Meet our volunteers for CINDERELLA
We’re delighted to share three of our illustrious volunteers helping to make this production a truly magical experience for our audiences! Keyana Frost, Quinton Metcalf, and Randy Wolfmeyer have volunteered their time and talents to make this production of Cinderella one to remember.
Tell us a little about yourself!
Keyana – I’m Ana! I’m originally from Quincy. I’m a veteran, so I’ve lived all over, most recently Big Island, Hawaii. I’ve been back for just over a year and am loving being near my hometown. I teach feminine embodiment through yoga and meditation. When I’m not on the mat or on the stage, I’m caring for the folks at home: I have two boys, two dogs, a snake, and an axolotl that keep me pretty occupied. I also love to crochet, sew, and hike. I enjoy live music and festivals of all kinds.
Quinton – My name is Quinton Metcalf. I’m from Salem, IL, and I started doing productions at the Salem Community Theatre & Cultural Center. My first show there was Spamalot (Sir Robin), and the next year, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip Tolentino). After I graduated high school, I moved to Quincy to attend Gem City College for their engraving program.
Randy – I was born in Quincy but grew up in Wisconsin where I met my wife Gretchen.
How did you get involved with QCT?
Keyana – Growing up, I always wanted to be one of the “cool kids” on stage at QCT. Once I moved back, I happened across an ad for Matilda: The Musical auditions. That was my first show, this will be my second.
My experience has been affirming in every way, of things I’ve always wanted to do and be. It’s not always been the easiest life, and after letting go of what pains me, I find my favorite things are to sing and to validate the hearts of others. At QCT, I get to, whenever I walk through these doors.
In musical theatre, one finds a magical fellowship: stepping into a company of such encouraging, bright personalities nurtures authenticity; singing and dancing, alone or in unison, takes us out of our minds and into our bodies and brings us into presence with one another, a more and more uncommon thing in this digital age. I love it for that. And I’ve been so fortunate: my own roles so far have been such inspiring, empowering women, which is very much a real-life passion of mine. I hope to take a piece of these magical characters with me after that last bow; I truly look forward to that evolution of self whilst embodying another.
Quinton – In the summer of 2015, I was working at my day job while attending Gem City College, and Elizabeth Mannhardt was checking out at the grocery store. I commented on some King Arthur baking flour and said, “Oh, I just did Spamalot,” and you can imagine the conversation from there. In the fall of 2015, I finally auditioned for a show at Quincy Community Theatre – the staged reading of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan (The New Musical with Song)! The production premiered in January 2016 in the Lab Theatre, and I portrayed Mr. James Hopper. Miss Mannhardt was the vocal director – wow!
Randy – My first volunteer activity was to build the meat grinder for Sweeney Todd in 2017, in which Gretchen had a lead as Mrs. Lovett. Gretchen had been in a couple of shows before that, but this was my first activity with QCT. I was there briefly for a bit of tech Sunday, putting on some final painting touches, and I was caught up in the energy of putting on the show. I ended up auditioning for the next possible show – Hello Dolly in 2017.
What is your role for Cinderella?
Keyana – I’m the Fairy Godmother, honey!
Quinton – I’m an ensemble cast member for Cinderella. My role is to help portray the realm and environment of the story, whether that be through song or dance (or sweet romance), inhabiting the town at the beginning of the show, and attending the ball! I’m excited to dance for such a royal event. I also want to help make any scenic transitions happen as seamlessly as possible – I just finished working on QCT’s The Trip to Bountiful as ASM and helped with transitioning all the scene changes.
Randy – Puppet Maker. There are a number of animals, and Alison (Shafer) and the production team decided to go with puppets to represent the animals and brought me into the process very early to start working on designs and ideas.
What is your first memory of Cinderella? Do you have a preference for a particular version of the story or movie, and if so, which one and why?
Keyana – My first memory has to be seeing Brandy on screen as Cinderella in the Disney on-screen production. I remember tying a wrap around my head and sweeping my bedroom, singing about my own little corner, and being whatever I wanted to be. Growing up I was often compared to Brandy Norwood, I always had my hair in braids and we share a complexion. It was everything to see someone so like me, cast as Cinderella, and the incomparable Whitney Houston as a Fairy Godmother was an equally empowering sight to a young, Black girl growing up in a Midwestern town that is over 90% white. I really believed what they said and sang and have held it in my heart ever since. Even on my most “impossible” days and with my most “impossible” dreams.
Quinton – I do have an immediate memory of the Disney version of Cinderella, but I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who grew up watching that on repeat. At Salem Community High School, our senior year production was Into the Woods, and one of my best friends, Kayla Miller, portrayed our Cinderella. I enjoy the Into the Woods version of Cinderella the most – especially the build-up of the first midnight with the Baker’s Wife. She isn’t looking for love – she just wants to go to the ball! “Shiver and quiver, little tree, silver and gold throw down on me.”
Randy – It’s one of those classics that I can’t remember not being aware of. Probably the Disney movie is one of my first memories. My two favorite versions of the story are Ever After with Drew Barrymore – because they used Leonardo Divinci, an inventor, instead of a fairy godmother. So that kind of speaks to me. I also love how the story is turned upside down in Into the Woods.
What is the most challenging part of the process of doing a show for you?
Keyana – Not doubting myself. Which is ironic because I’m playing this awesome, timeless archetype that’s all about believing in yourself and making your own dreams your reality. I meditate, though, to channel Fairy Godmother’s energy and that helps to overcome any impulse to doubt.
Quinton – I am a very visual person. Even after I’ve done more than ten productions here at QCT until I am standing in the particular spot/space we will be performing in, I know I’m not at my one hundred ten percent. I also compare myself to other folks a lot. Some people are better dancers or singers or actors. But we tell ourselves, no one does you quite like you!
Randy – If I’m building something, like puppets or a prop, a lot of it is not always knowing exactly how I’m going to pull it off. I’ve got ideas and sketches, but there is a lot of trial and error and experimentation in figuring out exactly how to make it all work. It’s kind of like putting together a puzzle, but I’m making the pieces as I go along.
What is something about the design or the show that audiences may not know or realize?
Keyana – Just how many people it takes in addition to the faces you see on stage, for everything to come together. Designing, directing, costuming, choreography, coordination, the crew, the audio-visual team, those are our superheroes. Without everyone behind the scenes, we’d just be playing make-believe in plain clothes on a bare stage, singing off-key, arms flailing, spinning on toes till we fall down, or something. Our superheroes make it real. They make the show and are the most irreplaceable parts.
Quinton – This enchanted edition is very particular – it’s not the 2013 purple heel soundtrack! When I lived here in Quincy last, I remember listening to that album at Gem City College during class. This enchanted version has deep roots in the soundtrack. I also feel like the script itself is slimmer in comparison. There are some earth tones in the color swatches!
Randy – People often don’t realize how many people are involved in making a show happen. There are so many people who put in a lot of hours coming up with ideas for costumes, props, and sets that you don’t see on stage – but their art is just as much out there as the cast and crew that you see during the performance.
Talk about creating the world of Cinderella from your or your character’s point of view.
Keyana – From Ana’s point of view: it’s mostly showing up on time and staying out of the way.
From the Fairy Godmother’s point of view: it’s just another “do”, and so many “do”s have been done. Don’t do too much, and just be – let the magic happen!
Quinton – This is a very similar role to my roles and experiences in Peter Pan and The Music Man last year. There’s news in town – where and who is it? Did they kidnap anybody? I’m the town doctor for QCT’s production of Cinderella, so lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m actually attending the ball as that same doctor. I hope I’m good at my job!
Randy – This one has been a lot of thinking about the world from the animals’ perspectives – and figuring out how the puppeteers on stage are going to make these animals come to life through their movement. The goal is to make these creatures come to life and be able to show emotions and feelings even though they’re controlled by cables and springs.
What would you say to encourage someone to get involved at QCT?
Keyana – If that’s your wish, DO something with it! Take a deep breath and dip a couple of toes in by showing up to paint a set or usher a show, but be warned it’s addictive: QCT staff and volunteers have a knack for making it feel like this is exactly where you belong! You won’t come through these doors just once.
Quinton – There are so many ways to get involved. You might think that there’s a “best” time, but if a certain production sounds entertaining, reach out! Random build days in the scene shop on Saturdays are awesome. It is very satisfying to see something that looked totally different a few hours ago. Front of House is super fun too! The seating is easy to understand, and the box office staff is very dedicated.
Randy – If you love what you see on stage, and want to be part of something so much bigger than yourself and make magic happen – then you need to just jump in and do it.