Paul Klostermann

Breese, IL.

Director

About eight or nine months ago, I volunteered to direct my first play. It was to be a comedy entitled, "Inspecting Carol". Like many of you, I had never heard of "Inspecting Carol". I was given a script to read about a month after accepting the director's chair and since then have been excited about bringing to the Clinton County Showcase audience one of- the funniest plays I have ever encountered. However, at this particular time, I had yet to come to the realization of how much work would have to put into directing. I, of course, had never done it. My produc­er (and brother) said that it would be easy. He said, "90% of directing is casting. Once you have a good cast you're set." Well, he was right... to an extent. I have had the opportunity to work with a phenomenal cast, every one of them bringing a wonderfully, disturbed character to the stage. Some characters have come very nat­urally, but some have been more of a stretch. However, this cast, no matter how daunting the task, has made each character real. I sometimes forget that Theresa isn't really Hispanic, Lori isn't British, and Lisa has probably never even been to Eastern Europe. This cast has brought the story to life in a remarkable fasion. However, my producer forgot to mention it was also the director's job to get the set, lights, and sound in order. Oh, what about an assistant director and stage manager? Stage manager - my cousin, Craig, obviously; always reliable, knows what he's doing. It's a no-brainer. Assistant director - a bit more challenging. Lucky for me, I got to work with a very responsible, dependable individual in Cale Loddeke during "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Inherit the Wind". Great, I have an A.D. Ok, set. No problem . . . "I'll do it myself . . . When that didn't work I lucked out by getting extensive assistance from the likes of my brothers, Mike and Steve, my sister Leah, sister-in-law, Nif, Pat and Pam Kreher, and a master craftsman, Roger Rolves. I owe a big thank you to all of them! Next, lights. Well, that's easy enough; I'll just call Hermie. Sure enough my good friend Hermie (Adam Broeckling) was ready and willing to be my lighting director. Yet, another stroke of luck. Finally, sound. Two phone calls later; I have Braden Henze and Josh Huelsmann on board for the sound coordination. Once again, "Lady Luck" smiled at me! So, maybe my producer was right when he said that 90% of the director's job is to cast the show ... I now know that the other 10% is just plain luck. Thank you for joining us for our production of "Inspecting Carol". I hope you enjoy it half as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to you!

Paul J. Klostermann

Recent Clinton County Showcase Activities

Cinderella - Cast - Chorus

1776 - Cast - EDWARD RUTLEDGE

Meshuggah - Nuns!  - Production Staff  - Technical Support, Duty Free Cart

Rubies - Production Staff  - Asst. Director

Meet me in St. Louis  - Cast - PeeWee Drummond

Inherit the Wind  - Cast - Rev. Jeremiah Brown

Inspecting Carol  - Production Staff -  Director