2013 Staff Update

     Tom Bartelme and Diane Hansen, General co-chairs of Heart-A-Rama have announced recent additions to the all volunteer staff. Wade Marks will be the new set designer and set painter. Marks is a professional graphic artist best known for his album cover designs for indie bands. He also designs t-shirts. His work can be seen at www.ceaserobot.com.

     Kim Kuehnl will long be associated with her enthusiastic portrayal of a beer keg in the annual fund-raiser for the American Heart Association. Beginning with the 2013 production, Kim will head the make-up committee.

      Costume coordination and design will be done by Tiffany Decker. Decker has outfitted casts at both Uw-Manitowoc and UW-Sheboygan. She is also an active member of SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) creating a range of medieval apparel for the group.

     Hundreds of volunteers step up each year to make Heart-A-Rama a reality.  Sara Schuh will be coordinating and scheduling many of the on-site event sales teams. Audiences will recall Sara’s heartfelt presentation at last year’s show in which she spoke of the phenomenal work done at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital to correct her four year-old daughter Rayna’s rare heart disorder.

      The theme for Heart-A-Rama 2013 will be “13” according to the shows co-producers, Bev Denor and Brad Zimmermann. “This was an easy theme to choose and to work with. After all, we only have a year ending in 13 every one hundred years,” Zimmermann explained. The show will feature suspenceful icons such as Alfred Hichcock, a raven, and a host of black cats, along with skits about good luck and bad luck. The producers promise plenty of audience participation, and prizes provided by the Wisconsin division of the American Heart Association. Biff Hansen will MC. He will be joined by his wife, Sheila, for several spirited musical numbers. Ron Stokes, renowned local artist and owner of Gallery East ,has designed the logo for the 2013 poster, notepads, program and commemorative shirts.

     Despite a challenging economy, the work of over 200 volunteers, along with sponsors, advertisers and all who attended, the 2012 six night program raised over $90,000.00. Heart-A-Rama presented The American Heart Association with a check for $82,650.00. A portion of funds raised stay in Manitowoc County. This year, AED’s, automatic external defibrillators, were donated to Healthy Teeth, Healthy Community, Faith Lutheran Church in Valders, and First Reformed United Church of Christ in Manitowoc. The Manitowoc Police Department was given new batteries and pads for a previously donated AED. Non-profit organizations desiring an AED can send requests to Heart-A-Rama’s local funds coordinator, Sally Rasmuson at sally@rasmuson.com,

      Heart-A-Rama 2013 is scheduled for April 25, 26, 27 and May 2, 3, and 4 at the J.E. Hamilton Community House in Two Rivers.