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Member Spotlight: Andrew “Argyle” Ceco

We met this friendly smiling face during rehearsals of Lend Me a Tenor, the first show of 2026 season. He came and immediately won us over because he was so interested to learn, help, and be involved. He said: how can I help?, and you all know, these words are beautiful music for people who work on a show.

Now Andrew (affectionally known as Argyle!) is working with the Legally Blonde costume team and he loves it! He is very busy, but had a few minutes to answer some questions for us:

Why did you choose to work with costumes?
I already knew that I wanted to support the theater, since I’ve been watching the shows here for years. When I saw there was a call for volunteers, I wanted to try something completely new. I love learning new things!

What’s your first impression of CPT?
No other theater feels quite as authentic to me as CPT. That’s what always pulled me back, show after show. And that’s what made me want to sign up to help out!

Your first show was Lend Me a Tenor. What was most difficult for you?
Difficult? Well, everyone is just way too nice and charming here, how am I supposed to get any work done?! Really, everyone has been so patient with me learning a new skill, and that acceptance and kindness in our community has made the whole experience just feel easy.

Please tell us about your team work for Legally Blonde.
I’m being trained by the incredible Beth Eslick, and working on a team of absolutely incredible designers, directors, creators, and masterminds. I’m constantly astounded by the attention to detail, let alone the passion that’s gone into this play. Getting to know the entire cast and crew has been an honor and delight.

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Reviews of Lend Me A Tenor

Our 2026 season opening play, Lend Me A Tenor, is a hit with the critics! Check out these reviews:

The Joyous Living reviewed the show positively saying; “This is community theatre doing what it does best- bringing people together for shared laughter.”

Tim Pompey of the VC Reporter joined us on opening night; “Conejo Players Theatre presents a mashup of sex, identity confusion and clowns, all baked into a single night of hilarity… the chaos is well-timed and pretty darn funny.”

Cary Ginell of The Acorn praises Lend Me A Tenor, “It’s all about pace, timing and the actors’ ability to play their roles just short of overplaying them, and CPT’s production, under John Eslick’s skilled direction, does just that with a fine cast of talented actors… A great exclamation point to the evening is the post-curtain “megamix,” in which the cast pantomimes, at breakneck speed, the play’s key plot elements in a New York minute, set to the final galop from Jacques Ibert’s suite Divertissement.”

Ventura Breeze gives the play a very positive review; “Now on stage at the Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks is a barrel of laughs mixed with Italian opera, physical hijinks… The play is well directed by John Eslick who is also credited with the beautiful set design.”

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Member Spotlight: Kristin Krause

Everyone who has worked at Conejo Players the last few years knows Kristin Krause and her wonderful family. Kristin, Joe, Belle, and Hunter work on almost every show, helping with sound and lights, working backstage and doing everything to make every show run smooth. We talked with Kristin about her experience, her interests and plans.

Which Job is more interesting for you and why?
That is difficult to choose as each show brings its fun and challenges.

As a producer I get the opportunity to make more connections with the cast and crew as I tend to be hands-on, going to a lot of rehearsals and really trying to be that liaison between actor and director.

Which production was a real challenge for you?
From a backstage standpoint, Velveteen Rabbit was a challenge, from helping design the toy costumes, implementing ideas, and then designing all the faces.  That was the first time having to do stage make-up for an actual show.  From a producer perspective, I would have to say Sleeping Beauty as we had understudies to balance rehearsal, last minute cast changes, and illness.  I enjoy the challenges though as they push me to expand my theatre knowledge and talents.  I have learned how to do more than I thought I could.

Is the production of Lend Me a Tenor different from others and why?  
Many aspects of being a producer on this show are the same as other shows. This show was different for me because I do not have any real knowledge of Opera music. Trying to make sure the music you are going to use is in the key the actors learned it, when you are not familiar with that style of music, can be tough.  The other challenge on this production was time. I had to teach and work with the make-up artists (they did awesome!) to make sure they could get the clown face on and off in the allotted time, which was not much and making sure the mic stayed clean. Trying different ideas to save time was difficult.

Each job has been a learning experience and will continue to be. I seem to keep finding new ways to do things, whether it is simply better organization or making rigging to be able to better hide mics. My most favorite thing is that we get to do all this as a family.

What else does this season bring you?  
I will be doing light design for Anne of Green Gables, produce Ave Q, and help run sound for Beetlejuice Jr.

We are so happy to have such great people in our theatre! Best wishes to Kristin and her family! CPT is a lucky theatre having so many wonderful families, which generation after generation, are bringing their beautiful art to the community!

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Celebrate NYE with Time in Tune!

Our upcoming special NYE event is featured in The Acorn and on Broadway World.


The Acorn: TV nostalgia takes center stage at Conejo Players’ New Year’s Eve shindig

“A television-themed musical cabaret, complete with live performances, audience-friendly games, and a midnight toast will headline the Conejo Players Theatre New Year’s Eve celebration.”


Broadway World: Conejo Players Theatre to present Time in Tune: A CPT Special Presentation

“Conejo Players Theatre will present Time in Tune: A CPT Special Presentation, a New Year’s Eve cabaret-style event drawing inspiration from the history of American television. The program traces television eras from the 1950s to the present through musical theatre selections performed by artists from the Conejo Valley, Central Valley, and Los Angeles.”

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A Chorus Line in the Press!

Our production of this iconic musical is being spotlighted online and in local newspapers.


The Acorn: A Chorus Line marks 50 years of Broadway brilliance at Conejo Players Theatre

“Few musicals have captured the heart and hustle of Broadway quite like “A Chorus Line.” Now, 50 years after its groundbreaking debut, Conejo Players Theatre is bringing the iconic show to life for a new generation of theatergoers, now running through Nov. 30.”


Broadway World: A Chorus Line Begins In November At Conejo Players Theatre

“Conejo Players Theatre will mark the 50th anniversary of A Chorus Line with a new production of the groundbreaking musical, opening November 7, 2025, and running through November 30, 2025. Directed and choreographed by Mirian Durrie-Kirsch, this revival brings the enduring story of Broadway dancers’ hopes and heartbreaks to life for the Conejo Valley community.”


Thousand Oaks Acorn: Singular sensation takes the stage

“At its core, A Chorus Line follows a group of dancers auditioning for a spot in a new Broadway production. As each performer steps into the spotlight, they share their story, including their hopes, heartbreaks and sacrifices.”

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Member Spotlight: Tanner Redman

In less than two weeks, Conejo Players will proudly present A Chorus Line and we all are very excited about this show. Everyone who is involved is super busy now, but we were lucky to get some time with Tanner Redman who plays Zach. Tanner is a talented and creative actor and director at CPT. Through the years he has played so many different roles and directed two amazing shows, helping our beloved theatre to thrive.

Here are some thoughts and comments from him:

(Tanner Redman in A Chorus Line)

What do you enjoy most about being a part of A Chorus Line?
The energy is explosive from the top of the show and really doesn’t let up. It’s funny, touching, serious and real. There is just enough silliness to bring us out of some of the dark moments that exist in the relationships and character of the show. There is no intermission in the show, so it really is one of those rollercoaster kind of shows where you really never get a break until the curtain falls.

What drew you to this particular role?
Zach is a jerk but he also cares a lot and so it’s really fun to play both sides. He gets to open the show and also sit in the audience and watch the action unfold and then come back and be part of the action near the end which is fun.

Can you share with us the most exciting moment(s) during your rehearsals?
Since my character sits in the house for half of the show, I’ve gotten to see each of the individual numbers grow in a way that you cannot see when you are actually up there and so that’s been special. Each one of the performers really brings their best and has somehow incorporated small snippets of themselves to really make the characters special and unique.

Can you describe your collaboration with the director and other actors?
I’ve known most of the members of the production team for quite a while and have worked with them in some capacity at CPT before. They are really wonderful people who put their best into the productions. The actors are equally as passionate and we all get along very well.

What do you hope audiences take away from your performance?
I just hope that audiences remember that thing that they love to do in life, and to go out and do it for as long as they can!

(Tanner Redman with Dana Marley-Kolb in The Glass Menagerie)

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Critics are Raving About ‘Murder’!

Critics have been raving about our latest play, Murder on the Orient Express, directed by Alan Waserman and produced by Beth Eslick and Kristin Krause. Check out what critic’s are saying:


“All aboard: Conejo Players Theatre’s take on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (adapted by Ken Ludwig) is nimble, stylish, and proudly homegrown exactly the kind of community-theatre triumph that makes Thousand Oaks’ scene feel bigger than its footprint… Sleek design, a sure hand on pace, and a savvy volunteer ensemble make Conejo Players Orient Express a gratifying night out one that proves, again, just how much artistry a community can summon when it pulls in the same direction.”

“This is an outstanding cast for a community theater production. Mastrovito is the master clue bender — sly, humorous, humble and yet sharply observant. He is Christie’s version of Sherlock Holmes. Miller is his Dr. Watson. The humor and hubris of the show are captured by Potter, who is reminiscent of Madeline Kahn. And Latham’s performance as an imperious Russian royal is a perfect foil for Poirot’s gentle, polite persona… This production proves once and for all that Christie is the master, and Poirot is her genius.”

“The cast is solid throughout… The clever revolving set designed by Conejo mainstay Rick Steinberg illuminates aspects of the train interior, all well-appointed to highlight the sumptuous feel of the 1930’s era… Delicious period costuming appeals to the eye and accents the various characters in fine form… All the characters are excellently played, forming a tight ensemble to move the mystery along… the mystery prevails and holds the audience to the end… It is time well spent. ”

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VC Reporter: Where There’s a Will…: Conejo Players Theatre presents ‘The Book of Will’

The VC Reporter’s Tim Pompey attended The Book of Will and shared his thoughts.

“The Book of Will is about William Shakespeare. Or rather, the gathering posthumously of Shakespeare’s writings into the first official printed volume of his plays.

In The Book of Will, we have a play that is well acted and thoroughly professional, entertaining, dramatic and comedic… The highlight of the show is the dialogue between John and his just-departed wife, Rebecca. In their brief and final encounter, you get a sense of what real Shakespeare is like.

If you’re a Shakespeare buff, this play will appeal to you based on the performances of Shakespeare given in the show. If you’re unacquainted with Shakespeare, this might be a good place to start.”

The Book of Will is directed by Dana Marley-Kolb and produced by Priscilla Losey and Wendy Babb.

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Moorpark Reporter: Conejo Players Theater concludes local production of Broadway’s ‘Anastasia’

The Moorpark Reporter took a look at our run of Anastasia and talked with director Erin Fagundes and CPT president Dana Marley-Kolb.

“Directed by Erin Fagundes, the Conejo Players Theater production starred Maya Puterbaugh as Anya, Tony Cellucci as Dmirty and Benjamin Mitnick as Vladimir Popov. It also featured Kobe Burton as antagonist revolutionary Gleb, Amie Woolweber as Vladimir’s love interest; Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch and Deidre Parmenter as Anastasia’s Grandmother; the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna.

Director Fagundes said her favorite part of the process was watching the cast come together. “[It’s] watching a group of people who mostly didn’t know each other at all evolve into the most incredible family who has each other’s backs, will do anything to support each other, bring each other laughter and joy, check their egos at the door, all while still beautifully accomplishing the number one goal – storytelling,” Fagundes said…

This “A-game” was brought in all respects, from the musical repertoire of the show to large ensemble dancing to en pointe ballet. Multi-part splits, smooth transitions and visual storytelling abounded, with clever humor throughout.”