Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 27, 2015, Page 10

The sisters are getting ready to entertain you at this year's Princess Gala Saturday, August 29 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 at 2 p.m.

The Gala is the annual fund raiser for operation of the Princess Theater in Mount Ayr.

The show, "Re-Nuns: The Sisters are Back," features songs from the 60s and includes songs like "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound of Music."

The cast includes Deb Larson, Martha Landphair, Pam Poore, Shaun Kniep and Camille Jackson.

Deb Larson plays Mother Mary Elizabeth. She got involved in the Moonlighter productions in 1990. She was Marian the librarian in "The Music Man," the Good Witch Glenda in "The Wizard of Oz," and Miss Hannigan in "Annie." She owns The Insurance Station in Mount Ayr and is married to Tom who has farmed here with his brother John in Ringgold County for many years. They have two children, Traci and Angela and three grandchildren.

Martha Landphair plays Sister Mary Sue, the mistress of the novices. She is a retired elementary music teacher and instructor at Mount Ayr Community School. Her spring and Christmas concerts were enjoyed by all. Martha and her husband Ron enjoy the theater and have volunteered countless hours in construction and operation. It all began when the Moonlighter's Theater organization wanted to regroup and start performing plays 20 years ago, and Martha was chosen for Sister Hubert. Since then she has worn many hats for the Moonlighters and is serving now on the Princess board. Martha and Ron have two children, Ronnie and Nicole and four grandchildren.

Pam Poore plays Sister Mary June, the hip-hop dance instructor. Pam works at City Hall as the city clerk. She is married to Clint and has three children, Caine, Callie and Braydee. Twenty years ago when Moonlighters reorganized and performed "Nunsense," cast as Sister Mary Leo. Through the years she has appeared in numerous Moonlighter productions with the "Nunsense" series among her favorites. Other productions include "Farmer Song," "Steel Magnolias" and the female version of "The Odd Couple." She is also a vital part of the Princess Theater board.

Shaun Kneip is Sister Mary Margaret, the drama instructor (surprise). Shaun Kneip is an English high school teacher and director of the Mount Ayr Community High School drama productions. She has twin girls in the fifth grade, Jillian and Tessa. Her husband Clint is an engineer with Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad out of Creston. Through the years Shaun has appeared in numerous Moonlighters productions, such as "Smoke on the Mountain," "Music Man," "Nunsense Jamboree," "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" and more. The Princess Theater holds a special place in her heart, and she is thrilled to be on the Princess board planning to ensure the same movie memories for her children.

Camille Jackson plays Sister Mary Constance. She is a retired teacher new to the entertaining troop. Camille has enjoyed a life-time of making music. She presently serves as Ringgold Singers' director and has been a member since 1969. She appeared with her family in the first Princess Gala and was the musical director for last year's production of "Nunsense." A lifelong educator, Camille has been a teacher, principal at Grand Valley of Kellerton and superintendent at Clearfield. She enjoys living on the farm with husband Dick. They have two children, Racinda and Randy, and five grandchildren.

The sisters and the Princess Theater board invite everyone to support your local theater and come and enjoy the show!

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 03, 2015, Pages 1 & 8

These nuns have a 'habit' of entertaining

"The Nuns" entertained audiences over the weekend during the Princess Theater Gala, the annual fundraiser for the non-profit theater.

Pictured during the performance are (L-R) Shaun Kniep, Martha Landphair, Deb Larson, Camille Jackson and Pam Poore.

Bell choir performs at Princess Gala

[Page 8] Besides performances by "The Nuns," the Princess Gala also featured three numbers by a children's bell choir. The bell choir, directed by Melissa Friedrich and Nina Dugan, included (L-R) Ashlyn Byer, Tatum Friedrich, Isac Digan, Lacey Weeda, Drew Graham, Tate Dugan, Tate Schaefer, Dylan Graham, Alba Friedrich, Natalie Schaefer, Tessa Kneip and Jullian Kniep.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2015