It was late summer of 1997. Community Players was experiencing an especially difficult time of personnel changes and unexpected financial challenges. A search committee was tasked with finding a new Artistic Director and at the October board meeting made a recommendation. From a pool of 20 applicants, the committee recommended Jamie D. Ulmer, a recent graduate of Doane College and a native of Sutton, Neb., for the position. Marilyn Maurstad made a motion to accept the recommendation. Cliff Lindell seconded the motion. The board voted in favor, unanimously. The rest, as they say, is CP history!

Judi Knowles was a board member at that meeting, and she remembers her impression at the time was that Jamie had the “ethics, education and personality to bring us back” adding, “And he did.”

Cliff said his thoughts were “This guy’s got it together!” and that Jamie would be a “positive influence” for the theatre. Fortunately for CP, their first impressions were spot on!

In 1997 the theatre had three shows in the season, and one paid staff person. Since then, with Jamie as our Managing Artistic Director, the season has grown to six regular season shows and three family/educational shows; we have three full-time and one part-time staff, with multiple contract employees (guest directors, music directors, choreographers, stage managers, etc.); and yearly attendance at CP events exceeds 8,000. 

Even if you are not a regular patron or volunteer, you likely are well-aware of the impact Jamie has had on our local theatre, the arts in general, and our community. Jamie oversees day-to-day operations at the theatre and is responsible for the artistic vision and guidance of programming. He has directed over 100 productions at CP, including “Les Miserables,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Noises Off,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Proof,” “Children of Eden,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and “Chicago.”

He has appeared on stage at CP as well as in productions throughout the area. He has also been an adjunct instructor for Doane University, and Southeast Community College.

Jamie’s contributions to theatre and the community don’t end at the edge of our stage. He has served as President of the Nebraska Association of Community Theatres and the Beatrice Area Arts Council, is a past member of the Main Street Beatrice and Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce boards, and is currently Vice President for Legislation with Nebraskans for the Arts. He is on the board of directors of the American Association of Community Theatre where he serves on the education, communications, and member engagement committees.

Jamie is a strong believer in the power of the arts to transform individuals and entire communities, regardless of where that community is located.

Betty Boyko, another former board member present at that fateful October 1997 meeting, recently encountered Jamie at a downtown development meeting and said she now “appreciates even more Jamie’s passion for the arts and for the community.”

Ethics, education, personality and passion. Even after 25 years, this guy really does have it together!