Players De Noc Escanaba

06/10/2026

🦆 CALLING ALL POTENTIAL DIRECTORS! 🎭

We're still looking for at least *4 more directors* to join our summer Duck Variations project!

Have you ever been curious about directing but weren't sure where to start? Have you directed before and want a fun, low-commitment creative challenge? This project is designed for exactly that.

Duck Variations by David Mamet is made up of 14 short scenes (or "variations"), each functioning as its own mini production. Every director will be assigned a variation, cast actors from a shared audition, and guide their piece from rehearsal to performance.

🎬 Directors of all experience levels are welcome.

Never directed before? That's okay!

A Directors Seminar will be held prior to auditions to help participants learn, ask questions, and prepare. The goal of this project is to explore the art of directing and creating theatre in a supportive environment.

✨ Fun
✨ Creative
✨ Collaborative
✨ Light-hearted
✨ No pressure

Directors will be responsible for scheduling rehearsals and coordinating rehearsal space, either in the Players Scene Shop or another location of their choosing.

📅 Important Dates:
• June 15 – Deadline to sign up as a director
• June 16 – Directors Meeting & variation assignments
• June 23 – Directors Seminar
• June 30 – Auditions
• July 17 – Performance

🦆 About the Show:
The Duck Variations features two people sitting on a park bench discussing life, death, friendship, love, and ducks—often with humorous and misguided authority. It's witty, thought-provoking, and a perfect playground for directors to experiment and learn.

Interested in directing and/or acting?

Contact Jenny Heller:
📧 [email protected]
📞 906-280-6434

Questions? Contact Jeff Woerpel:
📧 [email protected]
📞 906-280-2038

Help us bring all 14 variations to life! If you've ever thought about trying your hand at directing, this is a wonderful opportunity to jump in and give it a try.

06/09/2026

🎭 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT 🎭

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for Stag Light. We were humbled by the talent, generosity, and creativity shared over two evenings of auditions.

Casting a production is never easy, and we are deeply grateful to every person who walked through the door and entrusted us with their time and artistry. We hope those who were not cast this time will continue to audition, volunteer, and be part of the Players de Noc community. In fact, there is an opportunity tonight at 7pm at the Scene Shop for our read-through of CLOWN BAR.

Congratulations to the cast of Stag Light, and thank you to all who helped make this process so special. We can't wait to begin bringing this world premiere production to life this fall.

CAST LIST
Eleanor Frenel - Cindy Bender
David Bognetti - Harrison Bouche
Haylee, Dwight, Jim, Gas Attendant...Dog -Tim Haagensen
George Frenel - Rodney Kjell
Elizabeth Frenel - Erica Mead
Howard Frenel - Jesse Traub

06/08/2026

🎭 LAST CHANCE TO AUDITION TONIGHT! 🎭

Tonight is your final opportunity to audition for Stag Light, the AACT NewPlayFest-winning play by Emily Turner and a World Premiere production directed by Jeff Woerpel.

📍 William Bonifas Fine Arts Center Studio
🕖 Tonight at 7:00 PM
👥 Ages 25+

No preparation is necessary--actors will read selections from the script.

This heartfelt and humorous new play follows a family brought together by one final wish: a road trip to scatter their father's ashes from the top of a lighthouse in Michigan. Along the way, old wounds, family secrets, and unexpected moments of connection emerge.

Whether you're a longtime Players performer or considering stepping on stage for the first time, we'd love to see you tonight.

Be part of bringing a brand-new play to life for the very first time.

See you at 7!

06/07/2026

🎭 AUDITIONS START TONIGHT! 🎭

Have you been thinking about getting back on stage? Looking for a new creative challenge? Interested in being part of a World Premiere?

Tonight and tomorrow are your opportunities to audition for Stag Light, the winner of the AACT NewPlayFest, written by Emily Turner and directed by Jeff Woerpel.

📍 William Bonifas Fine Arts Center Studio
📅 Sunday, June 7 & Monday, June 8
🕖 7:00 PM
👥 Ages 25+

Actors will read selections from the script, making this a great opportunity for both experienced performers and those considering theatre for the first time.

Stag Light follows a family brought together by one final wish from their late patriarch: a road trip to Michigan to scatter his ashes from the top of a lighthouse. Along the way, old tensions, unexpected humor, and long-buried truths come to the surface.

Available roles include characters ranging from their 30s through 70s, plus a flexible character who plays multiple roles.

This is a rare chance to help create the very first production of a brand-new play and leave your mark on a show before anyone else has performed it.

Come join us tonight or tomorrow at 7:00 PM. We’d love to see some familiar faces—and some new ones, too!

06/05/2026

🎭 HAPPY OPENING NIGHT! 🎭

Tonight, Players de Noc’s Underground Theatre returns with the Youth Double Feature A Matter of (Limited) Time and Live to Tell!

As Players de Noc’s social media manager, I had the opportunity to attend the final dress rehearsal, and I left absolutely blown away by the talent, dedication, and heart these young performers have brought to the stage.

I left feeling inspired, emotionally moved, and, most of all, beaming with pride for the incredible talent we have right here in our community.

These actors, directors, and production teams have worked tirelessly in a short amount of time to create an evening of theatre that is thoughtful, impactful, and deeply meaningful. Their hard work deserves an audience.

If you’re looking for something to do tonight or tomorrow evening, we hope you’ll join us and support these remarkable young artists.

📅 June 5 & 6, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Bonifas Arts Center Studio
🎟️ Free Admission • First Come, First Served
⏱️ Approximate Run Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
*Due to mature content, ages 15+ recommended

Break a leg to the casts and crews of A Matter of (Limited) Time and Live to Tell. We can’t wait for audiences to experience what you’ve created.

06/04/2026

🎭 1 DAY AWAY!

Tomorrow, Players de Noc's Underground Theatre returns with a powerful Youth Double Feature: A Matter of (Limited) Time and Live to Tell.

The photos you're seeing are glimpses from rehearsals, where these talented young actors have been working tirelessly to bring these stories to life. With a fast rehearsal-to-performance turnaround, they have poured their energy, creativity, and hearts into every scene.

Now they're ready to share their gifts with an audience.

Join us for an evening of raw, honest, meaningful theatre that explores important issues, challenges perspectives, and showcases the incredible talent of young artists in our community.

Before the performance begins, we'll also be officially announcing the first three productions of Players de Noc's 2026-2027 season, making this a great opportunity to get a first look at what's ahead for our theatre community!

📅 June 5 & 6, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Bonifas Arts Center Studio
🎟️ Free Admission • First Come, First Served
⏱️ Approximate Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
*Due to mature content, ages 15+ recommended

Come support these dedicated young performers and experience theatre that matters.

06/02/2026

🎭 Cue the Summer 🎭
Five Days. Three Events. Endless Drama.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Summer starts on stage with five straight days of theatre, creativity, auditions, script reads, and underground performances from Players de Noc.

🎟️ June 5 & 6 at 7:00 PM
UNDERGROUND DOUBLE FEATURE
📍 Bonifas Arts Center Studio

Featuring:
• A Matter of Limited Time
• Live to Tell
FREE admission
First come, first served seating
Approximate run time: 1 hour 15 minutes

🎭 June 7 & 8 at 7:00 PM
STAG LIGHT AUDITIONS
📍 Bonifas Arts Center Studio

Auditions for the world premiere of Stag Light by Emily Turner
Directed by Jeff Woerpel
No preparation necessary. Ages 25+ encouraged to audition.

🤡 Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00 PM
CLOWN BAR SCRIPT READ
📍 Players de Noc Scene Shop
109 S. 9th St., Escanaba

A chaotic, noir-inspired comedy script read open to anyone who wants to participate, listen, or simply enjoy the ride.

Whether you’re looking to audition, perform, volunteer, or just experience live theatre, there’s a place for you this summer at Players de Noc.

06/01/2026

Players volunteer and actor Christine Madalinski, is one of the contestants in TV6's Star Spangled Sing-off! Her video is the labeled as the Bay College Baseball Game and she is wearing Players de Noc blue. Show her some love if you're so inclined! 💙🤍

Alright, Upper Michigan — The performances are in, and now it’s your turn!
Watch the Star-Spangled Sing-Off entries and vote for your favorite now through June 12.
Pick the one you want to see represent Upper Michigan as our local winner.
Then on June 18, we’ll announce who’s moving one step closer to an all-expenses-paid trip to Nashville — where they’ll film a performance that will air across the country.
Vote now here: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/page/star-spangled-sing-off/
Every view, every vote counts — show your hometown pride!

06/01/2026

🎭 5 DAYS AWAY!

In just five days, Players de Noc’s Underground Double Feature takes the stage in the Bonifas Arts Center Studio.

A Matter of (Limited) Time, directed by Dahlia Hartman, explores identity and the weight of time through the eyes of young people navigating an uncertain future.

Live to Tell, directed by Randi Meunier, shines a light on the realities of human trafficking while celebrating resilience, courage, and the power of reclaiming your voice.

This is raw, honest, meaningful youth theatre--the kind of theatre that sparks conversation long after the lights go down.

📅 June 5 & 6, 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Bonifas Arts Center Studio
🎟️ Free Admission • First Come, First Served
⏱️ Approximate Run Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
*Due to mature content, ages 15+ recommended

Come support these talented young artists and experience theatre that matters. We think you'll be glad you did.