On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Tony Guerrero visits with Ellis County Historical Society Amanda Rupp about Kinderfest on June 13 and auditions for the sesquicentennial heritage play, Josie's Gift.
Submitted
As part of the 2026 Sesquicentennial celebration honoring 150 years of Volga German heritage in Northwest Kansas, the public is invited to take part in a new original heritage play titled Josie’s Gift, written and directed by Cheryl Glassman.
The production will be performed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the Hays High School Performing Arts Center during the community’s Sesquicentennial activities.
Auditions will be held at the Ellis County Historical Society Gallery, 100 W 7th Street in Hays, on the following dates:
· Saturday, May 31 from 2 to 4 p.m.
· Monday, June 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Community members of all experience levels are encouraged to audition. Roles are available for:
· Dancers
• Singers
• Actors
• Singers who also act
· Narrators
Some dancing, similar to a wedding dance, will also be included for actors.
Auditions will include a cold reading from the script, which will be provided at the audition. Those auditioning as singers will also be asked to sing the following verse from America the Beautiful from memory, without accompaniment:
“America, America, God shed His grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”
Josie’s Gift is expected to blend heritage, storytelling, music, and family history into a production celebrating the courage, traditions, sacrifices, and enduring legacy of Ellis County’s Volga German settlers.
The public is invited to attend the final performance free of charge.
For more information, contact Cheryl Glassman at cherglass@yahoo.com.
Auditions will be held at the ECHS Gallery. Participants may enter through the north front door at the top of the stairs or use the south ramp entrance for elevator access if needed.