MARSHFIELD – To some, music and drama teachers performing in a musical during summer vacation sounds like a busman’s holiday.  Not so to Jeffer Scheuer, Joe Anderson, Kristin Riordan, Elizabeth Rohrer and Tim McCollum.  The five teachers are all involved in the UW-Marshfield/Wood County Campus Community Players production of “The Secret Garden,” which opens July 11.

Scheuer, the drama director and Spanish teacher at Owen-Withee High School, is playing Rose, in the show.  She played Rose in the 2006 CCP production of “Bye Bye Birdie” and in the 2004 musical “Tomfoolery.”

“This is a great way to observe how other directors direct and to learn different technical aspects,” said Scheuer.  “I’m also in ShowCase Players, based in Colby, but we don’t do musicals.  So this is a great way to get a perspective on musicals that I wouldn’t get otherwise.  It’s also interesting to have my students come and watch.”

“Jeffer has built an award-winning high-school theatre program at Owen-Withee,” said Steve Decker, director of “The Secret Garden.” “She is amazingly detailed, and loves working during the rehearsal process. She is one of those fearless actors who will always try something new resulting in wonderful work.”

Anderson, who teaches general and vocal music in Loyal Public Schools, is playing Archibald Craven.  He’s no stranger to the CCP stage.  His most recent roles include Harry MacAfee in “Bye Bye Birdie” and Bella Zangler in the 2007 production of “Crazy for You.”

 “I enjoy being on stage in the summer,” Anderson said. “It’s a nice change of pace.  It’s good to be on the other side of the baton.”

“He is a very talented man with a great sense of humor,” Decker said. “We are lucky to have him in our community.”

Elizabeth Rohrer teaches vocal music and directs the annual musical at Stratford High School.  She made her debut on the CCP stage last summer as Polly in “Crazy for You.”  She’s playing Lilly in “The Secret Garden.”

“(The CCP summer musical) is a great experience for me,” she said. “During the school year, the focus of my music is on the students.  In the summer musicals, the focus of my music is more on me.”

Kristine Riordan, who teaches English and theatre at Spencer High School, is a newcomer to the CCP stage.  She’s playing the ayah, a servant in India.

“We are glad to have Kristine onboard for the first time,” Decker said. “Her experience and training are a great benefit to the rest of the cast.”

“Being a theatre director, every once and a while you need to be on the other side – to experience the actor’s perspective to see the actor’s side of things,” Riordan said. “I have three small children, so it’s been a long time since I’ve been on the stage.  But I love the book “The Secret Garden,” and I love the music.  So this seemed a great play to act in.”

Timothy McCollum, orchestra director Marshfield High School and Granton and Washington elementary schools, has played violin in the pit orchestras for four CCP summer musicals:  “Annie” in 2004, “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Crazy for You,” and now “The Secret Garden.”

“I got involved playing in the pit because my son was on the stage,” McCollum said. “I figured if he was going to be in there, I might as well too.  I sort of got into the habit and I’m still doing it, even though he’s not on stage this year.  I can’t kick the habit.”

“Tim is an outstanding musician,” Decker said.  “We are so very fortunate to have him playing for us again this summer. “

If you go:

“The Secret Garden” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. July 11-13; 17-19 and at 2 p.m. July 20 in the Helen Laird Theatre at UW-Marshfield/Wood County, 2000 W. 5^th St., Marshfield.  Tickets are $12.  For tickets, call 715-389-6534.

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