The Poncan Jubilee will feature two local girls that went on to perform in major entertainment markets. The Jubilee, at the Poncan Theatre, will be April 30 at 7:00. This is a fund raiser for the theatre. All talent are donating their time for this very worthwhile cause. Cara Kern Cassens and Dana Poulson both began their acting careers at the Ponca Playhouse, entertained with the national show "The Will and the Wind," and both were Diamond Denbo winners in separate years in the American Kid Talent Search. Over 500 acts competed.

Cara began her professional career at 13 at Music Theatre of Wichita where she replaced Kristin Chenoweth in a role in "Gypsy"; at 16 Cara performed at Opryland in Nashville in the largest show in the park, and at 19 was in her first show in NYC.

At the University of Central Oklahoma, Cara was cast in many musicals and danced with the Kaleidoscope Dance Company. Additionally, she was on the Presidential Leadership Council. Then she was off to NYC.

Cara's big break was to be cast in the original Broadway tour of "High School Musical." Her director was Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun. She was later in the Broadway musical "Shrek." While in New York, she studied acting, voice and dance. She is still a member of Actors Equity. Her latest endeavor is directing and choreographing "Pioneer Women" which will be at the Poncan the fourth weekend in April.

Cara is glad to be back in her hometown. She is teaching and choreographing at Northern Oklahoma College and is the former head of theatre at Cowley College. She currently teaches part-time for the Inciardi School of Dance, is a technique teacher for the Hi-Steppers and has several private voice students.

Dana Poulson grew up in theatre in Ponca City and later held starring roles in musicals at Northern Oklahoma College. She was Miss NOC and competed in the Miss Oklahoma state pageant.

Dana’s career took her to Branson where she was the featured performer in several large theatres. Her shows included “Lost In The Fifties” and “At The Hop.” She was cast as a dancer and solo vocalist.

Dana later lived in Hollywood where she auditioned and found jobs in the entertainment industry. While in Hollywood, Dana was the singer for Pandora’s Rock Band California. She also was in several films. One was an Austin Powers movie and she was the lead in the film “Side Sho.”

Dana was a vocalist for the historical Savannah Theatre in Georgia. Several directors in Branson asked Dana to come to Savannah to help them put together various shows.

Dana currently is a Holistic Health Practitioner in Ponca.

Tickets for the Jubilee are at the Poncan Theatre and at the Chamber of Commerce.