🎭 CSJ Newsletter – December 2025
A Note from Jaime
As we wrap up the year, I want to thank everyone who came out to support any of our 2025 productions: Escanaba in da Moonlight, The Bold, Brave, and Beautiful 2 Cabaret, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Full Monty, and our Youth Theatre productions of Metaphasia and Young Sherlock. Whether you were in the audience, volunteering, performing, or working behind the scenes, your support helped these shows thrive.
It has been a full, vibrant season of storytelling – one that showcased local talent, welcomed new faces, and highlighted the strength of our community. Thank you for showing up, cheering us on, and helping make 2025 a year to celebrate for CSJ.
This month’s Member Spotlight highlights longtime CSJ contributor Ellen Yoakam, whose behind-the-scenes work has supported countless productions.
We’re also entering an exciting stretch for CSJ with casting for The Play That Goes Wrong underway and director applications open for our Spring Cabaret at Sandhill Crane. We are looking forward to seeing the ideas and creativity that come in this month.
Finally, our Annual Meeting & Board Elections take place December 10 at Sandhill Crane Vineyards. This is an important gathering for our membership, and I hope you’ll join us as we look back on the year and plan ahead.
Thank you for being part of CSJ. We look forward to seeing where we go in 2026!
Jaime Lawrence, CSJ Newsletter Editor
Member Spotlight: Ellen Yoakam
If you’ve interacted with CSJ’s costumes, props, or backstage spaces, you’ve likely experienced the impact of Ellen Yoakam. Ellen manages our costume collection, organizes props, and often helps backstage during productions – bringing organization, consistency, and care to the work she does.
Her theatre path began when she volunteered on a production of Our Town in California and unexpectedly found herself stepping into the costumer role. Since then, Ellen has contributed to productions, events, and committees with the same calm dedication she’s known for today.
We are grateful for Ellen’s ongoing work and for the steady hand she provides to our organization. She is an invaluable member of CSJ.
READ ELLEN’S FULL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT HERE
Youth Theatre – Young Sherlock Thank You
Thank you to everyone who supported our Youth Theatre production of Young Sherlock. Our cast, crew, parents, and volunteers put significant time and care into this show, and the positive audience response made the weekend memorable. We appreciate this community’s continued support of youth theatre.
Readers Theatre (Old Time Radio Show) – Leadership Update
CSJ’s Readers Theatre – also known as the Old Time Radio Show – has offered several staged readings each year and continues to welcome new performers at auditions.
After ten years of leadership, Ann Green and Chuck Thor will be stepping down at the end of 2025. We are grateful for their steady commitment and the opportunities they’ve created for our community.
Beginning in 2026, Dion Ojan and Alexandra Cash will take over the program. They look forward to continuing the tradition and inviting even more performers to get involved. More details and audition announcements will be shared in the new year.
Call for Directors – Spring Cabaret at Sandhill Crane Vineyards
Director applications are open through December 31 at midnight.
We invite both experienced and new directors to submit their ideas. Performance Dates: April 2026 (exact dates TBD)
The Play That Goes Wrong – Show Information & Auditions
Performance Dates: February 20-22 & 27-March 1, 2026
Director: Diego Febres-Cordero
This comedic show follows the Cornley Drama Society’s attempt to stage The Murder at Haversham Manor, where nearly everything that could go wrong does – creating a night of fast-paced, chaotic comedy.
We are so excited about our cast announcement:
Cesarre Perrin – Trevor
Katherine Sayles – Annie
Jack Lennox – Robert/Thomas Colleymoore
Danielle Allore-Taylor – Denise/Perkins
Savannah Bruton – Sandra/Florence Colleymoore
Jesse Gerrild – Max/Cecil Haversham
Josh Lightner – Jonathan/Charles Haversham
Wyatt Wesley – Chris/Inspector Carter
Matt Sneyd – Coarse Spot Operator/Crew
Daryth Lennox – Coarse Crew
Moira Madden – Coarse Crew
Austin Petrie – Coarse Crew
Thank You – Downtown Christmas Parade
Thank you to the CSJ participants who joined us for the Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade. It was a joyful night full of community spirit, and we appreciate everyone who helped represent CSJ.
Annual Meeting & Board Elections
Wednesday, December 10 at 6 PM at Sandhill Crane Vineyards
This is an opportunity to take part in board elections, hear organizational updates, and participate in CSJ’s direction for the coming year.
Reminders
- Nominations and membership were due November 1
- Voting takes place in person
- Absentee ballots available November 20–December 9
Request one at admin@centerstagejackson.org
Thank you for supporting community theatre and taking part in the process.
Looking Ahead to 2026
We hope you’ll join us in 2026 for an exciting season of productions, including The Play That Goes Wrong in February, Youth Theatre’s Twinderella in March, the Spring Cabaret in April, Disaster! in June, and The Wizard of Oz in October.
As we prepare for this lineup, we’re looking for people interested in every part of the theatre experience – performers, backstage support, lighting and sound, tech crews, set builders, and those who want to lend their skills on committees or help shape the future of CSJ. There is a place for you here, whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time.
Take a look at the season graphic for details and stay connected for audition announcements and volunteer opportunities. Together, we can make 2026 an incredible year for community theatre in Jackson. 
