Williams
Lake Studio Theatre Society 
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Williams
Lake Studio Theatre Society
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Previous Stagelines June 2006 Greetings to all! Well summer days are here and for those of us who educate young minds… a break is at hand. Normally this also signals the end of a fabulous season for Studio Theatre as well. Yet, though this was a fabulous season, with many great successes, there is still more to come. Some members of Studio Theatre are in the midst of rehearsals for an upcoming show, as well as stage coach robberies being planned (amongst other things for stampedes weekend). All this should be a rousing good time. But, before we dive into current events lets take a look at a few great successes over the past month or two. The Relay for Life – “Drama Queens and Kings” It was a wonderful
experience to be involved with Relay for Life. Our team was named the
'Drama Queens and Kings' (though the paper DID reverse our name at least once!) I
believe we had 16 people, myself, Susan O'Sullivan, Murray Hoffman, Nicole Hack,
Elise Davies, Christine Donaldson, Sheryl-Lynn Lewis, Bob and Debra McNie,
Laurel Petty, Tony Savile, Conlan, Tara and Curt Sprickerhoff, Becky Strickland,
Todd Sullivan and Lynn Wanless, on our team and we all took the names of
royalty. We had the Queen of the Nile...not to be confused with the
Queen of Denial...we had King Arthur, King John, King of Rock and Roll, King of
Pain and the King of beer...Curt wanted be 'King" but he 'forgot' his leash
and collar at home. We had the Queen of Hearts, Queen Mum...a Queen
from Star Trek, not being a treky...sorry...can't name the woman, queen of the
sea and queen of Diamonds and a prom queen and a dancing queen. I
hope I included all!
Central Interior Zone Festival The zone festival, which took place here in Williams Lake was a great success. There were a total of five plays entered, with two of them being from our very own little theatre. And I must say… boy did we clean up! Both plays received a number of awards, including:
Brad McGuire:
best director for Whose Life is it Anyway? Colleen Crossley: best supporting actress in Whose Life is it Anyway? Craig Smith: honourable mentions for best supporting actor in Whose Life is it Anyway? Tashja Janzen: honourable mention for best supporting actress in Whose Life is it Anyway? Brad McGuire and Tony Savile: best set design for Whose Life is it Anyway? Brad Hammerstron:best supporting actor award for Welcome to the Monkey House. Julie Harland: best costume for Welcome to the Monkey House Tashja Jansen : best make-up and hair for Welcome to the Monkey House Todd Sullivan and Craig Smith: best lighting design for Welcome to the Monkey House Welcome to the Monkey House also tied with the Quesnel Second Hand Theatre production of Sure Thing for the best ensemble cast and crew award. Congratulations to both casts and crews. You did a fantastic job and showed well for the theatre. Also a big congrats to Sheryl-Lynn Lewis and her planning committee who put on the event and did a very fine job! Next Seasons Line-Up The committee met, the discussions were held and ladies and gentleman… we are proud to present the Williams Lake Studio Theatre’s 2006-2007 line up! The Rocky Horror Picture Show, directed by Juli Harland Seen Change?, directed by Curt Sprickerhoff, John Walsh and Shirley-Ann Betts Sylvia, directed by Sharon Hoffman Looking for Normal, directed by Jay Goddard Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, directed by Becky Strickland As you may have already noticed, there are actually five shows planned for next year. Yes that was not a mistake! My play, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, will be running during stampede time, fitting in nicely with the whole theme of the week. The season should be one of excitement and energy. On the next page you will also find the copy of a seasons schedule giving the dates the shows will be running. The upcoming production at Studio Theatre – June 28-30 Cast and crew of Spirit Hotel Mrs. Hermoine Finknottle (Becky Strickland), the proprietor of the Spirit Hotel and her chambermaid, Ms. Essla (Ali Pickford), the Prospector (Larry Davis) and The Orphans (Thief - Sam Fradette, Beggar - Juss Hunt and Hoarder - Jacob Tazelaar) solely exist in the year 1900 and are the permanent threads weaving throughout the Spirit Hotel, constantly coming into contact with a wide variety of characters. Diamond Lil, who loves the finer things in life and will go to any lengths to achieve them, spends calculated time at The Spirit Hotel looking for that BIG opportunity. She is ALWAYS looking for the best chance and after all these years we wonder, will she finally get what she is looking for? Much like the whole 50th season of Studio Theatre, through out the Spirit Hotel we see many new faces bringing characters to life. New actors including; Sage Birchwater, Connie Bracewell, Rohan Keenan, Cole Mitchell, Alley Barton, Chelsie Harland, Heather Graham, Sarah Helgason, Justine Hunt, Patricia Olsen and Jacob Tazelaar, will join; Sandi Alaric, Stevie Benisch, Kailey Carruthers, Christy Cyr, Larry Davis, John Dell, Sam Fradette, Jay Goddard, Juli Harland, Rusty Helgason, Bob Hyde, Harry Jennings, Johanne Lindsay, Susan O'Sullivan, Laurel Petty, Ali Pickford, Stacey Poirier, and Becky Strickland, in bringing the stories of the hotel to life. The singing group Borderline will also be joining us as the pre-show entertainment, and for your listening pleasure after the doors open, and during the interlude we have Christine Constable and Sherry Taylor performing on flutes. We have a talented crew, some of which are, Becky Strickland and Biddy Jones coaching various actors, John Walsh designing the lighting, Siggy Glagowski creative hair design, Debra McNie, Choreographer, ensuring we move creatively, Sandi Alaric Choral Director, ensuring our "notes" are harmonious; and Laurel Petty displaying her musical talent as accompanist, as well as soloist on the piano. Stevie Benisch is ensuring we are all colourfully "dressed", while Sarah Helgason, the Stage Manager will crack the whip to ensure everyone is on stage. Susan and Lori Macala have been busy working behind the scenes, securing funding and creating a poster and program that are timeless. This is a show that is sure to please. It is full of a variety of entertainment, magically woven together by the story telling of Mrs Finknottle. The play will be performed June 28-30 at Studio Theatre, doors open at 7:00 pm and the show starting at 7:30 pm with tickets available at About Face Photography. Be sure to come and join us for a great evening. Help is Needed! This summer Anna Barley is creating a summer program for handicapped children. She would like to include a variety of different activities such as acting, singing and dancing. This is where we come in. Deb McNie will be helping her in the area of dance, as will Sandi Alaric in the area of singing. She still needs someone who is willing to help out with the acting. If you are at all interested in being involved in the program she is created please contact her at 392-9737. Stampede time fun! Are you into robbing a stage coach, or fainting at the sight of a gun fight? Or maybe you could help wrangle the folks to the stage? If you are interested in becoming involved at stampede time, during the street parade, please call the Studio Theatre number and leave your name and number. We will be sure to get back to you! We would like to get lots of people involved. AGM The date of the next Annual General meeting has been set. We will meet at the theatre on September 21st, at 7:00pm. The executive looks forward to seeing you all there. Lets see if we can beat last years attendance!!!! Well all you theatre buffs that is it for this month. It is hard to believe another year is quickly drawing to a close. I hope you will come out and join us on June 28-30 for Spirit Hotel. It has been a great experience being involved, as we have written and created as we went along. And I mean really… don’t you want to see your humble scribe on stage!!! (just a little shameless plug for me!) As Shakespeare would say… the quill has drieth up. I must runneth off now! Becky Strickland, WLSTS secretary
May 2006 Hello
fellow thespians. *Spring
has sprung, the grass is riz, I can tell you where the parties iz!*Here
at Studio Theatre! Yes,
this year has been full of exciting times and it isn’t over yet! The theatre
is a buzz with activities from, preparing for the Interior Zone Festival, to
fundraising for the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, to preparing for the
famous Williams Lake Stampede and the many ways we will be involved. As
secretary, it excites me to see where our theatre is and how active we are.
There is nothing better than seeing our theatre name in the paper, whether
promoting an upcoming play or advertising for auditions. Life is rockin’! Welcome
to the Monkey House: Our season of productions continues on, as Todd Sullivan
and his crew wrapped up “Welcome to the Monkey House” after a two week run.
From talking to actors and crew, a good time was had by all. This team is now
preparing for the Interior Zone Festival where they will again perform this play
and compete. So, if you missed the chance to see this show be sure to come out
on May 25th. We wish
them all the best as they delve into the world of festival frivolity. Whose
Life is it Anyways: Our second festival entry, “Whose Life is it Anyways”,
directed by Brad Maguire has now been on stage a week and they are delving into
their second week as I sit writing this edition of Stagelines. If you have not
had a chance to see the production be sure to catch it this week, ending
Saturday May 6, or you can also see it May 24th,
at the Interior Zone Festival, here in Williams Lake,. Drama
Queens and Kings:
This May is the Relay for Life here in Williams Lake. As many of you know, this
is an all night relay race to raise money for cancer research. The following
WLSTS members are part of a team appropriately named “Drama Queens and
Kings”, that was put together by Sharon Hoffman; Murray and Sharon Hoffman,
Susan O’Sullivan, Debra and Bob McNie, Tony Savile, Elise Davies, Becky
Strickland, Laurel Petty, Sheryl-Lynn Lewis, Curt, Tara and Conlan Sprickerhoff,
Nicol Hack. This group will represent our theatre and be there for the night. We
would love it if you would choose to help us as we work to fundraise for this
event. Please feel free to contact any member of the team and make a donation to
the Canadian Cancer Society. Your sponsorship would be greatly appreciated. SEMI-PLUGGED-FULLY-PERKED:
The Drama Queens and Kings will be presenting, an evening of music and skits, at
the Gecko Tree, on Monday, May 8th Admission for the evening is a
$5.00 minimum donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, with all proceeds going
to Relay for Life. The doors open at 7:00, with the entertainment starting at
7:30. We hope you will come and join us for a fun-packed night. Be sure to tell
all your friends. IT WILL BE A BLAST! Gibraltar
Room Renovations:
It has been brought to the attention of the executive that the City of Williams
Lake is looking to do some work on the Gibraltar Room. They are looking to
upgrade the room and want input from groups who use the space. Currently we are
looking into what it means for us as a theatre group, and how we can have a say.
Susan, our president is making the necessary contacts to see how we can be
involved. As more information comes available we will be sure to pass it on to
all of you. 2006/2007
Season Selection Committee:
Two weeks ago the play selection committee for the 2006/2007 season met with the
directors looking to propose plays for the season. They were very encouraged by
the number of directors that turned out. A total of seven directors proposed a
wide variety of plays, the committee is currently having a grand old time
reading through. The committee would
like to thank all the directors for the work put into getting the proposals
together. The selection committee, comprised off Susan O’Sullivan, Debra
McNie, Laurie Walters, Brad Hammerstron, Sandi Alaric, Biddy Jones, Dean
Bradford, Carl Johnson, will meet May 15 to make the final selection. Best of
luck to all ! Interior
Zone Festival:
This year Williams Lake is playing host to a fantastic event; the Interior Zone
Festival. This festival will take place May
24-28 and involve theatre groups from Prince George, Quesnel and of course
our local theatre. The festival will be adjudicated by Douglas Newel, a guest
who will be coming from out of town. This exciting event is always a chance to
see some great theatre and meet other people who have a passion for the arts.
Sheryl-Lyn Lewis and her committee have been busily planning for the event and
would like to encourage everyone to come out and take part. Tickets
for the plays go on sale May 15th.
The following is a schedule of the shows, when they’re on and who is
performing. Wed.,
May 24th -8:00pm February
2006 Our
50th Season continues to be very busy. For new members or if you
missed the last newsletter there are exciting items to report on since the
beginning of our season start with our AGM in September. The election of the
Board of Directors & Executive Directors resulted in the following:
President – Susan O’Sullivan, Vice President – Laurie Walters, Treasurer
– Debra McNie – Secretary – Becky Strickland, and our directors are Sandi
Alaric, Todd Sullivan, Brad Hammerstron, and Past President Tony Savile.
Congratulations! The Executive had a meeting Monday, February 6th. We have decided along with giving highlights of our meeting in Stagelines that we would post the minutes of the meeting on the WLSTS website: Highlights as follows: · Portable staging and light board requests. Any rental of the portable staging is $100/use and lighting board rental would be $50 per use and the cost of any bulb replacements · The Executive is planning a Visionary meeting on March 4th, Saturday. We would like to get a good head start on next year’s season 2006 – 2007. We will be discussing and making deadlines on play selection dates, strategies in securing corporate and performance patrons and brainstorming ideas for Studio Theatre.
· Ticket Prices to be consistent for both dramas and musicals. Adults $15, Youth/Senior $12 and Discount Wednesdays $10. · Executive decided to purchase a digital camera for Theatre production use. Brad Hammerston to collect quotes. · Two important items needed for the membership to vote on, as enclosed in this Stagelines. A change to the by-laws regarding lifetime membership and Funding to improve the Sound System. Our 2005-2006 Season opener was the Classic Arsenic and Old Lace Directed by Sheryl-Lynn Lewis & Produced by Tony Savile & Brad Hammerstron. Arsenic & Old Lace was voted by our members and theatre patrons as the favorite production of our over 150 shows produced in 50 years to remount. Arsenic & Old Lace was beautifully staged and enjoyed by many. Arsenic was also a mentorship play with many of the backstage departments being a teaching ground for both youth and adults. Congratulations to everyone! I Love You, Your’re Perfect, Now Change, directed by Jay Goddard, Assistant Director/Choreography by Debra McNie, Choral Direction by Sandi Alaric and Musical Direction by Rudy Wassenaar, Produced by Susan O’Sullivan and cleverly stage-managed by Becky Strickland. I Love You, ran from Jan 18-21/Jan 25-28 with a sold out Dinner Theatre Presentation February 14th, Valentine’s Day. This hilariously funny musical was sold out and greeted with standing ovations most evenings. One night after the show we all headed over to the Gecko Tree where the cast & crew continued to entertain some of the audience members who followed. This was a positive experience for both the show and local business(s) and is something WLSTS would like to try again with other shows. A very successful run, congratulations to all the cast & crew. Currently in rehearsal is a play from the mind of Kurt Vonnegut Jr. Welcome To The Monkey House is four stories, which examine topics and ideas as varied as love, addictions, oppression and hope. Directed by Todd Sullivan and Produced by Tasha Janzen this play will run March 8-11 & 15-18 2006 and is a CIZ Festival entry. Whose Life Is It Anyway? Is a fascinating story of an all too topical dilemma and is a moving, absorbing drama about life and death with a surprising amount of wry, wit and humor. Whose Life is Directed By Brad McGuire and Produced by Linda McGuire will be on stage April 26 – 29 May 3-6, 2006 and is a CIZ Festival entry. If you would like to be a part of this intriguing show and work with a great team please call Brad or Linda @ 398-5774. The 50th Gala Committee is working hard to provide a fun entertaining and glamorous evening to celebrate our 50th year. The Gala Celebration will be at the Gibraltar Room March 25, 2006. The evening events start @ at 5:00 p.m. with the “Mingle Hour”. The 50th Gala will have a delicious dinner, Variety show, and a Silent auction. Monies raised will go toward the New Building Fund. The Cariboo Gold Dance Band will play from 9:00 p.m. until midnight for you’re listening and dancing pleasure. Past, present, new members, our theatre patrons and sponsors and the general public are all invited to help us celebrate this incredible non-profit community theatre. Please visit the web page for more information on ticket price and more or call Debra @ 398-6344. StudioTheatre's 50th Gala Celebration Auditions – 19 years or older only please This Friday, February 24 from 7:00-9:00p.m. & Saturday February 25 from 10:00-2:00p.m. The Gala Committee will be holding auditions for the upcoming Gala variety show. The committee is looking for anyone who has a talent they wish to showcase. Singing, acting, dancing, juggling, comedy, anything! Come and audition at the theatre and help us celebrate our 50th year. Please pass this information on to anyone you may know that would enjoy performing in the Gala variety show! For more information on auditions call Sandi Alaric at 989-1411 The Central Interior Zone Festival will be hosted in Williams Lake by WLSTS on May 24 to 27, 2006. The festival is sure to be enjoyed by many. Sheryl-Lynn Lewis (392-6162) has formed a committee to organize the Festival. Please call if you can help. We plan to continue the theatre season into the summer by joining in on the very successful Williams Lake Stampede events June 30th – July 2nd. This includes the Parade & Street party. We also hope to have a play running during that weekend. We have a large number of children who are either currently active in theatre or who wish to be. This August Williams Lake Studio Theatre will be hosting children's drama classes, run by Becky Strickland and Biddy Jones. The classes will run for two weeks and be open to two groups of young people: ages 8-12 and 13-17. The plans are in the works for a fun filled, 3 hour a day, five days a week program focusing on the young actor and experiencing the stage. The classes will be open to approximately 30 children in each age group. Look to future Stagelines and advertising for dates to register & cost. Our colourful easy to navigate web page is hosted & designed by Carol Davidson who is a dedicated past executive member. Although Carol no longer lives in Williams Lake she continues to be a proud supporter. Thank you Carol. Visit our web page @ www.wlst.theatrebc.org Email: wlstheatre@hotmail.com
Join the Blog For
more information on any of the theatre events please phone 392-4383 &
leave a message or call Susan @ 305-2324
REMEMBER
we always appreciate and need help in all aspects of the theatre. Come play with us!
November 2005
Greetings fellow theatre enthusiasts.
Welcome to a new year of theatre! A year to celebrate, a year to enjoy! As you all know this year is Studio Theatre’s 50th Season! This great accomplishment is being acknowledged in a number of different ways through out the coming year; our audience chosen play “Arsenic and Old Lace” is being performed, a Pictorial History of the Society’s first 50 years has been put together and a Gala dinner celebration is being planned! This is a year that we as members of Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society should be proud of.
This year our four chosen plays include “Arsenic and Old Lace”, directed by Sheryl-Lynn Lewis, “I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change”, directed by Jay Goddard, “Welcome to the Monkey House”, directed by Todd Sullivan and “Whose Life is it Anyway” directed by Brad McGuire. These four plays provide a diverse and interesting mix for the coming season, with something for everyone to come out and enjoy!
“Arsenic and Old Lace” is now playing at the theatre Until November 12. Be sure to get your tickets soon and go enjoy a really great show! “I Love You ,You’re Perfect Now Change” The second play of the season has now begun rehearsals. The rehearsals are currently being held in the basement of the Salvation Army building. There is no charge for using this space, so the cast and crew have decided to make donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank. They hope you will join in and help support a worthy cause and make a donation too. This production, led by Jay Goddard as Artistic Director, Sandi Alaric as Choral Director and Debra McNie as Choreographer is a musical made up of many different vignettes regarding relationships and love. The cast includes: Stacey Poirier, Tasha Jansen, Nyree Alexander, Tammy Martin, Sean Smith, Harry Jennings, and Torrey Owen. Good luck to all as they begin rehearsing. Annual General Meeting & the 2005/2006 Executive We held our Annual General Meeting this past September and as many people know our goal for the AGM, was to have 50+ people attend. Well we did it! It was really great to see all of the people, new and old, who came out and took part in the meeting. It is wonderful to see how many people are interested in the running of our theatre. One of the main goals for the AGM was to elect this year’s society executive. Elections were held and the following people were elected: President: Susan O’Sullivan Vice-President: Laurie Walters Treasurer: Debra McNie Secretary: Becky Strickland Executive Members: Todd Sullivan, Brad Hammerstron, Sandi Alaric Past President: Tony Savile
The 50th Gala The decision has been made to postpone the 50th Gala until spring 2006. The format of the evening will also be changing as we look to include more members of studio theatre in the event. We are planning to include a talent show to be performed during the Gala celebration evening. If you are interested in taking part, we will be conducting auditions at a later date. Watch for dates in upcoming editions of Stagelines If you would like more information on the Gala please call Debra @ 398-6344.
A Pictorial History of Williams Lake Studio Theatre Society Over the past month Lori Macala has donated many long hours, using her creative talent to produce A Pictorial History of WLST’S 1st 50 years. This special newspaper style history is going to press and will be inserted into the Tribune newspaper. It will also be available during any of the shows throughout the year. Be sure to get a copy and take a walk down memory lane. Thanks Lori for your time and energy. The Tribune generously donated the printing & distribution of the 50th Newspapers as inserts in the Tribune, for free. Thank you Lorne Doerkson.
The Recent School District Strike During the period of time the schools were on strike, Studio Theatre faced the dilemma of not knowing if they were going to be able to use the theatre. Susan O’Sullivan, our president and Sheryl-Lynn Lewis attended a meeting with the Cariboo Chilcotin Teachers Association, where a picket pass was granted. The pass gave permission for WLST, members, the general public and union members to enter Glendale School after 4:00 p.m. Though this is no longer an issue, it is important to recognize the co-operative effort made by both the CCTA and WLST.
Inventory of Costumes Saturday November 19th Norma Weatherby will be heading up a costuming inventory crew to go through all the theatre’s costumes. If you have any costumes at home please bring them back to the theatre before the 19th so they can be accurately counted. If you can not drop off costumes before this day, please make arrangements for them to be dropped off at the theatre and notify Norma Weatherby - 398-5154. Speaking of costumes… if you have a size 10 wedding dress you would be willing to lend the cast of “I Love You You’re Perfect”, please contact Becky Strickland at 305-2482.
A New Year! The season has now begun and the time to play is here. I am so pleased to see the increase in the number of members of our growing community theatre group. As the season goes please be sure to come out and get involved in what ever manner you are able, in any of the plays. There are always things to do on every show. If you are interested in helping out, one of the best things to do is contact the director of the play and have them put you in contact with their stage manager. The more help there is, the better a show will run.
If you have not yet renewed your theatre membership, be sure to drop by the theatre and do so or call Susan O’Sullivan 305-2324 Committees and Liaisons Studio theatre is an organization made up of many smaller entities. There are currently a number of different committees in operation looking for some people to come on board and give a helping hand. If you are interested in becoming a member of a committee and being involved in some aspect of the development of the theatre, please contact the head of the committee(s) that interest you. Your ideas, thoughts and help are always appreciated.
Marketing & Promotions Committee Chair – Debra McNie – 398-6344 Vice Chair – Lori Macala Members of committee – Todd Sullivan, Linda McGuire, Susan O’Sullivan, Stacey Poirier Objective – To actively Market & Promote WL Studio Theatre Society and the performing arts in the community. Committees & Liaison under the M & P Committee umbrella is The Gala & Phoning Committees and Linda McGuire.
The 50th Gala Committee – Gala will be in the springtime. Watch for announcements Gala Committee members – Debra McNie – Chair Sandi Alaric, Sharon Hoffman, John Walsh, Becky Strickland, Harry Jennings, Stacey Poirier.
Phoning Committee –to assist phoning members whenever notification is required. Debra McNie, Sandi Alaric, Lori Macala, Becky Strickland.
Linda McGuire will act as the liaison for the Marketing & Promotions Committee to WLSTS members and the general public. People who have an idea and would like help to develop the idea can contact Linda who will present the idea to the committee. Any realistic idea will be given serious consideration and if viable then the M & P Committee would bring the idea and a budget (if applicable) to the executive for approval. Linda can be reached @ mcguiresbc@shaw.ca or 398-5774.
New Building Committee Chair – Laurie Walters – 392-6891 Members – Sandi Alaric, Carl Johnson, Dean Bradford, Debra McNie, Susan O’Sullivan
Funding Committee Chair – Susan O’Sullivan - 305-2324 Debra McNie
Archives – Tanya Isnardy can be reached @ 392-6727 Tanya would like help if you have an artistic flare for putting albums together. Please give her a call.
Liaison(s) Laurie Walters, Susan O’Sullivan & Debra McNie will act as community liaisons.
Susan O’Sullivan will act as the Welcoming person to new members. Susan can be reached @ 305-2324
Stacey Poirier – will act as a Youth liaison for WLSTS to help develop the youth involvement within the theatre. She can be reached @ 267-2158
Carl Johnson will act as liaison for WLST to the Downtown Business Improvement Association. Carl can be reached @ 398-5121
The idea of a community theatre is for each production put on to be a team effort. An effort which includes both those who are experienced and those who want to try something new! SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE!
Stagelines Editor for 2004-2005 was Sharon Hoffman September 2005 Dearest Thespians, The tans are fading…leaves are coloring, ah, summer, you are so sweet and, alas, so short. I am hoping that you have had a wonderful summer. I know for a fact that many people took in the summer theatre workshops at the Storefront. Thank you Deb for organizing this. Thank you to all facilitators, a fun time was had by all. Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to work (or school) we go. Goodbye to many of our students who have gone off to various destination points to continue with their schooling. Stevie, Rusty, Alison, Rachel, Kali, I know I am missing names here, and I do apologize. But, good luck to all of you, if you have been specifically mentioned or (with my regrets) not. If you send me a brief update on ‘things’ I will include this in the newsletter. Goodbye also to Sandy (Old Daddy) Bates. Sandy is now down in sunny Savona, the hot spot for cheap(er) gas. Sandy passes on a fond good bye. Thank you so much to all the members who helped to clean up the theatre. The trailer, costumes, makeup room and props room have been thoroughly purged. The seats have been reinforced with new plywood. Things look pretty good! ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ has been cast. Norma Weatherby is playing Abby Brewster; Julie Harland plays her sister Martha. Todd Sullivan plays Mortimer. Bob Chamberlain is Teddy. Michelle Cyr plays Elaine. Rose Wilkinson is performing Reverend Harper. Bob Hyde is performing Mr. Gibbs. Dr. Einstein is Torrey Owen. Shirley-Ann Betts, Craig Smith and Warren Giesbrecht play cops 1, 2 & 3. Susan O’Sullivan is Lieutenant Roonie. And finally, a huge welcome back to Anton Forster, he is playing Mr. Witherspoon. Anton played the same part in the 1986 WLST of ‘Arsenic’. At that time our club went by the title ‘The Williams Lake Players’. People in the community voted for us to restage this play.We are undertaking this play as a mentorship program, and since you voted for it, we would like more volunteers to join us on the production team.We have many novice crewmembers working along with experienced crewmembers, and others are VERY invited to join us.I personally would love some assistance with costuming, if you would like to help me out with researching and sewing styles from the 40’s. Please e/mail me, or phone me at 392-5671. If you are interested in helping with the production team in some other way, please call Sheryl-Lynn at 392-6162. I forgot to mention at my last newsletter!!! At Mainstage, Lori Macala received an award for program for ‘Opening Night’. Congratulations Lori! The cast of Ravenscroft won an award for ‘Openness to the Process’. Our AGM will be held Thursday, Sept 22 at 7:00.We are truly hoping to have 50 members at our 50th AGM. Nominations are open for all executive positions. Please see the attachment with the job descriptions. At this point, 4 of our current executive members are planning on running again for another term but we encourage others to throw their hat into the ring, and bring forth fresh ideas. Don’t forget ‘Play in a Day’. Curt, Jay and Susan are organizing this. Please phone Jay at 392-1937 or Susan at 305-2324 if you would like to participate. The organizers will need to know your intentions by Sept. 22 (AGM) at the latest. And I guess this just about wraps up another scintillating edition of Stagelines.I do apologize for the lack of a theme this time…maybe some of you are thanking me for NOT having a theme. Until the 22nd, I remain as always… Your humble scribe, Sharon
July 2005 Dearest Thespians, I am hoping that you are having a wonderful summer. ‘Tis been a while since I have written you. We had an executive meeting last night, so I will now bring you up to speed. I do enjoy adding quotes to ‘Stagelines’. Earlier this week I listened to a snippet on CBC Radio. A grad student studying medieval literature told how he had updated Chaucer’s words and put the stories to rap music so that it would be comprehendible and more enjoyable to younger English students. I was motivated by this and have inserted a few of Chaucer’s words complete with whimsical spelling. Congratulations to Becky and her cast and crew. Numbers are in and ‘Annie’ made $5762. Good form, Becky…and though this is a play involving many children. ‘It is no childes pley’ Congratulations also to Sheryl-Lynn and her cast and crew for ‘Ravenscroft’. Since I last officially informed you, we have attended two festivals. In May we went to the zone festival held in PG. The performance went off very well. At this we won best costumes, best backstage and best ensemble. At the start of July, we went to Mainstage in Nanaimo to perform as a workshop play. We performed on Monday, worked with a professional director all Tuesday and Wednesday morning, and then performed the play again Wednesday afternoon. This was a wonderful learning experience. And now…the play that never ends… has ended. We’ve cleaned up our mess and are now looking at next year’s agenda. ‘Thing that is seyd is seyd’ and forth it gooth.’ Get out your calendars, folks, there is going to be a lot of information coming your way….here comes some agenda items. On Sunday August 14th we will be having a theatre clean up. At first glance the theatre DOES look wonderful, but we need to do a purge on the trailer, the costumes and the prop room. We also need to pry up the seats and replace the splintering plywood under said seats. Please join us on this venture. Many hands make light work. We shall commence at 9:30, but join us whenever you can. ‘Thurgh thikke and thurgh thenne’… we shall get our theatre shoveled out and spiffed up for our 50th season. Next season has been set.. For our 50th season, we will open with our elected play, ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’. In January Jay Goddard is presenting’I Love You, You’re Perfect, now Change! This is a very funny adult musical. ’For love is blynd’. In the spring, Todd Sullivan is directing ’Welcome to the Monkey House’. A quirky 50’s play that is 4 short plays in one. Our final play for the season is ’Whose Life is it Anyways?’ . Brad McGuire is directing. This is a powerful play dealing with the right to die. Sheryl-Lynn will be directing ‘Arsenic and Old Lace‘, but we are doing this play as a mentorship project, so we are hoping that many newer members to the club will work along side an experienced mentor and learn the various jobs involved in putting on a production. ‘ And gladly wolde he lerne, and gladly teche’. Auditions for ‘A&OL’ will be at the end of August. Watch in the newspaper for details. If you are away at this time, please call Sheryl-Lynn at 392-6162. The play will run from Oct 26- Nov 12. On the12th, we will have a Gala Dinner and we hope to have many past club members join us. If you want to help with the gala evening preparations, please contact me either by e/mail or at 392-5671. If you have not seen the storefront on Oliver street, check it out. What a lovely little venue! Congratulations to all of those who were working on this and on the Stampede festivities. What great ambassadors for our club you are! ’That he is gentil that dooth gentil dedis’ There are many theatre workshops being given at the storefront this month and next. The cost is $10.00 for one or all, and this price also gets you your theatre membership for the year. Call Debra to sign up for the summer workshops.398-6344. Also in the storefront, there are three boxes of donated theatre books (Thank you Eileen). The Executive have glommed onto quite a few of these, but feel free to peruse and borrow. Marcy Hyde will be up here to present a Stage Managing workshop, hopefully on September 10th. This workshop is free for all members, or $10.00 and this cost also gets you your WLST membership for the year. On that evening, we will be having a Member Appreciation BBQ and fun night. All members are invited…let’s play ball! Will ‘Ravenscroft’ be able to slaughter ‘Fame’ in a game of scrub? Our Annual General Meeting will be held at 7:00 on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the theatre. Please attend. For our 50th year we are hoping for 50+ members. On Saturday, Sept 24, Curt, Jay and Susan will be coordinating our 2ndannual ‘Play in a Day’ This was so much fun and very popular last year. The idea for this is to take on a theatre responsibly that you are NOT comfortable with. Actors become techies, techies become directors etc. This venture takes a lot of organizing, as the organizers have to pick short plays that are appealing and also have the right mix for age and gender etc. Nowher so bisy a man (or woman) as he (they) ther was’ . If you want to be a part of this, please contact Jay Goddard at 392-1937 or Susan O’Sullivan at 305-2324 (…or see their e/mail addresses above and contact them that way.) There will need to be a confirmation by Sept 22 at the absolute latest. And YES, kids…there is a place for students too. ‘Play in a Day’ will conclude with a BBQ and a performance. Cost for all this you ask? A measly 5 bucks ( 15 for non members, but you will get your membership to the club for a year.) Looking to the future, Studio Theatre will be hosting the CIZ festival. This will be happening in the week that concludes on May 27. If you want to help out with this, contact Sheryl-Lynn. There are many jobs to be done…greenroom organizer, registration, coffee critique organizer, party coordinator, advertising, the list goes on and on PHEW!!! wot a lot o’ stuff!!! In closing, I wish you warm sun, with just a smattering of showers so that you do not have to water excessively…For myself, I will add in gentle breezes, as I am off sailing all next week. I close, as always, your humble scribe…sharon
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