A Note from the Vice President:
To all participating members of the Jackson Theatre Guild; please be advised of yet another way you can be part of the active life of the Guild. Have you read a good play? Have you heard about a good play? We are always looking for people to read and evalute plays.
Its very simple, choose a play that sounds interesting, read it and write up a brief summary if you think its a play that the our group could successfully produce. The Theater Guild has a Library of plays to chose from or we can order plays from several sources online. MaryCat will be happy to order any play you might be interested in.
Here are the things to keep in mind when evaluating a play:
1) Cast size and diversity
2) Set requirements (Billy is a miracle worker but some sets are beyond even him ..and our budget.
3) Relative mass appeal…this one is a bit subjective, but we would like plays that more rather than fewer people would be interested in seeing.
These summaries should be written to be shared with all our members and posted on the JTG website blog. This will help Billy & all our various directors as we plan future productions.
If you are interested, please find a play, write a summary and get involved.
One long term goal is to raise the funds necessary to construct a building that would serve as storage for costumes & props, building space for sets & rehearsal space.
After discussion at the Feb. meeting, the decision was made to hold a big event in February of 2008 that would be a fundraiser/season kickoff combination. Based on the success of last fall’s “A Night of Andrew Lloyd Webber Music” we would hold a similar event but also seize the opportunity to annouce the 2008 season and promote season tickets sales.
TTA Conference will be held in Jackson in the fall of 07. High school, college and community divisions will be competing at various venues around Jackson. It is a great opportunity to see some great theatre. We will post more info as we have it.
We really need someone to assume the role of overseeing, organizing and checking in/out the props and costumes. After our last work day, everything at the Bemis warehouse is in a much better state and now we need someone to take it to the next level.
Hey! Make plans now to audition for our summer show Man of La Mancha! We’re planning a big production of this classic musical so get on board! Audition info will be forthcoming. If you’re already planning your summer and need specifics before they’re posted here, email me and we’ll get right back to ya!
One fun thing we’re planning is a stage combat workshop which will be open to the public. Darren Michael will be the presenter.
The cast and crew will get a private session with Darren. He will also choreograph the fight scene for the show. Cool!
Man of La Mancha is a wonderful show to do - it’s uplifting… has a great story and marvelous music!
Join us!
Anyone buying a 2007 Patron or Benefactor pass by March 31 will be eligible for Free Starbucks fresh brew coffee for the entire month of April. Participants will receive a cool JTG travel mug that can be presented at the Starbucks on Vann Drive all month long for free fresh brew java. This offer does not include any specialty drinks. Many thanks to the management for working with us on this promo. When filling up, please let them know you appreciate their support of the Guild!
Just in case some of you weren’t aware, Lauren Pritchard and John West both have roles in currently running Broadway shows. Lauren is part of the “Spring Awakening” cast which is getting rave reviews and John in touring with “The Producers” in which we’ve heard he’s fabulous. On a similar note, Derek Shipman is part of the “Second City Review” comedy troupe in Las Vegas!
The idea of producing one of regular season productions as a dinner theatre show was brought up at the last meeting. Everyone agreed the idea merited further investigation. Any thoughts?
I’m sad to report the Howard passed away February 1, 2007. As many of you may remember in 2003, Howard was one of the “Dancing Waiters” in “Hello Dolly”. He was over 80 then and yet performed an amazing tap dance sequence. Affable, kind, humble, grateful and seemingly dauntless, Howard will always be a great inspiration for anyone who knew him. I had the distinct honor of working with Howard in the first Guild version of “Hello Dolly” in 1983(?) as well as the last. One interesting observation from that expanse of time we shared, I got older and Howard never did.
