Council member, firefighter, therapist among cast and crew
April 04, 2026

michele@theacorn.com

On any given evening inside High Street Arts Center, rehearsals for “Footloose” look less like a traditional production and more like a cross-section of the community.

A retired firefighter runs through lines alongside a city council member. A mental health therapist shares the stage with students, consultants and first-time performers.

Their paths outside the theater don’t always intersect, but here, they come together with a shared purpose.

While many associate community theater with aspiring actors chasing professional careers, High Street shows it can be much more—a space for connection, creativity and the role the arts play in everyday life.

The center’s upcoming production of “Footloose,” running through May 3, exemplifies that mix. The cast is as diverse as the community itself, representing a range of ages, careers, and life experiences.

Based on the 1984 film, the musical follows Ren McCormack, a teenager who moves from Chicago to a small town where dancing has been banned. As Ren challenges the rules, the story expands into a broader conflict between tradition and change, grief and healing.

What begins as a fight over music and movement soon becomes a catalyst for the town to confront loss, rediscover joy and rebuild a sense of community—a theme that resonates strongly with many in the cast.

Tom Glauser, a retired Ventura County firefighter who recently moved to Moorpark, describes theater as his “fourth career,” a pursuit he embraced after decades in public service.

Others come to the stage for balance.

Renee Delgado, a Moorpark City

Council member and real estate broker, said performing offers a contrast to the demands of her professional life—a creative outlet and a way to decompress.

Director Debbie Runge, who has spent more than 40 years in theater, said those different motivations are part of what makes community productions work.

For her, theater has long served as a constant, shaping relationships and building connections across generations.

The “Footloose” cast also includes students, professionals, educators, and newcomers, each bringing a different background and perspective.

For Brennen Klitzner, who plays Mc- Cormack, theater is both a passion and a long-term goal. While working in retail as a visual merchandiser, he is building toward a career in performance, grounded by the experience of community productions.

Others are following similar paths.

Skye Leon, a Thousand Oaks native and California Lutheran University student, has performed since childhood and now works with youth theater programs. Emma Busby, a Calabasas-based mental health therapist, said theater serves as an outlet to navigate the emotional demands of her work.

Some performers are stepping into something new. Josephine Riley, who recently moved to Moorpark, is making her community theater debut after years as an acting teacher for an adult enrichment program serving individuals with special needs.

Others are returning after time away. Scott Donohue, a Thousand Oaks native and communications consultant, rediscovered theater after focusing on his career. Now part of his 11th production, he has worked as both a music director and actor.

For students like Justin Zelden, who attends California Lutheran University, community theater provides both creative experience and a sense of shared purpose.

The production has drawn performers from across the region, each finding a sense of belonging on the High Street stage.

Jacqueline Seif Afjehi, a North Hollywood backdrop consultant, said she still loves theater “for exactly what it is.”

Paxton Highway of West Hills enjoys the freedom and collaboration of ensemble work, while Jacob Zukowski, a Woodland Hills actor and Moorpark College student, called performing live “a rush… unlike any other feeling.”

For Tami Keaton of Camarillo, theater has been a constant through performing, directing and choreographing— a thread connecting her to others across generations.

The production features well-known songs including “Holding Out for a Hero,” “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” and the title track, centering on a story of youthful rebellion, healing and community.

“Footloose” runs through May 3 at High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. Tickets and additional information are available through the box office and at