Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Mason

May 22, 2017 · 2:00 pm

WEST SIDE STORY Comes to The Children’s Theatre of Mason Stage May 26-28

CTM_West Side Story logo

55 talented local performers bring this story to the
Mason High School Auditorium for four performances 

The Children’s Theatre of Mason is proud to present WEST SIDE STORY, May 26-28 in Mason. Set in 1950s New York City, WEST SIDE STORY is a modern take on Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo and Juliet.

The show will run for four performances – Friday, May 26th at 7:00pm; Saturday, May 27th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm; and Sunday, May 28th at 2:00pm. VIP reserved seating tickets can be purchased for the Friday and Saturday evening shows as well as the Sunday matinee for $25 each.  General admission tickets for any show are $12 each.  All tickets can be purchased online at www.ctm-kids.com through May 25th at 5pm and at the door starting one hour before each show.

In 1949, Jerome Robbins proposed an idea to Leonard Bernstein to write a musical based on Romeo and Juliet.  The original story was to be called East Side Story, but the name was changed after an influx of Puerto Ricans became something people were talking about on the West Side of New York City.  In 1955, Stephen Sondheim joined the group to write the lyrics and a year and a half later WEST SIDE STORY prepared to make it’s Broadway debut.  While the stage version of WEST SIDE STORY lost to The Music Man for Best New Musical at the Tony Awards in 1958, the film version, which was released in 1961, won 10 Academy Awards making it the most awarded musical in history.

WEST SIDE STORY is the story of two young idealistic lovers from opposing gangs and different cultures who find themselves caught in the middle of a gang war.  In a place and time where most are struggling for economic survival, the “American” Jets see their territory and jobs being taken by Puerto Rican immigrants.  The newly immigrated “Sharks” feel the sting of rejection and suspicion for being outsiders.  As tensions escalate, the couple hopes their love can overcome all obstacles and be a bridge to bring the two gangs and cultures together before violence creates an even bigger divide.

WEST SIDE STORY is a memorable and tragic look at 1950s New York City, but its landmark story and message are still as relevant today as the day they were written. From the worst of human emotions to our best, WEST SIDE STORY shows the struggle for love and compassion to overcome prejudice and ignorance.  Karen Kilgore, President of The Children’s Theatre of Mason says, “No other show quite captures the polarizing qualities like WEST SIDE STORY. It produces a show that is both rough and tender, realistic and haunting, old fashion but as current as tomorrow’s news.”

Fans can follow The Children’s Theatre of Mason on Facebook (Children’s Theatre of Mason, Inc. – CTM), Twitter (@CTMkids) and Instagram (CTMKIDS). 

About The Children’s Theatre of Mason
CTM produces two large-scale productions each season, from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Les Miserables” to “South Pacific” and “Annie” as well as many other popular favorites. CTM offers children from ages 7-18 from all over the Cincinnati area the opportunity to take part onstage as performers as well as off stage as crew members, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit www.CTM-kids.com or call 513.398.0116. 

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January 19, 2017 · 3:54 pm

Auditions Announced for WEST SIDE STORY at The Children’s Theatre of Mason

CTM_logoMonday, Feb. 6 from 6-9pm by appointment
Tuesday, Feb. 7 form 6-8pm by appointment

CALLBACKS:
Wednesday, Feb. 8 6-9pm Dance Callback
Thursday, Feb. 9 6-9pm Script Callback

SHOW: May 26-28, 2017 Memorial Day Weekend

FIRST REHEARSAL: Tuesday, Feb 21st at CTM

PARENT MEETING: Sunday, Feb 19th

REHEARSALS: Tues./Thurs. 6-9pm, Sun 1-5pm at CTM’s Main Street Studio; a full rehearsal schedule will be shared within the first 3 weeks of rehearsals

DIRECTOR: Dirk Doebereiner

ABOUT THE SHOW: Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is transported to modern-day New York City as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the “American” Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

*An Audition Appointment is NECESSARY
Click Here for an Audition Appointment
Audition ages 12 – 18

  • Place: Mars Hill Academy (4230 Aero Drive) (Click here for directions)
  • Bring a headshot photo to the audition (photos will not be returned). Photo does NOT need to be professional.
  • Make an Audition Appointment and print the resulting audition form. Be sure to bring that printed audition form to the audition.
  • You only need to come to one of the audition dates.
  • If you cannot make either audition date, you may submit a video audition. Please click Video Audition Information for details.
    Callbacks will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8th AND Thursday, Feb. 9th at Mars Hill Academy, those who are called back must be available for the entire callback time.
    Email any questions to production@childrenstheatreofmason.com.

Rehearsals

  • First rehearsal will be a full cast read-thru on Tuesday, Feb. 21. There will also be a mandatory parent meeting – Sunday, Feb. 19. Additional details will be provided.
  • Rehearsals will be on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at CTM’s Main Street Studios in Mason.

Requirements

  • Those cast in WEST SIDE STORY will pay a $125 participation fee which covers the cost of: a souvenir show t-shirt, garment bag for your costume/s, a one line personal ad in the playbill, and the main parts of your costume. Actors may be asked to supply specific accessories or generic pieces (ex. socks, tights, shoes, etc.)
  • It is mandatory that parents volunteer for at least 6 hours on pre-production jobs (set painting, set building, parent monitoring, etc.), as well as for 2 volunteer time slots during the performance weekend (ticket sales, concessions, green room, etc.). Parents who cannot make this commitment should not have their children audition.

Audition Preparation
NOTE: We value your time and that of all actors. You may be stopped before the end of your audition. This is not a reflection of your performance only that the directors have seen or heard what they need to. If you have a specific part of your song you feel is very important, try to start near that portion so you are not stopped before reaching it.

  • Monologue:
    • Memorized monologue should be a maximum of 30 seconds.
  • Song:
    • Please prepare 30 seconds of a song. Your song should showcase your acting ability and skills while singing.
    • NO songs from West Side Story and NO pop songs. No a cappella (bring music!)
    • No accompanist will be available. It is strongly recommended that you use an accompaniment track. There will be a CD player and speaker connection for mp3 players available.
    • Please bring your accompaniment track on a phone, CD, or MP3 Player. Song may have Backup vocals on the CD/MP3 but no lead vocals.
    • When using a phone, CD, or MP3 player, please edit your track to the beginning of where you will be singing.
    • Please note we cannot be responsible if CD/MP3 does not play properly.
    • Suggestions for your song:
      • Select a song that showcases your voice and your vocal range.
      • Select a song that has as few key changes as possible.
      • Select a song that does not have lots of rests or sing the song without those rests.
      • If possible, pick a song that shows some quick delivery of words and pitches as well as some longer, sustained notes.
  • CALLBACKS:
    • Wed. Feb 8th – DANCE CALLBACK 6-9pm
      • Wear dance shoes and appropriate clothing for dancing.
    • Thurs. Feb 9th – SCRIPT CALLBACK 6-9pm

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October 31, 2016 · 7:00 am

ANNIE Runs Nov. 4-6

ctm_annie-logoANNIE
Children’s Theatre of Mason
Nov. 4-6
Mason High School Auditorium

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find her parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. She finds a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

  • Fri at 7pm
  • Sat at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun at 2pm

Official page |

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October 11, 2016 · 6:33 am

ANNIE Comes to The Children’s Theatre of Mason Stage November 4-6

75 talented local performers bring this story to the Mason High School Auditorium for four performances 

ctm_annie-logoThe Children’s Theatre of Mason is proud to present ANNIE, November 4-6 in Mason. Annie is a timeless musical classic plucked from the comic book pages. Set in 1930s New York City, Annie is a true rags-to-riches story.

The show will run for four performances – Friday, November 4th at 7:00pm; Saturday, November 5th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm; and Sunday, November 6th at 2:00pm. VIP reserved seating tickets can be purchased for the Friday and Saturday evening shows as well as the Sunday matinee for $25 each.  General admission tickets for any show are $12 each.  All tickets can be purchased online at www.CTM-kids through November 3rd at 5pm and at the door starting one hour before each show.

Based on the popular comic strip Little Orphan Annie by Harold Gray, Annie first came to the Broadway stage in 1977 where it ran for nearly 6 years.  It has since had two Broadway revivals and several national tours.  The original Broadway production was nominated for 11 Tony Awards winning 7 Tony’s including Best Musical and Best Score.  In 1982, the Broadway Musical Annie was adapted into a screen version which earned Aileen Quinn, who played Annie, and Carol Burnett, who played Miss Hannigan, each a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

Left at an orphanage too young to remember her parents, Annie has been living under the abusive thumb of Miss Hannigan while hoping her parents will one day return. Growing impatient, she plots an escape and finds herself alone in the middle of depression-era New York City where she is eventually found by police and returned. When she least expects it, Annie is invited to spend Christmas with billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, by his caring assistant, Grace Farrell, as one of his charitable causes. One thing leads to another and Oliver discovers the daughter he never knew he wanted. When Annie shares that she wants to find her real parents, Oliver pushes aside his feelings to help. Enlisting the aid of a national radio host, the FBI and even President Roosevelt, Oliver stops at nothing to help Annie on her quest. Despite the efforts of hundreds of gold diggers and even the nefarious Rooster Hannigan and Lilly St. Regis, nothing seems to be able to stand in the way of Annie finding the home and the love she so desperately needs and deserves.  “ ‘Annie is at the heart a musical comedy’….. big, warmhearted, funny, and overflowing with Spirit, and if there is such a thing as a kiddie show for adults, Annie has to be it,” says Karen Kilgore, President of The Children’s Theatre of Mason.

The Children’s Theatre of Mason will be accepting contributions, as well as donating a portion of the proceeds from our shows, to Circle Tail, Inc.  Circle Tail’s mission is to provide service and hearing dogs for people with disabilities at no cost to the individual.  They also provide dogs for adoption, as well as offer dog obedience training, behavior management, educational programs, and boarding services

Fans can follow The Children’s Theatre of Mason on Facebook (Children’s Theatre of Mason, Inc. – CTM), Twitter (@CTMkids) and Instagram (CTMKIDS). 

About The Children’s Theatre of Mason
CTM produces two large-scale productions each season, from “Shrek the Musical” and “The Wizard of Oz” to “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and “Les Miserables” as well as many other popular favorites. CTM offers children from ages 7-18 from all over the Cincinnati area the opportunity to take part onstage as performers as well as off stage as crew members, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit www.CTM-kids.com or call 513.398.0116. 

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June 14, 2016 · 6:38 am

SOUTH PACIFIC Runs June 17-19

CTM_South Pacific logoSOUTH PACIFIC
The Children’s Theatre of Mason
June 17-19
Mason

Official cast list |

Set during World War II on an island in the South Pacific, Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile’s proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he’s fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. Both Nellie and Joe find themselves struggling to reconcile their own cultural prejudices with their feelings of love, all the while under the dark cloud of a war that is coming ever closer to their island paradise.

  • Fri, June 17 at 7pm
  • Sat, June 18 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, June 19 at 2pm

Official page | Press release | Facebook event

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