Theatre North Carolina

Community Connections - ARTS NC

ARTS North Carolina is beginning a program called Community Connections, a blitz of ARTS North Carolina activities in one location over a two or three day period of time. 



We begin in Winston-Salem this week and have events planned in Fayetteville, Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Asheville, and Greensboro-High Point. 

The central event is an Advocacy Workshop designed to get more people actively engaged in speaking for the arts, an imperative if we are to sustain state public funding in the years ahead and achieve our goals of a comprehensive arts education policy.  Projections have our budget deficit for 2010-11 at $4.4 billion, and to put this in perspective, the current-year deficit was $3.3 billion.  Cultural Resources overall saw a 7% cut in 2009-10, but NCAC recurring grants funding was sustained. 

Because of the deep reductions in operating funding in the current year, if additional cuts are made to Cultural Resources in 2010-11, our grants programs could be vulnerable. 

If  you would like to sponsor a Community Connection event in your community, just email Karen Wells at karen@artsnc.org.  No one is allowed to sit this one out.

Are You Going? Triangle Arts Mixer!

Triangle Arts Mixer

Friday, November 20 , 2009
6PM to 9PM

Building 2, The Cotton Room
Free, Open to public


The first-ever Triangle Arts Mixer is an evening for arts organizations, arts supporters, and artists of all disciplines to mix, mingle, and find new ways to activate and advance the Triangle arts scene.

The Mixer will feature a broad network of area arts organizations and young professional arts groups, dj Yes! Sputnik, light food, and a cash bar in the spectacular, newly-opened event venue—The Cotton Room. You won't want to miss this unique opportunity to interact with art organizations and other members of the Triangle community that share a common purpose and passion for the arts.

Held as part of Third Friday Durham, hosted by Golden Belt, CAM/now, and The Cotton Room.

Arts groups are still signing up to participate. The current list of groups attending includes:
CAM/now
Artspace
Carolina Ballet
NC Symphony
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Carolina Theatre
NC Museum of Art's Contemporaries
Code f.a.d. Company
Arts NC State

Arts NC - License Plates Are Here!

Well, not exactly, but almost! Arts NC worked really hard to get an arts specialty license plate approved by the general assembly. Unfortunately, we're still waiting for the GA to decide what to do about these specialty plates in general, so arts supporters are basically out of luck...until now!

You can still support all the great advocacy work that Arts NC does by purchasing a "The Creative State" front license plate and/or car magnet. Show your support and your colors by getting yours now!

Don't forget - Christmas is just around the corner, so buy one for each of your friends!

North Carolina is The Creative State. The arts are an industry of imagination, creativity, and transformative power, and it's time we put our message on the road.

Shakespeare Festival’s A Christmas Carol Celebrates 32 Years!

The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival’s 2009

Production of Charles Dickens’

A Christmas Carol

High Point Theatre, 220 East Commerce Ave., High Point, NC

The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival’s A Christmas Carol celebrates its 32nd anniversary this December. 
First produced in 1977, The Festival’s premiere season, Dickens’ classic has become a holiday tradition for schools, families and groups throughout the Piedmont.

“Over 600 performances of A Christmas Carol have been given,” says Pedro Silva, NCSF’s managing and artistic director, “and over 400,000 seats have been filled.  Our production has become an anticipated holiday event during Christmas; for many people, Christmas simply isn’t Christmas without attending the show.”

When The Festival first produced A Christmas Carol it had no idea it would become such a success, but the response to the production has been so positive that the company continues to produce the play each December.  “I think the key to the show’s longevity is the simple, sincere approach we take to producing it,” says Silva.  “We remain true to the story, using as much of Dickens’ actual dialogue as possible, and we focus principally on the acting as the key to the show’s strength.  This all makes for an experience that’s heartwarming and moving for patrons – whether they’re 7 years old, or 70.”

The production will run from December 4th – 20th and features eight 10:00 a.m. and one 1:30 p.m. SchoolFest performances for students and teachers.  A large number of home school as well as public and private school students are expected to attend.  Senior citizen groups are also invited to consider attending the 1:30 p.m. December 15 performance.  “We’re proud of the service NCSF provides our educational community,” says Ken Hughes, The Festival’s Board Chairman.  “A Christmas Carol is an exciting theatre experience for young people.  Our detailed Study Guide for the production helps teachers assure their students get the most out of their visit to The Festival.”

This year’s production of A Christmas Carol introduces a new actor to the role of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge.  Production Director Pedro Silva, himself a celebrated alumnus in the role of NCSF’s Scrooge, selected Winston-Salem’s Michael Huie to take the role of the confirmed skinflint converted to the Spirit of Christmas by the haunting of several fearsome – yet loving – ghosts.

Huie is highly-regarded as an actor, writer and teacher.  He is delighted to be returning to NCSF, where he performed from 1990-92, including the role of Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. More recently he played Dwight in Dead Man's Cell Phone, Gloucester in King Lear, Biff in Death of a Salesman and Hamlet as a guest artist at Wake Forest University. He has two one-man shows, Jack and 3 Hats, which have been performed regionally. In 2007, he performed Jack in the UK.

The Festival production is an original stage adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens’ story, once again featuring the artistry of David Bishop’s original score, with music direction by Pauline Cobrda, set design by Gary Dartt, lighting design by Jennifer Wynn O’Kelly, and this year’s costumes developed by NCSF Costume Shop Manager Jennifer Ackland.

The acting company of twenty-five includes Equity, non-union professional, and community actors, interns, and young people.  New to the roles of Bob Cratchit, and his wife Anne, are Duke Ernsberger, and Rebecca Koon, of Charlotte; returning to The Festival production of Carol, Stephen Ware of Charlotte will play the Ghost of Jacob Marley as well as Mr. Fezziwig.  Also in dual roles, as First Philanthropist and Ghost of Christmas Past will be Jeanmarie Collins from Birmingham, AL; as Second Philanthropist and Ghost of Christmas Present will be Corey Allen from New York, NY. Mark Allen Woodard of Hickory, NC plays Fred, Scrooge’s nephew; and, Vanecia Boone of Greensboro plays Fred’s wife, Sarah.

Also in the cast from Greensboro, each in multiple roles ranging from Caroler to Mourner to Party Guest, are Mark Armstrong, Darrell J. Hunt, and Rachel Roberts.  Meghan Hoffman of Greensboro plays Belle, and Young Belle, Scrooge’s sweetheart in his youth; Keaton Brower of Greensboro plays Ignorance and additional roles.  J. Hernandez of Charlottesville, VA plays Scrooge as a young man plus additional roles. Rob Taylor of Lexington, NC plays a Beggar and Old Joe.  David Sebren of Fletcher, NC plays Belle’s husband and additional roles.

Returning family performers from Thomasville, NC are NCSF’s Homeschool and Administrative Assistant, Meredith Stephens in the roles of Bakery Lady, Party Guest and Mrs. Dilber, and her four children, all veterans of The Festival’s production of Carol.
Stephens daughters, Megan plays a Townsperson and Party Guest; Laura plays Martha Cratchit, a Townsperson and Party Guest; Sarah plays Want, Belle’s Child and a Townsperson.  Stephens son, James, plays the roles of Scrooge as a Child and Tiny Tim.
Another performing family from High Point, Michael Howell, playing multiple roles including Townsperson, Party Guest and Mourner, joins again in this year’s production with sons, Emory, playing the Turkey Boy and Townsperson, and Adam, playing Peter Cratchit and a Townsperson.  Also joining the cast of A Christmas Carol this year from High Point is Alison Earley in the roles of Fan, a Townsperson, Party Guest and Charwoman.
 
NCSF’s A Christmas Carol again offers ticket pricing specials that The Festival hopes will draw more families to the production.  “We want to make A Christmas Carol as accessible as possible to the broadest audience possible, especially this year as the general economy continues to challenge family budgets,” says Ken Hughes.  “We want families to view coming to the show as one of their actual gifts for the holidays – not a material gift, but an experience-based gift that is priceless for a family.”

Patrons can take advantage of The Festival’s Early Bird Special that allows them to purchase 4 tickets to one performance for the price of 3 (the 4th ticket is the lower price ticket; does not apply to other special offers).  The offer applies only for phone and walk-up orders completed by Friday, December 4th.  Additionally, The Festival has again teamed with WMAG Radio to hold two 99.5 WMAG Previews (December 4 & 5, 8:00 p.m.) that feature tickets priced at only $10.00 each.  Two Community Performances (December 6, 2:00 p.m. & December 10, 7:30 p.m.) sponsored by The High Point Enterprise will feature tickets priced at $14.  One Sunday matinee (December 13, 2:00 p.m.) and one SchoolFest performance (December 15, 10:00 a.m.) will be sign language interpreted.

Sponsors of this year’s A Christmas Carol include High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau, 99.5 WMAG, FOX 8 WGHP, and Winston-Salem law firm Kilpatrick Stockton.  “NCSF is very thankful for these sponsors,” says Silva.  “Our work would simply be impossible without their generous support and faith in the unique services we provide.”

Tickets for the December 4 – 20 run of A Christmas Carol, prices ranging from $31 to $10 apiece, are on sale now at The High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Avenue, Monday – Friday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.  Call the Box Office at 336-887-3001.  E-ticketing is available at www.highpointtheatre.com.  Tickets may also be purchased one hour before curtain time at the Box Office for tickets to that’s day’s performance only. A detailed performance schedule and general information is also available on NCSF’s website, www.ncshakes.org.

For SchoolFest matinee and General Group Sales, including homeschool groups, call NCSF’s Administrative Offices, not the High Point Theatre Box Office, at 336-841-2273, x226, or email: sales@ncshakes.org.

Audience members are invited to support this year’s Neighbors Feeding Neighbors program by bringing donations of non-perishable foods with them to any performance of A Christmas Carol.  Collected goods will be distributed to needy families in High Point through the Community Resource Network.

Re:Design: The Letters of Charles Darwin at NC State

NC State University Theatre presents

Re:Design
The Letters of Charles Darwin

in new Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre
November 5-8, 2009



Reviled or revered, naturalist Charles Darwin continues to have an impact on today's science and religious education. But the brief references to his work in high school classrooms don't reveal the nature and personality of the man behind the scientific theories of the origin of species.

Charles Darwin spent a lifetime corresponding with scientists and experts in many fields. The Darwin Correspondence project undertook cataloguing these documents. Playwright Craig Baxter undertook making some of those letters come to life in a stage play. University Theatre gives voice to that play in this production of Re:Design, featuring Gregor McElvogue as Charles Darwin and Jim Sullivan as the Archivist. The play is directed by Terri L. Janney.

For forty years, Darwin corresponded with renowned American botanist Asa Gray, played by theatre Director John McIlwee, even though the men held differing views. Unlike today's fiery and even violent scientific, moral and philosophical debates, the two maintained a long-term cordial intellectual and friendly relationship through the publication of Darwin's books, the death of Darwin's child, the American Civil War, Darwin's chronic illness and both men's old-age infirmities. Brought to the stage, the letters allow us to visit in the lives of these two men as they discuss and debate ideas during a time of great scientific development.

Re:Design is in the Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre
Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm.

Tickets are $5 for NC State students, $10 general public.
Call Ticket Central at 919.515.1100, or click to purchase online.

For tickets and information, call Ticket Central at 919.515.1100 or www.ncsu.edu/arts.

The dramatic work is presented as part of the events developed by UNC-TV, The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and other local partners to spark the viewer’s intelligence and enjoyment in conjunction with The Human Spark series that will be aired on UNC-TV in January 2010. The Human Spark series, hosted by Alan Alda, asks the questions: what is the nature of human uniqueness? Where did the human spark ignite, and when? And perhaps most tantalizingly, why? In a lively jaunt across three continents, Alda uses his trademark humor and curiosity to explore his own brain and to conduct dozens of interviews with leading scientists and researchers.

Job Posting - Davidson Community Players Executive Director

The Davidson Community Players is actively seeking an Executive Director who will join a team of professionals who have built a vibrant, successful theater program in the Lake Norman region.  The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and manages all aspects of the non-profit community theatre focusing on fund development; financial management and control; marketing; public relations; community, patron and donor relations; strategic planning and day-to-day management.

Major areas of responsibility include:

•    Coordination of long-range and annual planning in collaboration with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors.
•    Providing leadership for and actively participating in fundraising activities, donor development, grant applications and reporting.
•    Developing the annual budget, including providing monthly financial reporting and forecasting, cash flow management, capital spending and expenditures review and approval.
•    Supervising administrative staff and directing administrative operations.
•    Managing the financial operation and maintenance of the theatre’s physical plant.
•    Administering and supporting, in conjunction with the Artistic Director, the year-round educational outreach programs of the theatre
•    Acting as the representative and advocate of the theatre with government agencies, community groups and local businesses, arts organizations, and the community-at-large.
Qualifications:
•    5 plus years experience in a non-profit management/leadership position, with demonstrated experience in fund-raising, grant writing and marketing;
•    Possess strong budgeting and financial management skills;
•    Demonstrate capacity to lead, manage, motivate and inspire the staff and volunteers;
•    3 plus years experience in marketing, advertising and public relations activities, including driving growth in ticket sales and associated revenues;
•    Exhibit excellent leadership and communications (both written and oral) skills;
•    Strong attention to detail;
•    Experience in or an appreciation and passion for the performing arts;
•    Excellent organizational skills;
•    Ability to interact well with diverse constituencies and personalities;
•    Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access;
•    Undergraduate degree required.

Interested candidates can apply by November 30th to: Search Committee, Davidson Community Players, P.O. Box 76, Davidson, North Carolina 28036 or electronically to dcp_search@bellsouth.net.

About the Davidson Community Players
The Davidson Community Players is a non-profit organization established in 1965 to produce theatre that entertains, enriches and encourages community participation in the dramatic arts.  For more information about the Davidson Community Players, visit the Players web site at www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.

Raleigh Little Theatre Auditions - Veronica's Room

Raleigh Little Theatre will be holding auditions for Ira Levin's

Veronica's Room

Nov 9 and 10 at 7:30 PM in the Gaddy-Goodwin Theatre.

The chilling psychological mystery thriller will be directed by Shawn Smith.

Available roles: The Woman [35 - 65], The Man [35 - 65], The Girl [19 - 25] and The Young Man [21 - 30].
Note: This show auditions early with the first rehearsal on January 4, 2010.

For details about the roles, important dates and to download the forms, see the Veronica's Room auditions page.

South Pacific at Broadway Series South

I love South Pacific! Anyone going? It's playing at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium (Broadway Series South) now through November 8th. Check out the review from IndyWeek.com here.

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S

SOUTH PACIFIC

November 3 - November 8, 2009

“Simply Wonderful! Beguiling Theatrical Magic!” hails the New York Post for the breathtaking new production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC. A stunning reinvention produced by Lincoln Center Theater, SOUTH PACIFIC swept the 2008 Tony Awards®, winning seven honors including Best Musical Revival and Best Director for Bartlett Sher. Set on a tropical island during World War II, the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. The beloved score’s songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” “This Nearly Was Mine” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.” USA Today cheers, “★★★★! Gorgeous! SOUTH PACIFIC doesn’t just float; it soars!”

Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan and is directed by 2008 Tony Award®-winner Bartlett Sher.

Event Tour Manager & Ancillary Director Needed for StarQuest International

Event Tour Manager & Ancillary Director

StarQuest International

**ABOUT US**

If you are interested in this opportunity and have applied for other positions at StarQuest in the past you are encouraged to resubmit for this opening.
 
This is a newly created full time, year round leadership/management position designed to accommodate for the continuing growth of our production company. This position will be responsible for the management of one of the three tours during our travel season, and will oversee the entire company wide ancillary business opperations. As a member of the management team this position will assist in maintaining relationships with our customer and vendor base.
 
StarQuest International Performing Arts Competition has been a leader in the dance industry for 17 years. We are serious about providing outstanding experiences to our customers, vendors, and staff members. The TM/AD will assist in maintaining a positive corporate culture through outstanding interpersonal skills, remarkable organization, and the desire to contribute to a team. The desire to build strong relationships with clients and vendors is a key attribute of all StarQuest staff members.
 
**RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE**

AS TOUR MANAGER
-Travel January through July (Primarily Thursday leave, Monday return)
-Report directly to Senior Management
-Help with maintaining relationships with customer year round through Concierge program.
-Advance show with each venue
-Oversee the budget for the tour
-Manage a crew of 10, plus three judges
-Maintain relationships with all clients while on site
-Execute technical direction and company management of tour
-Schedule events
 
AS ANCILLARY OPERATIONS MANAGER
- Organize, maintain, and systemize the warehouse in respective departments
- Control inventory of all ancillary business related items to ensure positive cash flow
- Repair/replace/maintain equipment for all three tours in respective departments
- Establish appropriate price points of sale items items to ensure maximum profit point
- Replenish order fills to road tours.
- Proposal and purchase of  items sold at events
- Oversee the creation of custom products
- Generate reports and statistics to indicate health of all ancillary business
- Manage 6 staff members who tour.
- Design of merchandise boutique set up to ensure consistency amongst all three tours.
- Set up and run online ancillary ecommerce.
 
 
**IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING**

- Lives in or around the Raleigh, NC area – or willing to relocate to Raleigh, NC area
- A background in developing and managing systems to ensure consistency on all three tours
- 2 years+ knowledge of dance and dance related industries a major plus
- 2 years+ road experience
- 2 years+ experience with building & maintaining relationships with vendors.
- Previous experience reporting directly to CEOs & Senior Management
- Able to travel weekends from end of January through July
- Knowledge of all technical elements of theatre especially audio/video equipment.
- Familiar with Macintosh Computer operating systems
- Experience with ecommerce
- Needs no supervision
- Savvy in budget and time management
- Outstanding organizational and scheduling abilities
 
**DETAILS**

This position is a long-term, full-time, year round position with a salary range of  $35,000 - $45,000 plus bonus based off of ancillary business performance. Benefits after 3 months. (Salary based on experience)
 
Please apply only if you are located or willing to relocate to the Raleigh, NC area. If interested in the Tour Manager / Ancillary Director position please send a customized cover letter and your resume to Associate Producer Michael Ian Cedar at Michael@StarQuestDance.com. In the cover letter please indicate where you heard about this position, your availability, and enter “TM/RD – {your name}” in the subject line.
 
Visit www.StarQuestDance.com <http://www.StarQuestDance.com> to learn more about our productions.
 
StarQuest is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Raleigh Ensemble Players Launch Blog! - I AM REP

Raleigh Ensemble Players Theatre Company has just launched a blog - I AM REP! I love seeing theatres getting into the social media game! Congrats and good luck! We'll be reading you soon! LEt me know if your theatre company has a blog that's not listed on my blogroll!

I AM REP is a fully interactive blog that will focus on the happenings of REP both onstage and off. Visit now to read Letters from Buck Creek and experience firsthand the hopes and fears of those who inhabit the mountain community at the heart.