Steckling family performs next weekend

IRONWOOD - Directors for Theatre North and Ironwood Theatre's joint production of "Mary Poppins" had a big surprise at auditions in May when a couple with three children all tried out for the show.

The Steckling family had no expectations, but were excited to participate in the community theater project set to open Oct. 14 at the Historic Ironwood Theatre. To their surprise, the directors chose all of them for principal parts in the show.

The eldest daughter, Hannah Steckling, was cast as Mary Poppins, the lovable and magical nanny. Her parents, Pastor Tim and Heather Steckling, will play Mr. and Mrs. Banks, parents of the precocious children ripe for Mary's care. Two more of the Stecklings' children will play the Banks' children - Rebekah as Jane Banks and Elijah as Michael Banks.

The Stecklings live in Bessemer Township, where Tim is the pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland.

Tim and Heather have always had an interest in theatre since their grade school days in Marinette, Wis. She took piano lessons, was in eighth grade drama classes and had a part in "The King and I" at the Theatre on the Bay. He had a part in "Macbeth" when he was in the third grade. They met each other as high school classmates and were in some of the same musicals and sang in various choirs together.

Tim went off to college at Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., where he played Curley in "Oklahoma," had a part in "Once upon a Mattress" and other shows. He took a break after college and was in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" in Antigo, Wis., and "The Music Man" in Esko, Minn., before heading to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

After high school, Heather attended North Central College in Naperville, Ill., where she also got involved in theater. She performed in the "Mikado," "Anything Goes," "Loves, Labors, Lost" and other productions.

Heather followed Tim to St. Louis and they got married while he was in seminary. His first parish was in Houston, where they began raising a family.

Their lives continued to be very busy with parish life and having children as they moved on to a parish in the small town of Winside, Neb., prior to moving to the Upper Peninsula in December 2013. Now they have six children, in order, Hannah, Isaiah, Rebekah, Sarah, Elijah and Leah, leaving not much time for theatre.

Hannah and Rebekah showed early interest in theatre in Nebraska. After they arrived here, Rebekah did some of her own research and found out about the visiting Praire Fire Children's Summer Theatre program in Ironwood and they got involved in "Alice in Wonderland," "Peter Pan" and "Tom Sawyer."

When a local youth theater group - Awkward Stage - started up here, Hannah and Rebekah showed up and that's how they fell in love with theatre, according to their parents.

"The experience with Mary Poppins has been wonderful. It has been bonding and binding," said Heather.

"We have always played little games at home with lines, like, 'Who can finish this line?' and 'Who said this?' and 'What show was this song in?'" said Tim. This show has been a good exercise also in imagining yourself in others shoes, helping to grow in understanding and helping others in a positive way."

The parents agreed they love playing a family in this show. "Although not the same, we're coming together and relying on each other with love and appreciation," said Heather.

Tim said they've found a whole new family of friends at the theater.

"We're enjoying being involved. It's been tremendous," said Tim. "It's been a fantastic opportunity for our family. It's been a great group of folks to be involved with."

Hannah loves the part of Mary Poppins.

"When I tried out I thought maybe one of the other parts, but when they said Mary Poppins, I was really surprised and happy," she said. "I love singing, and I'm learning so much and I have met new friends, plus I'm learning how to walk in heels."

"Hannah is always happy and is a very selfless person," her mother said. "The part suits her, although she wasn't sure she could do it at first."

Rebekah said she has found out that this is a big show and takes a lot of work and time, but she is having fun. And Elijah, who was hesitant at first, said he's having fun and likes meeting new friends, too.

As far as schoolwork is concerned, the Stecklings are homeschooling the children. Heather said she is pushing to get everything done along with rehearsals. "It's a matter of prioritizing."

As rehearsals went on, the youngest two girls, who were not interested in doing the show, have now shown interest in theater, according to Heather. "Every night when we come home from a rehearsal they and their brother have a bit of a show performance of their own waiting for us - a very scary version of the toys in the nursery coming alive."

"Mary Poppins," runs at the Historic Ironwood Theatre in downtown Ironwood Oct. 14-17, with shows nightly at 7, and Sunday, Oct. 18, with a 2 p.m. matinee only. Tickets are available at the Ironwood Theatre Box Office, by calling 906-932-0618 or online ironwoodtheatre.net.