When Blanca and Andy Mallonee’s daughters declared their intent to transition from Summer Institutes to SLT Troupes, they were fully on board – if not fully informed.

“We were not prepared [for auditions],” Blanca Mallonee confessed.

“We had no idea,” Andy agreed with a laugh.

“We showed up and we were like, ‘You have to have music. Wha—?”

“‘Sheet music? What are you talking about?’”

“‘Just sing Happy Birthday, honey,’” Blanca had advised.

The story is humorous family lore now. And with the help from Education Department staff, the impromptu auditions were a success, and both girls were cast. Since then, the Mallonee family has used that ready willingness and adaptable spirit to grow into resident volunteers.

“We got into volunteering because our girls were here so much while they were in Troupe or in rehearsal,” Andy explained. “We lived in Ozark, so I was like, I’m not going to drive home for an hour. So, then they were like, ‘Hey, we need help doing this and we need help doing this.’ You see a lot of families do the same thing we did at the time our kids were there. They just stick around and help volunteer. Do props, costumes, whatever the need is.”

Their daughters performed in many shows and progressed into the Pre-Professional Track before sports conflicts drew them away. Years later, Blanca and Andy still recognize habits and values in their kids that were shaped by their involvement in theatre.

“You committed to something, so you’ve got to finish it. I think the big thing we see the girls got – they’re not shy,” Andy noted. “If something needs to get done, they’ll step right up. They’re not afraid to speak up. They’re not afraid to be first. I think being up on stage in front of an audience has helped them grow into a young adult that can handle pressure. They’re not going to shy away from it. They’ll be like, ‘I got this. I can handle this.’”

The family eventually had an opportunity to all act together in MIRACLE ON 34^TH STREET before their girls grew up and moved on. Even after their kids graduated, Blanca and Andy stayed engaged.

“After the girls left, it was like, I still enjoy going down there and being a part of it,” Andy recalled. “It is our second family. It’s like we kind of look forward to staying active and being able to help. This is a community theatre, and we want to be a part of that and help promote what Springfield Little Theatre does for the Springfield area.”

“It’s a family environment. It’s a safe place for kids and adults,” Blanca reflected. “You get hooked and then you’re like, ‘Ooh, I want to come back.’ I’m making a difference. I get to be part of that show – not on the stage but behind the scenes – because it doesn’t just take people on the stage. It takes everybody around from the crew, the costumes, making props, everything.”

Beyond her on stage performances – most recently in IN THE HEIGHTS – Blanca is perhaps most recognized for her work with the SLT Boutique for both the Landers and the Judy locations. She has widely expanded the merchandise available at shows in an era when merch has become social currency declaring fandoms and personal interests. Revenue has jumped since she started personally curating the items and all proceeds benefit SLT Education programs.

The Mallonees are advocates for showing up and trying new things. Neither knew what opportunities would appear or what they would be capable of, but fifteen years later, they are involved in almost every production year-round.

“I would encourage families to get involved. You’re here while your kids are rehearsing or taking classes. You’re helping this community,” Andy urged. “You’re helping this theatre. It’s always about time, talent, and money. Money is hard for a lot of folks right now. A lot of people have talent. They don’t know it, but they do. They have time. Come and volunteer. That’s kind of how we did it. We have the time, we have the money, we have the talent.”

“We didn’t know at first!” Blanca laughed. “Then I got up on stage or in crew.”

“We didn’t know at first!” Andy agreed. “But we hear that a lot. Do you have time? Do you have the talent? Everybody has something to offer. I’ve always looked at it like, we have something to offer. We can give back. That’s why we volunteer is to give back.”

They continue to explore new roles. Blanca has joined the SLT Guild and Andy has stepped up to be a House Manager helping patrons enjoy the performances.

“Everybody gets treated like they’re part of something. It’s like our second home,” Blanca smiled. “We still want to be showing up to make a difference or help anywhere that it’s needed. It’s big. They need a lot of people to help to make a big production happen.”

—

Looking to get INVOLVED with Springfield Little Theatre like the Mallonee Family? Visit our volunteer page here.