Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Lacuna Group to Perform Coriolanus

Coriolanus, by William Shakespeare, will be performed by Lacuna Group on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, in the Greenville Street Park in downtown Newnan. Both performances start at 3:00 p.m. There is no admission charge, and the group will host a pre-show talk at 2:30.

Lacuna Group, a local theatre collaborative, will perform Shakespeare’s complex political thriller with an all-male cast of ten, doubling and tripling roles as the play progresses.

“We played around in the park last weekend to see how we would need to adapt our performance to the space,” said Dale Lyles, member of the group. “We realized we needed to make a lot of changes, but we also came up with a list of recommendations for our audience, since this is a new experience for all of us.”

Those audience suggestions include bringing seating (chairs or blankets), sunglasses, and “a hat with a brim to keep the sun out of your eyes,” said Lyles. Sunscreen would probably be a good idea as well. There are no restrooms in the park. There will be one intermission.

Since it is outdoors, the play also presents a listening challenge to the audience.

“We were surprised at how good the acoustics are,” Lyles said, “but the fact is that we’re always competing with outside noises, traffic, birds, passersby. The audience will have no problem hearing us, but I think listening is different from hearing, and Shakespeare always demands a different kind of listening than other performances. Our audience is going to find itself paying attention just like the groundlings did 400 years ago.”

The Tragedy of Coriolanus tells the story of Caius Martius, a Roman general who is always successful on the battlefield. However, when his overbearing mother pushes him to stand for consul, the highest magistracy in Rome, he cannot hide his disdain for the common people. The tribunes lure him into betraying himself with his own anger, and the people banish him. He then seeks out his great opponent, Aufidius, and offers his services as a general to Rome’s enemies.

“This is one of those Shakespeare plays that many people have never heard of, and fewer have read,” said Lyles. “However, that doesn’t make it a ‘hard’ play to understand. In fact, I think people will be shocked at how contemporary the play feels, especially with an election of our own coming up. I’m betting that people are going to accuse us of translating or inserting passages, but every word is four centuries old. People are just people, and politics are politics, for good or bad, and William Shakespeare was the master at portraying them.”

Cast members include Jeff Allen, John Bilon, Jeff Bishop, Dan Coleman, Marc Honea, Greg Lee, Dale Lyles, Kevin McInturff, Andrew Stroud, and Scott Stroud.
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Clayton State Theater Majors Experience Huck Finn

Clayton State University Theater majors Susan Maddox (Rex, Ga.) and Kimberly McCloud (El Paso, Tx.), are getting hands on experience with their involvement in “Big River - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” a musical production of Theatrical Outfit, currently playing through Oct. 5 at the Balzer Theater at Herren’s, 84 Luckie St., Atlanta.

Both students became involved in theater at an early age.

“I've been involved with theater since pre-school. My first starring role was baby Jesus in our Christmas pageant,” says Maddox, who is part of the production crew for Big River. “I became really involved in theater in high school. My first experience in real theater was as an assistant director. Over the years I became more and more involved in technical theater which resulted in a job at the Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center.

“I left theater for a couple of years to try my hand at photography. I came back to the performing arts center and transferred to Clayton State in 2005. My first experience with theater at Clayton State was in Introduction to Theater before the Theater major was created. I enjoyed all of the theater classes I took and the day the major was official I signed up.”

“I began doing some acting at my church,” says McCloud, who plays the role of Townsperson in the musical. “There was a lull of a few years between now and then. [Clayton State Theater Director] Phillip DePoy encouraged me to take it up once again during my participation in Acting I with him in fall 2004.”

Maddox and McCloud give the Clayton State theater program great praises and credit for the hands on experience they are receiving.

“There are many things I love about Clayton State's theatre program. The first is how tight knit and close we all are. The theater majors share many classes together and spend a lot of time in rehearsal so we get to know each other very well and we have quickly become a small family,” says Maddox. “I also love the fact that my professors have come directly from professional theater and send their students into Atlanta with opportunities and contacts. I am comforted in knowing that my professors are giving me information that will help me survive in a career that is notorious for its hardships. It makes the transition from school to work much less intimidating.”

“What I absolutely love about the Clayton State University theater program is the exposure to professionals in the Atlanta theatre community. Our study of the theatrical arts is not solely academic it is put into practice and exercised with artists who make their living doing what we dream and plan to do,” McCloud says. “Artists like Phillip DePoy, Shontelle Thrash, Patricia Henrizte, Hugh Adams, Jen Akin, Ken Yunker, Rochelle Barker, and Joan McCurdy come to the Clayton State University Theatre and generously work with students. It has been wonderful.”

Despite some of the challenges that students face, there are many rewards. As a result, both students have risen to the occasion by taking advantage of many opportunities.

“I'm glad to know that I'm heading in the right direction and I'm doing what I need to do to be successful. I feel that I have opportunities opening up to me and I'm very excited,” says Maddox. “My goal for the near future is to become a director in Atlanta. I also would like to go to graduate school at Sarah Lawrence in New York and work toward a Ph.D. in dramaturgy. My ultimate goal is to start my own theater company in North Georgia for school age kids to get them involved and excited about the arts.”

“The biggest reward is the feeling of confidence and destiny that has been cultivated in me while rehearsing and while waiting in the wings for my entrance when the house is packed. It is like a shock of electricity that stirs me to perform and tell whatever story I have to tell in that moment,” McCloud says. “I am graduating in December, and then starts the real working actor's job -- auditioning. The internship I have right now at Theatrical Outfit has put me in contact with people that I hope to work with and for in the future. Also, there are the Unified Auditions in the spring held by the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts. I'll be there with a large group of metro area actors and hopefuls to present myself to over 60 theaters for their consideration. So, the future looks bright.”

“Actress Jill Jane Clements called me yesterday with effusive praise for both of these students. I’m very proud of them. This is exactly what we want from this theater program: experience in the real world of theatre that most often translates to actual jobs,” adds DePoy.

For more information on “Big River - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” go to www.theatricaloutfit.org.

A unit of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State University is an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university located 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.
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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Twilight Apprenticeship Company Accepting Applications for Innovative New Program!

The Twilight Theatre is now accepting applications for the new Twilight Apprenticeship Company. Operating on a school-year calendar, the Apprenticeship Company will provide students in grades 6 to 12 opportunities to learn about various aspects of theatre from hands-on involvement, networking with experts at monthly meetings, and working under the tutelage of knowledgeable mentors.

The Apprenticeship Company will operate under the direction of Dana Spears. We recently interviewed Ms. Spears about her vision and plans.

FFP: You came up with the idea for the Twilight Apprenticeship Company -
Where did the idea come from?

DS: I’m a child development specialist and through my work and reading I’ve discovered that preteens and teens need mentoring to help them explore career options and to come to better understand their own gifts and abilities. Just at the age when they need to be thinking about the transition to adulthood, some become stuck in adolescence. Their peers encourage them to see adults as the enemy when they desperately need adult role models in their areas of interest. Athletes sometimes get this kind of mentoring. Creative kids too often do not. I want to be sure that my children and the youth I know are coming in contact with adults who have talent and maturity, and are getting encouragement from them. I’ve met some wonderful adults through The Twilight Theatre who have great insight to offer into the creative process.

FFP: You have acted, directed musicals and workshops, costumed (you and your daughters Anna Kate and Maggie have singlehandedly created Twilight's costume closet). Why the venture into something different?

DS: My professional and volunteer activities have usually been with kids. I’ve been a counselor for children and families for many years and have written a book about creative, ”Dreamer” kids. I’m also a youth ministry volunteer and Cub Scout leader. When my children became interested in theater, I jumped in with them, both to be sure I knew what was going on in their lives and to support their dreams. Like most community theater groups, Twilight offers lots of opportunities to volunteer and perform. The Apprenticeship Company offers me a chance to combine my interest in youth with my love of theater.

FFP: Have you always been interested in theatre?

DS: I was a dancer first. I started acting at about age ten with a children’s theater company. I continued doing musical theater in high school. In youth ministry, I wrote skits and performed all the crazy roles. I’ve been a professor and public speaker in the years since. Twilight got me back onto the stage starting with “Annie.”

FFP: What do you do other than theatre/in your spare time?

DS: As I mentioned, I do a lot of volunteer work. I am in private practice as a counselor with A New Start Counseling Center, and I home school my three children. I like to invest my time in people. I’m good at starting things and helping others. Unfortunately, maintenance tasks like housekeeping tend to fall by the wayside. I also watch a lot of old movies, mostly musicals.

FFP: What areas of theatre do you hope to offer as options for education
and experience?

DS: Youth will learn sound and light, plus choreography, directing, costume and set design, and administration. Adults with specific areas of giftedness will mentor students in these different areas. We aren’t looking for actors only. Students with technical interests won’t be required to act if they prefer to work behind the scenes. For those who are career-minded, the technical jobs are a lot more numerous than the acting jobs. Learning to do both can give an actor a more stable career and variety in their work.

FFP: Tell me about opportunities this program offers for adults.

DS: Adults who want to support community theater through Twilight, but don’t have time to work on show after show, can train students to take over the tasks they’ve been doing. Also, adults with untapped talents can come alongside these kids to help them follow their dreams. A small amount of supervision, encouragement, and accountability is often all that’s needed to help a student step up and succeed. We’ll also need one-time speakers to come in to our monthly meetings and discuss their areas of expertise.

FFP: Why do you think this program is important?

DS: How long do you have? As I’ve already mentioned, individual mentoring is critical in helping students transition to adulthood. Also, theater kids enjoy getting together. As a director, I’ve learned that they want to talk. If they have opportunities to socialize beyond rehearsals (when they need to be quiet) they can be more focused when the curtain goes up. So we’ll have social events and field trips to shows in addition to the monthly meetings. Creative kids often feel alone and weird because they think differently and have different interests that a lot of their peers. They need to learn that they aren’t alone and that’s it can be good to be different. I remember being at a cast party and seeing teens gathered around a piano singing show tunes…not a typical teen party, but a very positive way to spend an evening. I want to help youth see the positive and put aside the competition with one another to work as a team.

FFP: How can students become a part of this program?

DS: Apprentices are accepted based on their application, 1 personal reference, 1 theatre/arts reference, and an interview. The interview is NOT an audition, but an opportunity for applicants to show their enthusiasm, their eagerness to learn, their willingness to listen, and their commitment to the program. Applications and reference forms are available for download at www.TheTwilightTheatre.com/Apprenticeship.html. Due to scheduling difficulties among members of the selection committee, the deadline for applications has been extended to Monday, September 29, 2008. Once the complete application packet is received, applicants will be notified and an interview date and time scheduled.

FFP: Thank you, Dana. We look forward to hearing more as this innovative, worthwhile program takes off.

DS: Thank you, too. We’ll definitely keep you posted.
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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Hilarious, Atlanta-centric Comedy Hits the Hertz Stage at the Alliance Theatre

From Buckhead living to Coca-Cola, from The Varsity to Spaghetti Junction, all that makes Atlanta special is spotlighted in this no-holds-barred World Premiere comedy revue created in partnership with Chicago’s The Second City. The Second City: Too Busy to Hate…Too Hard to Commute will transform the Hertz Stage into an underground comedy cabaret as the power of laughter is celebrated in this original two-act satire that lovingly mocks all things ATL. Opening Night is Wed., Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. on the Hertz Stage. Tickets are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org.

The Second City: Too Busy to Hate…Too Hard to Commute is written and created by the cast of The Second City with additional material by Ed Furman and TJ Shanoff. These masters of sketch and improv comedy take a Southern-fried stab at Atlanta, creating a show that reflects the city in all its diversity, complexity and hilarity. This production gives the audience a chance to laugh at themselves while providing the city’s comic and improv community an exclusive opportunity for national exposure (see Special Events section).

The Second City is the birthplace of many legendary comic geniuses including Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, John Candy and Tina Fey. Besides being a proven training ground for high profile comedians, it has a solid national reputation for irreverent, homegrown sketch comedy.

Of the six-member cast, two local actors add to the Atlanta-centric nature of the show: Amy Roeder and Tim Stoltenberg (Go, Dog. Go!). (Biographical information on the cast and creative team members may be found in the attached fact sheet.)

Members of the artistic team that will bring this hilarious show to the stage are Matt Hovde, director, and Lisa McQueen, musical director.

Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sept. 19 – Oct. 26, 2008 on the Hertz Stage. There will not be matinee performances on Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 19.

Opening/Media Night is Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. The Sunday, Oct. 12 show at 2:30 p.m. will be Audio Described for the visually impaired.

Tickets are $35 and $40 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office by calling 404.733.5000 or online at www.alliancetheatre.org. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students. The Alliance Theatre is located at the Woodruff Arts Center, corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.

Special Events: Friday Night Improv Sets
Oct. 3, 10 and 24
Make it a full night of laughs. Stay late Friday nights after the show to enjoy an interactive laugh fest with sets from featured local improv artists. Featured companies include Laughing Matters, Whole World Theatre and Dad’s Garage Theatre Company.

The Second City: Too Busy to Hate…Too Hard to Commute is part of the Turner Series on the Hertz Stage and is sponsored by Superior Essex.

Additional Sponsors: The Second City: Too Busy to Hate…Too Hard to Commute is sponsored by Delta Air Lines – the Official Airline of the Alliance Theatre; the Marriott Residence Inn – the Official Hotel of the Alliance Theatre; and The Home Depot – the Set Construction Sponsor of the Alliance Theatre.

Production of The Second City: Too Busy to Hate…Too hard to Commute is made possible with grants from the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, the Fulton County Arts Council, the Georgia Council for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Monday, September 1, 2008

Carroll County Community Theatre presents Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

September 25-27 at 7:30 and
Sunday September 28 at 2:00 p.m.

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center Theatre
251 Alabama Street
Carrollton, GA 30117

Reserved Seat Tickets are $10 for all.

Winner of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Play, Death of a Salesman revolves around the last days of Willy Loman (Bill Hearnberg), a failing salesman, who cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife (Alice Teal), his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the “American Dream” kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American theatre. Call 770-838-1083 for information and tickets. Ticket office is open weekdays 9am-5 pm and one hour before performance.
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Theatre Sells Costumes and More on September 12 and 13

Fayette County based Offshoot Productions is holding a sale of hundreds of costumes pieces as well as front-of-house items and small props on Friday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The sale will take place at the Peachtree City home of artistic director Susan M. Steadman, Ph.D. Costumes, mostly in adult and teen sizes, include various period pieces, animals, fantasy creatures and children’s story characters. In addition, material, small props and front-of-house equipment such as brochure holders, lanterns, tablecloths and storage bins will be available.

The goal is to consolidate belongings and make available to other performing arts groups and individuals much of what the company has accumulated in its 15 seasons.

For additional information and directions, contact Offshoot at (770) 631-2362 or offshootpr@aol.com
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Offshoot Seeks Actor for Murder Mystery

Offshoot Productions is looking for an actor, late 20s to mid-30s, to fill the role of Toby in Rehearsal for Murder. The actor needs to be quick study with some improvisation background and a flexible schedule. Performances are on an occasional basis in restaurants and other intimate settings.

The play takes place at a regional audition, where Toby, an actor, finds himself trapped in a freight elevator with a off-kilter director and a lovely aspiring actress. He is a flirt and an egotist, but not without talent.

Interested actors should contact the Offshoot office at (770) 631-2362 or offshootpr@aol.com to set up an audition appointment. Please note that stipends are paid for each performance, and that most rehearsals and performances are in Fayette County.
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