First Class Only, a youth comedy group directed by Civic Youth Theatre Director Melanie R. Buchanan, performed at Dancing in the Streets on Saturday, July 18 in downtown Lafayette.
Melanie was quoted in an article written by Zoe Hayes, summer reporter at The Exponent, Purdue University's independent daily student newspaper:
"The Civic Youth Theatre of Greater Lafayette touring team performed scripted and improv comedy for part of the evening," Hayes wrote.
"'I just like the reaction that people have to them,' said Melanie Buchanan, youth director of the theater. 'They’re impressed that they can just get out there without inhibitions.'"
You can read the full article here.
Monday, July 20, 2009
In the Wings: Guys and Dolls Jr. Meet Nathan Keiller.
Nathan Keiller plays Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls Jr., the production mounted during an intensive four-week summer camp led by Civic Youth Theatre Director Melanie R. Buchanan.
"Nathan Detroit is a gambler, a crapshooter. He organizes every crapshoot in New York City," Nathan said. "Adelaide, his fiancée of 14 years, wants him to stop running the game and marry her."
Nathan was involved in last summer's camp, which culminated with a production of Pirates of Penzance Jr.
"Last year's camp was a whole bunch of fun, and I wanted to see if this summer's camp would be just as fun," he said.
Nathan concluded by explaining why other young actors may be interested in being part of a Civic summer camp.
"Not only do you meet new people and make friends, but you also build on skills like acting and improvisation," he said. "Everyone acts in real life, even if they don't know it. The camps are a lot of fun."
Guys and Dolls Jr. opens Friday, July 24 and runs through Sunday, July 26. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday afternoon performance begins at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about the show or to order tickets, call the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 765-423-PLAY (7529).
Sunday, July 19, 2009
In the Wings: Guys and Dolls Jr. Meet Abby McClure, the assistant director.
Abby McClure is the assistant director of Guys and Dolls Jr., the production mounted during an intensive four-week summer camp led by Civic Youth Theatre Director Melanie R. Buchanan.
Abby has been part of several Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette productions that were created during a six-week rehearsal process. She described the rehearsal schedule for Guys and Dolls Jr.
"The actors - who are between the ages of 9 and 17 - were immediately thrown into the production," Abby said. "The first day started with theatre games for a short amount of time, but the actors moved directly into examining the script, auditioning and doing the first read through. The next day we started blocking the action and teaching the songs and choreography. I think the actors were surprised and exhausted by the end of the first week by how much they were doing and how hard Melanie and I were pushing them. But they picked up everything really quickly.
"Actors arrive at the theatre at 9 a.m., and we make announcements and do theatre games for about half an hour. They rehearsed blocking and choreography in the morning at the start of camp; toward the end of camp they do full run-throughs of the show. They have 50 minutes to eat lunch at noon. After lunch, Cecil Shoemaker rehearses the music with them for two hours. After that there is either another run-through or we conclude with more theatre games."
Abby explained why she wanted to be involved with Guys and Dolls Jr.
"I saw Guys and Dolls my sophomore year in high school," she said. "When I read the script again I thought it was funny, but listening to the songs on CD really sold me on being part of the show. I love 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat,' I love 'Luck Be a Lady,' I love all the songs. They're all amazing."
She concluded by explaining why a young actor might be interested in being involved in future Civic Theatre summer camps.
"I grew up attending Civic summer camps," she said. "They are a fun way for people to make friends and open up. Young kids have fun dressing up and pretending, and it's still fun to do that when you get older. It's also a good way to learn more about the theatre. The actors work hard, but they also reap the rewards."
Guys and Dolls Jr. opens Friday, July 24 and runs through Sunday, July 26. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday afternoon performance begins at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about the show or to order tickets, call the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 765-423-PLAY (7529).
"Actors arrive at the theatre at 9 a.m., and we make announcements and do theatre games for about half an hour. They rehearsed blocking and choreography in the morning at the start of camp; toward the end of camp they do full run-throughs of the show. They have 50 minutes to eat lunch at noon. After lunch, Cecil Shoemaker rehearses the music with them for two hours. After that there is either another run-through or we conclude with more theatre games."
Abby explained why she wanted to be involved with Guys and Dolls Jr.
"I saw Guys and Dolls my sophomore year in high school," she said. "When I read the script again I thought it was funny, but listening to the songs on CD really sold me on being part of the show. I love 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat,' I love 'Luck Be a Lady,' I love all the songs. They're all amazing."
She concluded by explaining why a young actor might be interested in being involved in future Civic Theatre summer camps.
"I grew up attending Civic summer camps," she said. "They are a fun way for people to make friends and open up. Young kids have fun dressing up and pretending, and it's still fun to do that when you get older. It's also a good way to learn more about the theatre. The actors work hard, but they also reap the rewards."
Guys and Dolls Jr. opens Friday, July 24 and runs through Sunday, July 26. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday afternoon performance begins at 2:30 p.m.
For more information about the show or to order tickets, call the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 765-423-PLAY (7529).
Share Your Thoughts: The King and I
Now that The King and I has closed, share your thoughts about the production on this blog.
What will you most remember about the show? What were your thoughts about the performances? The design? The story and theme? What were the standout moments?
What will you most remember about the show? What were your thoughts about the performances? The design? The story and theme? What were the standout moments?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Announcing the cast of The Mousetrap
Director Susan Kisinger has announced the cast for The Mousetrap, the first production of the 2009-2010 Mainstage Season at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette. The script is by Agatha Christie.
The cast includes:
- Mollie Ralston - Kate Martin
- Giles Ralston - David Dietz
- Christopher Wren - Matthew A. Turczi
- Mrs. Doyle - Trish Peterson
- Major Metcalf - Dean Hunter
- Miss Casewell - Whitney Hinds
- Paravicini - Allen Banning
- Sergeant Trotter - Michael Greenan
For more information about the show or to order tickets, call Civic Theatre's office at 765-423-PLAY (7529) or visit Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's Web site.
The Board
The Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette Board of Directors for the 2009-2010 season is comprised of:
- Sonya Basaran
- Dan Becker
- Cadi Bien
- Ann Cohen
- Julia Colby
- Ned Derhammer
- Geriann Fish
- Sherri Guido
- Kris Kazmierczak
- Sue Lakin
- Denise Laussade
- Steve Martin
- Rod Ray
- Laurie Russell
- Helen Slagel
- Larry Sommers
- Ruth Wukasch
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette needs space for storage, rehearsal
A Message From Civic Theatre Managing Director Steven Koehler:
A few weeks ago I mentioned in an e-mail message that Civic Theatre is in need of storage space. This need is still there. We need a dry space about 20' by 30'; it does not need to be climate-controlled. Part of the set for The King and I coming down this weekend needs this space, so please get in touch with me ASAP if you can assist.
We also are looking for a new rehearsal space. Generally we rehearse Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. There are several times a year that multiple shows are in rehearsal at the same time. If you have access to a large open room for this very important need, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.
Steven Koehler can be contacted via e-mail at steve@lafayettecivic.org or via telephone at 765-423-7529.
A few weeks ago I mentioned in an e-mail message that Civic Theatre is in need of storage space. This need is still there. We need a dry space about 20' by 30'; it does not need to be climate-controlled. Part of the set for The King and I coming down this weekend needs this space, so please get in touch with me ASAP if you can assist.
We also are looking for a new rehearsal space. Generally we rehearse Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. There are several times a year that multiple shows are in rehearsal at the same time. If you have access to a large open room for this very important need, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you.
Steven Koehler can be contacted via e-mail at steve@lafayettecivic.org or via telephone at 765-423-7529.
The Review Is In: The King and I
The review of The King and I has been published in the Journal & Courier, Lafayette and West Lafayette's daily newspaper. It was written by Dick Jaeger. You can read the full review here.
The King and I concludes its run this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater.
To inquire about tickets, call the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 765-423-7529.
The King and I concludes its run this Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater.
To inquire about tickets, call the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 765-423-7529.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Preview of The King and I on www.jconline.com
A preview of The King and I appears online on www.jconline.com, the Web site of the Journal & Courier, Lafayette and West Lafayette's daily newspaper. The preview also can be read in the Journal and Courier's Friday entertainment magazine TGIF.
You can read the preview here.
You can read the preview here.
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