Joy Warner began her long participation as art director of the CCT in 1975. As the company grew in size and expanded to larger theatres over the years, so too did Joy’s fantastic set and costume designs. Joy demanded perfection in all of her own work and always encouraged the children and young adults that she worked with to do the same. As a stickler for details and historic accuracy, she took great pride in designing and making many of the costumes, puppets and scenery that have been used by CCT over several decades. In 1994 Joy began a long battle with breast cancer that would last a little over ten years, but she continued to work with CCT through the late 90’s. Her creative spirit and enthusiasm will be missed greatly, but her legacy lives on in so many children whom she interacted with through CCT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Mark Warner

Mike must have been involved with CCT for 5 or 6 years, and as many productions. And he certainly had many lead parts. But he was not an easy person to know. I suppose that is why it’s taken so many years for one of us to write a memorial here for him. He seemed both younger and older than his age when he first joined. It probably didn’t help that his first parts were isolated from the rest of the cast (Bill Sikes, Lt. Shrank). He was so full of anger and frustration on stage, and then offstage, it was like there was a blankness in him. There were some actors in Children’s theatre who were like that – completely dominating on stage, but then off, they just blended into the woodwork. I spoke once about Mike, after he had died, to his brother Jon. Jon was so different than Mike, and I wondered what he and their family had made of Mike. I can’t remember Jon’s specific words now, so many years later. The gist was that they loved him, missed him, but maybe never had really understood him either.

I never saw Mike after his accident. I heard he was much changed. My favorite performance of Mike’s was the last one I saw him perform, Ali Hakim in Oklahoma. That part was a 180-degree departure from his usual, providing the comic relief in the show. He was fantastic. You’d never have guessed watching him, that he wasn’t the life of the party in the cast. I’m not sure that he was actually any happier than when he had more brooding roles, but he seemed so. I wonder sometimes what Mike would be doing now if he hadn’t died, hadn’t had his accident. I’m hopeful that he would be in theatre. He had great talent and really lived the most fully when he was on stage. But I suspect that he would still not be an easy person to know.

For those of you newer members of CCT who never had the chance to meet Leslie you really missed out.  She was our mother, our friend, our jailer and our shrink.   She could make you love her and hate her in the same sentence.  Leslie Karstensen was a force of nature.  She was the tornado that blew down your house and gave you the chance to rebuild.  She was never satisfied with what you did because she always knew you could do more.  She had an amazing effect on my life.  I would not be the person I am today if I had never known her.  She pushed me further than I ever thought I could go.

Leslie was the devil on your left shoulder and the angel on your right.  She was one of the most amazing people I have ever met.  Because of my years working with her I survived and am still surviving life itself.  She was the fire under our butts.  She is the kind of person you meet when you need her the most in your life.  She was mean as a rattlesnake and the kindest person you'll ever meet.  Leslie Karstensen was opinionated, stubborn and completely committed to what CCT was, is and should be.

She may be gone from our lives, but she is never gone from our souls.  A lot of people like to credit Yoda from Star Wars with coining the phrase "There is no try, only do."  I think he must have paraphrased Leslie.  How many times have you been at the end of your patience and preconcieved ability and then heard that little voice inside of you say "just do it, just go a little further, you know you can do it".  Now doesn't that voice sound a lot like Leslie's?

- Janet Spencer

Norm Karstensen lost his battle with cancer in the early morning hours of August 14.

Norm was like a father to me. He taught me how to work hard, he taught me we did things right for no other reason than it was right, he taught me this country will never accept the metric system, he taught me all issues will find a level and balance, he taught me not to be afraid to start over, and he taught me a bent nail still has value. We will all miss Norm, he has touched so many lives more profoundly than most of us suspect.

- Jeff Coble

My goodness, I have a sea of memeories regarding Norm. I remember that in Camelot I worked the fly rail, and that something went awry and Norm yelled at me, and yelled so loud that I started to cry. He was the only man on this planet to make me cry like a little kid. But I also remember all the times he complimented my artwork, my performances, and all the good always outweighs anything bad for me. I am so thankful that I got to see him one last time at the civic center during his "roast". He will forever be on my heart and mind as will the late Leslie. Two of the most influential people whom I was graced to know. God bless you Norm. We'll meet again.

- Matt Harper

I first met Erika at auditions for Red Shoes way back in 1980.  It seems like forever ago.  She was this tall, loud, gangly girl who spoke her mind.  As I grew to know her I grew to respect her amazing ability to stay true to herself.  I also had tremendous respect for her after the auditions for Teahouse of the August Moon - she wanted a part so badly she came dressed for it and insisted she be allowed to audition for that part even though it was a male.  She gave a spectacular performance even though she didn't get the part.  That shows true conviction and dedication.  My fondest memories of her come from playing her sister in Cinderella.  She and I became best friends and then fought and then became friends again.  She was always willing to go above and beyond for the part.  We beat the heck out of each other and she always came back for more.

She was a consumate performer.  She also taught me the value of being yourself no matter what the cost.  Erika Bunce was a true individual and a woman like any other.  Even though society may ostracize you or treat you as less of a person because you do not fit the mold, in the end you will triumph knowing that you lived a true life instead of buckling to the whims of what is fashionable for the moment.  I miss her bawdy laughter.  I miss her arms flailing as she told a story.  I miss her spirit of individuality.  I thank her for the life lesson she taught me.

- Janet Spencer