Cape Girardeau is preparing to put its best foot forward when it takes the stage in Anaheim, Calif., June 10 for the National Civic League's annual All America City competition.

Dr. Kenn Stilson, chair of the department of theater and dance at Southeast Missouri State University, will direct the performance. He met with his ensemble cast for the first time Thursday at the Rose Theatre.

"This is going to be high energy, for lack of a better word. This is a great big cheerleading festival," he said.

Stilson, who recently directed the university production of "Romeo and Juliet" is now coaching a cast of between 35 and 40 city representatives. The people include the mayor, the police chief and students of college and high school age.

The group will have only 10 minutes to sway the hearts and minds of the panel. Stilson is preparing to make sure they make their stage time count.

"Ten minutes on stage is like, you won't even have time to breathe," he said.

Amplify the excitement

In order to maximize the message, the script calls for an overlay of lines recounting the history, diversity, challenges and accomplishments that define Cape Girardeau.

The overlay means before one speaker reaches the end of his or her line the next speaker will have already begun the next line. Stilson hopes this will create an effect he calls "a sea of voices."

"In opera you can hear up to six lines of music at the same time. People are able to absorb two lines of voices speaking at the same time without being confused," he said.

Stilson is also encouraging his actors not to "fade out, but fight to be heard, we want it to blend from one to the other to the other."

To amplify the excitement, Jerry Ford and the Dixieland Band will be along to play songs with a local flavor like the "Missouri Waltz," "Cruising Down the River" and "The Great Mississippi" written by Kevin Danzig about Cape Girardeau in 2004.

Players will not necessarily be dressed in their own professional attire. Co-organizer Heather Brooks, for example, will be playing a nun and Dr. Steve Hoffman of Southeast Missouri State and Old Town Cape will be dressed as a NASA scientist.

"I'm playing a nun, so I don't want to hear any complaints about costumes," said Brooks.

Brooks said she learned from her trip to the 2005 competition in Atlanta that energy is a key element to winning presentations. "We were surprised, it was like they all took a shot of caffeine before they came in the room," she said.

Only 10 of the 34 finalists will be awarded All America City status. The award does not carry with it any money, but past winners have experienced increased tourism and ability to attract new businesses. The last time Cape Girardeau received the award was in 1967.

"Cape Girardeau is a very humble community and I think this can be a stamp of pride that says we are special and can roll up our sleeves and work together to get things done," said Brooks.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245