Charlotte Theatre News

Theatre Charlotte holds auditions for

“Anna in the Tropics” -
A staged reading in Spanish

May 21, 2007
7:00 PM. at Theatre Charlotte
501 Queens Rd.

Theatre Charlotte announces open auditions for a staged reading in Spanish of “Anna in the Tropics”, by Nilo Cruz.
The English translation of the script will be projected up, along with the readers. The reading will be directed by Frank Dominguez, program director of wdav 89.9.

Needed are five and three women.

Also needed are someone to read the stage directions, and someone to run the projection of the English translation.

Anna in the Tropics is a new and exciting play which takes place in Florida in 1929 in a Cuban-American cigar factory, where “lectors” are employed to educate and entertain the workers. The arrival of a new lector is cause for celebration, but when he begins to read aloud from Anna Karenina, he unwittingly becomes a catalyst in the lives of his avid listeners.

The staged reading will be June 16, 2007, 8:00 PM.

for further information call Bob Tully at (704)376-3777

CAST is in need of a COT for Top Dog Underdog. The show opens on 5/31 and if possible we could use this ASAP for tech. Anyone having a cot should contact:

Richardson, LaToya: Stage Manager
E-mail Address(es):
ldricha1@gmail.com

Raleigh, NC. The North Carolina Theatre Conference, the nonprofit service, leadership and advocacy organization for the theatre field statewide, announces the appointment of Angela McGuire Hays as the new Executive Director of NCTC effective July 1, 2007. Hays will take over the leadership of NCTC when current Executive Director Terry Milner leaves the position on June 30.

Angie Hays comes to NCTC from Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey where she worked as the Communications and Audience Development Manager. Hays is delighted to return to North Carolina where she previously served as the Associate General Manager and Marketing Director for the North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Festival in Manteo, as well as a Campaign Manager for the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Prior to her work in North Carolina, Angie was the head of the Children’s Division at The Docherty Agency in Pittsburgh, PA and the Casting Director for Porthouse Theatre in Ohio. She holds a BA in Theatre from Kent State University and is a member of the first graduating class of the MFA in Performing Arts Management from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She is married to musician Drew Hays, who will earn his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from UNC-Greensboro in August.

Hays is enthusiastic about her appointment to the position. “I am honored and delighted to return to North Carolina to work with the superb Board of NCTC to continue the organization’s service to the statewide theatre community,” said Hays. “NCTC has a remarkable history of accomplishment. I look forward to building new partnerships and programs to not only grow our industry but to lead it and NCTC into a new era of excellence.”

Ms. Hays was chosen through a national search begun in the fall of 2006 when Milner announced he would be leaving the organization at the end of the current fiscal year. Charles Flynn-McIver, chair of the search committee and Artistic Director of Asheville’s NC Stage Company, is pleased with the choice, describing Hays as “cool under pressure, smart, creative and driven by her commitment and passion for theatre.”

This transition of professional leadership is only the third in NCTC’s 37-year history. Longtime staffer Martha Keravuori was succeeded by actor and arts activist David zum Brunnen in 1997; Terry Milner took over as Executive Director in 2002.

Incoming NCTC Board President Catherine Rodgers spoke highly of Milner’s tenure at NCTC. “Under Terry’s capable leadership NCTC has grown, and with his vision theatre in our state is stronger than ever,” said Rodgers.

“We are proud that NCTC has been able to conduct orderly leadership succession throughout its history, something we hope to model for other arts organizations,” says Milner, the outgoing Executive Director. “This is a very good indicator of the continued health of NCTC. I am thrilled that the Board has selected Angie Hays to carry on the tradition.”

Milner and his partner Gabriel Lamazares will be relocating to New York City this fall, where Milner will work as a freelance consultant and teacher, as well as pursuing further training in acting, directing and playwriting.

     I have felt the sting of the critics whip as they put me in my place. Yeah, I know, “it’s only one person’s opinion. It’s the opinion of the audience that counts.” But a bad review still settles on my mind, if only for a little while. Especiallywhen the critic delights in delivering their poison in a vicious manner. Please don’t tell me to “tuffin’ up.” I have a job where I have to be “tuff.” Theatre for me is a hobby. Supposedly a fun one. But I am indeed more curious than bothered by critics.

     So I ask for your opinions, habits & comments.

1 How often do you read the reviews?

2 Does a review influence your decision to go see a play?

3 How often do you agree with the critic?

4 Do yo think the local Charlotte critics are too harsh, too lenient or fair in the way they word their review?

5 As a theatre artist, has a review ever effected you?

6 If you are a director, does a review effect (bad or good) your casting decisions?

7 Do you think the way a review is written can have a negative (non-supportive) effect on local theatre?

     If you care to make a comment you can send it to lernin2live@hotmail.com  —-  no name is necessary, it will not be passed on, I’ll see what the consensus are and pass those on. If you’d like to make a comment I’m sure you can post it here at Charlottetheatre.net

       Thank you for your time. —–  Phil T.

On view April 29 – October 14, 2007 at the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington
Brown Wing, Hughes Wing and Galleria Cases

This premiere exhibition features the costume designs of William Ivey Long, a native of North Carolina and recipient of four Tony awards for his work on Broadway. Long’s brilliant designs for stage and film will fill the museum’s exhibition spaces with costumes and sketches created for Nine, Contact, The Producers, Frogs, Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Cabaret, La Cage aux Folles, and A Christmas Carol, in addition to the designer’s work for Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage in Las Vegas. NCTC honored Mr. Long in 2006 with the annual NCTC Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Theatre.

The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalog with essays by noted authorities. Programs relating to the exhibition will be presented through the exhibition. The exhibition may be viewed only in guided tours at the following days and times:
Tuesday – Sunday, 11:30 am and 2:00 pm
6:30 pm, every fourth Friday evening.

Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Visit the museum’s admission page for more information, or call the Cameron Art Museum at 910.395.5999.

Sponsored in part by: Thomas S. Kenan Foundation, Nancy Allen, Scott Corbett, E. W. Godwin’s and Sons, Inc., Harris Teeter, Image Displays, and Elaine Werner

Join us for “Saturday Marathons”, an afternoon of continual new play readings by Carolina Playwrights.

On May 19th and 26th the voices of over twenty area playwrights will be heard on two exciting Saturday afternoons.  Audiences are invited to enjoy a new play buffet of themes and styles with readings ranging in length from 10 to 40 minutes, topics from thought-provoking to comic mayhem.  The Saturday play reading ‘Marathons’ will be held in the Lobby of Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall Street.  No reservations are required.  Readings are FREE and will be begin at 12:30 p.m. and continue until approximately 5:30 p.m.

Come ready to participate in feedback discussions with actors, directors and playwrights immediately following the plays.

For more information and the schedule for “Marathon Saturdays” contact our website www.piproductions.org.

PI PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS “HOMEMADE PI” – a showcase of new play
readings
Four Days, Four New Homegrown Plays May 17 - June 2, 2007

Pi Productions presents “Homemade Pi,” three weekends of new play
readings by talented local playwrights on topics that range from
thought-provoking to comic mayhem. This exciting showcase invites you
to participate in the shaping of new full-length plays through
interaction with theatre artists. Come be a part of the making of
theatre.

Pi Productions is a Charlotte-based theatre company created in 2004.
Pi is committed to supporting the development of new work and to
bringing new and unique voices to the stage with the mission to provide
an opportunity for local artists to showcase their talents while
producing a broad range of high quality theatrical experiences.
Ultimately, Pi Productions aspires to be recognized as a cultural asset
to our city.

Tickets $6, 4-show Pass $22
More information: www.PiProductions.org or call 704.367.1345.

Murder Mystery & Dinner Show in Charlotte, NC

WHO: The About Town Tours “ComeSolveIt-Charlotte Players”, a troupe of local North & South Carolina professional actors. 

WHAT: Presents interactive Murder Mysteries where you get to interrogate the suspects and help to figure out “Whodunit.”

WHERE: At Lava Java Coffeehouse & Bistro, 5724-G W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28215 (corner of W.T. Harris Blvd and Sharon Amity).  Stop by soon, have a cup of freshly roasted coffee or a great meal at this locally run venue, and make your reservations. or

Make your reservations online via CarolinaTix - click on the below links.  Or call Blumenthal box office at 704/372-1000:

WHEN:

June 3, 2007 (Sunday) “Curse Of The Comet” http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail.asp?id=551

Imagine it is September 17, 1945.  We need you to help us uncover the culprit who did in archaeologist Myron Mason.

July 1, 2007 “I Loathe A Parade” - The 4th of July mystery with a patriotic twist and a flash of fireworks.  Who wanted to kill the Mayor? (Click this link for reservations): http://www.carolinatix.org/events/detail.asp?id=552

By interrogating the suspects, you have to come up with “motive, means and opportunity in order to find out “whodunit.”  It is a true murder mystery.  Oh, and did I mention, you’ll have lots of fun!

All Shows: $50.00 per person to include - Pre-show appetizers and cash bar from 6-7pm, dinner at 7:00pm, sleuthing begins at around 7:30pm.  Seating is limited to 50 people for each show.

Contact for show information: Della Freedman 704/650-2799 or info@abouttowntours.com or check our website at www.abouttowntours.com

Quick review. Not many shows left. The Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord will present Grace & Glorie; Friday & Saturday night with a matinee on Sunday. 704-788-2405

This is a 2 woman show dealing with death, faith & life. If you want a show with laughs, blood, sweat, guts, & thoughts this is the one for you. Grace is a 90 year old Virginia mountain woman who goes home to the shack on the farm to die. She can’t get around well enough to stay in the big house. Glorie is a hospice worker sent to take care of Grace to the end. Grace doesn’t want her there & Glorie has a problem that needs to learn about death.

Glorie is well played by Dore Jamison, presenting her character as a believable transplanted Yankee with problems going past the loss of a young son. There were times during her monologues that I wanted different volume levels. She presents the emotions but maybe needs to pull back the intensity at meaningful moments.

Becky Porter is an acting performance to be studied. Easily bringing her audience with her as she takes Grace through the emotions of a lifetime in this 2+ hour production. Laid out before you are your own doubts, faith, fear & arrangements. Study hard, it doesn’t get much better than this.

This is the artistic directors last show before she leaves for graduate school. Heather Wilson leaves on a high note with a top notch show she can be proud of.

JMO

Children’s Theatre’s Ensemble Company, made up of talented local high school actors, will present Euripides’ “Alcestis” from May 24-26 in the Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn. A brilliant adaptation by poet Ted Hughes gives new life to this classic tragicomedy’s timeless themes of love, sacrifice and redemption.

 

King Admetos, doomed to an early death, is given a chance at life if someone will agree to die in his place. While others refuse, his devoted and virtuous wife Alcestis agrees to give up her life for his. But her death raises many questions. Was King Admetos selfish to accept his wife’s sacrifice? Will he be able to carry on without her? And what will happen when the mighty Heracles arrives on the scene? Hughes’ adaptation weaves together vivid language and modern idiom into a poignant and powerfully moving work.

 

Performance times are:

 

Thursday, May 24                      7:30 pm

Friday, May 25                          7:30 pm

Saturday, May 26                      7:30 pm

 

Performances will be in the Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn. All tickets are $10.00. For tickets to the production, call the Children’s Theatre Box Office at 704-973-2828 (10 am-5 pm, Mon.-Fri.) or visit our website: www.ctcharlotte.org. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

 

About the Ensemble Company

The Ensemble Company provides pre-professional training to high school actors who possess theatrical talent and a strong commitment to theatre work. Many of these young people will continue pursuing acting training in college and in their careers.

 

Selected through auditions, the students receive school credit as part of Children’s Theatre’s partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. There is no cost to the student for this program. Meeting for classes every Saturday and Sunday throughout the school year, the Company studies voice, movement, characterization, script analysis, improvisation and production.