My memory. There is no possible way I could put even the slightest amount of my memories onto this page. There's so many to choose from.

After moving away from Manitowoc and after finishing my 9th and final year with Quince, I realized that the years I changed the most in my life, I was in Quince. For nearly half of my life, I had been dedicated to a company that brought in so many faces throughout the entire nine years. I was involved with the company from age 12 to 21--All through the awkward teen years, through the tears and the smiles and the inside jokes and the friendships. All through the high school and early college years, I had not only made friendships that would last a lifetime, but aquired skills I will someday use in my profession. If not for Quince, I would not be who I am or where I am today.

Each year holds their own capsules of memories--those which, in not taking up your entire page, I will never be able to summerize. I could go on and on about inside joke after inside joke--but I've realized that while the jokes have changed, the senerio has not--and that is what is most important.

There will always be the inside jokes. There will always be the hilarious incident that happened at rehearsal. There will always be the tears and the meetings to crab about the production. There will always be people who do not get along; People will cause fights. But there will always be people who are your soulmates; People who will be your friends for life.

Everyone's experience with Quince is different. I was brought in by my brother, while others too have siblings or friends or see one of the posters at their school or around town. I couldn't have asked for a better experience with this company. The hardest thing for me to do was to leave two years before my "time" in Quince had to be permanent. I couldn't have asked to end my "Quince career" with a better show, or having met so many amazing people over the years. For my "Why I love Quince Speech," I even had a few Alumni Quincers surprise me (my brother included), along with surprising me at the Producers Reception with memories from the past 9 years. It was amazing. With any other company or group, I would have never expected that. Quince is like family, and always will be. With my departure, I also recieved a PQPC plaque engraved with my name and season years, and my favorite costume that I wore when I played Ruth in "Wonderful Town"--the "Swing" dress, in a large picture frame that now proudly hangs in my bedroom.

Growing up with Quince, I don't know how my life would have been without it. It's all I ever knew--Do my daily routine, go to rehearsal at night, put on a great show at the end of the summer. Repeat for 9 years in a row. I credit Quince for my passion for the theatre and everything involved with it. Sure, I had done shows with other companies, but nothing else I've ever worked with before had let us put on a show by ourselves--and that was an amazing feeling. The best way to learn to do.

I will never let The Dream fade away--because no matter where my life takes me or what I do, there will always be Quince, and I will always have my memories.

Emilee E. Landon
1999 - 2007 (Sun Jan 6 12:37:57 2008)

Ryan I'm sorry that's really not what I meant in my message about dancing with you. You were a great dancing partner.

That would be so cool if you could have another party. They truly mean alot. I know they do for me.

I'd just like to say thank you for all the great memories.

Miss ya all

Missy

Melissa Strutz (Tue Nov 12 20:06:55 2002)

You know, I'm very glad that my parties, etc., had such a great impact on Quince. Perhaps I could convince my parents to hold a reunion party this summer.

But I have a question. Why is it that every time dancing with me is mentioned in someone's memories, "had to" is always involved in the wording? Then asgain, maybe I don't want that question answered.

Ryan Clarksen
1996-2001 (Fri Nov 8 08:31:13 2002)

This past summer was my first year in Quince, and I never dreamed that one summer could change my entire life. I became a quincer because of my love of acting. I went into the auditions just regular old loud Gretchen, and came out of the last show with life long friendships, memories and a new look on life. Quince put me through a lot of crap though I must admit, but it was all worth it when I found myself, my true identity. When I started normal life after this summer nothing was the same. All I could think about was Quince. I thought that after awhile my yearning for the company would subside, but it hasn't. All I can think about is all the wonderful memories of Quince.

Gretchen Klein (Sun Sep 15 18:11:55 2002)

More memories to dream about...Quince has been the dream and experience that all young theater people should do. Even though at times, we may be looked as, as "just a bunch of kids", we're a bunch of "kids" who have had more fun in a summer of theater, then maybe some people have in a year. When I think of Quince, I smile. It makes me proud to say I'm a member of this company. When I think of Quince, I think of the Alumni (or Aloooomni as Neil would say) that I acted with....Ryan Clarksen, Kim (Pare) Clarksen, Travis Bernhardt (my wonderful brother), Sarah Herrman, Kari Wellner, and many, many more...These people make me smile, and bring joy to my heart...They make me proud to say I acted with them, and spent my summer with them, and shared memories that I'll forever be reminded of. All of Ryan's parties, the best in the world. Evil bunny, Truth or Truth, Walking in the woods, swinging on his swing, sumo wrestling, the fat TR cops, fireworks and the "beer" (which was really diet coke) staying up all night with Tom Staskal, Mark Quistof, and Nathan Petrashek, and many many more memories of those nights. I also remember Cast parties, at Sarah Herrman's house (the flood reunion parties, which I did not actualy attend the original FLOOD party), the TV stations, and Dress Weird Nights....Tyler in Drag in "Abner" and "Anything Goes"...I remember practicing in Abner outside in the church parking lot...I remember dancing with my brother Travis, when he was director...I remember painting set, on the capitol stage, and painting myself in so there was paint all around me and I couldnt get off of the eight foot platform in "High Society"...The list goes on, in my summer experiences with Quince. Quince is a dream; A dream that all theater people have. To "run" the place, to have a say in what goes on, to MAKE a great show. This is what Quince means to me, and my memories will last forever. Thanks to everyone who has been a part of the cast, crew, pit, supports, and even the audiences that have came to see the work that "a bunch of kids" did. Quince is an amazing thing.

Emilee Landon
1999,2000,2001,2002, and more. (Tue Jul 9 22:46:34 2002)

Does anyone else remember watching the moon landing on a tiny black and white television at one of the rehearsals for "The Unsinkable Molly Brown?"

Peggy Coombs Turnbull
  (Tue Jul 9 13:14:33 2002)

being a techie was the greatest experience of my life. here are some individual memories...
to ty-watch that last step at army's
norah-tdtf
fuzzy-everything man, from the hole (you know what i'm talking about) to everything that happened in that possibly half hour between the show and that cast party last year
adam-keep your shirt on
ed-your "deflowering" at a certain gentlemen's establishment
cari-only the first year i was in, sorry to burst your bubble
naomi-taking in the sights under the platform, fuzzy knows what i'm talking about here
all the techies-the headset always has been, and always will be... a toy
wow...there's too many to remember, but in true techie style, non that can be listed on this page. TECHIES FOREVER!!!

DCFN Andrew James Suggitt
2000 - 2001  (Mon May 27 23:44:15 2002)

Like everyone else I don't know where to start. I remember my first year in quince, I just remember I almost wasn't going to be in it. I was forced to audition by my sister Jamie, she came home and told me that they were holding an extra day of auditions because they needed more people so my mom practically forced me and I'm very glad she did that. When I went to the audition I was very nervous, I was shaking. When I found out that I made it and not just in the chorus I actually had a character and had lines I was so shocked. I remember Naomi and Norah being tenors, and I remember when I had to dance with Ryan during "Dog Patch". I was kind of nervouse when I had to dance with him because it was only my first year but since everyone is so nice it doesn't really matter becuase they all have been through what you are experiencing. I can not pick out one favorite memory, because their are to many to choose from. But one that sticks out for "Abner" is dress weird night. Levi dressing up as a mime, Araon in a dress, Ryan in fish-net stockings and so on. During "Anything Goes" was Ryan's party. We played truth or truth. It was so much fun, after we were done playing that game it was like we were all bonded together as one person, almost everyone was crying I know I was. And now from last year, I loved walking on the peir at night after rehersals, and of course Ryan's party sumo wrestling it's so sad that he's not going to be there next year.

Thanks to quince I'm not as shy, for everyone who know's me I'm a very shy person but since I started acting I have opened up more and am not as shy. I met most of my best friends in Quince, Kim, Ryan, Travis, Sarah, Kari and the list goes on. I am just thankful that I had the oppurtunity and if you ever have a chance to do quince go for it because it will be the chance of a lifetime.

Melissa Strutz
1999,2000,2001 (Fri May 10 22:46:49 2002)

I am so glad to see the comments from new Quincers. I remember my first kiss, on the steps outside of a Quince rehearsal. Quince was my freedom, my place to grow up and explore who I was and who I would become. I use the skills I gained from being a part of Quince everyday of my life. There is no doubt that a youth driven production is valuable and one of the things that make Manitowoc a special place to live.

Sherri Waid
1977-1979 (Wed May 1 18:49:10 2002)

Being in Quince was such a wonderful experience originally I didn't want to stay in it but I did cause that's what my sister Jennifer would have wanted she died in 1993 and was to be producer for Damn Yankees.  That year meant so much to me in Quince because the show was dedicated to her.  Quince gives the young people of Manitowoc a chance to prove themselves not just as actors but as responsible individuals who look out for one another as a family.

Paul Brodtke
1992-1996 (Thu Mar 21 13:59:19 2002)

Reading through the memories recorded, I can see that the spirit if Quince hasn't changed in the least. Believe me when I say that these memories will remain dear to you your whole life. It simply was a special time -- no other organization I have joined since has even come close. I think it's due to the fact that it is totally run by kids, so you just *know* in your heart it is "your company". This causes a tremendous pride, and something you will always hold dear. The friendships are closer, the work is taken more seriously, the parties are wilder... need I say more?

On a light note, the first thing I think of pertaining to any Quince function is "is the Reaper gonna get me?" An inside joke only the very old will remember...

The biggest thing I remember about my OWN on-stage predicaments were: Opening night of "Oliver!" having my long dress catch on a nail in the platform Linda Krause and I were walking on, causing me to fall off the 8 foot tall platform and landing center stage, still holding my umbrella, looking much like Mary Poppins. Linda covered it well by saying "guess she's been nipping the gin" or something to that effect.

(And actually having to shower and wash my hair onstage for "South Pacific" while singing "I'm gonna wash that man right out'a my hair" was a rather nerve-wracking experience in itself! That summer was a constant diet! At least I was thin for my wedding a week later!)

Lori Bugenhagen Flores
1971 - 1977 (Sat Jan 12 17:14:17 2002)

I remember last summer during the production of "High Society" when there was a cast party at Ryan's house. I remember all the people that got dressed up in the sumo suits and fought. That was great fun. I also remember getting lost in the woods around 3:00 in the morning and we ended up like 5 blocks away. That was fun:)

Jennifer Wilson
2001  (Wed Nov 21 10:48:12 2001)

Quince is so much fun. I just can't explain how much i've learned from it. I'm going on my fourth season and i'm starting to think about what it's going to be like when i have to leave in 4 years. I don't want to picture my summers without quince. Not only do you learn a lot of valuable things by being in this company, you also learn the meaning of true friendship. It will be hard to leave, but hey I'm not gone yet. I fully intend to enjoy my last few years in quince. My only regret is that i didn't join quince as soon as i turned 12. But still, my head is full of so many memories. Both happy and sad. Who could forget when tyler showed up in drag for dress weird night during "Abner". Evil bunny will forever be immortalized because quincers have great memories when it comes to things like that. "Las Vegas??" that great line from "Abner" that sounded like those salsa commercerials no matter how much Travis tried to get us to not say it like that. "And now its raining" but no actual rain. Ryan's last party when i sumo wrestled mackenzie and beat her. Ryan's party where mackenzie and i talked for 2 hours without even knowing it. "Are those fireworks yours?" "They could be." "Are you all 21 here?" man TR cops are so stupid. Playing truth or truth at Ryan's party during Anything Goes. I could go on and on. So could anyone that has been in quince. I know that i never will forget my time in quince for as long as i live. Let the dream live on!!

Jamie Strutz
1999,2000,2001 (Wed Nov 28 21:46:41 2001)

Nothing printable yet...I have to think about it. It was a great time for making friends. I worked on the publicity for Guys & Dolls and raised a lot of money! I have told friends about my Peter Quince days to this day...and can add more later! We had great parties!

Elizabeth Fodden Gordon
1969 - ? (Thu Aug 2 18:58:09 2001)

Quince memories...where to start. There have been so many and they are all wonderful. If I had to choose a top ten I wold sit and think forever, and never decide. Quince is something very special to me. I remember the first day Naomi called me and said they needed guys. I had never heard of Quince before but after the first day, how could I forget. I remember everyone just being so nice and open and willing to help me out. I made so many friends and I really came out of my little shell. When I think of Quince I remember smiles and laughter and good friends that I would always help out when needed. In my years Quince had pulled me back every year. There is something magical about Quince, something that remains in your heart forever.

Neil Schneider
1999-2001 (Wed Jun 6 12:33:10 2001)

Quince brings lots of memories to mind. Some being Tyler, need I say more!, Perkins, Ryan's Parties, the Thong Song, Sarah's party and chasing ghosts! I have to say that was one of my favorites! And definatly, my favorite, getting lost in Newton, or Cleveland, Wherever we were! With Naomi! Not to mention that we almost got lost going to Kwik Trip!

Quince has changed my life. I've learned so many new things about theater, acting, dancing, singing, and friendship. In Quince you actually learn the amount of work that it takes to put together a show, you go through tough times and really exciting times! I've learned a lot about responsibility. If one person doesn't get something done, it can affect the whole show, and the only way I learned that is by being a part of it. Quince is the only theater company that gives kids the opportunity to go behind the scenes and take on positions that in most theater groups are done by adults. The best way to learn is hands on!

I've also met a lot of great friends who I miss when we are not in the show and enjoy getting together with. I look up to a lot of people because of performing and just because of who they are... Kim, Ryan, Kari, Travis, and Marsha. They have always been there for me even if I've just met them.

Quince will always mean something to me and I will never forget all the great things it has done for me! Let's keep this company going!

In the Spirit,
Mackenzie M. Herzog

Mackenzie
1999 - 2001 (Wed May 23 18:56:42 2001)

Hi it's me again! I just wanted to add some new thoughts on Quince. Quince has changed my life. I've learned so many new things about theater, acting, dancing, singing, and friendship. In Quince you actually learn the amount of work that it takes to put together a show, you go through tough times and really exciting times! I've learned alot about responsiblity. If one person doesn't get something done, it can affect the whole show, and the only way I learned that is by being a part of it. Quince is the only theater company that gives kids the opportunity to go behind the scenes and take on positions that in most theater groups are done by adults. The best way to learn is hands on!

I've also met alot of great friends who I miss when we are not in the show and enjoy getting together with. I look up to alot of people because of performing and just because of who they are... Kim, Ryan, Kari, Travis, and Marsha. They have always been there for me even if I've just met them.

Quince will always mean something to me and I will never forget all the great things it has done for me! Let's keep this company going!

In the Spirit,
Mackenzie M. Herzog

Mackenzie
1999, 2000, 2001 (Wed May 23 18:56:42 2001)

I know I haven't been in Quince as long as some people have, but it doesn't mean it isn't important to me. My favorite memory of PQPC is Ryan's cast party during the "Anything Goes" party. At his party, we lit off fireworks and the fat TR cops came. [Not meant to offend anybody] They asked us, "Are those your fireworks?" "Well they could be." answered Kari as we all laughed. Fortunately we didn't get in any trouble. Times like these you know you've discovered true friends, not just fellow actors. Because the people you are with are you friends, it is much easier to feel at home when you're acting with them. Thank-you Quincers for giving me great memories which will stay with me forever! :o)

Heather Nonnemacher
1999-2001 (Tue Jan 2 16:33:58 2001)

I can hardly begin to tell any of you how much quince means to me!! I remember being at Smile Practices with my sister, even before i was old enough to join!!! I also remember being at my first practice of my first quince show, and being SO scared 'casue my sister (who was the choral director) got up in front of everyone and said "this is my little sister, if you mess with her I'll kick you A**." I was afraid to be in Cinderella... alone with no Rachel to help me out...but I had the most fun of my entire life during that show!!! I meet friends who i still have today, and 2 children...lol. I can't single out a certain memory and tell you it was the best, but I can tell you that so many people from this company have changed the way I live my life...for good and bad. And of course I have to say it has been nice to have "big Brother" to look over me...thanks Ryan!

Naomi
1996 - 2001 (Sun Dec 31 11:23:21 2000)

Being elected the first female technical director for the company in 1980 for Oklahoma. Then doing it again in 1981 for Carousel. Being a Quincer has always been a very special part of my life - and I still live by the phrase "You Gotta Believe".

Kathy Buxbaum-Williams
1977-1981 (Thu Dec 28 10:48:24 2000)

I would just like to say, Quince has changed my life. For me it is hard to imagine, looking back at last summer, that half way through the summer I didn't want to continue in Quince anymore.

Now, Quince is the greatest thing in my life. Through Quince I have met some totally awesome people, and made alot of new friendships. Quince opened me up, and took me out of my calm shell.

Some of my best momories come from Quince. I mean now, when ever I walk into the Green Room at the Capitol, I think of Adam, "just trying to take a nap", and then there is the famous picture of Burt Backarat(i know i can't spell). I wasn't able to go to Ryan's party last year, so I don't have any memories from that. But I have so many memories from Perkins.

Quince has forever changed my life for the better! Thanks to everyone that had the dream, everyone who has the dream, and Have Fun, to all that the dream will touch!

Love, Happiness, and Quince!

Kirsten Leifer
2000, 2001 (Thu Dec 28 16:59:33 2000)

I can't even begin to start to commence telling of my favorite memories from Quince - but I will anyway. Adam getting stuck under the bar was an instant classic. (Your welcome, Adam, for bringing everyone to see that!) Let's see, I'm trying to dig a little here into the actual past. How about set design with Legos? That's a good one. Or late nights at the Kitchen. Hmmm, what about the fact that I only dropped Norah because she jumped while I wasn't looking? Gotta love the traditional Weyenberg Party. And then, of course, Heather always getting the parts that had to change on stage. Coincidence - or something more???

Ryan Clarksen
1996-2001 (Tue Dec 12 12:36:27 2000)

Most people in this city think of children's theatre as something that doesn't require any attention from adults, that it's "just kids". Well in Quince it is just kids, and it's just kids doing everything from working the fly system to designing the costumes. It's wonderful because it doesn't make the performance or company any worse then an adult production. Actually, the experience of Quince helps you learn to be responsible and still lets you have fun. Something magical happens when you join PQPC, and like everybody else says, it keeps drawing you back. Basically all the events and people that made me feel this way are my favorite memories about Quince. Without it i wouldn't have met two of my good friends, adam and cari and i wouldn't look up to some of the who i look up to now, like Ryan and Kim and Travis. I'd sure miss all that fun in the dressing room with my other angels too! And that time when adam got stuck under the bar in the greenroom, hehe. (sorry h! on, i had to) I guess what I'm trying to say is that the little memories of Peter Quince are so cherished that the company and the experience become one whole memory itself... even after only one season.

Angela Ferlo
2000 - 2001 (Fri Dec 1 21:28:03 2000)

I remember good times at the Max. I remember not having a dance partner in Cinderella until tech week so Ryan had to be my partner...he dropped me when he was supposed to catch me. Numerous times, thank you. I remember Evil Bunny (thanks, Emily...love reliving the Evil Bunny thing) during Lil' Abner. Or how about running through the cornfield at Ryan's party during Cinderella...or playing Pit and Egyptian Ratscrew at Perkins. Kelly and the bat at the church. Kelly and the bat at the Capitol. The Dance Nazi (Naomi, we started a VERY bad Quince tradition there)...the Music Nazi, all the other various Nazis. Naomi and I having Justin's babies. Being one of the few people in the company left who is actuing friends with Jason Myatt. Playing spin the bottle at Perkins. Corrupting young people. Being on headset during Anything Goes...and having the pit hear EVERYTHING we said. Including what Adam and Suggitt and Ty said about me. I could list a hundred reaso! ns why I love Quince (and if you want, I'll send you the 101 reasons why I love Quince...there are 101 reasons for each season I've been in it...so i guess that's 404 reasons)-- these are just the start. I love everyone in Quince...I can't imagine being who I am today without all of you. Thank all of you for giving me some of the greatest times of my life.

Norah Olga Rose Mary Fox
1997 - ? (Fri Dec 1 10:39:37 2000)

I started quince as a 13 year old boy. I hid back stage and did some little things. Even doing that, I felt like I was part of a whole. Now, I feel even better, seeing something that I helped to create take form into something greater. Thank you everyone.

Adam Arndt
1995, 1999, 2000 (Fri Dec 1 10:39:37 2000)

Ok...does everyone remember the time that i got REALLY tired...and decided to crawl under the bar!?!?!? A 6' 3" guy...stuck under a bar...everyone...look...point and laugh!!!

Adam Arndt
ahh...just add one (Fri Dec 1 02:44:48 2000)

Quince brings lots of memories to mind. Some being Tyler, need I say more!, Perkins, Ryan's Parties, the Thong Song, Sarah's party and chasing ghosts! I have to say that was one of my favorites! And definatly, my favorite, getting lost in Newton, or Cleveland, Wherever we were! With Naomi! Not to mention that we almost got lost going to Kwik Trip!

Mackenzie Herzog
1999,2000 (Sat Oct 14 13:53:44 2000)

Quince is certainly a company like none of the rest. I've been in shows with other local theatre groups and none of them made me feel so sad yet so happy. Some of my most favorite times have been with quince. One thing that is fairly memorable to me is when I stepped on Naomi's foot the night before opening night. She had to go to the hospital for it and everything(I'm still sorry about that Naomi). And yet she forgave me. People in quince have a certain bond with each other. I just can't explain it. All Quincers, let the dream live on.

Jamie Strutz
1999,2000 (Mon Sep 11 14:19:52 2000)

I have also had so many wonderful memories...Some of them are Evil Bunny, Ryan's party, the many cast parties, and getting to know my brother, Travis Bernhardt, and his fiancè Sarah Herrman, so well. Also, I have made so many new friends! I have only been in 2 Quince shows, and it does so much to you. Thank you all, and let the dream live on.

Emily Landon
1999, 2000 (Sat Aug 26 12:05:20 2000)

There are so many memories, I would take up to much space to list them all. The foot getting run over by a car thing. Meeting my fiance Sarah. And the very memorable parties at Ryan's house. Thanks for all the memories.

Travis Bernhardt
2000,1999,1998,1996 (Sat Jul 29 17:25:51 2000)