Here's To A Great 2008 - I'm a Poet!

I resolve to keep my desk neat - well at least neat enough to be able to find the computer.

I resolve to refrain from picking on Skyler Brown and Chris Andrews - ok - that one is not gonna happen.

I resolve to not whine when Lee beats me in the trivia contest - ok - that one's not gonna happen either.

I resolve to, at some point, seriously consider making some resolutions.

Here's to a great 2008 for us all - full of joy, love and peace. Oh, and a few more butts in seats for the shows would be a nice thing too.

Happy Holidays from the Fiddler Staff

Happy Holiday Season to all...

Happy Hanukkah!

Merry Christmas!

and a Happy New Year!

Jennifer, Sheri, Katie Jo and the Michaels

Leo's Music Video

Hi Gang,

Enjoy this video featuring HPCT's youngest cast member (and occasional Assistant Music Director) Leo Dougherty.

HPCT has moved Downtown!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee! The move has started and soon I will have my house back!

Thanks to Allan Edwards, Eric Tysinger, Cathy Thomas, Dwight Steed, Michael Dougherty and Travis and Stephanie Vernon. If any of you have time over the holidays and would like a sneak peek of the new space, give me a call at 882-2542. If you have a couple of hours to volunteer, that would be even better.

Jennifer

Movin' On Up!

Hi All,

HPCT is moving into our new offices/rehearsal hall - 305 North Main Street - the old Holt McPherson Center for those of you who remember it - now known as The Enterprise Center. We will start the move tomorrow (Friday) and continue getting it set up in time for Guys and Dolls Auditions. Call me if you have any time to help!!! Here's a little sneak preview of the new space...



By the way - I LOVE my new Flip Video Camera!

See you all soon,

Jennifer

Guys & Dolls Auditions

Auditions for the second production of High Point Community Theatre’s 2007-2008 Season, GUYS & DOLLS, will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 2:00 pm and Monday, January 7, 2008 at 7:00 pm. Auditions will be held at the new HPCT office, 305 North Main Street in High Point. Parking and entrance is in the rear of the building. Those auditioning should prepare a short song (1 and ½ to 2 minutes) and bring music in the proper key (an accompanist will be provided). A dance combination will be taught at the audition.

GUYS & DOLLS will be directed by Bobby Bodford with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Mallory Graham. Performances will be held March 6 – 9, 2008 at the High Point Theatre.

Character Breakdown:

Gamblers:

Sky Masterson, Nathan Detroit, Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southwest, Rusty Charlie, Harry the Horse, Angie the Ox, Big Jule, Joey Baltimore

Lt. Brannigan – Police Lieutenant

Salvation Army Mission Members:

Sarah Brown – Prim Salvation Army Officer

General Matilda B. Cartwright – Salvation Army Matron

Agatha, Calvin & Martha – Members of the Mission Band

Arvide Abernathy – Sarah’s Grandfather

Hot Box Nightclubers:

Miss Adelaide – Comic, classic showgirl and gambler’s moll

Hot Box Dolls – Dancing & Singing Nightclub Showgirls

Hot Box Master of Ceremonies

An adult and teenaged singing and dancing ensemble of assorted New Yorkers, Gangsters, Salvation Army Evangelists; Cuban Partiers

Visit the Music Theatre International Site for more casting information by clicking here.

For further audition information, contact Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542 or jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

Join HPCT & NCSF as Secret Santa

Hi Friends,

As many of you know, for the last 10+ years, HPCT & the NC Shakespeare Festival have joined forces to adopt a Triad Health Project family for Christmas. It is always pretty funny to watch Ebenezer Scrooge racing through Target to purchase toys for our family,

This year we are instead adopting 2 families through Hospice’s Kids Path. This is a program for children with a life-limiting illness. We hope to provide Christmas for….

-male patient, age 1-1/2 years old along with siblings: brother age 9 and newborn sister

-male patient, age 3 years old along with siblings: brother age 5, sister age 1 & 1/2, brother age 9 months

All donations, large or small, will help us fulfill these children’s Christmas wishes. If you would like to help, please send a check made payable to HPCT but marked clearly in the memo line as “Hospice Donation” to P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261 or get cash to me, any Christmas Carol cast member, NC Shakespeare Festival staff member or HPCT Board Member. If you would like to help with the shopping, we will do that on Monday December 10th. Just let me know and I will send you the specifics.

I hope that you and your family have a wonderful Holiday season.

Jennifer

For a special holiday greeting from Lola, Gracie and I, click here!

Winter Class Schedule

High Point Community Theatre
Winter Classes

ACTING FOR ADULTS: THE BASICS
Wednesdays, 7:00 until 8:30 pm
March 5 - April 30 (no class on March 26)
Ages 16 and up. $125

The stage picture, working as an ensemble, and text work through individual monologues. We’ll cover it ALL! This is your chance to get a sample of training in the many aspects of performance work. First, we will explore the many possibilities of where and how to be on stage. Students will work to develop a clear understanding of making choices relating to the architecture of the performing space and their spatial relationships with other actors. Next, we’ll confront the question, “How do actors create a sense of ensemble or chorus onstage?” Using training exercises that encourage group awareness, participants will learn to function as an ensemble. Students will also have the chance to work in teams to develop short, group-created performances. And finally, we’ll focus on the individual performer, giving each participant a chance to work on a monologue of his/her choice. Need an audition piece? Or simply interested in one on one work on text and character? We’ll tailor the approach to monologues to suit each student’s interest. This class will require that students are dressed in comfortable clothes and are prepared to be active.

TEEN THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Saturdays 1 - 3pm and Tuesday, 4:30 - 6:30
February 16 - May 10 (no class March 22 or 25)
Grades 9 through 12 (or permission of instructor) $300.00
The Spring session of the Ensemble work will focus on…you guessed it!…ENSEMBLE work. We’ll work with training principles and exercises that provide a framework for acting choices useful for group performance work. Our classes will combine these training exercises with rehearsal for the performance of an hour-long project to be presented at the end of session. Extra rehearsal time may be set during the first two weeks of May. Performance dates and times TBA. Students should come to the first day of class with a short piece of text that is learned very well by heart.

IMPROVISATION FOR KIDS
Saturdays, 11:00 until noon
March 1 - May 3 (no class on March 22)
Grades 2 through 8 $100 Sibling discounts available
Theatre games are a fantastic introduction to the principles of acting, and working together with others on stage. In this class we’ll explore improvisation exercises that challenge students to think on their feet, cooperate with others and develop their capacity to act “as if” in imaginary situations both realistic and outlandish! Students must dress in clothes that allow them to move freely and should prepare to be active.

HOMESCHOOLERS PERFORMANCE PROJECT
Wednesdays 10:00 - 11:30am
February 27th through May 7 (no class on March 26)
Ages 8 -18 $125 Sibling discounts available
Let’s put on a show! Instructor Martha Mendenhall has created an adaptation of the classic Little House in the Big Woods, the first book in the Little House on the Prairie series. We’ll use our imaginations and creative acting skills (ever pretended to be a Maple tree or a black bear?) to create, rehearse and perform this hour long show. Everything will be up to us to create from our imaginations, make ourselves or find, including our props, costumes and set pieces. The show’s production elements will be simple, as we would also love to take the show on a small tour of local day care centers, nursing homes, and libraries in May. The performance project is open to any number of students and all who register will be able to perform. Older students who have an interest could also be a part of the project as a stage manager or costume/props design leader. Important note: Registration deadline is February 13. Please sign up early to allow us time to prepare the project for the number of students registered!

All classes will be held at the HPCT office – 305 North Main Street, Suite 322 – Enter through the rear door.

All classes will be taught by Martha Mendenhall, who was born and raised in High Point and for the past ten years has worked both as an actor/director/playwright and as a full-time English teacher at a small private high school in Charlottesville, VA. She has a BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. She has worked as a performer with the NC Shakespeare Festival, the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, and in Washington, DC. In addition, Martha was a founding member of her own theatre company, the Charlottesville-based ensemble, Foolery.

Limited scholarships are available.
Contact Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542 for further information.

Space is limited. Class tuition fees are due upon registration and are non-refundable. HPCT reserves the right to cancel any class not meeting a minimum enrollment.

To register download a registration form here (or at the link on the righthand side of the blog) and
send the completed form with a check made payable to High Point Community Theatre to: HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261. Have questions? Email Jennifer Blevins at jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or call (336) 882-2542.

Here's To A Fabulous Show!!!

Thanks so much to the Fiddler Cast on a fantabulous production! I am so proud of all of you! The talent and energy you brought to the show as well as the special spirit that each of you contributed to our company is what made Fiddler such a success. I hope to work with each of you soon.

Thanks, Joe, for the beautiful artwork! It's very dangerous to let me know what a talented artist you are.

Congrats to our first "Emma" award winners Steffanie Vaughan & Cathy Hutchins. The crew really appreciates the two of you going the extra mile!

A special thanks to Sheri, Michael squared, and Katie Jo! As our fearless leaders you made this a very special project.

Until the next time,

Love you all,

Jennifer

Wednesday

Schedule for Wednesday....

Dinner for those who made reservations - 6 pm

Call for others - 6:30 pm

Performance of "Matchmaker" & "Sunrise/Sunset" - 6:45ish

Rehearsal - 7 pm

See you then!

Friday's Rehearsal

Hi All,

Great Act I run tonight!

Friday's rehearsal...
7:00 - Choir Room (on the opposite side of Wesley Memorial) - Tevye, Golde, Their 5 Daughters, Model, Perchik only

Everyone else - we'll see you Sunday at 2:00 in the usual spot.

Act I & Act II Runs on Monday & Tuesday - 7:00 - 10:00 pm

Plans for Wednesday, Nov 7th: Dinner will be served at 6 pm for anyone interested. $5.00 per person - reservations and payment required on Sunday. Pay Patrick Antrim (one of our mean old Russians) If not coming for dinner, please be there by 6:30. We will be performing "Sunrise/Sunset" and "Matchmaker". The rehearsal will follow at 7:00 pm.

Thanks,

Jennifer

Happy Halloween!

Cast Ticket Order Form

Hi All,

The cast ticket order form is available for download here or at the link on the righthand side of the blog.

See you tomorrow in all of your halloween finery.

Jennifer

Remember - Act II on Tuesday - Act I on Thursday

Trick or Treat

Hi All,

Remember to wear costumes to Tuesday's rehearsal for Halloween Treats.

I certainly felt safer today with rehearsal guarded by Fabiana's brother, The Sheriff.

Happy Halloween Week!

Jennifer

Fiddler for the Week

Hi All, Happy Saturday! Please remember the pics on Sunday and notice the Act switch on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sunday, Oct 28
Cast Photos – All Cast Members please wear a solid colored shirt – any color – NO WRITING OR GRAPHICS
2:00 – 3:30 – Music – Full Company
3:30 – 5:00 – Music – Grandmother Tzeitel, Fruma Sarah, Rabbi, Tevye

Monday, Oct 29
7:00 – 9:00 – Choreography Review – Tradition, Wedding, To Life – Full Company
9:00 – 10:00 – The Dream, Matchmaker, Bottle Dance

Tuesday, Oct 30
7:00 – 10:00 – Work Thru Act II – Full Company - Wear Your Halloween Costume for Treats
Children 12 and under will be excused at 9 pm

Wednesday, Oct 31 – OFF – Happy Halloween

Thursday, Nov 1
7:00 – 10:00 – Work Thru Act I – Full Company
Children 12 and under will be excused at 9 pm

Friday, Nov 2
7:00 – 10:00 – Scene Work – To Be Announced after Thursday’s Rehearsal – Choir Room

SELL SOME TICKETS!!!

See you tomorrow,

Jennifer

New and Improved - Fiddler Rehearsal Schedule

Please note:

Sunday, Oct 28th 2:00 - Cast Photos – Full Company

Wednesday, Nov 7th 6:00 pm – Performance of Sunrise Sunset & Matchmaker at Wesley Memorial – All available cast members except Russians

Sunday, Nov 11th 10:00 am – Performance of Sabbath Prayer as Benediction for 11:00 am service at Wesley Memorial – All available cast members

FIDDLER TENTATIVE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday, Oct 24 – OFF

Thursday, Oct 25
7:00 – 8:00 – Block Act II, Sc 4 – Avram, Innkeeper, Rabbi, Mendel, Peggy Clapper, Shaindel, Bob Carter, Mickey Hyland, Jane Ashley Raborn, Sarah Ann Schultz, Debbie Alston, Bethany Alston
8:00 – 9:00 – Block Act II, Sc 5 – All from previous scene plus Motel, Tzeitel, Fyedka, Golde, Chava, Tevye
9:00 – 10:00 – Block Act II, Sc 2 – Yente, Tzeitel, Heather Stewart, Ariel Forgette, Mary Laura Kennedy

Friday, Oct 26
7:00 – 8:30 – Block Act II, Sc 7 – Full Company except Perchik & Hodel. We need the Constable, Patrick Antrim & Wil Joyce - Other Russians are not needed
8:30 – 9:30 – Block Act II, Sc 8 – Full Company except Perchik, Hodel, Russians & The Constable
9:30 – 10:00 – Block Act II, Sc 6 – Tevye, Golde, Chava, Tzeitel, Hodel, Motel, Perchik, Fyedka, Mamas & Papas for “Chava”

Saturday, Oct 27 – OFF

Sunday, Oct 28
Cast Photos – All Cast Members please wear a solid colored shirt – any color – NO WRITING OR GRAPHICS
2:00 – 3:30 – Music – Full Company
3:30 – 5:00 – Music – Grandmother Tzeitel, Fruma Sarah, Rabbi, Tevye

Monday, Oct 29
7:00 – 9:00 – Choreography Review – Tradition, Wedding, To Life – Full Company
9:00 – 10:00 – The Dream, Matchmaker, Bottle Dance

Tuesday, Oct 30
7:00 – 10:00 – Work Thru Act I – Full Company - Wear Your Halloween Costume for Treats
Children 12 and under will be excused at 9 pm

Wednesday, Oct 31 – OFF – Happy Halloween

Thursday, Nov 1
7:00 – 10:00 – Work Thru Act II – Full Company
Children 12 and under will be excused at 9 pm

Friday, Nov 2
7:00 – 10:00 – Scene Work – To Be Announced after Thursday’s Work- Thru – Choir Room

Saturday, Nov 3 – OFF

Sunday, Nov 4
2:00 – 5:00 – Work Thru Acts I & II – Full Company

Monday, Nov 5
7:00 – 10:00 - Work Thru Acts I & II – Full Company

Tuesday, Nov 6
7:-00 – 10:00 – Run Acts I & II – Full Company

Wednesday, Nov 7
6:00 pmish - Performance of “Sunrise/Sunset” and “Matchmaker” for Wesley Memorial UMC – Full Company except Russians
7:-00 – 10:00 – Run Acts I & II – Full Company

Thursday, Nov 8
7:-00 – 10:00 – Run Acts I & II – Full Company

Friday, Nov 9 – OFF – Get ready for tech week

Saturday, Nov 10
Time to be announced – Load-In – All Cast Members 13 and over – High Point Theatre

Sunday, Nov 11
10:00 am – Sabbath Prayer as Benediction for Wesley Memorial UMC’s 11 am service – All who are available – Regular “church” kind of clothes.
6:00 – 10:00 – Tech Rehearsal - Full Company

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – Nov 12, 13 & 14
6:30 - Actors Call for Dress Rehearsals

Thursday, Nov 15
6:00 - Actors Call
6:30 - Warm-Up
7:30 – Curtain for Opening Night

Friday& Saturday, Nov 16 & 17
6:30 - Actors Call
7:00 - Warm-Up
8:00 – Curtain for Performance

Sunday, Nov 18
12:30 - Actors Call
1:00 - Warm-Up
2:00 – Curtain for Final Performance

Questions? (336) 882-2542 or jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

Happy Wednesday!

Enjoy your night off.

Thursday, Oct 18 - Blocking
7:00 – 8:00 – Act I, Sc 1 - Shprintze, Bielke (Fabiana), Golde, Hodel, Tzeitel, Chava, Yente, Motel
8:00 – 8:30 – Act I, Sc. 6 pages 34-36 – Perchik, Shprintze, Bielke, Golde, Hodel
8:30 – 9:00 – Act I, Sc. 6 pages 44 – 45 – Miracle of Miracles – Motel & Tzeitel
9:00 – 10:00 – Block Act I, Sc 8 – Mendel, Innkeeper, Avram, Shaindel, Yussel, Chava, Sasha, Fyedka, All Russians except the Constable, Bob Carter, Melinda & Lisa Molenda, Cathy Thomas, Peggy Clapper

Then woooooo hooooooo - two nights off - Friday and Saturday. I'm going to the state fair!!!

Sunday, Oct 21
2:00 – 3:00 – Review Act I, Sc 2 - Golde, Mendel, Perchik, All Papas except the Rabbi
3:00 – 5:00 – Review Act I, Scenes 4 & 5 - Tevye, Lazar, All Papas, Mendel, Fyedka, Constable, All Russians

Monday, Oct 22
7:00 – 10:00 – Work Thru Act I – Full Company - Everybody - All - The whole blame cast (Children 12 and under may leave at 9)

Japanese Fiddler on the Roof

I LOVE this - thanks to Lisa of the infamous Molenda gang.

And the cast is are good. I hope we end up with their energy. Enjoy...

Thursday's Rehearsal

Hi All,

I hope you enjoyed your night off. I went to see CTG's "Nuts" where MaryAnn Luedtke gave a beautiful performance.

Rehearsal for tomorrow....

Thursday, Oct. 11 – Choreography
7 – 10 pm – Full Company Choreography Review– Kids 12 and under may leave at 9 pm.

I will have the remaining schedule for you by tomorrow night's rehearsal.

See you all then.

Rehearsal for Monday & Tuesday

Great work today. The company numbers sound fabulous and "Tradition" is looking really good.

Rehearsals for the next couple of days....

Monday, Oct 8 – Choreography
7 – 10 pm – To Life – Tevye, Lazar Wolf, The Fathers, Chris A., Russians & Fyedka

Tuesday, Oct. 9 – Choreography
7 – 10 pm – The Dream – Tevye, Golde, Grandma Tzeitel, Fruma Sarah, Rabbi, The Mothers & The Fathers, Chris A., Andrew S., Joe E., Rebekah C, Leslie Ann B.

Full company is back on Thursday at 7:00.

A Show About Circles!

Wonderful rehearsal on Friday - the music is sounding GREAT! Thanks to Leo for the conducting assistance.

Sunday's Rehearsal...

Sunday, Oct 7 – Music
2 – 5 pm – Full Company except Russians – Sing Thru All Music
My guess is that the daughters & sons will be released around 3:30. Parents please check when you drop off your child and I can give you a more definite time.

Just a friendly reminder to review your notes for "Tradition". We will run it again on Sunday. When in doubt make a circle. :-)

Have a great Saturday.

Friday's Rehearsal

The Bottle Dancers rocked out on Thursday! Can't wait to see them when they actually have bottles on their heads!

See everyone tonight (with the exception of Fyedka, The Constable and The Russians)

Friday, Oct 5 – Music
7 – 9 pm – Full Company except Russians
9 – 10 pm – Motel, Perchik & Hodel

We hope to also have time to run the numbers that we have choreographed to date.

Remember to bring bios and measurement forms if you haven't done so. Email for the bios is jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org





Happy Birthday to Stephanie aka Hodel!!!

Enjoy Your Night Off!

Great rehearsal tonight. Enjoy your night off on Wednesday.

Thursday's Rehearsal....

Thursday, Oct 4 – Choreography
7 – 9 pm – Wedding Dance & the end of "Chava" – Full Company except Russians
9 – 10 pm – Bottle Dancers – Chris A, Andrew S, Travis V, Jim S

So we'll see everyone except Fyedka, The Constable and the Russians at 7 pm.

Jennifer

Great 1st Rehearsal

Wow - What a great first rehearsal!!! This cast has an incredible sound.

Full Company Music Rehearsal on Sunday from 2 - 5. We will have a rehearsal schedule for the next two weeks at that time. But we will be rehearsing on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri nights from 7-10 pm and on Sundays from 2-5 pm.

We will in all liklihood have one Wednesday rehearsal - Wednesday, November 7th. Please do EVERYTHING you can to free up that night.

More rehearsal schedule info later. Have a great Saturday.

Jennifer

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Cast List

Thanks to all who auditioned for THE FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. We are sorry that we weren’t able to use all who auditioned but appreciate the time and energy that everyone put into their audition. All those auditioning will be added to the HPCT email audition list and will be notified of future auditions.

The cast list is below, followed by information about the first rehearsal and company meeting. Please click on the link to email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org by Friday at Noon signifying that you have seen the cast list and, if cast, are accepting your role.

Tevye, The Dairyman – Ken Kennedy
Golde, Tevye's wife – Steffanie Vaughan
Tzeitel, Tevye’s Oldest Daughter – Kate Smith
Hodel, Tevye's 2nd Eldest Daughter – Stephanie Vernon
Chava, Tevye’s Middle Daughter – Vera Gies
Shprintze, Tevye’s 2nd Youngest Daughter – Victoria Hutchins
Bielke, Tevye’s Youngest Daughter – Fabiana Macias
Yente, The Meddling Matchmaker – Cathy Mattson
Motel, The Tailor – Travis Vernon
Perchik, The Student – Andrew Speakman
Fyedka, The Young Russian – Joe Eckstein
Lazar Wolf, The Butcher – Rick Sullivan
Mordcha, The Innkeeper – Jim Corey
The Rabbi – David Bottjen
Mendel, The Rabbi’s Son – Chris Andrews
Avram, The Bookseller – Jim Simonds
Nachum, The Beggar – Mickey Hyland
Grandma Tzeitel, Golde’s Grandmother – Beverly Biel
Fruma-Sarah, Lazar Wolf’s Dead Wife – Shelley Garis
The Constable – Edward Miller
Shaindel, Motel’s Mother – Cindee Stout
Yussel, A Hatmaker – Bob Carter

The Fathers:
David Bottjen
Bob Carter
Jim Corey
Ed Crissman
Mickey Hyland
Ken Kennedy
Jim Simonds
Rick Sullivan

The Mothers:
Debby Alston
Lindsay Amato
Beverly Biel
Peggy Clapper
Daria Corey
Shelley Garis
Cathy Mattson
Lisa Molenda
Melinda Molenda
Susan Molenda
Jennifer Raiford
LeAnn Smith
Heather Stewart
Cindee Stout
Cathy Thomas
Steffanie Vaughan

The Sons (aided by some of the most beautiful and talented young ladies [not to mention good sports] in the Triad – Thanks Girls!!!):
Chris Andrews
Adam Howell
Emory Howell
Alexis Lackey
Nikole Miller
Addie Roach
Aly Silver
Dylan Silver
Andrew Speakman
Carissa Spencer
Kayla Stewart
Luke VanHine
Travis Vernon

The Daughters:
Bethany Alston
Aislinn Antrim
Jennifer Arnold
Leslie Ann Blake
Rebekah Carmichael
Alison Earley
Ariel Forgette
Vera Gies
Victoria Hutchins
Mary Laura Kennedy
Fabiana Macias
Jane Ashley Raborn
Madeline Scalf
Sarah Ann Schultz
Kate Smith
Heather Sullivan
Brianna Valderrey
Stephanie Vernon

We would like up to 4 more “Fathers.” Fathers can be early 20s and up. Any males who would like to audition, should come at 1:45 pm on Sunday to sing.

We also need Russians to join our company during the last couple of weeks. The Russians can be late teens and up.

There will be a company meeting this Friday, September 28th at 7:00 pm for the entire cast. All cast members under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The company meeting will be followed by a Full Company music rehearsal for everyone except Fyedka and The Constable.

We will be rehearsing with the entire cast this Sunday from 2 – 5 pm (No Fyedka or The Constable?). We will have a full rehearsal schedule to distribute at the Sunday rehearsal.

Don't forget to signify that you have seen the cast list and are accepting your role, please email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org by Noon on Friday.

And We're Off!

Hi All,

Our Saturday kids classes kicked off today! And it was great fun working on a play - errrr playing with our work - errrr how about playing with a play.



We can still take registrations through mid-week this week but next Saturday will be the last week for new participants.







If you know somebody who would like to join us...

Fiddler on the Roof YOUR Way
Playbuilding for Grades 2-8
Saturdays, September 22 through November 10


Students will experience all aspects of making a performance. Working in groups, students write, direct, act/sing in and procure/make their own costumes and props for a short performance that they create based on or around the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The class progression is constructed to give students an experience of how to proceed step-by-step in building a play for performance.

The class work will be presented in the lobby of the High Point Theatre as a pre-show performance prior to the Saturday, November 17th production of HPCT’s Fiddler on the Roof.

All classes are sponsored by HPCT and will be held at Mallory Graham's Dance South - 1635 North Main Street.


Grades 2-5 from 10-11:30am
Grades 6-8 from 1-2:30pm
$125 per student

Registration forms are available under "Classes For Kids" on the right side of this blog.

Jennifer

Coming Soon - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Auditions

High Point Community Theatre will hold auditions for the opening production of its 2007-2008 season, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, on Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th at 7:00 pm for children 12 and under and 8:00 pm for ages 13 and over. Auditions will be held in the Dining Hall at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive in High Point.

Those auditioning who are 13 and over should prepare a short song (1 and ½ to 2 minutes) and bring music in the proper key (an accompanist will be provided). Those under the age of 13 do not need to prepare a song – one will be taught at the audition. Those auditioning should come to one of the two audition dates – no appointment is required.

A Pre-Audition Workshop will be held on Sunday, September 23rd, at 7:00 pm at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in the Dining Hall. At the Pre-Audition Workshop, those auditioning will have the opportunity to meet the artistic staff, learn more about the production and its rehearsal schedule and those 13 and over will have a chance to look over their audition song selection with the Musical Director and Accompanist. Auditionees are encouraged to attend the workshop and to bring audition selections but attendance is not mandatory.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will be directed by Sheri Masters with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Katie Jo Icenhower and will be performed at the High Point Theatre on November 15th – 18th.

For further information, call me at (336) 882-2542, email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or visit the HPCT website at http://www.hpcommunitytheatre.org/

Jennifer

Fall Classes - It's Not Too Late

Hi All,

It's not too late to register for our Fall Kids Classes.

Fiddler on the Roof YOUR Way
Playbuilding for Grades 2-8

Saturdays, September 22 through November 10

Students will experience all aspects of making a performance. Working in groups, students write, direct, act/sing in and procure/make their own costumes and props for a short performance that they create based on or around the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The class progression is constructed to give students an experience of how to proceed step-by-step in building a play for performance.

The class work will be presented in the lobby of the High Point Theatre as a pre-show performance prior to the Saturday, November 17th production of HPCT’s Fiddler on the Roof.

All classes are sponsored by HPCT and will be held at Mallory Graham's Dance South - 1635 North Main Street.

Grades 2-5 from 10-11:30am

Grades 6-8 from 1-2:30pm

$125 per student

*****

Teen Ensemble

Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30 and Saturdays 3:30 - 5:30
or
Saturdays Only 3:30 - 5:30

As many of you know, there has been a cry for several years about starting an ongoing teen ensemble for High Point. I hope that you have all seen the information about this year’s plans. Currently, we have a small but mighty group of pioneers who are working to get this program off the ground.

I know that several who were interested have various conflicts that prohibit you from participating this fall - so we are offering a solution to this problem.

We have opened up a Saturday afternoon only option for the ensemble. The group as a whole will meet on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons but if school plays or afterschool activities are keeping you from becoming involved, you now have a chance to participate.

The Saturday group will focus on scene work, monologues etc. and will meet beginning this Saturday, September 22nd from 3:30 – 5:30 pm at Mallory Graham’s Dance South Studio through Saturday December 15th. We will take off the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Several people have a couple of conflicts so if you would have to miss a class or two – don’t let that stop you from joining us. The cost for the Saturday only option is $170.00 – I still have a little bit of scholarship money for the teen ensemble.

Hope you can join us, Please share this info with interested friends.

To register for either the teen ensemble or the Saturday kids classes – download this form and mail it to HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261.

Please call the HPCT office at (336) 882-2542 to reserve your spot in either the teen ensemble or the Saturday kids classes.

Jennifer

Teen Ensemble Plans Finalized

The plans for High Point Community Theatre’s Teen Theatre Ensemble for Fall of 2007 have been finalized. The group will begin on Tuesday, September 18th at 4:30 pm at Mallory Graham’s Dance South. It will meet twice a week on Tuesday afternoons from 4:30 – 6:30 pm and Saturday afternoons from 3:30 – 5:30 pm ending on Tuesday, December 18th.

The registration form (which may be downloaded on the right hand side of this blog) and registration fee of $300.00 should be received by the HPCT office by September 10th.

There are some remaining scholarship funds available. Please contact Jennifer to apply.

For further information, please call Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org.

July/August Trivia Contest Results

Congratulations to Lee Willard who won our July/August Trivia Contests with both the most wins (8) and the most plays (62). For his hard work, extreme knowledge and dedication, Lee will receive 2 season subscriptions to the 2007-2008 Season.

If I were a petty person, I would mention at this point that I actually had more wins than he did - but disqualified myself since I get to set the categories - but I am not that petty.

Way to go Lee and all those who were nipping at his heels.

Now we start again. Same deal for September & October. The person who plays the most and the person who wins the most between September 1st and October 31st will each receive a season subscription - oh and Lee is now in the HPCT Hall of Fame and is also disqualified from the contest!

Also, don't forget our September near brush with fame contest. See August 24th post!

Thanks for playing,

Jennifer

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Auditions

High Point Community Theatre will hold auditions for the opening production of its 2007-2008 season, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, on Monday and Tuesday, September 24th and 25th at 7:00 pm for children 12 and under and 8:00 pm for ages 13 and over. Auditions will be held in the Dining Hall at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive in High Point.

Those auditioning who are 13 and over should prepare a short song (1 and ½ to 2 minutes) and bring music in the proper key (an accompanist will be provided). Those under the age of 13 do not need to prepare a song – one will be taught at the audition. Those auditioning should come to one of the two audition dates – no appointment is required.

A Pre-Audition Workshop will be held on Sunday, September 23rd, at 7:00 pm at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in the Dining Hall. At the Pre-Audition Workshop, those auditioning will have the opportunity to meet the artistic staff, learn more about the production and its rehearsal schedule and those 13 and over will have a chance to look over their audition song selection with the Musical Director and Accompanist. Auditionees are encouraged to attend the workshop and to bring audition selections but attendance is not mandatory.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will be directed by Sheri Masters with musical direction by Michael Dougherty and choreography by Katie Jo Icenhower and will be performed at the High Point Theatre on November 15th – 18th.

For further information, call Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542, email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or visit the HPCT website at http://www.hpcommunitytheatre.org/

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Cast with brief character description and vocal range for solos:
TEVYE The Dairyman, comic, earnest, wise father Baritone: Low A flat - High F
GOLDE Tevye's strong-willed wife Mezzo-Soprano: Low A-E flat
TZEITEL Tevye's eldest daughter Mezzo-Soprano: Low B - D sharp
HODEL Tevye's next eldest daughter Mezzo-Soprano: Low B - E
CHAVA Tevye's middle daughter Mezzo-Soprano: Low B-C
SHPRINTZE Tevye's 2nd youngest daughter
BIELKE Tevye's youngest daughter
YENTE The meddling matchmaker Alto: Low F - mid E flat
MOTEL The young tailor Baritone or Tenor: E - High F sharp
PERCHIK The strong-voiced student Baritone: B - High E
LAZAR WOLF The brawny butcher Vocal Range: Baritone, C - C
MORDCHA The Innkeeper
RABBI Anatevka's Jewish spiritual leader Baritone: G - C
MENDEL Rabbi's son Baritone: B - E flat
AVRAM The Bookseller Baritone: D-High E flat
NACHUM The Beggar
GRANDMA TZEITEL Golde's grandmother Mezzo-Soprano: C sharp - E flat
FRUMA-SARAH Lazar's Wolf's dead wife Mezzo-Soprano: C-E flat
CONSTABLE
FYEDKA A young Russian
SHAINDEL Motel's Mother
THE FIDDLER
SASHA Fyedka's friend
YUSSEL A Hatter

In addition an ensemble of children, teens and adults will be cast as Villagers.

Near Brush With the Famous or Infamous

Hi All,

We might as well finish out the summer with another contest. Use the comments link at the bottom of this post to share your best very near, somewhat near, sorta-kinda near, or dang I just missed them brushes with the famous or infamous. The comments link is found between the clock and the email envelope link at the bottom of each post.

The goal is that the stories have SOME basis in reality - preferably backed up by photos or witnesses. You may share the stories in whatever way you wish - all at once or spread out over the course of the contest. If you have any pictures to share of your near brush with fame, email them to me. I can add them to this post -but pics can't be added to the comments section.

You need to have a free google acoount and password to play - u can get that up top at the register/log-in link. If your real name isn't obvious from your user name, please include your real name in the text of your post.

I have a really cool prize for the winner (and no I am not competing) :-O

The judging fot this contest will be done by me and MaryAnn Luedtke who hobnobs with the famous ALL the time. Our decision will be totally subjective (probably the one that makes us laugh the most) and there will be no questioning of the judges' decisions. So there!

Enjoy! Oh - and btw - Lee Willard does NOT count as famous or infamous - so you can have brushed him as much as u wanted to but it doesn't count.

Entries will be accepted from today until September 30th.

Feel free to email me @ jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org with any questions - or post them in the comment section.

Good luck to all! Enjoy! Get busy!

Jennifer

HPCT's 2007-2008 Season

High Point Community Theatre is pleased to announce our 2007-2008 Season, our 32nd of bringing quality entertainment to the High Point community by the High Point community.



Fiddler On The Roof
Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl

Book by JOSEPH STEIN Music by JERRY BOCK Lyrics by SHELDON HARNICK
Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince
Original New York Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS

November 15, 2007 at 7:30 pm
November 16 & 17, 2007 at 8:00 pm
November 18, 2007 at 2:00 pm

Set in 1905 in Tsarist Russia, the tale of a poor milkman and his family struggling to come to terms with the changing traditions of a new world has inspired generations. Tevya and his wife Golde want to provide security and happiness for their children, but as their oldest daughters Tzeitel, Hodel and Chava seek to carve out futures for themselves in a new century full of challenges and new traditions, these wise parents must search for a way to remain a family even as the old ways change. Full of well-loved songs such as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,” Fiddler On The Roof is a story of enduring love and the triumph of the spirit.



Guys and Dolls
A musical fable of Broadway based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows

March 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm
March 7 & 8, 2008 at 8:00 pm
March 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm

The seedy, after-hours underworld of New York City in the 1940s is the setting for this story of gamblers and their girls and the “mission doll” who changes everything. Nathan Detroit, desperate to find funds to pay for a spot for his floating crap game, bets big-time gambler Sky Masterson that he can’t take the first girl he sees to Havana. Sky takes him up on the bet and begins wooing the girl: straight-laced Sarah Brown of the Save-a-Soul Mission. Bursting with the classic hit songs “Luck Be a Lady,” “If I Were a Bell,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Guys and Dolls,” this romp through Runyonland will keep every foot tapping.



Little Shop of Horrors
Book and lyrics by Howard Ashman
Music by Alan Menken
Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith

May 15, 2008 at 7:30 pm
May 16 & 17, 2008 at 8:00 pm
May 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm

This dark comedy of love, lust and a man-eating plant has entertained audiences and served as a cautionary tale for would-be botanists everywhere. Shy Seymour works at Mushnik’s Skid Row Florists and secretly loves his fellow shop assistant, Audrey, whom he would like to save from the clutches of the evil dentist Orin. When an exotic plant arrives at the shop, Seymour cares for it and gains fame as the strange plant—named Audrey II—attracts the attention of horticulturists everywhere. Unfortunately, Audrey II exacts a hefty price for assisting Seymour in his romantic endeavors. The quirky tunes in this macabre tale include “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour.”

All performances will be held at the High Point Theatre, 220 East Commerce Street in High Point.

Season Subscriptions are available through the High Point Community Theatre office at (336) 882-2542. Adult Subscriptions are $44.00; Student/Senior Citizen Subscriptions are $37.00; Children (12 and under) Subscriptions are $22.00.

Single Tickets are available through the High Point Theatre Box Office at
(336) 887-3001, City Hall at Oak Hollow Mall or online at www.highpointtheatre.com. Adult Single Tickets are $18.00; Student/Senior Citizen Single Tickets are $15.00; Children (12 and under) Single Tickets are $8.00.

Notice the time change for the Thursday evening performances to 7:30 pm.

For further information, contact Jennifer Blevins at (336)882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

NEW HPCT STORE!!!

For all those of you who have been pining for HPCT t-shirts and gift items, your wait has ended.

We have set up an online store where you can order everything from HPCT note cards and t-shirts to tote bags and clocks. There is even a special t-shirt for Lola and her canine friends.

A portion of each sale will benefit HPCT.

Come visit our online store!

Greetings From Lola & Gracie

Hi To All Our Friends!!!

Hope everyone is having a great summer. Can't wait to see you in the Fall.

And yes - our Mama has too much time on her hands!!!

Love Lola & Gracie

Click here for a special greeting!

Trivia Contest

Hi All,

The results are in for July's trivia contest.

In the lead is aprilfool1959 aka Lee with 5 wins with MJHY51 aka Mickey nipping at his heels with 4 wins and LMDMum (Hannah) and ncgirl with 3 wins each. Of course, for the record and just to rub it in with Lee, I had the most wins - but I don't need season tickets so I have pulled myself out of the official contest. :-P~~~ to Lee.

In the running for the most entries are Lee and Briana with 31 plays each with Mickey right behind at 30 and Michael and Hannah with 29 each.

Remember this is a cumulative July & August contest - so the season subsciptions are still up for grabs.

By the way, in case of a tie, all those who are tied for 1st place in either wins or entries will be awarded a season subscription.

Good luck in August all. Hope you are having fun with the contest.

Jennifer

HPCT's Classes for Kids

HPCT is launching a series of classes for children and teens. With weekday classes for HomeSchoolers, Saturday classes for grades 2 - 8 and our Teen Theatre Ensemble for grades 9 - 12, there is something for all interested Triad-Area Youth.

Teen Theatre Ensemble

Here’s a chance for the serious high school performer (grades 9-12) to train and perform as part of an ensemble. Designed for a semester-long commitment, the group members will meet twice weekly from 4-6 pm to explore methods of actor training and sink their teeth into scene work from the classics of world theatre. The Ensemble will require that each applicant audition and commit to the full semester of work.

For further information, please join us for an organizational meeting on Thursday, August 30, at 7pm at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church's Dining Hall - 1225 Chestnut Drive. Days of the week that the ensemble will meet will be decided at this meeting.

If you are unavailable for the organizational meeting, but wish to be a part of the Teen Theatre Ensemble, you must contact Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542 or jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org prior to August 30th.

Tuition for a semester of participation will be $300.00 and is refundable until September 4th in case ensemble meeting times do not work with your schedule.

***

Fiddler on the Roof YOUR Way
Playbuilding for Grades 2-8
Saturdays, September 22 through November 10

Students will experience all aspects of making a performance. Working in groups, students write, direct, act/sing in and procure/make their own costumes and props for a short performance that they create based on or around the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The class progression is constructed to give students an experience of how to proceed step-by-step in building a play for performance. The class work will be presented in the lobby of the High Point Theatre as a pre-show performance prior to the Saturday, November 17th production of HPCT’s Fiddler on the Roof.

Grades 2-5 from 10-11:30am
Grades 6-8 from 1—2:30pm
$125 per Student
Multiple Sibling Discount = $25.00 per class

All Saturday classes will be held at Mallory Graham's Dance South - 1635 North Main Street.

***

HomeSchoolers' Series

We are pleased to announce a series of classes designed for HomeSchooling students. Classes will meet weekly for 12 weeks beginning the week of September 10 and ending the week of December 3. There will be no class the week of Thanksgiving. Tuition per student for each class is $125. Multiple class and multiple sibling discounts are available.

Tuesdays: Acting

The basics every actor need to feel confident, comfortable and competent on stage. We’ll find out what our bodies tell about ourselves on stage and how we can use them to tell a story. We’ll use our voices to discover the many possibilities each of us have for becoming a character through sound. Older students will get the opportunity for scene study. The classes will culminate in showings of either scene work or examples of the exercise work engaged in throughout the session.

Class for students ages 8-12 from 1pm until 2pm
Class for students ages 13-16 from 2:15pm until 3:15pm


Wednesdays: From the Page to the Stage

Want to add Theatre to your study of Literature? Well, here is you chance! This class combines study of age-appropriate classic novels with performance work. We’ll read and discuss a chosen text (Some possibilities for younger participants: A Wrinkle in Time, or The Wind in the Willows. And for older students: Great Expectations, The Scarlet Letter or Huckleberry Finn) Then we’ll represent our favorite characters in scenes taken from the book. This class will culminate in a showing of performance work and a short writing assignment.

Class for students ages 10—13 from 1pm until 2pm
Class for students ages 14—18 from 2:15 pm until 3:15 pm


Thursdays: Playbuilding

Here’s your chance to do it all! Write, act direct, make props and costumes. What is your play? You decide! Working in groups, students will work on all aspects of making performance. The class progression is constructed to give students a step-by-step approach to building a play from the ground up. Each group will end up with a fully-mounted short performance created by the group. The class will culminate in a performance of each group’s work.

Class for students ages 8—12 from 1pm until 2 pm
Class for students ages 13—16 from 2:15 pm until 3:15 pm

HomeSchoolers Classes are $125.00 per class.
Multiple Class or Multiple Sibling Discount = $25.00 per class
Multiple Class AND Multiple Sibling Discount = $35.00 per class

All HomeSchoolers classes will be held at Mallory Graham's Dance South - 1635 North Main Street.

***

For All HPCT Classes:

Limited scholarships are available. Contact Jennifer Blevins at (336)882-2542 for further information.

Space is limited. Class tuition fees are due upon registration and are non-refundable (with the exception of the Teen Theatre Ensemble which is refundable until September 4th). HPCT reserves the right to cancel any class not meeting a minimum enrollment.

To register, download and mail the completed registration form with a check made payable to High Point Community Theatre to:
HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261.

Have Questions? Call Jennifer at (336) 882-2542 or email jblevins@hpcommunitytheate.org

Meet the Instructor/Director...

Martha Mendenhall was born and raised in High Point, North Carolina. For the past ten years, she has worked both as an actor/director/playwright and also as a full-time English teacher at a small private high school in Charlottesville, VA. She has a BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she completed Honors work on Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. She has taught and directed Shakespeare for seven to twelve year-olds each of the past ten summers, and has also directed for the teen summer camp at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, Virginia. Martha studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC; she has worked as performer with the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express, and in Washington, DC.

In addition, Martha was a founding member of her own theatre company, the Charlottesville-based ensemble, Foolery. For the past two school years, Martha combined her experience and enthusiasm for both performance and academics in a series of homeschool classes for Charlottesville area students.

Frescoes in NC Mountains

If you haven't done so, take some time to drive to the NC Mountains to see the beautiful frescoes in Glendale Springs and West Jefferson. Allan Edwards and I spent the day on Saturday in the mountains - mostly tromping through cemetaries looking for Blevins ancestor tombstones.
I found the graves of my great-great-grandparents and also happened to meet an 80+ year old woman at one of the cemetaries. After talking for awhile we discovered that her great-grandmother and my great-grandfather Houston (pic to the right) were brother and sister -so we had great-great-grandparents in common.

After we trekked all the cemetaries, we drove for awhile on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped in Glendale Springs to see the fresco at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. This beautiful fresco was painted by NC Native Ben Long. According to the website linked below Buon Fresco is the art of painting on wet plaster. The powdered pigments are mixed with water and applied to fresh lime plaster so that the pigment is absorbed into the plaster. The painting actually becomes part of the wall. It is a technique that has been practiced for centuries and reached its peak with the great masters of the Italian Renaissance.


There are also frescoes just 12 miles away in West Jefferson at St. Mary's Episcopal Church.

I promise you its worth the drive. And while you are in the mountains, say hi to all the ghosts of my ancestors.

Jennifer

For more info on the frescoes see http://www.ecva.org/exhibition/acs/commun_1.html

From Gracie

Will somebody tell Lola that my tail is NOT a pillow???

Thanks Jeff - This Site Is Lots of Fun!

Jeff Poteat shared this link with me. It has videos (most are scenes from the Tony Awards or other TV shows) of many Broadway musicals.

I will keep the link up in the list on the right hand side of the blog.

Enjoy looking around.

http://www.bluegobo.com/

And until I get tired of it, I will post a video of the week below. Feel free to email me with one that you would like to highlight.

Gonna kick it off with our old friend Terrence Mann in Cats.

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everybody has a happy and safe 4th of July!

Jennifer

Trivia Contest Starts Tomorrow (Sunday)

Ok - We've had a few days to practice - Now its time to get serious about it.

See the trivia game link over there>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well use it and join us in our daily trivia contests. The person who plays the most and the person who wins the most between July 1st and August 31st will win a season subsciption to HPCT's 2007-2008 seaon.

Check out the bottom of the blog for the previous day's winner and top scores.

Good luck and have fun!

Oh What A Night!

We had great fun at our June 9th Gala and we now have the photographic proof.

Thanks again to all who hosted, donated auction items and especially those who came and partied with us. We netted over $7,000 for HPCT programs.

Teen Actors' Summer Showcase

High Point Community Theatre is holding a two-week summer intensive workshop for experienced high school and college aged actors. This workshop is being led by Allan Edwards and will culminate in a class demonstration open to the public. At this showcase, the actors will demonstrate some of the monologues, character analysis and scene work from the workshop.

The Teen Actors' Summer Showcase will be held on Friday, June 29th at 7:00 pm in the 2nd floor theatre at the Jamestown Public Library. It is free to the public but reservations are required by calling (336) 882-2542 or emailing jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org

County Commissioners' Meeting

Thank you for all of the letters and phone calls that you are making to county commissioners concerning the elimination of funding to community based organizations, and even more specifically, to arts organizations. Now that you have been heard, we need for you to be seen at the budget hearing this Thursday, June 21.

The Guilford County meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The agenda does allow for 30 minutes for speakers from the floor. If you wish to speak, you might want to get there by 5:00 in case you have to sign in on a first-come, first-served basis which is sometimes the case. Since this meeting is about the budget, there may be many groups who want the opportunity to speak from the floor assuming this is at the beginning of the meeting and not after the budget … we will have to play it by ear when we get there. We need at least two to three people from High Point speaking on the importance of the arts in this city!

The Guilford County meeting is held in the Old County Courthouse in downtown Greensboro on Market Street … it is on the right just after the intersection of Market and Eugene Streets. Street parking is available on Greene (which is the next street after the courthouse) and in the Greene Street parking deck.

Please wear something that says “arts” whether it is a t-shirt from an arts program, such as an HPCT Show, Midsummer Players, etc., or wear red which signifies that we are passionate about the arts.

Your Voice Is Needed!

To: All Friends of High Point Community Theatre and other arts organizations in Guilford County

We have a CALL TO ACTION regarding Guilford County arts funding. Please take a moment to communicate with our commissioners and encourage others to do the same; commissioner contact information is listed below. We need this action to be taken as soon as possible as the budget likely will be approved on June 21.

The front page of today’s News & Record posts an article on continued Guilford County commissioner budget deliberations. Arts funding in Guilford County is in jeopardy of being reduced or completely eliminated for the coming year. As you know, this will bear significant negative impact for us all. We must work together to ensure that all existing arts funding is sustained in Guilford County’s budget and that new requests are given sincere consideration to be funded this year.

Please take a moment to communicate with the following commissioners and encourage others to do the same. We need this action to be taken as soon as possible as the budget likely will be approved on June 21. Our key message points are:

1) We thank you for your leadership and recognize that you are dealing with a challenging environment and difficult budget decisions. However, in challenging times like these that we currently face, the arts are more important than ever. Now is not the time to cut the arts which deliver so much to the quality of life in Guilford County. The arts are what make our community such a wonderful place to live and work. It’s a great part of why people and businesses want to be here.

2) The arts touch every resident of Guilford County. In the last year alone nearly 1 million people attended and participated in events and programming delivered by Guilford County non-profit arts organizations. That’s over 2,700 people a day! This demonstrates that our residents care about the arts and are participating in the wide variety of arts offerings. Guilford County funding enables us to serve those in our community who would not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the arts. Your funding is vital.

3) The arts are an industry contributing significant economic impact in Guilford County. The findings of a recent Arts Economic Impact Study by Americans for the Arts deliver powerful results about our local arts industry in Guilford County. The arts contribute at least $30.7 million annually to our local economy, generating nearly 1,100 jobs and drawing nearly 1 million attendees. This direct impact creates an additional $22.6 million of resident household income and government revenue.

4) The arts are a great return on investment in Guilford County. Locally, we outpace peer region and national averages for the return on every $1 invested. In Guilford County, the return on every $1 invested is $1.49 as compared to peer regions at $1.36 and the national average of $1.28.

5) Sustain existing arts funding in Guilford County’s budget and give sincere consideration to new requests to be funded this year.

Commissioner contact information:

Paul Gibson – 288-7280 (h) 282-1114 (w)
pgibson@co.guilford.nc.us
3402 Cloverdale Drive, 27408

Skip Alston – 854-2910 (h) 272-5779 (w)
skip.alston@gmail.com
2705 W. Vandalia Road, 27407

Kay Cashion – 274-6272 (h) 273-2820 (w)
kcashio@co.guilford.nc.us
103 W. Greenway Drive, 27403

Carolyn Coleman – 674-4699 (h) 202-0335 (cell)
ccolema@co.guilford.nc.us
PO Box 3427, 27402

Bruce Davis - 889-4356 (h) 688-2431 (cell)
kidappeal@triadbiz.rr.com
1010 Greensboro Road
High Point, NC 27260

John Parks - 454-4254 (h) 878-7576 (w)
jparks@co.guilford.nc.us
3313 Colony Drive
Jamestown, NC 27282

Kirk Perkins - 697-9832 (h) 697-0007 (w)
kperkins@triad.rr.com
5773 Bethel Church Rd
McLeansville, NC 27301

Linda Shaw - 855-7533 (h) 641-3368 (w)
imlshaw@aol.com
PO Box 8618, 27419

Mike Winstead, Jr. - 389-9992 (w)
mwinste@co.guilford.nc.us
4 Nolen Court, 27408

Steve Arnold - 887-8383 (h)
sarnold@co.guilford.nc.us
1610 Bridges Drive
High Point, NC 27262

Billy Yow - 674-2149 (h) 674-9198 (w)
byow0@co.guilford.nc.us
1429 Country Lake Drive, 27406

Thank you in advance for responding quickly and proactively!

Jennifer

From information provided by The High Point & Greensboro Arts Council Directors

The Show Must Go On Gala

What a great evening!!!

A beautiful location, fabulous food, a steel drummer to welcome you to the party, a DJ that played anything and everything, great silent auction items (I GOT MY CLOGS!!!), and lots of fun people.

Thanks to all who hosted, provided silent auction items or attended this event. Your support helped us raise over $7000.

A special thanks to Skyler Browne, Ed Cornwell, Skip Culler, Frosty Culp, Michael & Hannah Dougherty, Lawrence Forrester, Joe Gamble, Shelley Garis, The Gooding Family, Pat Grayson, Sheri Masters, The Nifong Family, The Oots Family, Meg Porter, Jeff Poteat & Kelly Smith, Betsy Pugh, Cres & Doug Ross, Carolyn & Dwight Steed, Lon, Cathy & Leah Thomas, The Wiater Family and Lee Willard (all current or past members of our acting/backstage family or their parents) for their financial support or attendance at the Gala.

And, by the way, HPCT has the best Board of Directors around! You did an incredible job this week! Two huge fundraisers 5 days apart - unbelievable! Thanks so much for all of your hard work.

Pictures will be posted soon!

HPCT's Annual Golf Tournament

Torrential rain might have dampened the clothes but not the spirits of the HPCT's golf classic crowd. Our players and volunteers dried off, waited for the sun and started again, got rained on again, played some more, ate dinner and the day ended with all sprinting to their cars in yet another downpour. I take full responsibility for the rain since I boasted earlier in the day that it had NEVER rained during one of our golf tournaments. Even with the rain, it was a great day.

Congratulations to Alan Pike, Rick Callicutt, Rick Sawyer and John Bencini for winning the tournament. Curt Jacobs, Tom Walsh, Bill Shamburg and Dave (last name unreadable due to rain drops) came in second in the tournament but first in trips to the beer cart.

Thanks to our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, prize donors, Chick-fil-A, Outback Steakhouse, Cheerwine and the Meadowlands Golf Course for making our tournament such a success. Early reports show a profit of $8000.00 (the appx cost of the orchestras for our two large musicals next year).

A special thanks to our Golf Guru Ed Cornwell. Thanks for all that you do to make this event happen. You are appreciated!

Frank Luedkte

Those of you who have been around HPCT for awhile surely know what an important part of the organization the Luedtke Family is. MaryAnn was the founding President of the Board and appeared onstage (we were thrilled to have her back after a long absence in STEEL MAGNOLIAS & ANYTHING GOES), her husband Fran built sets, hosted cast parties and, if the truth was known, probably paid most of the bills in the early days, and their 4 children, Frank, Anne, Lib & Michael appeared onstage and/or backstage and in Frank's case, stole beer from the aforementioned cast parties.

But the years have gone by, and now Frank (at 43) can legally drink beer. Furthermore, as a Sgt First Class in the Army, they actually give him weapons!!! Frank is married and his wife Julie, daughter Morgan, age 14, and son Dylan, age 12, are in Bamburg, Germany while Frank is serving his 4th tour of duty in the Middle East. He was in Iraq in 1991 and since 9/11 has been back to Iraq and is now in his second tour in Afghanistan.

Please join me in sending Frank a card or a letter telling him how proud we are of him. If you haven't met Frank, write him anyway and tell him a funny story about HPCT - preferrably one at MY expense - he would really love that!

Send mail to:

Frank Luedtke
HHB 4-319th AFAR
FOB Kalagush
APO AE 09354

Mail to APO address requires regular postage.

Thanks so much for helping me tell Frank how much we appreciate what he is doing.

Jennifer

P.S. Pictures are of Frank at work and with Drew Carey.

Michael Greene's New Grandson

Ian Michael Steiger (note the middle name) was born April 26, weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and has a full head of dark hair and deep blue eyes. The proud Grandparents (Michael & Wendy Greene) have been down to Tampa twice to see him.

I wonder how quickly Michael will have him playing the piano. Congratulations to all and welcome Ian!

To the Casts & Crews of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, FOOTLOOSE & MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER

Hi All,

Whew! What a great season! Thanks to each of you for having such a vital part in it.

The shows are over but the fundraising continues.

We have two coming up in the next weeks…

On June 4th, we will have our 8th annual golf tournament. Do you know anyone who would like to play? If your Dad plays golf every weekend, ask him to play for something that is important to YOU. Do you work for a company that has promotional items that they could donate for the “goody” bags – we need appx 100 of each item. Would your company be interested in being a $200 sponsor or putting a team together?

You should have all received your e-invitation to our June 9th gala. I hope that you are planning to join us – feel free to invite your friends. Part of our June 9th gala will be a silent auction. Do any of you have access to stores, companies, organizations that might donate items for auction – merchandise, gift certificates, pieces of art, services – virtually ANYTHING would be great.

Golf registration forms, gala invitations and response cards are available on our web site http://www.hpcommunitytheatre.org

For golf prizes or silent auction items donations, simply email me or call 882-2542.

Please take some time to think about contacts that you might have to help on these two events – it’s amazing how many people will donate if asked. So bug your friends, your neighbors and your family.

Thanks for all that YOU do to make this organization a success. You are appreciated.

I hope to see you all on June 4th if you are a golfer; June 9th if you are a party-er; and most importantly – next season as an actor or crew member.

Best wishes for a great summer,

Jennifer

Board Meeting Tonight!

Quick reminder - The Board is meeting tonight - Tuesday, May 22 - at 6:30 p.m. at Beth's office, Dixon Hughes, at 1829 Eastchester Dr.

Please bring silent auction items - or paperwork for them

Thanks,

Jennifer

Thanks to The Man Cast

Thank you so much for a GREAT show! An incredible cast performing an incredible play - pure delight!

Thanks Dan for a great experience!

A Special Thanks to HPCT newcomers: Josh, Thomas, Tim, Jim, Mickey, Stefan, Laura S., Amy, Tim and Don. Welcome to the family! Hope you join us again soon!

Tom & Sue - It was great to have you back after far too long an absense.

Thanks to our children's choir: Aislinn, Charles, Erin, James, Karina, Laura and Megan. Great job guys!

Thanks to Laura H., Lee & Skyler - You 3 put in almost as much time in rehearsal this year as I did!

And to all the rest of you - "a moist incestuous kiss!"

It was a blast!

Love you all,

Jennifer

You Are Invited!

High Point Community Theatre will be holding a fundraising gala on Saturday, June 9th from 7-10 pm at Sammy G's at Market Square and we hope that you can join us.

Dinner (by Sammy G. of Aquaria & Gianno's), Dancing and Silent Auction

$35.00 per person - Wine & Beer Included - Cash Bar

To view the invitation - go to http://www.gameroom.com/jenhp/Invitation.jpg

Print the response card available at http://www.gameroom.com/jenhp/Response.jpg and mail it with your payment to HPCT, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC 27261

Have questions? Email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or call 882-2542

Thanks to our Gala Hosts http://www.gameroom.com/jenhp/Hosts.jpg

High School/College Acting Summer Workshop

High Point Community Theater will offer a two-week summer intensive workshop for experienced high-school and college student actors June 18-June 29. The class, under the direction of Allan Edwards, will focus on scene work and character development and close with a public presentation of the actors’ work.

The class will meet from 6:00-9:00 pm Monday through Friday for the two weeks at Mallory Graham’s Dance South, 1635 North Main Street, High Point.

Class size is strictly limited, and early enrollment is strongly encouraged.

Tuition: $150.00 for the 30 hours of class. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. For scholarship information, please call Jennifer Blevins at (336) 882-2542.

To register, please send your check and the following information to:

High Point Community Theatre, P.O. Box 1152, High Point, NC.

Please send an email to jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org when registration info has been mailed to hold your place until your check arrives.

Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Age:
School:
Grade:

Email jblevins@hpcommunitytheatre.org or call (336)-882-2542 with any questions.

Join Us!

Please join us for THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER! It's a great show with a wonderful cast.

Performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 pm.

Tickets available by calling the HP Theatre Box Office at 887-3001 or at the door.

Hope to see you there!

Rehearsal - Sunday

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the HARD work today - particularly those who stayed till the bitter end. We will be finishing up set stuff between 2 & 6 tomorrow if anyone needs to have some MORE fun.

Rehearsal will be at 6:00 pm for the full company with the exception of the children's choir. If you don't come on till Act 2 or 3 - bring a book - we do need everyone there at 6:00.

As always, call me at 882-2542 with any questions.

See you tomorrow.

Jennifer

Rehearsal - Friday

Friday’s schedule…..

7:00 – Block the children’s choir into the end of Act II

7:15 – Act I

8:15 – Act II (children’s choir doesn’t need to stay for this run thru)

9:00 – Act III

10:15 – Liberty for a festive beverage

See you then

Btw – Sunday’s rehearsal will be 6 – 10pm

Rehearsal - Thursday

Hi All,

Happy last night off!

We are staggering the calls for Thursday’s rehearsal. Please be ready to start each act at the time listed below.

Act I – 7:00

Act II – 8:15

Act III – 9:00

See you then.

Jennifer

Rehearsal Monday & Costume Fittings

Hi All,

Monday’s schedule has changed….

Radio Techs, Lee & Betsy do not need to come.

All other cast members….

We will be doing…
Act I scene work at 7:00 pm
Act II scene work at 8:00 pm
Act III scene work at 9:00 pm


Tuesday’s schedule remains the same – Run entire play and add in convicts, deputies, etc – so Mickey, Travis, Tim & Tom need to come at 7:00

Costume Fittings:

The people below have schedule their costume fitting. Fittings will be held at the NCSF building (the old Aerochem warehouse) at the corner of Green Street and Ward Avenue. From North Main Street turn onto Green Street – its one-way so you can’t mess up and follow it to Ward Ave. Turn right onto Ward and then left into the first parking lot on the left. The NCSF admin building will be on your right as you enter the parking lot. Ask for Melanie.

Monday
Lee – Call Melanie at 841-2273 to arrange time
Amy – 3:30 pm

Tuesday
Peggy – 3:30
Laura Hall – 4:00
Skyler – 5:00

Wednesday
Stefon – 3:30
Tom Kak – 3:30
Chris – 4:00
Laken – 4:00

Thursday
Shelley – 1:00
Sue – 4:30


The following cast members will be fitted during rehearsal on Tuesday – Come a little early if you can…
Betsy
Jim
Sheri
Steffanie

If you name is not listed above – please email me to let me know if you can get by NCSF between 9 & 5 Monday – Thursday. If you can’t we will add you to the Tuesday night list.

Thanks,

Jennifer

HPCT Board Meeting - May 7th

The next Board Meeting will be on Mon May 7th at 6:30 pm – We may need to order pizza – there will be lots to discuss! PLEASE make every effort to be there!

Enjoy Your Night Off!

Hi All,

Enjoy your Wednesday Night off - but remember to spend some time with your lines.

Schedule for the remainder of the week... Notice the later call time for Act 3.

Thursday, May 3
7:00 – 8:30 – Work Act I
8:30 – 10:00 – Work Act 3

Friday, May 4
7:00 – 8:30 – Work Act 2
8:30 – 10:00 – Work Act 3

Sunday, May 6
6:15 - Cast Photos Begin
7:00 –10:00 – Run Act 3 Off Book

Board Mailing

Hi Board Members,

Remember - we will be meeting at Wesley Memorial on Tuesday at 6:30 to work on the mailing for gala sponsors. See you then.

Jennifer

Testing 1-2-3

This is a test to see if I can really add photos to the posts section of this blog. It is only a test. If this were an actual message it wouldn't have a picture of Gracie and Lola in it.