1980 Ann Dieteman-Thayer

OK, for all of you who are wondering what's been happening for the past 30 years or so...

I was at the Playhouse/PPC from 1977-1980 as an Intern, which means that I worked in each area of the theatre. I returned home to Erie after my mother had a stroke to take care of her for a few years.

I finished my BA degree at Gannon University in 1987, with a dual major of Theatre and Communication Arts and a minor in English. I worked from 1983-1990 in the MH/MR field, at the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Center in Erie, as an Instructor with mentally handicapped adults. I also did some local theatre, mostly directing or assistant directing at the Erie Playhouse and for the National Playwright’s Showcase, with a little acting thrown in at the Roadhouse Theatre.

In 1989 I reconnected with my high school sweetheart (the guy in the Navy that I kept lamenting about), and we were married Friday, July 13, 1990. Kids followed in '91, '92, and '93. We moved to Loretto, PA, where I was hired by OAO Services to manage a resume processing center, then transferred to OAO's Poughkeepsie, NY office and lived in Rhinebeck, an hour north of the city. Serious health issues (crypto) ensued due to bad water in Poughkeepsie, and we returned to Erie in '97. There were three years of surgeries and medical treatments for the kids and me before we were healthy again.

I was a stay-at-home mom for the next few years, and cyber schooled the kids for five years. I had/have lots of volunteer involvements with Scouts (Boy and Girl), parent associations, booster clubs, and served on a number of boards for local organizations. I’mstill heavily involved in Girl Scouts—this will mark my eleventh year as a troop leader, and I’m an archery instructor and trainer for adult volunteers.

Our oldest, Trey, graduated in '09 and recently completed Boot Camp with the Navy. He's stationed in Pensacola, FL while attending school. Our daughters are still in high school, where Delia will be a Senior in the fall, and Hannah will be a Junior.

I also worked as a substitute teacher, occasionally and on a long-term contract. Recently, my husband and I started our own business, Thayer Development Company, doing project management and transferring paper documents to electronic format.

I can't ignore the pull of live theatre much longer, though...