Tag Archives: via Wesseling List

July 23, 2012 · 10:54 am

MLT Seeks Two Singers for CLOSER THAN EVER

MIDDLETOWN LYRIC THEATRE is looking for:

  • 2 MALES
    1-Bari/tenor
    1 Bass

The ideal candidates would have dynamic voices and charismatic personalities. Age range mid twenties and up.

Information or schedule an audition
513-425-7140 or 513-217-7346
cshafor@middletownlyric.org

Closer Than Ever
By David Shire and Richard Maltby Jr.
Directed By Charley Shafor
Vocal Direction By: Pam Steiniger
Pianist: Mary Ellen Clinard

CLOSER THAN EVER is an intimate, insightful tale about couples and unrequited love. Love, security, happiness-and holding onto them in a world that pulls you in a hundred directions at once. Maltby and Shire bring their celebrated craft and contemporary sensibility to songs about aging, mid-life crisis, second marriages, and role reversals.

Production runs: September 13-22
Rehearsal Begins: Monday July 30

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July 19, 2012 · 9:59 am

Sunset Players Sign Lease to Save Historic Dunham Center Building

Sunset Players sign lease with City of Cincinnati
to save historic Dunham Center Building

In what is seen by both parties as a win-win, Sunset Players, the resident drama group at Dunham Arts Center for more than 30 years, signed a 25-year lease with the City of Cincinnati for the Dunham Arts Center building at the Dunham Recreation Complex.

The Arts Center will be repurposed as the Arts Center at Dunham, a true fine arts center for the Westside of Cincinnati. The upper level of the building will contain a 350-seat performance venue, and the lower level, art studio space as well as art programming space. The auditorium will be used not only for performances (Sunset Players plays, concerts, etc.), but also art shows and the like.

As part of this agreement, “This important building is going to be saved rather than being mothballed and or shut down,” says John Wesseling, long time Sunset Players member and President of the Dunham Advisory Board. “The city will no longer be responsible for its utilities and repairs. This will enable CRC to focus on repurposing the newly closed golf course.” The Arts Center is one of three remaining buildings of a hospital complex dating back to 1879. The building, a splendid example of the Art Deco architecture, features an auditorium, terrazzo floors, a bronze entryway, and art deco fixtures.

The Hannaford and Sons-designed building was built as the Arts and Recreation Center for the former Dunham Hospital for tuberculosis patients. The Hannaford firm also designed many historical buildings in Cincinnati, including Music Hall and City Hall. Combining the Arts Center at Dunham with the Dunham recreation center programming, the Cincinnati Reds Miracle Ball field, and the aquatic center, the Dunham Recreation complex is unique in Cincinnati.

Price Hill has been working to redefine itself as an arts community for several years. Creating this vibrant Arts Center on the Westside dovetails with these plans. Beth Andriacco, of Price Hill Will, remarks,”This project is a wonderful collaboration with so many partners at the table. Here we have an arts organization, a community development corporation, a community council, CRC, and City Council coming together to create something that will truly benefit not just our neighborhood but the City of Cincinnati as a whole. Collaboration like this is difficult and time consuming, but all the partners at the table are willing to put in the work and make the Arts Center a true success.”

Working with the Sunset Players to bring an Arts Center to Price Hill are members of the Price Hill Will Arts CAT, the Price Hill Civic Club, and the Price Hill Historical Society as well as the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. “Sunset is currently spearheading this project but we can’t make this happen alone,” Mike Burke, a founding Sunset Players member adds. “It also can’t happen with just Sunset Players, Price Hill Civic, Price Hill Historical Society, and Price Hill Will. We need to get community involvement, interest, and knowledge of this project. For far too many people, the entire Dunham Complex is unknown, let alone a just-starting Arts Center and we need to find a way to let people know that we are here.”

Economically, the Arts Center will be a boon to the entire West Side. For over 30 years, Sunset patrons have enjoyed local restaurants and shops before and after Sunset shows. Expanded adult and children’s programming at the Arts Center will bring increasing publicity not only to the CRC’s Dunham Recreation Center, but also to the West Side as a whole. Angela Klocke Forbes, another Sunset member, sees great things in store for the community through the Arts Center. “The arts center has the potential not only to add intangible value, but also to do things more concrete, like raise property values,” she says. John Wesseling adds, “My greatest hope for this project is to find the funding and support to make this Arts Center at Dunham a truly vibrant art entity that enriches the lives of the whole community.”

Although the groups have been working hard securing funding and cleaning up the Arts Center while waiting for the lease to be finalized, members are ready to face the many hurdles ahead. Upcoming challenges include raising funds for improvements, long-term building maintenance, and ongoing expenses. “That is why we are not only pursuing grants and donations, but also artists who would like to rent studio space in the building,” says Wesseling. The group is 100% volunteer and is trying to do as much work as possible through volunteer hours in order to keep costs low.

Ms. Klocke Forbes adds, “Money is, of course, a primary hurdle. But even more than that, we need involvement. Anyone who has a few hours to spare is so welcome.” The group is planning on opening their 2012/2013 season this October in the Arts Center with”King o’ the Moon” – Tom Dudzick’s sequel to the hilarious crowd favorite, “Over the Tavern”. The play will be directed by Mike Burke. For ticket information or information on donating your time or money to the Arts Center at Dunham, call 513.588.4988 or visit www.sunsetplayers.org.

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July 16, 2012 · 10:24 am

Co-Operation is the Key to a Successful Opening

Cheviot, Ohio – 7/11/12 – The Drama Workshop has purchased their own theater space and will open their first show in October of this year. In renovating the former Glenmore Bowl, we have quickly discovered the amount of blood, sweat, and tears it will take to get it off the ground.

The group’s volunteers are logging in over one hundred hours a weekend and have completed the demolition phase. With the entry of the construction phase of the ambitious and exciting project, we are now reaching out to the rest of the Cincinnati theatre community.

Ray Persing, our Building Committee Chairman is willing to train. “If you want to learn how to do traditional plasterwork, install a drop ceiling, build a wall using metal framing, or hang and mud drywall, this is a great place to learn how. Before you try it on your house, come practice on ours!”

There is plenty of work for the non-skilled laborer as well: cleaning, painting, holding up ladders, scaffolding and walls! “There is nothing you can screw up.” Mr. Persing is fond of saying. “Even two hours is valuable.”

Please consider this as an opportunity for your group to spend a few hours together during the off-season and a chance to learn something new. You will be entered into our Gatlinburg Getaway drawing, and we will provide lunch and beverages. The building is climate controlled with adjacent parking. Contact us with any questions or to reserve your spot today!

Contact: Ray Persing at trpersing@gmail.com or Rusty Lacy at rustyjoy@gmail.com and 513.253.4527.

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July 12, 2012 · 10:45 am

MPI Announces Auditions for MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS: It’s 1939 and legendary Hollywood producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, “Gone With the Wind.” Selznick pulls in famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and formidable director Victor Fleming for a complete script rewrite. On a hilarious, yet sometimes emotional roller coaster, they labor behind locked doors over five days to fashion a screenplay that will become the blueprint for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time.

Cast needs: 3 men & 1 woman:

  • Ben Hecht (Age Range 41-50)
    As a Hollywood screenwriter and playwright, Hecht is offered $15,000 by producer David O. Selznick to, in five days time, rewrite the screenplay for Gone with the Wind, the filming of which has come to a complete halt. The problem is that Hecht hasn’t read the novel, and after hearing a quick synopsis, he thinks the film is doomed to failure. He is an ex-journalist from Chicago and is very committed to pro-Jewish causes. He also butts heads with the newly appointed director Victor Fleming more than once during the five-day re-write, as he isn’t shy to share his cynicism and sarcasm.
  • Victor Fleming (Age Range 46-55)
    A Hollywood director who is pulled from directing The Wizard of Oz, Fleming is to take over Gone with the Wind. His other films have been mostly action films, but he says “if you can write it, I can shoot it.” He and Selznick frantically act out all the characters in Gone with the Wind for Hecht, who types as they role-play.
  • David O. Selznick (Age Range 36-45)
    A renowned Hollywood producer, Selznick confines Hecht, Fleming, and himself in his office for five days, subsisting on only bananas and peanuts, until a new screenplay is complete. He is the son-in-law of legendary film producer Louis B. Mayer of MGM fame, and throughout the play suffers from occasional catatonic stupors.
  • Miss Poppenghul (Age 26 +)
    The long-suffering assistant of Mr. Selznick, Miss Poppenghul is constantly on-call and dutifully fulfills each request made of her during the men’s five-day confinement

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

The production will be staged January 11th through January 27th, 2013.

For more information or questions about the MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS auditions, contact the director at bryllcohen@zoomtown.com or bryllda@ucmail.uc.edu.

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July 11, 2012 · 2:33 pm

EdTA Seeks Educational Programs Coordinator

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a professional organization for theatre education with approximately 90,000 members nationwide. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: Honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; Supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and Influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization that has inducted over 2 million theatre students since its founding in 1929.

Job description
EdTA seeks an Educational Programs Coordinator to perform event programming support for the Education Department. This is a full-time entry level position with benefits. This individual will have heavy interaction with members and staff, and must enjoy working in a team atmosphere.

Summary of basic duties and  esponsibilities
The Educational Programs Coordinator supports the Education staff in planning association events. Responsibilities include writing letters, checking information, scheduling travel, communicating with teachers and students, and research of educational themes. Knowledge of theatre is a plus.

JOB TITLE: Educational Programs Coordinator

POSITION REPORTS TO: Director of Education

EDUCATION REQUIRED: High school diploma

SKILLS REQUIRED: Must be able to work independently, able to be responsible for and assist on multiple projects simultaneously, detail oriented, highly motivated, a clear communicator, and have a willingness to accept direction from several managers.

STATUS: Nonexempt: Regular, hourly

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Thespian Festival

  • Serve as integral team member for Festival planning and execution.
  • Process applications for the auditions program, including: checking forms for qualifying criteria, communicating with students and teachers to enforce deadlines, and creating all audition binders and flash drives for college representatives and audition judges.
  • Supervise Chapter Select Showcase including setting the performance schedule, managing communication, and preparing schedules and support forms for the theatre, and writing/mailing thank-you’s and certificates, etc.
  • Coordinate Freestyle Theatre including sign-up, mailing confirmation letters, answering questions, scheduling, and writing and mailing thank-you’s and certificates, etc.
  • Assist with research, copying, typing and other Festival responsibilities as needed.
  • Copy all security reports and create all security binders.
  • Travel to event and work in assigned areas, such as office management, workshop assistance, and I.E. assistance.

Junior Festivals

Under the guidance of the Event Coordinator:

  • Provide administrative support for Junior Festivals.
  • Prepare all information for the registration confirmation packets, including: directions, maps, shuttle services, rental car agencies, and airport information.
  • Prepare school floor plans for insertion in event program.
  • Travel to events as needed.
  • Prepare event program for printing, including: overall schedule, workshop descriptions and bios, and play information.
  • Research all theme topics for the Team Play-Create program and prepare educational packets for team directors.

General

Under the guidance of the department director:

  • prepare communications with all main stage screening teams, including writing invitation letters, preparing contact sheets, creating directions for screeners, and writing letters to the directors.
  • For all events assist with research, copying, typing, data entry or work as needed.
  • For all events assist with badge preparation, packet preparation, workshop handouts, and packing of all materials and supplies.
  • Assist with review and revisions of online registration sites.
  • Oversee/assist with all accounts receivable collections.
  • Travel, on behalf of the association, as needed, for event support.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by authorized co-workers.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS USED: Microsoft Windows, Excel, Word, Outlook, and Mozilla. Adobe Acrobat and Association Management Software a plus.

Please submit cover letter, résumé, salary history and/or requirements to:

EdTA, Attn: Nancy Brown, Director of Education, 2343 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219 or by e-mail to nbrown@schooltheatre.org. No phone calls, please.

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