Village Players is a community theater, but it’s also a great deal more. We are a community first: a gathering of unique and varied people who collectively make up a theatre organization. Within our community are the young, the old, the single, the couple, and even the family. One such family is The Quinns: Laura, Ryan, and Kelly.
Laura and Ryan, mom and dad to Kelly, met in a performing venue, a Karaoke bar. Their mutual interest in music and performance sparked the early attraction. Laura, who by day works for an ad agency, claims singing as her best talent and has some professional credits on her resume. Ryan, an information systems specialist, is well known for his dance skills having trained from an early age. He is often called upon to be the featured dancer in many community theater musicals. Especially adept at tap dancing, he demonstrated these talents in VP’s recent hit production of “Sunset Boulevard.”
Laura is back on stage for the first time in a number of years, following a “parenting”
hiatus. She’s a member of the all-important chorus in VP’s current production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Kelly, age 9, made her on-stage debut in the Village Youth Theater’s 2011 production of “The Little Princess.” While Kelly is developing a love for musical theater, no doubt inspired by watching both of her parents perform, she is torn between the lure of the stage and her passion for dancing. Following in her dad’s tap shoes, she currently takes 14 dance classes per week. Although Laura hasn’t appeared on stage for a number of years, she and Kelly have been at theatre a lot, never missing one of Ryan’s performances. They even have a favorite VP viewing spot–the riser section, stage left (house right), so dad knows just where to find them.
The Quinn’s became permanent members of the Village Players during “Little Princess.” A key VP memory is Ryan’s performance as “Tulsa” in Gypsy, his favorite role to-date. Laura also notes their home is well suited for parties, such as the near legendary “Tiki Bar” cast party held during the run of “Follies” last season. And, the Quinn’s Karaoke machine was the hit of the Little Princess cast party.
As members of the theatre community and as parents, Laura and Ryan are very much interested in how show business will influence Kelly as she grows up. So far, it’s worked out pretty well for mom and dad.