Emily Mueller: Touching People with Theatre
RTG Spotlight
When Emily Mueller was the featured volunteer in 2002, she stated that she loved “the incredible power of theatre to move people as it tells a story.” She says something similar now, 23 years later.
“Theatre is powerful,” she states. “It touches people’s interests and social consciences and funny bones. It’s something that can generate emotions, teach about human nature, and sometimes just plain make you laugh. It’s all magical.”
With a life-long love of theatre, there were times in Emily’s career as a busy lawyer and circuit court judge when she couldn’t do much with the Racine Theatre Guild. Since retiring in 2018, she has had more time to be involved, both on stage and off. She served on the board once 1994 to 2002, and is again on the board of directors, serving as president.
“I was on the board during the COVID shutdown,” Emily remembers. “And it was such a credit to our wonderful volunteers, season ticket holders, patrons, and staff who got us through that painful time. Donations and grants poured in to keep us going. I see the volunteers as a huge part of the success of the RTG. People devote so much time, energy and talent in all areas to put a play on the stage. Like right now, the amazing seamstresses are busy sewing 19th-century costumes for The Importance of Being Earnest. The props crews are searching for period-appropriate props, from tea cups to a cigarette case. The volunteers are absolutely special.”
Emily remembers each show she has been in as being her favorite. She was Mae in The Supporting Cast (2006), Myra in A Bad Year for Tomatoes (2010), Evelyn in 37 Postcards (2014), Aunt Agatha in Jeeves Intervenes (2015), Lydia in Things My Mother Taught Me (2019), Grandma Kurnitz in Lost in Yonkers (2019), and Aunt March in Little Women (2024).
“I will never forget playing Grandma Kurnitz in Lost in Yonkers,” Emily says. “She was such a severe character, so strong and commanding and without humor. I remember Hilda Greenquist playing that role when we first did the play in 1995. And A Bad Year for Tomatoes was just a silly story, with lots of physical comedy – also very fun to be part of. It was always a treat for me to do theatre and play a role very different from the judge that I was in real life.”
Emily takes her role as president of the board of directors very seriously, too. “I am honored to lead the RTG right now, and to focus on the artistic part, as well as the business side and sustainability. We know we have to move with the times and keep community theatre relevant and thriving.”
Playing Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest is a special treat, Emily says. “It is wonderful to have a role that has been played by so many actors throughout the years. I realize that I must be imperious and imposing every time I make an entrance. It is a wonderful cast that I get to play with. Doug is doing a great job of directing, to make sure that everyone sees this as a very funny comedy, not just a classic play. It’s been making people laugh for 130 years!”
And we are grateful that Emily can make us laugh when she is on stage and give us much needed leadership on the board of directors. It may be a “judge”-ment call to say Emily is a very valued volunteer!
