Confessions of a crazy bald guy

VOTE FOR FCT

Vote Today! We’re a 2010 Nonprofit Tagline Award FinalistWe’re thrilled to let you know that our tagline — More than a stage in your life— has been selected as a finalist in the 2010 Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards.
Please support us by voting for our tagline today!

Deadline is October 6.

Our tagline is powerful! It’s among the most effective of the over 2,700 nonprofit taglines entered in this year’s award program. That’s why a panel of judges deemed it a finalist in the 2010 Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards. We are very proud to be the only theatre to gain a spot as a finalist in the arts and cultural division.

Voting is easy, just click on the link, enter or copy and paste

www.surveymonkey.com/s/vote-nonprofit-taglines

There are 16 categories of taglines each with 3-5 entries, rate each and every tagline with a scoring system, of 1-Not effective, 2-Good, 3-Very good or 4-Excellent (what you want FCT to be!)

It will only take a few minutes to read through them all and vote. Be sure to submit your votes when finished. NO need to register or share any info. You may only vote once from each computer, but you and all your friends and family, and all their friends and familes can help us put FCT in the national spotlight.

The real prize from winning such a honor will be the increase in public awareness of our theatre, our organization and the goals that we have set forth to accomplish by making FCT, More than a stage in your life, through the Youth, Teen and Adult theatre programs. Winners are guaranteed to get significant recognition via publicity in print, television and on line.

Thank you for taking a few minutes out to vote for this great cause!

YOTH CAMP DAY 6

the backdrop is looking great! thanks to all who help paint the trees (even if a few of them are... interesting!) Frenchy was there pitching in today, thanks! Work will continue on tuesday along with full stage run of show with narrators and props, after snack, run show, off book full stage! work on costumes, signs and more painting!

READY FOR DAY 6?

monday-theatre exercise-"walk this way".full stage-blocking OFF BOOK, back stage painting, snack, repeat, wrap up the day with a surprise game, tues. more props, sets and costumes!

also, it's late now but be sure to check back soon , I'll be posting a recap of my first experience responding to OCTA Jr. this past weekend.

YOUTH CAMP DAY 4

Alot of learning and fun is happening each day at camp, blocking has begun, more excercises in volume, character and experience being on stage performing for others. Fridays session includes a creative prop excercise, split stage blocking, a snack , full stage blocking and audience readings where those not on stage listen to the others from the back of the auditorium to see how to project and enunciate. Painting on the set begins and work continues on props, sign, and costumes!

YOUTH THEATRE CAMP DAY 3

Another great day at theatre camp 2010! The budding thespians began working on stage and tomorrow will continue to strengthen their "stage voices", and more blocking will be started. That is a long process but will teach the kids to work on improving their memorization skills and build a polished show eventually.

Thursdays agenda includes " Honey, do you love me?" a exercise in keeping in character, more audience readings to work on volume, enunciation and pacing.

While small groups of each scene rehearse on stage and in quiet corners with our teen helpers, some campers will begin working on some of the many scene signs that need to be made and some costume basics are going to be started.

Campers were sent home with a small stack of handout flyers for interested relatives and friends to encourage attendance at next week shows, help pass the word, more flyers are available when needed, or copy some on your home printer!

YOUTH CAMP 2010

We are 2 days into our first ever FCT Summer Youth Theatre Camp. This year 19 children between the ages of 6-12 will audition, rehearse and perfect over a 10 day session, then perform for the general public, AESOP'S FABLES. Particapants will learn many stage techniques and gain valueable stage exposure as FCT continues to look ahead to the future and train the next generation of who will guide FCT to another successful 55 plus years of providing the best in live entertainment in the area, while providing a great outlet for the creative and talented youths, teens and adults of the entire region.

Day 1 gave all campers a chance to get to know each other better, while staff members, Scott, Hilary , Bridget and Cheryl read the show for them for the first time. Then it was on to the stage and the audition process began with the hopes that they would get one of the 3 roles thay had picked out they liked the best.

The day ended with some theatre games aimed at increasing facial expressions and speaking volume, it was fun!

Day 2, parts were announced and the rehearsal process began with small groups of cast members finding quiet corners of the theatre to read their parts with others, with help today from Kendra and Josh too.

After the daily snack, A fun game of elepahnts, elvis and angels ended the day before everyone headed home to start memorizing the show!

THE CAST OF BINGO

I am pleased to announce the cast of BINGO... Linda Rich as Vern, Amanda "Mandy" Burris as Patsy, Hilary Frater as Honey, Ethan Mandeville as Sam, Jen Abdoo as Minnie, Cyndi Hineline as Bernice and Kendra Keegan as Allison.It's bound to be an AWESOME show, mark your calendars! Many thanks to all that auditioned, the talent as alays at FCT was amazing, I know I had to disappoint some people ,that part is never easy for me.
AD wil be John Carroll, TD is Pete Lowry, MD is Bob Bell, rehearsal pianist is Linda Bell and choreography by Kendra Keegan.

LETS READ BINGO!

Tues. July 6, 7 PM, anyone male (we need 1 for the show) or female (we need 6) interested in reading BINGO aloud in a group as we listen to the cd and discuss possible staging and such is welcome to meet in the FCT green room. this is NOT and audition, just thought it would be fun to get some of the flow of the show familiar with everyone even if not cast, then they can help sell what is going to be a great show for FCT opening the 2010-2011 season.

Book by Michael Heitzman and Ilene Reid

Music and Lyrics by Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid and David Holcenberg

Bingo is a splashy , zippy, outrageously funny new musical. Come meet Vern, Honey, and Patsy: three pals that have driven through a terrible storm in the name of their weekly obsession. In between the number calling, strange rituals, and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long lost friends reunite!

A cast of 6 Women and 1 Man

Prodution Dates: September 17-19, 24-26 2010

Directed by Mitchell Antesky

Auditions July 18 & 19

OZ HELD OVER!!!

After 9 sold out houses, THE WIZARD OF OZ will be held over for 1 final performance Friday May 28, seats are still available but going fast, call now!

6 down, 3 to go

the second of 3 big weekends for THE WIZARD OF OZ is over, and we had 3 more SRO houses! Bravo to the cast, crew, orchestra, parents, and all involved if I'm overlooking you right now. It has been an amazing run so far and we still have 3 more sold out houses to perform for next weekend. If you haven't made reservations, a waiting list is being made for each night, be at the theatre early and you'll have to wait for some cancelations or no shows but we will try to do everything we can to get you in to see this show!

If a pictures worth a thousand words, then check out the OZ gallery at www.jasonhollandphotography.com downloads of the images are available for just $1 each and the proceeds go to FCT!, thanks Jason!!

TEEN CAST SELECTED

While there are still 2 more sold out weekends of THE WIZARD OF OZ, it's time to move on to the FCTT summer production of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Director Dan Henning and Assistant director Brandon Wurgess have shared thier cast list with me...

Millie Dillmount- Amanda Heflinger

Jimmy Smith- Trent Smith

Ruth, Gloria, Rita, Alice, Cora, Lucille, Ethel Peas- Ellen Foos, Emily Turner, Amber Poole, Kirstin Eickert, Delilah Foos, Lizzie Cornicelli, Alex Bell, Crystal Holland

Mrs. Meers- Melanie Ellis

Miss Dorothy Brown- Meagan Eishen

Ching Ho- Brandon Wurgess

Bun Foo- Corey Wise

Miss Flannery- Sarah Stamm

Mr. Trevor Graydon- Nathan Wright

Speed Tappists- Allison Lemke, Lizzie Cornicelli, Emily Turner, Ellen Foos, Kirstin Eichert, Emily Moscioni, Danielle Osborn, Brianna Geller

Stenogs- Julia Dagg, Kayleigh Harrison, Katie Ball, Crystal Holland, Jessica Holland, Lauren Lejeune, Ember Ollom, Lauren Raymond

File Clerks- Josh Heard, Treshawn Murphy, Aaron Brown, Kelvin McMorris, Chris Repp, Jake Slaymaker, Jordan Slaymaker

Speakeasy Denizens, Dishwashers, Muzzy’s Boys, Male Moderns (Groups 1, 2, 3), Female Moderns (Groups 1, 2) and Ensemble will be chosen from these three groups.

The Pearl Lady- Lauren LeJeune

The Letch- Jordan Slaymaker

Policeman- Chase LeMaitre

Muzzy Van Hossmere- Kayla Haase

George Gershwin- CJ Holland

Dorothy Parker- Kara Knight

Rodney- Jake Slaymaker

Kenneth- Josh Heard

Muzzy’s Boys- T. J. Smith

Daphne- Lauren Raymond

Dexter- Treshawn Murphy

Mathilde- Dusti Minier

Mama- Tori Waldo

We are thrilled to welcome many new faces to FCTT and very glad to see some of the teen veterans returning, with this much talent it's destined to be a great show, opening July 16-25.

OZ WEEK 1

Well the long 2 and a half month journey to get down the yellow brick road is over and the wonderful trip along the exciting path that is THE WIZARD OF OZ has begun. A great start to the 3 week run was 3 sell out houses, if you haven't made your reservations yet, HURRY as the remaining seats are going FAST!

It has been a genuine pleasure to watch this production come together, even if some of it was at the last minute.

The talented cast is bringing their characters to life, the tech crew is a"wiz" at changing the many scenes, the orchestra is sounding wonderful, and the front of the house staff is working the large crowds with ease.

While the many challenges of rehearsing a 101 member cast, and a live dog have been , well .. challenging it has turned out to be the great classic American all time favorite musical it was intended to be.

Lizzie, Jeff, Tim, Brant, Mary Jo, Candi, Scott, Steve and so many others have put everything they have into making this a joy to watch.

Despite a Tornado Warning 20 minutes before the opening night curtain and the best laid plans to house Munchkins, Poppies and Snowflakes in a tent adjacent to the theatre that had to be changed at the last minute, everyone including parents, kids, newbies, veteran actors, and the full house of eager patrons handled the crisis in great form.

For even more photos than are posted on the gallery page, check out www.JasonHollandPhotography.com, a small portion of the photos that Jason has taken are currently up there with many more to come.

ANNUAL ELECTIONS

The members of FCT held their annual election dinner tonight. Elected to the board of directors for the 2010-2011 season were the following individuals:

Tim Bolton - president

Pete Lowry - vice president

Dan Henning - secretary

Scott Havice - treasurer

John Carroll - 2-year term

Judy Smith - 2-year term

Mitch Antesky - past president

Randy Brown and Sue Stotz each have 1 year remaining on their terms.

Thanks to the many nominated members who did not win but had volunteered for various positions, it was a refreshing change to have so many good candidates on the ballot. Do not forget there are still many good jobs around FCT; we need your enthusiasm and dedication. Win or lose everybody can help in so many ways!

The potluck dinner was delicious, many thanks to all who contributed; we have some excellent cooks in our membership!

As the outgoing president, I am confident that the new board and the great next season planned will be one of the best and most productive in years.

It is a crazy busy time around FCT, THE WIZARD OF OZ is certainly behind schedule technically but rehearsals are shaping up wonderful. If any one has, any free time most evenings, Friday nights, Saturdays from 10 AM and some Sunday afternoons PLEASE stop out to the theatre and lend a hand. Builders, painters, great thinkers, we need you!

Another crazy few weeks for me again! If you havent been able to keep up with me, dont worry most days I dont know where or what I'm supposed to be doing! Here's my life in the theatre in a nutshell. Finished a great run of HELLO, DOLLY! for the Oak Harbor Thespians, we had the biggest revolving stage I've ever built, 18' x what would expand to 24' x 15 ' high, complete with grand staircase. I hope to get some pic posted real soon, now we just have to strike the whole thing yet!, Then life at FCT continues as we try to build OZ, I work a lot of the WICKED shows at the Stranahan and of course FCT just closed their DIXIE SWIM CLUB. Once again I asked a guest blogger to share with us her thoughts on THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB and being a part of the ensemble cast... Amanda "Mandy" Burris wrote.....

As a cast member of The Dixie Swim Club I’d like to say thank you to everyone who gave up their time for preparation and execution of this wonderful play. We had such an amazing audience every night of the show. Y’all really make our jobs as actors easier! Having an audience who reacts to the scene and laughs and cries right along side you is a great joy, and every actor thrives on it! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

As a cast: we started the show as five women leading very separate lives, and we’ve ended the show as friends. We’ve grown and shared things that have happened good or bad in the past couple of months. We’ve shared in helping each other through shows when we botched lines or lost our voices, shared in the joy and love as one of us (Laura Pinkston) got engaged (CONGRATULATIONS!!!!), and gave advice to each other even when it wasn’t asked for! Truly we’ve made relationships and not just a good production. I guess every good show must come to end though, so farewell to the Outer Banks. We’ll see y’all at the next show. Thanks for all the support, love, laughter and good times.

THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB

It's been one of those weeks when I am so busy doing theatre that I don't have time to blog about it! So I asked for some help in getting the word out for the opening of THE DIXIE SWIM CLUB this Friday, Sue Stotz provided me with the following information she wanted to share....

Tired of cold, wet, cloudy days? Then come to see "Dixie Swim Club" set in the steamy month of August in a small cottage on the Outer Banks. We'll warm you up with five talented ladies from practical Sheree, the team captain, to sexy Lexie, queen of the mating game. Sharp witted Dinah, the smooth talking lawyer, sweet and endearing Jeri Neal, aka Sister Mary Esther, and Vernadette, the wise cracking, long suffering clown, round out the ensemble. Come listen to them share their lives with each other in surprising, funny, and endearing ways including long shared memories to current frustrations. Anyone with enduring friendships will relate to these ladies as they help, care and sometimes irritate each other.
The cast in order of appearance includes: Sue A Stotz--Sheree; Brittany Forster--Lexie; Amanda Burris--Dinah; Laura Pinkston--Jeri Neal; and Karen Langley--Vernadette.
Show dates are this weekend and next so get your reservations in soon!
Check out the pics from some of our rehearsals to get a quick peek. Every time we have come for rehearsal this week, the set decorator has added more stuff. It is always fun trying to pick out what has been added and soon all the final details will be done.
Don't miss out on this sweet, sometimes humorous, touching and always entertaining show. We hope you will enjoy it as much as the cast does.