The vital importance of being earnest…
In January we opened “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild. This production was truly a joy to work on! Getting the opportunity to work with such a professional cast at a community theatre is a rare thing, but this cast was full of very experienced professional actors. It was an absolute honor to get to lead them in what was very well received production.
“Great performance, great laughs and the added material from director Nate Plummer lent it both extra comedy and a serious reflection on parallels between the time of the play's writing and the present day. Loved it.” - Audience Member
“It was great! I loved the adaptation and direction by Nate Plummer. It was fast-paced, the comedic timing was so very good and the cast was strong. Bravo!” - Audience Member
A Dream Come True
When I look back at the productions that truly changed my life, I always think of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s 2001 production of “Oliver!” Even though I was only 10 years old and playing of the orphans, it was the first time I really got to experience the power of being part of a production that had a message - a production that moved people. The size and scale of that production was the largest I had worked on and it was the first project to - as a kid - make me fall in love with set and lighting design. That whole project has lived in my brain for years as one I have always aspired to live up to and that was in not small part to the director of that production, the man who made me want to be a director, Paul Calenberg. Now, over 20 years later I am humbled and honored to follow in Paul’s footsteps and lead the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s 2024 production of Lionel Bart’s masterpiece. This is one I know I will never forget.
Going Wild for Wilde!
There are certain shows that as a theatre artist, you just know you will work on at some point. For me, “The Importance of Being Earnest” has always been one of those shows. Well, it’s finally here! I’m very excited to be directing this Oscar Wilde classic for the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s 42nd Season. I am really looking forward to looking at this piece with fresh eyes and creating a production that contemporary audiences can connect to and appreciate the same way Victorian audiences did over a century ago.
Oh Say, Can You Sing?
After a very successful first year with the organization, in May of 2023 I was offered a new role as the Artistic Director / Principal Conductor of the Chippewa Valley Community Chorus. I am very excited to be leading this very special community tradition into it’s next era and to be part of the arts in my hometown in this very special way. Our Spring 2024 Concert is entitled “ Oh, Say Can You See! - The Music of American Wars at Home & in Battle.” The concert will tell the stories of these famous wars but not just by singing the patriotic songs. We will explore the realities of these wars and the struggles of those impacted by them - both at home and in battle. I’m excited to work with this remarkable group of singers and to share these musical stories with our audience.
Poe is a Hit!
Stage Door Unlocked Productions tour of “An Evening Dark & Dreary” is a HUGE success. We have been performing to sold out audiences at almost every venue, is receiving rave reviews:
“This production is truly unbelievable. Pure onstage magic.” — Colfax, WI.
“I taught Edgar Allan Poe and his stories for over 30 years in my classroom. Watching Mr. Plummer bring Poe to life in such a vivid and honest way was like seeing an old friend again.” - Ashwaubenon, WI.
“Plummer’s performance as Edgar Allan Poe is truly transformative. His ability to be hauntingly insane in moments like A Tell Tale Heart are only outdone by his ability to capture Poe’s pathos and grief when he recalls the death of his wife and reads the iconic Annabel Lee. ” - Waterford, WI.
Raise Your Voice!
In August of 2022 I accepted the the position of Musical Director for the Chippewa Valley Community Chorus’ 45th Anniversary Concert this coming March. While my background is not as a choral conductor, joining them for this year’s theme at least makes sense: “Raise Your Voice: Celebrating the Musical Theatre Chorus.” I am very excited to be getting to help the group explore some of the greatest ensemble pieces throughout musical theatre history and bring these beautiful pieces to Chippewa Valley audiences.
I’m Off to Hoboken!
When anyone has asked me what my dream show to direct is, I have always said NUNSENSE! It is finally happening. Spring 2023 I will be directing / music directing (& designing!) the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild’s production of Nunsense: The Mega Musical. This is a huge honor as the Little Sisters of Hoboken have graced the stages of the Chippewa Valley many times - but almost always by the same directors. The sisters are very beloved in the Chippewa Valley and to have the mantle passed to me to lead this all new telling of their story is very special. Even more exciting is that I will be co-directing this production with one of my dearest friends and mentors Katie Schumacher. I love collaborating with her on projects and the fact that we get to work together on a show that we both love so much makes this such an exciting adventure!