Follow along with Julie Ann Seidl- Producer, Director and Choreographer of SJCA's Newsies: the Musical- as she details her inspiring journey in the world of theatre, showcasing her love, resilience, and dedication.
Beginning at St. Joseph High School in 1983 and culminating in one of the most successful musical theatre programs in Kenosha, Julie's commitment to nurturing young talent shines through. Her unwavering belief in the transformative power of theatre for children's self-esteem and development is a consistent theme as she navigates through challenges and successes. Overall, Julie's story demonstrates the profound influence one person can have on generations of young performers through passion, hard work, and the connections forged on the stage.
It was 1983, and the only theatre in Kenosha was at St. Joseph High School. My best friend, Scott Seidl, and I walked into the shoes of a legacy: Mr. Ken Miller. I was coming in on the heels of "Can Can."
My first Broadway show was in 1983, "Dames at Sea." St. Joe's Theatre became my home for the next 18 years. I found myself 27 Broadway shows and ten touring shows later, with probably over 2,000 students, thinking, "Gee, I have no retirement!"
While directing and producing was my passion, I told myself I needed to stop playing at what I loved and get a real job. And a real job I got- with Lincoln Middle School Physical Education; 80 kids in a gym and two teachers! And hey, let's open a Dance Studio, coach gymnastics, study dance with Dance Masters in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and still have eight hours a week to get your Masters in education, all while still directing shows at St. Joseph High School! Yes, a bit overwhelming. So, I literally cried and left St. Joe's for 18 years.
I continued my studies through those 18 years but was so traumatized by leaving that I couldn't even drive by 23rd Avenue. I did meet a lifetime friend, Kristin Stone, at Lincoln who taught music. Together we developed the first Kenosha Unified Theatre Program for Middle Schools with its home base at Lincoln Middle School. Ten years later, we felt we could affect more kids if we had our own theatre, so we collaborated and created The Children’s Theatre Academy. Time went by quickly doing four shows a year along with teaching at Lincoln.
Then came Molly Ryan.
Then the Director of Admissions at SJCA, Molly was bound and determined to bring me back to St. Joe's. Every year for three years she would ask me, "So Julie, would you consider coming back to St. Joe's?" I would always say no (with a lump in my throat). Deep down inside I was scared. I was so hurt when I had to leave, I was afraid it would never be the same as when I left. I had such loving happy memories of that family for much of my life.
I finally came to terms with my emotions and realized I was grieving. And so when the third year arrived and she asked, I told her "yes!" I am so grateful to her for being persistent. I returned to find that smell of sawdust and theatre paint, the shiny marble hallways, the warm faces in the office, the kids in uniform with manners I didn't encounter much in the last 15 years, and the parents. Those wonderful parents who had expectations and goals for their children, parents who supported me any way they could. The memories flooded my heart. Yes, God places us in the perfect places at the perfect times, ALWAYS.
There was one thing different for sure. My former students were now the parents who had become my dearest friends and helped me begin bringing my program back. I returned, and it is now 2019 and Shrek! WOW! I was blessed with an amazing team (of course many of my former students!) and a school who was giving us that never-ending support.
Beauty and the Beast came, and so did Covid. We were shut down on opening night. It was devastating, however, we came back with Annie and have been growing ever since. So I can say a total of 25 years of my life have been lovingly and happily spent here in this building; different families joining the ongoing community with everyone having the same intention, wanting their children to succeed. I hold in my heart what a great woman told me when I first began teaching 40 years ago, "It’s all about the kids." Thank you for the guidance, Ms. Pauline McTernan!
So I am asked where did I learn to do what I do? Well, I learned theatre doing what I love, "Theatre." I do not have a theatre degree. The more theatre I did, however, the more I learned, and the kids learned along with me. They taught me, and I taught them. They still do!
My experience at St. Joe's Theatre is a lot like Joseph’s Coat! It is very colorful, full of love, friendships, and families. It is one of my life's foundations. In order to keep this foundation grounded and growing, I need to move forward and set goals with a positive intention. My intention has been to have the theatre touch a part of each child's soul and give them a feeling of self-worth and accomplishment. I want them to experience this for at least one moment, so they can take that feeling with themselves forever in their mind and heart. I know if they can experience just one of these moments; years later, after they have seemingly forgotten that moment; they can walk into a theatre, any theatre, and breathe in that smell, that rush of sawdust and paint that will transport them back in time to that perfect moment of self-worth and accomplishment. Once again, my intention will be accomplished. And the learning goes on.
God has blessed me all these years; I am so grateful. My career began and exists with the love and support of my family and friends, many of them former students working side by side with me producing numerous shows. They would move on with their careers, and yet another team would form.
Today I have another great team, perhaps the best yet, which would be apropos since we are producing the best show of my career for a couple of reasons. It just so happens to be my favorite Broadway/Movie Musical, starring an extraordinary cast and crew! Those who come to this show will be able to sense and experience the bruises, blood, sweat, and literal tears (and pride) emanating from these kids on stage and backstage.
I thank God for blessing me with this talent to give these kids their glory.
Respectfully,
Julie Ann Seidl
Julie Ann Seidl is a teacher of forty five years. Her accomplishments and accolades include: Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Health from Carthage College, Master of Education and Curriculum from National Louis University. Dance Studies include: Giordano Dance Center Chicago, Dance Master at Broadway Dance Center New York City, Dance Master at Tremaine Dance in Los Angeles. Julie Ann was the Owner and Founder of SASS Productions Inc. and has Produced, Directed and Choreographed at Children’s Theatre Academy, Lincoln Performing Arts, St. Joseph Catholic Academy, and has freelanced in Chicago, Milwaukee, New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas. She is currently retired from teaching Physical Education and is the resident Fine Arts Director at St. Joseph Catholic Academy.
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