Featuring an internationally-acclaimed cast of some of the world’s greatest circus performers, Birdhouse Factory promises to be this year’s hottest ticket during the summer season. Bring the whole family! Don’t miss out on the fun, beauty and exuberant joy of Birdhouse Factory!
E. LANSING, MI — Some local theatre-goers might remember the name Heidi Herrold (now Heidi Brumbach). She was an early member of Children’s Ballet Theater for 10 years. Under the direction of Jeanne Malchok, Ric Mitchell, Barbara Banasikowski Smith, and Liz Williams, she performed in The Nutcracker in many roles from 1981-1990. Her involvement was actually a family affair. Two of her three sisters also performed with the company and her mother was the wardrobe mistress. Heidi also choreographed shows for both Riverwalk Theater and Lansing Civic Players while she attended Lansing Community College as a dance major.
Before she finished her degree, Heidi left the area to pursue a professional career dancing. She succeeded and worked in theme parks around the country, dinner theater, and Carnival Cruise Lines. She met her husband, the technical director on board during her first contract with Carnival Cruises Lines, and after marrying in Orlando, they decided to try their luck in Las Vegas.
Heidi and her husband Jim both went on to have very successful careers in Las Vegas. Among many other shows, Heidi worked as a dancer and magic assistant with the world renown Siegfried and Roy and Jim became the Head of Sound and Video for entertainment at the Mirage Resort. They’ve both had the opportunity to work with many celebrities like Penn and Teller, Ray Romano, Wayne Brady, Dana Carvey, and Robin Leach, just to name a few.
In 1999, Heidi and Jim founded an entertainment and event production company, Imagine Enterprises International. Through the company they have worked with some of the best talent in Las Vegas, and have served many international clients such as IBM, FUJI Film, March of Dimes, and Lion’s Club.
Now Heidi is revisiting her roots. Imagine Enterprises International and WILX-TV 10 are presenting a show called Birdhouse Factory at Wharton Center for Performing Arts in August. The creator of the show, Chris Lashua, is a twelve-year veteran of Cirque du Soleil who Heidi had the pleasure of working with in Las Vegas. Birdhouse Factory is a theatrical circus set in a 1930’s factory. It is a combination of human powered machines and acrobatics. Inspired in part by the famed Diego Rivera Detroit Industry mural, it pays tribute to a time gone by integrating the assembly line with new age circus and dance.
Birdhouse Factory features an internationally acclaimed cast of some of the world’s greatest circus performers. Kevin Vanderkolk of WILX-TV 10 said, "This area has never seen a show like this before. Everyone at WILX-TV 10 is very excited to be involved with the production." Birdhouse combines the incredible skills of top-notch performers with striking set design, period costumes, original music and vigorous choreography.
Birdhouse Factory is playing at Wharton Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan State University August 5-7. Show times are Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm. Tickets are on sale at the Wharton Center box office and can be purchased by calling 432-2000 or at www.whartoncenter.com.
