Highlands Little Theatre

P.O. Box 691 Sebring Florida USA 33871 Tel: 863-382-2525

Sue Vos - Two Time Director Two years of unparalleled theatrical activity
By: Roy Riedy

Sue Vos was introduced to Sebring in the December 8, 1977 issue of the Sebring News in a four column article entitled "Meet Vita Louise." The informative article announced that Sue, a newcomer to Highlands County, was to play the part of Vita Louise Simmons in the popular comedy Harvey by Mary Chase which was to be the opening play of HLT's Fourth Season in December, 1977.

The article continued "Mrs. Vos was born in Miles City, Montana; she graduated from high school in Burlington, Wisconsin, and attended Marquette University where she majored in drama. The article explained that she got the theatre bug at the age of six, started appearing in local dramas at the age of 11, and from that point, there was no turning back.

Sue and her husband Stan, and their eight year old son Adam, moved to Sebring recently. She arrived in time for tryouts for Harvey and was pleased to find out she had been selected to play the pivital role of Vita Louise."

The comedy was given on the Sebring High School stage for four performances in December of 1977, a week before Christmas. The show was directed by Delores Masonick. Sue's credits were listed in the program as follows:

SUE VOS (Vita Louise Simmons), has been involved in little theatres since age 6. She has worked professionally with "The Troupe," a company of professional actors at the Abbey Resort in Wisconsin, and has handled all phases of production; acting, directing, choreography, costumes, promotion. Her performances have included major roles in Come Blow Your Horn, Mind with the Dirty Man, Plaza Suite, Harvey, Teahose of the August Moon, Ten Nights in a Bar Room, and Dirty Work at the Corssroads. Musical credits include Mame, Hello Dolly, Kismet, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Lil Abner, Godspell, Pajama Game, Babes in Arms and Something Happened on the Way to the Forum. A resident of Sebring for about four months, she is employed at Nancy's II.

The play was reviewed by Mike Leach who titled his review: "'Harvey' sets Highlanders hopping," and his critique of Ms. Vos was a wonderful Christmas present:
"While the three-act play centered on a man's experiences with an imaginary white rabbit, the real star of the show was Sebring newcomer Sue Vos. Her interpretation of Vita Louise Simmons was close to professional in its polish and chutzpa. The gestures, the rolling eyes, subtle shadings of movement and voice were combined by this talented actress into the always-on the-edge-of-hysteria Vita."

In May, 1978, Janelou Buck directed Here's Charlie, A Salute to the Roarin' Twenties, Sue Vos was Janelou Buck's producer. This revue had the distinction of being the first musical put on by the four year old acting group. The variety show was very successful artistically and financially.

In July, the Little Theatre made a special contribution to the City of Sebring's Fourth of July celebration by sponsoring a dance on July 3rd at the Sebring Civic Center and a very special floor show directed by Sue Vos and Carol Proffitt that carried the theme "America's Music Now and Then."

The active Mrs. Vos continued her theatrical contributions to Highlands Little Theatre in August, 1978 when she directed Woody Allen's classic comedy Don't Drink the Water, the fourth season's third and final play.

The Woody Allen play was reviewed by Mike Leach who headlined his article "Don't Drink the Water: good to the last drop." He observed that "Sue Vos, director, deserves much of the credit for channeling the production into such gales of laughter by providing the visual jokes to accompany the spoken material."

HLT's Fifth Season found Sue even busier than she was during the Fourth Season. This season offered four plays that included the Little Theatre's first Broadway show and Ms. Vos was involved in all of them.

The melodrama, Dirty Work At the Crossroads was directed by Janelou Buck in November, 1978, at the Sebring Civic Center for four performances. Sue had a major role in the play and again was acclaimed by the reviewer for her professionalism.

In March, 1979, Ms. Janelou Buck also directed the second show of the season, the Tony winning comedy Mr. Roberts; Sue Vos did the lighting for the show and was also part of the make-up team.

The most ambitious show done by Highlands Little Theatre in its five years of existence occured in May, 1979. The famous musical Fiddler on the Roof was presented in the new auditorium at South Florida Community College and was directed by Sue Vos. The show, cast, music, and set were all outstanding and the community enthusiastically supported the production.

The last play of the season, Plaza Suite, was presented in late August and achieved two more firsts: It was the third show of the season directed by Janelou Buck and also the theater's first dinner show. The Neil Simon comedy was presented at the Sebring Elks Club and Sue Vos was once again involved with the make-up of the show.

Sue Vos had one more contribution to make at Highlands Little Theatre before she and her family moved to Delray Beach, Florida in January, 1980. Frank Oberhausen opened HLT's Sixth Season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's famous musical, South Pacific, with Sue Vos in the important role of Bloody Mary. The reviewer called her interpretation as "an artful blend of brass and gold."

Even though Mrs. Vos spent only two years in Sebring, her influence on Highlands Little Theatre was far reaching. She occured at the right time in the theatre's growth and her presence enkindled confidence in many members to become more accomplished, skillful, and professional. She is remembered with affection by all whose paths she crossed.