ROCHELLE — On Sunday, May 5, a celebration of life and dedication ceremony were held for the late Carol Weidmann at the Vince Carney Community Theater’s Lincoln Arts Center. 

Weidmann, who passed away on Jan. 29 at age 77, was a founding member of VCCT in 1981 and served on its board for over 40 years. Her local legacy also included being a longtime English teacher and director of theater at Rochelle Township High School. 

VCCT Board President Amy Frank said the Lincoln Arts Center saw a full house for the celebration of life and dedication ceremony. 

“We had 75-80 people from all aspects of her life: Theater, teaching and bowling,” Frank said. “We had photos and programs of all of the different shows she was a part of in many different capacities. Directing, producing, acting, sewing costumes, setting lights, you name it, she did it. We shared stories of her and the impact she had on everyone who was there. Jane Prunty, a longtime friend and another VCCT founding member, acted as the emcee. She had some of Carol's students write tributes to her and only a few were read because there were so many. Carol's sister, Barb, read a eulogy for Carol.”

Midway through the event, the VCCT board dedicated the auditorium space at the Lincoln Arts Center to Weidmann in honor of her over 40 years of commitment, expertise, energy and influence on the community theater group. It will now be known as Weidmann Hall. 

A motion was brought before the VCCT board months ago to rename the auditorium space in her honor, and original plans had Weidmann being in attendance for it, but the timeline didn’t work out with her health, Frank said. Weidmann served on the board since VCCT’s inception and served in every position possible. She was membership chair up until she passed away.

“She contributed monetarily as well,” Frank said. “She was one of the Vince Carney Club members and donated well over the amount it takes to be one. She was very committed. Last year she gave us money to increase the number of lights in the auditorium. We needed to do more than just say thank you for everything she's done for VCCT.”

In recent years, VCCT renovated and opened the former site of Lincoln Elementary School as its first permanent home. The now-Lincoln Arts Center was a dream of Weidmann’s that she got to see come to fruition. 

“Carol was part of the process to get the building and she helped with the renovation,” Frank said. “She was in there painting and did everything she could to help. She did it all grinning ear to ear.”

Weidmann and other VCCT founding members were the first to grace the stage for the first show at the Lincoln Arts Center (Four Old Broads, August 2021). 

More than just the Rochelle community came out for Weidmann’s celebration of life, Frank said. The event saw tributes from outside of town from people who were Weidmann’s students that now have found success in the theater industry. 

“The turnout we saw puts the community in community theater,” Frank said. “They started here in Rochelle, but Carol's influence spread. She planted the seeds and let people grow. It speaks volumes of what one person can affect. Her shoes are big to fill. Carol had such a passion for theater that was palpable. We followed her like a pied piper. She was so inspirational with her love and passion for theater. If I can be half the president she was and dedicate half of the energy and time she did, VCCT will be better for it.”