Few theaters have as dedicated a staff as the Conejo Players. And, no less important than the elected officers is the one lifetime (?) member of theatre management, Albert, the theatre ghost.

Albert first took an interest in the Players back in the days at Glazier's Barn, often heard patrolling the overhead storage space. Soon, the new theater was built and Albert packed up and moved along with the rest of the troupe, walking the aisles during rehearsals of Roman Candle, and protesting blown lines at rehearsals for The Rainmaker. Known originally as "the theater ghost", he eventually revealed his name in response to a scrawled message. "Mr. Ghost, what is your name?" left by an actor at the end of a rehearsal. When the theater was opened the next day, "Albert" was written on the wall below the question.

Since then, many have been the beneficiaries of Albert's help, hearing a warning voice just as they are about to step off a platform, or grab a loose railing. And many have also been the butt of his harmless pranks, such as searching in vain for a mislaid prop only to have it show up exactly where it should be at the moment it's needed.

The May 24, 2008 Ventura County Star article about the the theater's 50th Anniversary starts out "Oh, if the backstage walls of the Conejo Players Theatre could talk. Perhaps they'd gossip about Albert, The theater's resident ghost. Or maybe they'd mull over why, in the upstairs prop room jam packed with potential onstage paraphernalia, the box labeled 'handcuffs' is empty."

That day, one of the guests at the open house found a pair of handcuffs just sitting out and decided they would be fun to try on. Only then did they find that nobody knew where the key was...that is until it showed up right where it should be after the police "standard" key didn't fit and they had already sawed half-way through the cuffs.

Way to go Albert!

C.P.T. steps away from their most usual conservative venues:
"The Conejo Players go all-out to establish the raucous theatrical environment of Shakespeare's day---" reports art writer Rita Moran in her enthusiastic review of  Pulitzer Prize playwright, Amy Freed's The Beard of Avon. Director Thyra Lees-Smith cast a dedicated, well seasoned troupe of actors and with an expert staff and crew to recreate the author's concept of Shakespeare's bawdy, comical and at times poignant life in and about the theatres of lusty Olde England.
Then from historic Shakespeare to the more innocent and light-hearted times of Tiny Tim, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones' Americana, Andrea Tate directs five hilarious vignettes of various love trysts in Lovers and Other Strangers. Heightened by excellent special effects.  Cheryl Talbot's book, music and lyrics version of Cinderella, mounted by Director Rosemary Moffat with colorful sets and costumes was an ambitious venture with a spirited young cast of "1000's", some already on their way to stardom.
Always happy to hear Tommy and Susi Johnson are still enjoying the heck out of life up north and recently enjoyed Paradise Lost at OSF.
Happy to report Marj Berg is back home again and doing well.

 SPOTLIGHT ON MIKE MCCAULEY:
 Mike had already been awarded a Golden Sweatshirt for his contributions to CPT and was on his way to becoming a most valuable prop-man in 1984 when he created for Peter Pan, (directed by Dick Johnson and costumed by Mary Lee Hulette ) a full- sized ostrich that could wink, tap dance, flap its beak and wings,etc. This was transformed into a dinosaur for The Skin of Our Teeth,  that could pick up a bone,etc. The ever famous Milkey White cow built for Into the Woods was ultimately loaned to almost every theatre in the area. From that to radio controlled chickens, heads that throw darts, sets covered with shaving cream or blown up !  Pin ball machine, bonfires, stabbing knives, magic T.V's, plus endless fake foods. You name it Mike can create it. Do hope we get to see all of his concoctions at our next Open House !

After a life-time of designing and building extraordinary sets for Conejo Players Dick Johnson gets national acclaim! The latest edition of the "Spotlight" newsletter for the American Association of Community Theatres reports on the 2009 Festival for AACT awards given to Dick for his design of this year's Conejo Players Season brochure and an award for "distinction and clever modular design" for his Music Man set. Well deserved! First time actors and crew members at CPT are always awed by our technical abilities,etc. and love working with us.

Don't miss upcoming Bert 'N" Eddie.  AND ALL OF OUR 2010 SEASON !

COSTUME LOFT MEMORIAL FUND ESTABLISHED

A special $10,000 “Reaching for the Stars” fund has been established to name the Costume Loft in memory of Crystal M. St. Romain. From its beginning, the Stars fund has provided for donations to be pledged over a five year period with specific naming opportunities offered for donations of $10,000 and above.

An initial $1000 gift has established the Crystal Memorial Fund and the additional $9,000 can include new pledges dedicated to the memorial fund. New donors, and previous donors making a new pledge, should indicate if they wish their contribution be added to the costume room naming fund.

CRYSTAL M. ST. ROMAIN COSTUME ROOM FUND
NAME ________________________________________________
ADDRESS _____________________________________________
PHONE NUMBER _______________________________________
I/we pledge $____________(monthly/quarterly/annually) for a total of $_____________ to participate in the costume room fund in memory of Crystal M. St. Romain.
Signature ______________________________________________

Click here for a printable pledge form.

Send check and pledge form to REACHING FOR THE STARS, Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361-1008.