The Founding Trio
Sarah M. Schaeffer
Sarah M. Schaeffer is duality incarnate.
“True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist.” – Albert Einstein
“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” – Emile Zola
Sarah brings the work ethic of a craftsman with the soul of an artist to the creative team of Imum Pancy. She also has “box” tendencies hidden deep in her “squiggle” personality. The other “yin and yang” of Ms. Schaeffer is her “fierce versus soft.” She is a formidable force when pushed to defend something of value, but the heartiest and safest port when the storms blow.
For the past 34 years she has been a teacher at the middle school level, splitting time between art, video production and library duties. Sarah is curious and continuously expands her knowledge and skills. She possesses the old school artist abilities of painting and drawing, but is not content with that alone. Skilled with computer media she has created a new variety of artistic products. Her experience working with The Depot Theater Company has honed many other skill sets. Ms. Schaeffer has worked behind the scenes, on stage, and even designed and built sets.
Sarah believes in the human spirit. Her ability to communicate with, and gain the respect of, middle school students speaks volumes about her patience, humor, and humanity. Ms. Schaeffer looks to create in order to give to others. Her goal is to entertain but also to enlighten. This enlightenment is not only the educational message of a teacher, but also the more spiritual illumination of an artist. She keeps in mind that a good belly laugh offers much as well.
Sarah’s indomitable spirit might be traced back to her youth in competitive rodeo. She has been bucked off many times, but does not hesitate to get back on, bad knees and all.
Sarah was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in Lake Preston, South Dakota. She has one daughter. Sarah holds an M.S. in Elementary Education from Fort Hays State University (KS) and a B.S. in Art & Theater from South Dakota State University (SD).
Chris Pyle
Chris Pyle is a clever, old soul.
“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense dancing.” – William James
Chris has always used humor, but never as a blunt instrument. In an entertainment world imbrued with sarcasm and mean-spiritedness, Chris possesses an accurate sense that being ugly towards others is not funny. As a teacher, a writer, a stage director, a husband, and a parent he has always striven to value the positive aspects of humanity. Do not laugh at people, but rather laugh near them; they might well start laughing too.
Chris’s life has been rather scattered over the years, but that has proven to be just the right path. He has worked at theaters, bookstores and video stores. He lived in Los Angeles. (The idea was to take Hollywood by storm, but his is not a stormy personality.) He has taught every grade from kindergarten to seniors in high school. He has written a collection of stories for family entertainment. He writes a humor column for the local newspaper. He has directed four, and acted in nine productions for the Depot Theater Company. He has been the mascot for the minor leaguebasketball team he now manages. He has broadcast high school and professional basketball over the radio. His dream job has always been to join Robert Petrie’s staff writing for The Alan Brady Show, but since both are fictitious he must find another career.
Chris always values the contributions of others. The collaboration involved with Imum Pancy has inspired and energized him to create a greater volume of work than he has ever accomplished before. Contrary to a popularly held belief you do not have to be depressed to write good comedy. You need the ability to see mankind as it really is and still like it.
Chris was born in McCook, Nebraska and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas. He has a wife, two daughters and a son. Chris holds an M.S. in Educational Administration from Fort Hays State University (KS), an Elementary Education Certification from St. Mary of the Plains College (KS), and a B.A. in Theater and Media Arts from the University of Kansas (KS).
Seth A. Eckelman
Seth A. Eckelman is boundless, directed energy.
“When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear.” – Buddha
Seth is not afraid to take on anything. He combines the head of a finance and computer professional with the wit and wisdom of a writer and teacher. He has a voracious appetite for knowledge and an equal capacity to utilize the new information and skills for effective and creative purposes. His curiosity has led him in many different directions, but his strong and nimble mind has made him more than a dilettante. He is adept in all of his pursuits.
Seth’s first college career had him reading everything in sight. He was an award winning student at Avila University, graduating cum laude, with a major in English – Grammar and Linguistics with a minor in literature. So what does one do with this literary degree? Of course, he went to the University of Colorado in Denver and earned a masters degree in finance. This is just one example of the great variety of expertise and interests Seth possesses. He formed his own company and has worked the last six years in the areas of finance. The creative goals of Imum Pancy require a person able to plan the real world processes that make it possible to pursue the
more nebulous aspirations of the artists. This is not to say that Seth does not contribute to the art and creativity of the group. He has experience on stage and behind the scenes at The Depot Theater Company. He has taught at both the college level (Kansas City Kansas Community College) and elementary student groups (Destination: Center Stage, for the Depot Theater Company).
The energy and curiosity contributed by Mr. Eckelman infuses Imum Pancy with a spirit that is most conducive to creativity. His real world knowledge keeps the free spiritedness of the company grounded without clipping its wings; after all he is a licensed pilot.
Seth was born and raised in Dodge City, Kansas. He holds an M.S. in Finance from the University of Colorado (CO) and a B.A. in English from Avila University (MO).
