Brookfield Veteran Finds Passion in Acting

Every week, 53-year-old Brookfield resident Meg Wadina checks local newspapers for auditions near her area. “Acting is my passion, nursing is my career,” she says.

Her latest challenge: playing the part of Aunt Ev in the Acacia Theatre Company’s production of “The Miracle Worker,” directed by Dustin J. Martin. The final performance is at 3 p.m. today at Concordia University Wisconsin’s Todd Wehr Auditorium in Mequon.

Wadina fell in love with the character and the Milwaukee theater company.

“I had a perception of Ev. She had a sense of humor and deeply cared about Helen. That is inspirational to me,” says Wadina.

At Acacia, Wadina also found a culture of caring and close family comfort. Unique to most theater companies, Acacia is a Christian-based company that prays before shows.

“I would love to audition again [for Acacia] simply because of the morals and values, not even the work,” Wadina says. She heard about the auditions for “The Miracle Worker” from a fellow church member at the in Brookfield where Wadina attends.

Acacia was founded in 1980 by individuals who shared a common desire for the arts and faith. 

“The group is kind and they want what is best for you,” says Wadina.

Growing up, Wadina admired her three older sisters who acted in high school plays. She began acting in the eighth grade. “I couldn’t wait to see my sisters perform in their shows.” 

In Wadina’s senior year of high school, her destiny changed. “I was dating a boy who died of cancer.” Because of this tragic loss, Wadina said it was her calling to become a nurse and aid others who needed help. She said, “God had a plan.  You grow where you are planted.”  

The cost of getting an agent and being separated from her family were other large factors in her decision not pursue a career in acting right out of high school.

After Wadina’s scholarship ran out at college, her father recommended she join the military as a “back up plan” to help with money. Entering the service did not defuse her passion for acting. Meg was a soloist in a theatre production of “Oliver” while stationed in Maryland. 

The same play caught the eye of Wadina six years ago. She played a larger role in “Oliver,” Mrs. Bumble. “She was fun to do.” 

After becoming a nurse, Wadina remembers a doctor who worked in her office who would do accents. “He used to be an actor in Chicago with a theatre company, but didn’t make enough money, so he went to medical school instead.”

Wadina lived in Burlington and was chairman of a Burlington community theater before moving to Brookfield. 

When Wadina read for the Acacia Theatre Company, she didn't audition for any specific part. “I didn’t know what part I was auditioning for at the time of the reading.”

Martin, the company's director who has been with Acacia for 10 years, said Acacia chose ‘The Miracle Worker’ because it “looked like a challenging play and I was looking forward to telling the story. It’s a very grateful one.”

Martin graduated from Cedarville University in Ohio with a degree in theater. He not only envisions scenes from behind the camera, but also acts in front the camera. “I enjoy directing more.”

“I try to realize the themes to direct actors with,” Martin said. “This one had a purpose and a value of communication.”

Wadina said she was very nervous on opening night. “There is such a fine director and fine actors. You eventually get anxious to be on stage.”

But even though she had not acted in six years, she did not shy away in her performance as Aunt Ev. 

“In the Bible, it says that all body parts make up the whole body. There are no small roles. Come fall in love.”