward to seeing you!
Available Roles
Pastor E.L. Gunderson—an agreeable man who knows that the church runs best when the kitchen is happy. Tenor to Baritone. Plays 40’s-50’s+.
Mrs. Vivian Snustad—is a widow and the undisputed (mostly) matriarch of “her” kitchen realm and all within it. First soprano. Plays 60+.
Mrs. Elroy Engelson (Karin)—is second in line to take over the kitchen. She is neat and tidy, and is the mother of Signe, so she senses that change is definitely a-coming. Middle voice, 2 nd soprano or first alto. Plays 40’s-50’s.
Mrs. Gilmer Gilmerson (Mavis)—she is a farmer’s wife and grandma. There is nothing she can’t fix and can jump in and work just about anything (she has to, because her husband is usually recuperating from some bizarre farm accident). She is the most physical of all the cast. Alto. Plays 50’s-60’s+.
Signe Engelson—is the daughter of Karin, and has just started college at the University of Minnesota, all the way in “the Cities”. She visits the church kitchen often, and endures gentle teasing about her romantic prospects. Middle Alto. Plays late teens (starting college age).
Cast & Crew
Arie Morris
Pastor Gunderson
Read biography Arie Morris
Pastor Gunderson
Ya betchya Arie is so excited to join the ladies at the church. Most recently seen in Xanadu as Caliope. Arie has performed all over North Dakota at places such as BSC, MSUM, NDSU, Sleepy Hollow, Dakota Stage. Arie has a bachelors in theatre arts in performance/ musical theatre. Some favorite roles/shows include Rent, Cabaret, Rocky Horror, Avenue Q, and Sweeney Todd. Arie would like to thank their family, friends, and Ariana Grande for all the support. Yuh
Julie Wolf
Vivian Snustad
Read biography Julie Wolf
Vivian Snustad
Julie Wolf is delighted to appear as Mrs. Vivian Snustad in Church Basement Ladies, which is her 44th performance with Dakota Stage since 1988. She was last seen in An Inspector Calls at TruNorth Theatre, Marvin’s Room at DSL, and Barefoot in the Park with Capitol Shakespeare. Other favorite roles include: Phyllis in Twilight of the Golds (where she won a Brady Award as Best Supporting Actress) and Florence Unger in The Odd Couple-Female Version. Julie has acted in and directed area Lenten dramas and has performed with the Bismarck Civic Choir, Bismarck State College, and Players Dinner Theatre. Many thanks for the love and support of her husband, Brian; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Sarah Wolf; and son, Dustin Wolf. Special thanks go to her beloved parents, Charles and Helen Stucy, who supported her in all her endeavors.
Moni Krantz
Mavis Gilmerson
Read biography Moni Krantz
Mavis Gilmerson
Moni has been doing theater since playing an orphan in her 6th grade production of Annie. This is her second show with Dakota Stage, previously performing in Miracle on 34th Street. She is a 3rd grade teacher at Will-Moore Elementary in Bismarck. She would like to thank her family and co-workers for putting up with her accents (and their love and support) during the past several weeks.
Morgan Nelson
Karin Engelson
Read biography Morgan Nelson
Karin Engelson
This is Morgan's first time working with Deb Carpenter, and she could not be more excited. This is her second musical at Dakota Stage, and she hopes you enjoy the show as much as she does. She would like to thank her husband, family, and friends for their constant support.
McKaela Halvorson
Signe Engelson, Understudy Karin Engelson
Read biography McKaela Halvorson
Signe Engelson, Understudy Karin Engelson
This is McKaela's first production with Dakota Stage! She is a Minnesota native who, since her first role as half of a two-headed llama with her older sister, has enjoyed participating in the arts throughout her life. She is overjoyed to be back on stage for the first time since college at “The U”niversity of Jamestown. McKaela moved to Bismarck to attend the University of Mary for her graduate studies and is now the Group Fitness and Specialty Wellness Director at the Missouri Valley Family YMCA and Family Wellness in Mandan. Outside of work, she spends her time being active in her church, participating in a variety of community activities, and going for outdoor adventures with her dog, Burt. McKaela would like to thank the show's production team for all their passionate, hard work and give special thanks to her loving (and handsome) husband Reid, her endlessly supportive mother Wendy Sturm, and her collegiate vocal instructor, Dr. Richard Walentine.
Grace Loeb
Understudy, Signe Engelson
Read biography Grace Loeb
Understudy, Signe Engelson
This is Grace’s first production with DSL and we look forward to many more! She works days at 31:8 Project and Bitty Bean and she would like to thank her husband and family for their support while she has been wrapped up in rehearsals!
Deb Carpenter
Director
Read biography Deb Carpenter
Director
Deb is a retired attorney with many, many years of experience in community, school, and liturgical theater; her credits include directing and acting for Dakota Stage, Capitol Shakespeare (where she currently serves as president of the board), Prairie Stage, Inc., and various faith-based and community events. She thought she would have more time when she retired (a big, fat HA!), but keeps very busy with so many projects she cannot list them all. Deb is a poet with two published volumes of poetry. She is thrilled to be working with such an excellent cast and crew (smart, funny, and oh-so talented!), who have made this return to Dakota Stage such a rewarding pleasure. Thanks to you for all you do, and for going above and beyond all expectations! Deb would also like to thank the family, friends, and church family who have nourished her with amazing support and understanding when Deb is absent, absent-minded, and keeps humming show tunes at inappropriate moments.
Jessica Sester
Music Director
Read biography Jessica Sester
Music Director
Jessica Sester is a singer, dancer and storyteller from central Minnesota. Currently, she is enjoying her second year teaching Choir and General music at Legacy High School, Northridge Elementary, and Grimsrud Elementary. As a recent North Dakota transplant, Jessica has choreographed UMary’s production of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man (Spring 2023) and Legacy High School’s production of Into the Woods (Fall 2023). Jessica’s passion is to tell compelling stories to enrich the community, teach empathy, and cultivate musical and artistic excellence. Church Basement Ladies is Sester’s debut at Dakota Stage and she has loved every minute of it!
Lex Belile
Stage Manager
Read biography Lex Belile
Stage Manager
Lex Belile has been involved in theatre since 2010. She has been involved in at least one production a year at Dakota Stage LTD/Shade Tree Players since 2017, and has taken part in all roles such as acting, choreography, backstage, props, costumes, directing, and many more. This is her ninth show as a stage manager.
Luke Weber
Rehearsal Accompanist
Read biography Luke Weber
Rehearsal Accompanist
Luke Weber is a pianist based in Bismarck, ND. Luke is currently the Accompanist at Legacy High School. He has studied Music Education at Bismarck State College and Dickinson State University. In the past few years, Luke has played piano in the pit orchestras for several BSC musicals, including Frog & Toad, SpongeBob, and Heathers. Growing up, Luke participated in several Shade Tree productions, including When Cows Fly, Young Jane Eyre, Gooney Bird Greene, and others. He would like to thank his girlfriend and his family for their support!
Production Team
Director
Deb Carpenter
Music Director
Jessica Sester
Stage Manager
Lex Belile
Scenic Designer
Brian Nelson
Master Carpenter
Jeremy Lindemann
Lighting Designer
Chris Roemmich
Sound Designer
Frank Vondra
Properties
Nancy Gordon
Costumes
Amanda Perry, Deb Carpenter
Original Choreography by
Jessica Sester
Rehearsal Accompanist
Luke Weber
Photographer
Tom Chase
Light Operator
Eden Selle
Sound Operator
Izabelle Parker
Production Crew
Grace Loeb
Kylah Anderson
Bethany Belile
Paige Jung
Tallon “Devian” Long
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