Lynn Venhaus (Co-Director) lives for art. Founder and executive director of Brass Rail Players, she is on the board of Arts For Life (St. Louis area community theaters) and the Belleville Philharmonic Society. A member of St. Louis Film Critics Association, she serves on jury panels for the Filmmakers Showcase and St. Louis International Film Festival, and is an usher at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director highlights include: "Nunsense," Monroe Actors Stage Company (Arts for Life Best Musical - Small Ensemble winner 2009, best director nominee, and MASC Patrons’ Choice Award for Favorite Show); Clinton County Showcase (patrons’ award-winning "West Side Story" and "Fiddler on the Roof"; "Anything Goes" at Mater Dei High School; and "The Wedding Singer" for BRP. She’s also directed at Kaskaskia College, and will direct the Alan Ball comedy "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" at STLCC-Forest Park next winter.
Favorite roles include Lenya in Neil Simon’s "Fools," M’Lynn in "Steel Magnolias," Penny and Grand Duchess in "You Can’t Take It With You," a Meyersville townsfolk in "The Flood," and in "The Vagina Monologues" for a BRP-Violence Prevention Center benefit.
She works in community relations at STLCC, is an adjunct communications instructor, and a freelance writer for Belleville News-Democrat. She is proud mama to two grown sons, Tim and Charlie. She is grateful to work with this "Guys and Dolls" cast and crew, such talented and dedicated women on the production team! |
| Lynn Zipfel Venhaus dedicates tonight to her late mother, Rosemary, who survived abuse, raised Àve college graduates, and was the brav- est, most optimistic woman she’s ever known. Lynn works in community re- lations and as an adjunct instructor at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. In her spare time, she lives for art. She is the founder and executive director of Brass Rail Players, and is having a blast directing “Guys and Dolls” this summer. She is on the board of directors of Arts For Life (St. Louis area community theaters) and the Belleville Philharmonic Society. Active in the St. Louis Film Critics Association, she writes entertainment reviews and articles as a freelance writer for the Belleville News-Democrat. She is the proud mother of two grown sons, Tim and Charlie, the lights of her life. |
| Lynn Venhaus (Director): Ever since she organized neighbor kids for “Cinderella” in her Belleville backyard at age 7, Lynn’s been putting on shows. Minor in theater, major in mass communications at Illinois State University, she’s been writing for area newspapers for 30+ years; currently on communications staff and adjunct faculty at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. Active member St. Louis Film Critics Association, serves on jury for St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase, and new to Belleville Philharmonic board of directors. Director highlights: “Nunsense,” Monroe Actors Stage Company (St. Louis’ Arts for Life Best Musical - Small Ensemble winner 2009 and MASC Patrons’ Choice Award for Favorite Show), Clinton County Showcase (patrons’ award-winning ‘West Side Story,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “South Pacific”;.” founded group in 1991), Kaskaskia College, Breese Junior Woman’s Club, Mater Dei High School, among others. Favorite roles: Lenya in Neil Simon’s “Fools,” M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias,” Penny and Grand Duchess in “You Can’t Take It With You,” and a Meyersville townsfolk in “The Flood.” As a show-tune lovin’ drama queen, she enjoys every opportunity to creatively collaborate and share her passion for the theater. Thanks to the gloriously talented cast, hard-working creative team, supportive board and devoted crew for making “The Wedding Singer” a special show. Love to sons Tim and Charlie, who are used to carloads of costumes and mom’s crazy-busy life. As executive director, a big thanks to all for helping The Brass Rail Players at Lindenwood get off to an exciting start, and for your support of local arts! |
