Unsung Hero - Jennifer Rombalski Youth Program Producer Extraordinaire

What do you do as producer for the summer teen camp?

Being producer of the summer program is equal to juggling many balls, all at the same time. As producer, I handle all the business and organization sides of the project. I help with schedules, ordering t-shirts, attendance, organizing the strike and cast party, and am the contact person between the project and the box office, parents, and participants. In addition, I also help with auditions, costumes, set, props, and helping the participants in anyway I can. These more creative jobs are my favorite of the summer.

When did you get involved with CLT?

I first became involved with CLT in 2010, when my daughter was in Willy Wonka, Jr.

Have you done any other positions at CLT?

I have been co-chair of hospitality, volunteered as an usher and house manager. I have run the light board for one show and assisted with sound for another. I have also been the props person for two shows. In addition, I have acted in two shows, something I never thought I would ever do.

After being producer for the past few years, what have you really enjoyed and what would you say can be a challenge when working with teenagers?

My favorite part of being producer is seeing the dedication and growth of our participants over the span of the camp and across the years as many of our participants come back year after year. To sit in the dark and watch the audience react to the final shows always makes me emotional because I am amazed by and proud of the shows each year. Although I was hesitant to switch from the youth program to the teens (I teach kindergarten in my other life so I was scared of the big kids), I have come to love working with the teens. I can’t think of a challenge that is even worth mentioning as the positives far outweighed any minor challenges we may have had.

What’s a show you’ve enjoyed working on and what’s one that you loved seeing?

There are so many shows that I have enjoyed working on. It’s difficult to pick just one. If I have to choose, though, I would say my first and last shows, Once on this Island and Anything Goes would be two of my favorite. I have also loved watching many, many shows at CLT but Aida and Adams Family are two of my absolute favorite.

What’s your life like outside of the theatre?

Outside of the theater, I am busy with my husband Chad and my children Jillian and Ethan. I am a kindergarten teacher and have been teaching for 20 years. My family and I enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, snowmobiling, and watching movies together. My husband and I also spend a lot of time being involved in all of our children’s varied activities.

If you could only listen to one musical soundtrack for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Wicked because the music is amazing. I get chills just listening to it.

How has CLT affected your life?

CLT has opened a whole new world for me and my family. I didn’t grow up in the theater community. I only became involved with the theater when my children started doing shows. The creativity, determination, pride, and friendships I have developed through CLT are something I will treasure for the rest of my life. By being involved at CLT, I have learned to do things I never even thought I would even want to do. I have met the most amazing people and opened my life to new experiences that made our world a little bigger, more creative, and better in so many ways.

Why do you think community theatre is an asset to our communities?

Community theater is an asset to our communities because of the opportunities it provides to everyone involved, from the volunteers to the patrons. It allows the actors and crew to be creative while giving the audience experiences they may never have had without community theater. Just as it did for me, community theater opens and enriches the lives of everyone involved whether they are acting, directing, dancing, producing or watching a show.