Wartburg Players will tour a show for the first time in their history this Tour Week.

The cast will be touring “The Importance of Being Earnest” while most music ensembles are preparing for their tours.

Most of the current cast has never toured in a production before, but they’re excited about the opportunity.

“It’ll be such a great acting experience to tear down a show, drive somewhere, throw it all back onto the stage and do it all again the next day,” Sarah Voels said.

This tour is perhaps not as daring or adventurous as those of the music ensembles traveling this Tour Week and May Term, but according to William Earl, associate professor of communication arts, it is a start.
Earl said this is how the music tours started — at not-so-exotic venues within driving distance.

The whole cast is pleased that this play was chosen as their touring work.

It requires a relatively small cast, simple setup and will make for easier travel plans, Voels said.

“I love this show. I have always loved this show,” Dani Johnson, stage manager, said. “It shows Players’ diversity and ability to do a range of styles.”
Johnson will not be touring with the cast due to a conflicting tour with Wartburg Choir this May, beginning in Tour Week.

“It’s been interesting [working with an assistant stage manager],” Johnson said. “It’s a different relationship. [Sarah Bryant] is the assistant, but eventually she’ll have to take over everything and do like I do.”

The typical thoughts that go through the cast members’ minds when putting on a show will be joined by a special determination this tour.

“We’re serious with acting,” Voels said. “Our program is pretty young, but we already have honors. Tour means proving we can do this not just at home, but elsewhere.”

This is the first tour in which the troupe will take part, but they hope that it will not be the last time they venture off campus.

Johnson said it depends on the next show they try to tour (the “minimalistic” shows are easiest), but she definitely wants to be a part of future tours.

“I always welcome more theater experience,” Voels said. “Especially a play with this mix of classic style and wit.”

“We take what we do seriously,” Johnson said. “And it’s going to impress a lot of people when this goes well.”