As singer and actor Carol Reinert packed boxes, preparing to move her family three hours south for her husband’s new job, she was mourning what she feared was the end of her creative life. Born and raised in St. Louis, Reinert was well integrated within the big city arts scene and performed regularly. The uncertainty of heading toward the much smaller Springfield seemed to spell the end of her live music days.

“I was active in theatre in St. Louis. I sang with various bands. I’ve always been a singer, then I did community theatre,” Reinert recalled. “When we were coming down here, I really was a little bit, ‘Oh god. That whole part of my life is going to end or I’m going to have to go to Branson and just do country.’”

The family was making the move in the 1990s when community events were primarily spread by word of mouth. Luckily, someone recommended Springfield Little Theatre and Reinert contacted then Executive Director, Mick Denniston. He invited them to see a production and notified the family of upcoming GYPSY auditions. Casting was mid-transition, but Reinert made an extra trip to Springfield with daughter Elena just to try out. Reinert took the role of Tessie Tura and Elena was tapped for the part of Baby June.

“It was one of the things that made that move so much easier for me,” Reinert reflected. “It gave me people that I could meet right away that had a common interest. It gave me something to do because [our kids] went to school, [my husband] went to work, and we just rented a furnished apartment because our house hadn’t sold. I didn’t know anybody and there was not much for me to do, so it really was a lifesaver.”

As for those comparisons to St. Louis, Reinert discovered that Springfield offered its own unique benefits. Namely, she appreciated a new crop of opportunities. She found a home among multiple bands and theatres in the area since that first introduction to SLT. She credits the organization with easing her into the arts community in Springfield.

“It struck me that [SLT] was very welcoming. They didn’t know who we were. We didn’t have any connections. We walked in and got two really great parts,” Reinert marveled. “Now, I wouldn’t go back. I feel like I’ve had more opportunity here than I ever did in St. Louis with bands and musicians that I’ve met. The talent pool is just incredible. I’m blown away by the amount of talent in the area. It was a difficult move, but it was made easier by being cast in that first show.”

The Landers Theatre itself added an extra dose of magic. The spectacular architecture is a dream for any performer, holding its own against venues across the country. Reinert noted that many theatre companies in St. Louis made use of multi-purpose rooms like halls and gymnasiums rather than historic stages. Then Executive Director Mick Denniston had recently led a major restoration of the Landers Theatre, an effort that is continued by SLT today.

“There wasn’t a building [in St. Louis] that had that history and that beauty. That really was exciting to me,” Reinert enthused. “I had done some stuff at Loretto-Hilton and that was wonderful, but this was just for a small town, I was really impressed. And they had the community support to keep it going all these years. That was really awesome.”

Reinert considers her time onstage at SLT as a form of “therapy,” making connections and growing her craft. Following GYPSY, she became deeply involved as a volunteer and stepped into a string of lead parts. One of her favorite experiences was tackling the title role in MAME.

“I look back and I really had the honor of playing some iconic roles – things that I never would have had the chance to do in St. Louis, I’m sure,” Reinert marveled. “MAME was one of my early ones there at Springfield Little Theatre. It’s such a beautiful story and such a beautiful score. Lifelong friends came from that cast. It was the one show that I think we bonded better than any other group I ever worked with. It was just a fun, fun experience.”

She starred in a production of ANYTHING GOES as Reno Sweeney – a title that is returning to the SLT stage this spring. One of her most special memories was playing a villain in ANNIE WARBUCKS opposite her daughter, Elena, as Annie. In a special SLT collaboration, she led the cast of BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS as Doatsy Mae on the Hammons Hall stage. She even had a chance to return to GYPSY in later years, this time in the starring role of Mama Rose.

Through her involvement at SLT, Reinert became immersed in the arts community and found more opportunities through her connections. She performed with other companies including Springfield Contemporary Theatre and began headlining for local bands including Caduceus – The Doctor’s Band and Bruggeman Gouge. She even co-founded the band MONTAGE.

“The material I do with the band is very, very wide range and scope,” Reinert noted. “I like to sing country, I like to sing jazz, I like to sing Broadway and the Great American Songbook, I like to sing rock. I pride myself on thinking we’re probably the most versatile song list in town.”

An only child, Reinert remembers her passion for music beginning early. She recalls using her little record player to put on shows for family. Music even helped her fund her studies at Webster University. She received scholarships and sang with bands for extra money.

When she became a mom, musical theatre fit her schedule better. The runs were limited and her youngest daughter was also interested. In St. Louis, Reinert began volunteering for Parkway Schools performances.

“I used to direct kids’ theatres for the schools in St. Louis for Parkway. Strictly volunteer,” Reinert added. “I didn’t know what I was doing when I first did it, but I loved it. I did shows every year and directed the all-school talent show. I loved working with the kids. I think it’s such a valuable thing for them to get exposure to that at an early age, so I applaud [SLT] for developing the education series.”

Reinert vividly remembers the early days of SLT’s youth programs. Elena was a member of Y.E.S. Troupe when participation was much lower and there were fewer offerings throughout the year.

“Elena was in Y.E.S. Troupe back when there were like 12 kids in Y.E.S. Troupe,” Reinert laughed. “How that whole program has grown really blows my mind. It just mushroomed and is really a compliment to them how they expanded that and it’s a much-needed program.”

Today, Reinert’s daughters both live in Colorado with their own children. Her youngest grandson has visited SLT, and she saw the wonder in his eyes as FROZEN cast its spell on stage. Reinert marvels at the unexpected gifts that a life in the performing arts has brought her.

“I love it. It’s one of those things that I never planned on doing this as a career. I just didn’t think it would happen, but things just kept coming, falling into place,” she explained. “I kept jumping in and trying it. It’s been fun. I always say I don’t have fame or fortune, but I’ve sure had a lot of fun pursuing both theater and music. It’s still my passion. I just think I feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to be involved in these shows – to get some of the roles that I got.”

Looking back, Reinert can see how far she’s come since packing her boxes to move to Springfield. Uncertainty for the future gave way to gratitude for a lifetime of joyful experiences.

“The main thing is the people that I encountered along the way and the friendships that I formed. It was more than just the play,” she recognized. “It really provided this network that you carry with you long after the lights go out. It was a blessing. It really helped me adapt to this new place to live. I look back and I think ‘Wow, I’ve done much more here than I ever would have done if we stayed in St. Louis.’ The quality of the musicians I’ve encountered has been incredible.”

Ignite your passion for live theatre this season with Springfield Little Theatre.