- April 24, 2024
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The Daytona Playhouse held its Season Preview Aug. 24.
Ormond Beach actors don’t need to travel to Hollywood to find their spotlight. The Daytona Playhouse held its Season Preview Aug. 24 and it’s clear that Ormond Beach actors are no strangers to center stage.
“It has to be genetic,” Kathy Thompson said. “When I was in third grade, I started writing plays and producing them in class. I thought it was great but mom didn’t think so because I was always stealing props from her house.”
For actor Robert Dimsey, he fell in love with the praise his performance got him as a young child.
“I was with couple of very close friends in grade school and they were geniuses,” Dimsey said. “One fellow was writing original plays in fifth and sixth grade. I would always perform them. I was always a little ham, two or three years old singing around the house. I always seeking attention.”
Robin Neill-Kitaif spent the earlier part of her life chasing her dramatic dreams.
“When I was in 11th grade I saw a production of GodSpell and I fell in love with acting,” Neill-Kitaif said. “Everything was theatre after that. I got my degree in theatre at USF and studied at broadway theatre. I also lived in NYC for a few years.”
The three Ormond Beach actors will be performing in the Playhouse’s upcoming show “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” which opens Sept. 5.
“This play is so much fun,” Neill-Kitaif said. “I play Masha in the play and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had with a part.”
Neill-Kitaif said after 30-year hiatus from acting, she got involved with the Playhouse by accident.
“I was still taking voice lessons over the years,” Neill-Kitaif said. “I was at a recital and the director for “9 to 5” was there and asked me to audition. I said no, I had no time. Four weeks later their lead got ill and they called me to fill in. I loved it so much.”
Thompson also returned after a 28-year theatre hiatus.
“When I started working as was single, I did some community theatre and TV shows for PBS,” Thompson said. “They were 30 minute educational programs. When I retired, I vowed to pursue my passion again.”
Dimsey started performing at the Playhouse in 1978.
“It has always been a passion of mine,” Dimsey said. “After college I dove right in to the community theatere and they haven’t been able to get rid of me.”
The Daytona Playhouse’s upcoming season includes the following shows:
