Walter Heinrich

Walter HeinrichBoard Member:

The comedy is the first directing assignment for longtime St. Lucie Community Theatre member Walt Heinrich.
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A big reason for such blissful conditions, say the actors, is director Walt Heinrich.
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"I'm having a great time doing this, and one of the great assets is having somebody like Walt.
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Heinrich, a government and business accounts sales rep for US Cellular, has been with the SLCT for 14 years.He's vice president of the board of directors, set designer, sound technician and the facility groundskeeper.His wife, Beth, (they met during a show at the Barn Theatre in Stuart) runs the SLCT children's theater programs.

Although "Squabbles" is his first attempt at directing, he was pretty sure about the atmosphere he wanted during the nine-week rehearsal process.

"Some people, they go out of their way to cause problems," says Heinrich, who also performs with the Treasure Coast Opera Society.
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"I've been in a few shows where the casts were so compatible," Heinrich explains."Everybody just got along and helped one another.And that's what makes a great show, because everybody has fun.And it reflects to the audience.

"I've been in so many shows, I know what I'm looking for, for a particular character," Heinrich says."And I've seen a lot of directors do a lot of different things.I did things a little bit differently here, because when you're the director you can call the shots.So I did it my own way."

From those who auditioned, Heinrich got his dream cast, including Badiner, a veteran of dozens of community theater shows; Linda Frischer, another longtime performer, last seen in the Barn's "Nunsense II," as mother Mildred; Katherine Horn and Colby Dempsey, ages 22 and 25, respectively, as the harried newlyweds Jerry and Alice; and in smaller parts, Joshua Flores, Pete Caggiano and Patricia Holerger.
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"I try to get along with everybody, and be easy as far as directions and so forth," Heinrich says.

One reason it works is the narration by playwrights Alan Strachan and Benny Green, delivered for this production by St. Lucie Community Theatre president Walt Heinrich.