John Smith is Village Square Theatre’s current president. He has been a board member since 1980 and has been president most of those years. His first started directing plays slowly at first, but since then has become a familiar face around the stage. With 75 productions accredited to his direction, he has a reputation to maintain which is becoming more difficult all the time. Of his favorite shows to direct are “Move over Mrs. Markham,” any of the “Nunsense” shows, “Les Miserables,” “Life With Mother Superior” and “I Remember Mama.” He says he has the dreams and the visions, but he needs the skilled laborers to build and paint his visions. He established the scholarships to graduating students and began the Golden Square Awards Banquet of February 29th every leap year.
Patti Daisy has been a member of VST since 2000. Her first play was Gaslight Girls. She is currently the historian and has been in three plays. She also helps with the sets and makeup at most of the presentations. Many times, her husband, John, also helps out with set building. Her favorite moments are helping and going to the dinner theatre presentations. Patti currently wokrs at FarnerBocken Company as a customer service rep. She and her husband have two grown sons, 2 daughter-in-laws, and five grandchildren with one on the way.
Marleta Smith has been a board member since October of 2009, although she states she has been a board member since 1986 (from birth). Her first production was Tom Sawyer in 1994 when she was famously trampled by Injun Joe (John Eichhorn) because she was overacting and in the wrong spot. She won her first Golden Square Award for her role in that play. She was a participant in many summer children's theatre plays, high school plays, and a few dinner theatres. Marleta is the resident choreographer and lights and sounds technician. Her fondest VST memory is helping choreograph the Nuncrackers musical with the Sugar Plum Fairy dance and going to see The Lion King at the Civic Center in Des Moines. She currently teaches K-3 Technology and Gifted and Talented at South Central Calhoun Elementary in Rockwell City.
Shelle Kent joined the group in 1990. Her first play was "Me and My Shadow" in 1989. She directed one play, has acted in many, and has helped with finding props, "Smothering" at Children's Theatre, makeip, building sets, and anything else when needed. Her favorite memories have been reprising the role of Mother Superior in the five Nunsense musicals. Shelle is currently the HR/Accounting Assistant at Opportunity Living.
Gayleen Schug joined VST in 1982 and has been the secretary for more than 15 years. Her first play was "Take Your Medicine" in 1982. Gayleen is active in the group by participating in plays, building sets, helping with makeup, helping in the dining room during Dinner Theatre, and just about everything! Her favorite memory was the controversial "nude" scene in "Move Over, Mrs. Markham." She currently works at the Transcription/Buisiness Office at McCrary -Rost Clinic, is a secretary and EMT-B with the Auburn Fire and Rescue, and is a member of the Auburn library board. Gayleen also enjoys being a part of the Schug/Pudenz Hawkeye Tailgating Team!
Lois Smith has been a VST board member since the early 1990's and has been Treasurer since August 1994. Lois prefers working behind the scenes but has graced the stage in four plays. October 2002 had Lois donning a mustache and reading lines from a clipboard when filling in as D. K. Molar, the Devious Dentist , after Ken Hying fell off the stage and broke some ribs only days before opening night. Mostly Lois plays "go-fer" for the director, dining room hostess at dinner theatres or as a "Smother" at children's theatre.
Terry Watters has been a board member since 1994. His first plays was "Virgil's Wedding," and he helps build and tear down sets. Terry's favorite VST memory was scaring the s*** out of Vicki Keonin when he was late for a meeting and ran into a glass sliding door. (He hadn't seen that it was closed.) His current job is the Coordinator of Staff and Resource Development and Community Relations at Opportunity Living. Terry is an original board member of the Capri Theatre and the Calhoun County Community Foundation.