When Nancy Cisick retired in 2004, she told people she would do the typical retirement things -- travel and spend time with family, but there was one atypical plan.
"I told people I was going to work with Storyland Theatre," said Cisick, who is the secretary of the children's theater board and plays the Grandma in the company's upcoming production of Mademoiselle Hood Meets Le Wolf.
Until she retired, however, she had never met Barbara Feldman, Storyland Theatre's executive director, and they had never discussed her working with the group.
"She was just a voice on the phone," said Cisick, who was the principal at Southside Elementary School when she retired. She had been an elementary school teacher for many years before becoming an administrator.
Cisick said she had taken pupils on many field trips to Storyland performances and seen the positive impact they made on the kids. Not long after she met Feldman, they became fast friends. Cisick said she originally just wanted to help behind the scenes.
"I love just being backstage. Acting is just icing on the cake," she said.
She also helps with reservations, ticketing and whatever else is needed.
"From September to April, it's Storyland all the time," she said.
Cisick said her role in the upcoming show is a fun one.
"It's the best. I get to do a tango with Austin (Rhodes, who plays Le Wolf)," she said.
Mademoiselle Hood Meets Le Wolf is an original play by Richard Davis. It's a mix of a couple of fairy tales, including Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.
Rhodes said his character, a French wolf, isn't what he seems.
"He's greatly misunderstood," he said.
Mademoiselle Hood Meets Le Wolf will be presented Tuesday through March 27 at the Imperial Theatre. Shows will be at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Tuesday through March 26 and at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 27. Tickets are $4.50 for the weekday shows. Admission to the Saturday matinee is $5 and free for active-duty military and their dependents.
Reservations are required for the weekday shows but not the Saturday matinee.
For reservations, call (706) 736-3455.
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