Laura Kitzman - President
What inspired your passion for theater, and how did that lead you to a leadership role within the group?
My passion for theater is two-fold: First, I'm driven by a love for working with actors, especially children and adults new to the stage. There's nothing like witnessing their growth from auditions to performance night, watching their confidence blossom along the way. Second, I'm passionate about our patrons. Hearing how much they enjoy and are entertained by our performances brings a deep sense of pride and fulfillment. My theater journey began in 1993. After years in choir, I was captivated by both the art of theater and the thrill of being on stage. Theater has not only boosted my confidence on stage but has enriched other areas of my life, too. I've since been involved with several Southeast Michigan theater groups and found a welcoming community.
In 2005, I joined Spotlight Players in Canton, where I produced my first show in 2013 and then joined the Board of of Directors in 2014, serving various roles, most recently as Vice President from 2016 to 2023. In 2024, I had the joy of creating Van Buren Community Players (VBCP) with the other incredible VBCP board members and Van Buren Township staff.
What's one thing most people don't know about what it takes to run a successful community theater?
Bringing a show to life requires an incredible team working behind the scenes. From the large crew that manages every detail of production to the board handling essential administrative tasks like licensing, insurance, website maintenance, and communication, it truly takes a dedicated group to make it all happen. We're incredibly grateful and fortunate to have such a skilled and committed team who bring their experience and passion to every aspect of the process.
Justine Maldonado - Vice President
What inspired your passion for theater, and how did that lead you to a leadership role within the group?
As a paintully shy child, I never imagined myself in the spotlight — until my favorite teacher, Miss Hendershot, encouraged me to audition for the lead in the school play. I got the role and fell in love with it, transforming and breaking out of my shell. Now, I want to give others that same chance to spread their wings and become butterflies.
How do you see the theater contributing to the Van Buren community?
We'd tove love to start volunteering in the community! We're eager to learn where we can get involved and would appreciate any suggestions on where we can make the most impact.
Cindi Fry - Secretary
What most people don’t realize about running a successful community theater is that it's a nonstop effort. It’s far more than just the performances — there’s ongoing work in marketing, advertising, ticket sales, scheduling, set building, and gathering costumes and props. A dedicated team puts in countless hours behind the scenes, day after day, to keep everything running seamlessly.
Sherrie Saksewski - Treasurer
What has been your most memorable production or moment in theater?
It was actually a lesson in how to ad-lib.
It was my first production and I was behind stage taking care of props between scenes. This one particular scene required coffee cups and saucers because they were going to serve coffee to their friends. I neglected to put those props out and remembered when I heard one of the actors say "I'd offer you coffee, but I ran out last night"
Can you share any stories of how the theater has impacted local actors, vol-unteers, or audience members?
Involvement with the theater group has allowed me to make many new friends, and give new purpose to my life. After I retired from my job and with the passing of my husband, I needed a new interest, and I found it!
Paul Kenneth Wingar - Board Member
Can you tell us how you first got involved with the Van Buren Community Players?
As you know VBCP, is a new organization. Our chairman, Laura, has been a close friend for some time as we both worked on the Board of Spotlight Players in Canton, MI. I had moved away from canton and, due to travel, was not participating in Spotlight board or shows. When Laura indicated interest in starting up a new group to support Van Buren, she asked if I could participate.
How do you and other board members ensure the sustainability and growth of the theater group?
The board has members who have been working in community theater for many years and have experienced the ups and downs. With a good trusted, balanced crew and community support, we will enjoy our time at VBCP. This in itself provides a good foundation for growth as it is reflected in new membership.
We encourage new members to engage in other aspects of theater production this builds the background support for the group.
Christopher Kitzman - VBCP Web Admin
I became the Web Administrator for Van Buren Community Players out of a passion for both technology and the arts. My involvement with the group made me realize the importance of a strong online presence to connect with our community, promote events, and showcase our talent. Recognizing an opportunity to contribute beyond the stage, I stepped into the role to help manage and enhance our website.
In this position, I oversee the development, design, and maintenance of the site, ensuring it is user-friendly, visually engaging, and regularly updated with the latest information on performances, auditions, and events. I collaborate with team members to create content that reflects our artistic vision while handling the technical details like website security, troubleshooting, and optimization for different devices.
My goal as Web Administrator is not just to keep the site running smoothly but to create a digital space that reflects the energy and creativity of Van Buren Community Players, making it easy for our audience to stay connected and engaged with our work.