The Muni Story

Kevin began his Muni experience working on set crew while in high school and has since been involved in over 25 productions since 2005. Kevin has performed in 8 productions, stage managed 7 productions, and has held other titles including Assistant Director, Flight Coordinator and Master Builder. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Julie has been a choreographer and performer in a number of Muni shows. Julie made her Muni debut assisting Grace Nanavati with the choreography for Hans Christian Andersen in 1993. Since then, she has played Tiger Lily in our production of Peter Pan in 2001 and has performed in Chicago in 2006, Jesus Christ Superstar in 2010 and Crazy for You in 2012. Some of the productions that she has choreographed include our productions of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2001, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers in 2004 and Miss Saigon in 2007. She assistant directed/choreographed our productions of All Shook Up in 2014, West Side Story in 2015 and Legally Blonde in 2018. Julie recently left her position as the Artistic Director of the Springfield Ballet Company. Julie, along with fellow Muni alums Grace Nanavati, Ronda Brinkman and Gina DeCroix Russell are reviving the Copper Coin Ballet Company, which is rooted in Muni history. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Sandra was one of the Muni's first leading ladies when the organization was revitalized after the fire and returned to the site in 1965. Sandra actually made her Muni debut in the Tent at the Lake production of Carousel in the early sixties. When the Muni was revitalized and returned to the site in 1965, she was Nellie Forbush in the second production that year, South Pacific. Other roles that Sandra played include Ella Peterson in Bells Are Ringing in 1969, Maria in The Sound of Music in 1972, Margo Channing in Applause and Mame Dennis in Mame in 1975. Sandra stopped performing at the Muni when she got an Equity card. Sandra also had a supporting role in the 1978 miniseries, The Awakening Land, which starred Elizabeth Montgomery and Hal Holbrook. That miniseries was filmed at Riverside Park and New Salem. Sandra's family has also been heavily involved with the Muni, as her children and some of her grandchildren have also been involved. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Sara has been a performer and vocal director for a number of Muni shows. She made her Muni debut as an orphan in Annie in 1998. Some of the roles that she has played include Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2005, Cinderella in Into the Woods in 2010 and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific in 2016. She has also vocal directed our productions of Crazy for You and Disney's Beauty and the Beast, both in 2012, and The Wizard of Oz in 2019. Sara also has a very special connection to the Muni because she met her husband, Jeremy, during our 2010 production of Into the Woods. Sara is a private voice and piano teacher for children. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Dennis has been a performer in a number of Muni productions over the years. He made his Muni debut playing Che in our first production of Evita in 1985. Some of the other roles he has played include Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady in 1989, King Arthur in Camelot in 1990, Cervantes/Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha in 1992, Buddy in City of Angels in 1995, Judas in Godspell in 1998 and Luther Billis in South Pacific in 2002. Dennis has also been a frequent historical reenactor, most notably portraying Ulysses S. Grant. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Anna has been a performer, choreographer and director for many Muni productions. Anna made her Muni stage debut as Tootie in Meet Me in St. Louis in 1995. Her first leading role at the Muni was that of Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden in 1997. She was also an orphan in Annie in 1998 and in the chorus of Big in 2003. Some of the roles that Anna has played at the Muni include Martha in our second production of The Secret Garden in 2008, Polly Baker in Crazy for You in 2012, Peter Pan in 2013, Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde in 2014, Billie Bendix in Nice Work if You Can Get It in 2016, Betty Haynes in White Christmas in 2017 and Millie Dilmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2019. Anna has also choreographed our productions of High School Musical in 2010, Hairspray in 2011, Disney's Beauty and the Beast in 2012 and Peter Pan in 2019. Anna made her Muni directorial debut with All Shook Up in 2014. She has also directed our productions of West Side Story in 2015 and Legally Blonde in 2019. Anna currently serves on the Muni Board of Managers. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Mary Kate is one of the Muni's leading ladies. She made her Muni debut in Godspell in 1998. She went off and worked professionally in Los Angeles and Chicago for several years doing voice work and other projects. She was in Tony n' Tina's Wedding in Chicago. After returning to Springfield, Mary Kate returned to the Muni stage playing Amneris in Elton John & Time Rice's Aida in 2006. Other roles Mary Kate has played include Ellen in Miss Saigon in 2007, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2010, Fantine in Les Misérables in 2013, Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins in 2017 and Eva Perón in Evita in 2019. In addition to performing, Mary Kate has also vocal directed several shows including Legally Blonde in 2018. Mary Kate is a fine arts teacher at PORTA Elementary School.  Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Tara is part of a very talented and musical Muni family. Her mother is Deb Watts Elliott, who often accompanies shows. Tara has been a performer, flute player and sign language interpreter for many Muni shows. Tara made her Muni stage debut in the chorus of Fiddler on the Roof in 1998. The first show she played in the orchestra for was Cinderella in 2000. You will often see her in the orchestra when her aunt, Mary Myers is the conductor. She is one of our sign language interpreters for shows. The first show she was an interpreter for was Ragtime in 2005. Tara's Chihuahua, Polly, also made an appearance on the Muni stage as Bruiser in our production of Legally Blonde in 2018. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Mary was involved with a number of Muni shows for over 20 years. Mary's involvement with the Muni began when she did make-up during the 1975 season. She made her Muni stage debut as Penelope Ann in Bye Bye Birdie in 1976. Mary was more of a dancer, so she often was in dancing roles such as in The Pajama Game in 1979 and 42nd Street in 1988. Some of the roles Mary performed were Azuri in The Desert Song in 1977, Petra in A Little Night Music in 1981, Lola in Damn Yankees! in 1985, Tessie Tura in Gypsy in 1995 and Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden in 1997. Mary was also the choreographer for South Pacific in 1980 and the assistant director for Camelot in 1981. Mary is an English and drama teacher at St. Teresa High School in Decatur. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Anna has been a performer, choreographer and co-director for the Muni. Anna made her Muni debut in the cast of Seussical in 2010. She has also performed in The Wizard of Oz in 2011, Crazy for You in 2012, Beauty and the Beast in 2012 and Jekyll & Hyde in 2014. Anna has also been the choreographer for Rent in 2013 and Willy Wonka in 2017. Anna made her Muni directorial debut co-directing The Wizard of Oz in 2019. Anna is also a graphic designer and is currently the co-chair of the Muni's Marketing Committee. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Patti has been a performer in several Muni shows. Patti made her Muni stage debut as Frau Schmidt in The Sound of Music in 2005. Patti has also performed The Music Man in 2008, The Producers in 2009, Annie in 2010, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2012 and Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2019. Patti has also been a frequent front of house volunteer. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Victor is another one of Muni's success stories having gone on to perform professionally in film, television and on stage. Victor made his Muni debut as Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls in 1997. Victor was also one of the Apostles in Godspell in 1998 and was in 42nd Street in 1999. Victor went on to attend Columbia College in Chicago. He has appeared on television shows such as Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Days of Our Lives and General Hospital. Victor is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. He resides in Chicago. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Dave was involved with a number of Muni productions for about 25 years. His Muni debut was in the chorus of Oklahoma! in 1981. While Dave was in a few shows, such as South Pacific in 1988, his involvement was mainly on the Board of Managers and as producer of several shows. Dave does say his favorite role was that of Tinker Bell in one of the productions of Peter Pan. He operated the laser from the orchestra pit. Dave directed our production of Promises Promises in 1987. He also assistant directed Grease in 2000 and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2002. Dave and wife Danielle own the Corkscrew Wine Emporium here in Springfield. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Karla Joell has been a performer and vocal director for many Muni shows over the years. She made her Muni debut 1977 in My Fair Lady. She has performed such roles as Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie in 1998, the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella in 2000, Bloody Mary in South Pacific in 2002 and Commissioner Doyle in Annie Warbucks in 2006. She also vocal directed such shows as Man of La Mancha in 1992, Peter Pan in 1994, The Will Rogers Follies in 1996, Guys and Dolls in 1997 and Cabaret in 2015. Karla Joell is a retired vocal music teacher. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Lynne was a performer in three Muni shows from 1988-1990 while she was a professor in the School of Theatre and Dance at Millikin University in Decatur. Her involvement with the Muni was because of her colleague, Gary Shull. Her Muni debut was as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street in 1988. Her other roles on the Muni stage were Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain in 1989 and Bonnie in Anything Goes in 1990. Lynne is currently a Professor and the Theatre Department Chair at St. Charles Community College in St. Charles, Missouri. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Angela performed in four Muni shows during the 1990s. She made her Muni premiere as that boy who will never grow up, Peter Pan, in our 1994 production. The next summer, in 1995, she played Esther Smith (the Judy Garland role) in Meet Me in St. Louis. She was also in the choruses of The Wizard of Oz in 1996 and Annie in 1998. Angela now lives in Charleston, South Carolina and is a teacher. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Pat has been a performer in a number of Muni shows. Pat made her Muni debut as one of the King's wives in The King and I in 1983. The roles she played at Muni include Mrs. Brice in Funny Girl in 1984, Meg Boyd in Damn Yankees in 1985, Mame Dennis in Mame in 1988, The Stepmother in Into the Woods in 1991, Evangeline Harcourt in Anything Goes in 2002 and Ida Straus in Titanic in 2003. She says that her favorite role was that of Mame. Pat's daughters, Ginger and Dawn were also in several Muni shows. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Susan has been a director, choreographer and performer for a number of Muni productions. She made her Muni debut in the dancing chorus of Kiss Me, Kate! in 1968. Her performances at Muni were always as a dancer, but one notable role was that of the Dream Laurie in Oklahoma! in 1973. Some of the shows that Susan choreographed include Oklahoma! in 1981, Follies in 1982, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1993 and Bye Bye Birdie in 1998. She also directed/choreographed our productions of Teddy and Alice in 1990 and The Will Rogers Follies in 1996. Her last Muni production was choreographing Big in 2003. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

DJ and Lindsey have been involved with a number of Muni shows. Lindsey made her Muni debut as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz in 2003 and DJ made his Muni debut in The Sound of Music in 2005, which also featured Lindsey playing one of the Von Trapp children. In addition to performing, DJ has been a stage manager or backstage crew member for several shows. The special show for both of them was Peter Pan in 2013 because that was the production in which they got engaged during one of the rehearsals. Lindsey played Wendy and DJ was a pirate. DJ and Lindsey were also the onsite Muni caretakers for two years. They both are teachers with Springfield School District 186. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Jim has been a performer in a number of Muni productions. He made his Muni debut as George Widener in Titanic in 2003. He also was the leader of the Winkies in The Wizard of Oz later that same summer. Jim has also performed such roles as The King in Big River in 2004, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music in 2005, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma! in 2007, Sheriff Earl in All Shook Up in 2014 and Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors in 2018. Jim's late wife, Lisa was also heavily involved in the Muni and ran the concessions stand for several years. Both of his children, Lindsey and Dylan have also performed in a number of Muni shows. Jim recently just completed his term on the Muni's Board of Managers, and he served as President during the 2019 season. Jim is the News/Program Director and afternoon talk show host on WMAY. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.