NETC NEWS

University of New Hampshire , Durham, NH, joins a nationwide movement of theaters and universities producing a reading of a landmark play about marriage equality by Academy Award-winning screenwriter of Milk, J. Edgar, Dustin Lance Black

The UNH Department of Theatre & Dance, The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, the UNH Alliance, the UNH Discovery Program and the student organizations– Mask and Dagger and WildActs: Theatre for Social Justice, — in partnership with American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact announce a two-night-only reading of Academy Award-winning writer Dustin Lance Black’s play “8.” The new script is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial, Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples in California.

Black based “8” on the actual words of the trial transcripts, first-hand observations of the courtroom drama and interviews with the plaintiffs and their families.  “8” debuted with an all-star cast on Broadway at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York City on September 19, 2011 to much acclaim. The play is slated for multicity performances in 2012, including an all-star performance in Los Angeles featuring Academy Award-nominee George Clooney on March 3, 2012.

“8” will be performed on February 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the MUB Strafford Room on the UNH Durham campus. Tickets are free but must be reserved through the MUB ticket office. The event is general seating and seating is limited.  The UNH production will be directed by Associate Professor David Kaye and features a diverse cast made up of UNH faculty, students, staff and alumni. Co-founder of Broadway Impact and Tony Award nominee Gavin Creel will be at the Durham event to facilitate a talk-back discussion following the reading. Creel will also hold an event preceding the play reading at the UNH Museum of Art from 1:00 to 2:00 where Professor Kaye will discuss Creel’s Broadway musical career, and why he co-founded Broadway Impact. This event is free and open to the public.

The UNH cast will perform a second reading of “8” Friday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Palace Theatre in Manchester, NH. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved at www.palacetheatre.org.

The UNH cast includes Travis Nason, Samantha Lynne Smith,    Professor Dav id Richman,  Joe Nelson,  Sean McGhee, Dan Shine,  Ben Arsenault, Ben Pollak, Nancy Pearson, Heather Rudzenski, Adam Zak, and Professor David Kaye.

“People need to witness what happened in the Proposition 8 trial, if for no other reason than to see inequality and discrimination unequivocally rejected in a court of law where truth and facts matter,” said AFER founding board member Dustin Lance Black.  “The goal of ‘8’ is to show the world that marriage equality is a basic constitutional right. The facts are on our side and truth always finds the light.  AFER and Broadway Impact are doing all we can to help speed that process along.

Throughout 2012, AFER and Broadway Impact will license “8” to schools and community organizations nationwide in order to spur action, dialogue and understanding.  When event organizers contacted Kaye, he expressed immediate interest. “Here at UNH, we have been using theatre as a method of addressing social justice for many years. In 2004, we created a play on marriage equality to bring to area Rotary clubs. With this important issue once again coming to the state house floor, we were eager to join Broadway Impact to bring this equal rights play to our campus and the Palace Theatre in Manchester. It’s a powerful script that reveals what is really at the heart of the issue.”

AFER and Broadway Impact will coordinate staged readings of the play across the country, so that “8” will live on for those who were not lucky enough to see the trial with their own eyes.  The trial videotapes have been kept under seal due to a federal protective order, but after AFER attorneys made a strong case, Chief Judge Ware at the U.S. District Court agreed that the trial footage should and will be released to the public.

To reserve tickets, visit: www.unhmub.com/ticket.  For information on how your local theater can produce “8,” visit: www.8theplay.com. Follow “8”on Twitter: @8theplay or on Facebook. “8”

Harwich Junior Theatre, Harwich , MA, announces the following events in their spring line-up.

SACRED STORIES

The Reading of The Sacred Stories of Hospice are based on actual experiences of Beacon Hospice staff, volunteers and family members in relationship to their mystical, spiritual and tender connection with dying patients. Uplifting stories validate the soul continuum beyond this life.

-Saturday, March 24 at 4 p.m.

Adults $20 and $15 for youth under 21 Partial proceeds to benefit Lighthouse Hospice Foundation. Reception to follow.

BABE, THE SHEEP PIG – Play by David Wood, adapted from the book, The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith.

Deep down, Babe just knows he’s a champion. An epic tale of a little pig, with magical transformations that bring every quirky character from the beloved story to life!

April 6 – April 22 with school vacation week performances!

Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.. Special April Vacation performances on Monday – Friday April 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.

Tickets; $22 Adult and $15 youth under 21.

STRICTLY SINATRA The Cape’s beloved performer Larry Marsland returns to sing from Frank Sinatra’s songbook.

- April 27 – May 6. Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Tickets $22. adult and $15 youth under 21.

BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY – By Alan Janes

Back by popular demand! The story of Buddy Holly’s rise to become the world’s top recording artist. Featuring over 20 of his greatest hits including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Oh Boy,”, “Not Fade Away,” “Everyday,” “Rave On,” “Maybe Baby,” “Raining In My Heart,” Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba,” and the Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.”

“If you like Rock & Roll, run do not walk to Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.”

May 17 – June 17, Thursday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 4 p.m.

Tickets are $25 and $15 for under 21.

To Purchase tickets call HJT BOX OFFICE PHONE: 508-432-2002 or visit www.hjtcapecod.org

Tickets also available by calling TheaterMania : 1-866-811-4111

HJT is wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices are available.

Theatre with a Twist, Inc. announces two events a call for scripts, and auditions for Anything Goes!

Playwrights are invited to submit their work for consideration to be performed!  Whether you are a novice or a professional, please send us your one-act plays.  We would love to be able to showcase new work from different writers. Preferably, we would like work that incorporates six to eight characters, with simple sets. Both children and adult plays will be considered.  Submit a copy of your play to us by 10/15/11 at the following address: TLP-Twist, 58 Outlook Drive, Lexington, MA 02421. (If you wish to have your script returned after our review, please include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your script). You will be notified by 11/15/11 if your script has been accepted to be performed. Auditions for the selected shows will be in December. Performances will take place in both Lexington and Westford on the weekends of 3/9/12 and 3/16/12.  There will be three performances each weekend.  If you have any questions please contact ssjoneslex@aol.com or theatrewithatwist@gmail.com .  Sponsored by the Lexington Players and Theatre with a Twist, Inc.

The company is also holding teen auditions for their upcoming production of Anything Goes! The age-old tale of boy-meets-girl and the complications that ensue intrigue every audience, and no musical puts it on stage better than Anything Goes! This show is an amusing love story set to one of Cole Porter’s magical scores. Amazing songs include “It’s De-Lovely,”” Friendship,” “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “ All Through the Night,” “ Anything Goes” and” Blow, Gabriel, Blow.” It’s a wonder that all the romances are sorted out and disaster is averted aboard the magical ship where ANYTHING GOES!

This show is directed by Steve Koch. Auditions are for students – grades 6-12 only – and will be held at 3 Post Office Square in Acton on 10/18 and 10/19 from 7-9pm. Students will be taught a short choreographed number and do a cold reading.  Please prepare 16 bars of a song from another musical, not from this show.  Bring your music with you to auditions. Tuition based at a rate of $255 for the show.  Show dates will be January 13-15, 2012. This show is licensed by Tam’s Witmark Music Library, New York, NY. Visit www.theatrewithatwist.org for more information on these shows and all our other productions.

Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Harwich Junior Theatre (MA) presents Always Patsy Cline (back by overwhelming popular demand!)Friday and Saturday August 26, and 27 at 8 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 2, 3 and 4 at 8p.m.. Written and originally directed by Ted Swindley and based on a true story and starring Laura Cappello as Patsy Cline and Suzette Hutchinson as Louise Segar. Directed by Robert Wilder and featuring The Bodacious Bobcat Band. This musical tribute to America’s country legend includes 27 hits suca as “Walkin’ After Midnight”, “She’s Got You”, “I Fall to Pieces”, and “Crazy”. Tickets  are $25.00

BOX OFFICE 508-432-2002. www.hjtcapecod.org 105 Division St., West Harwich, MA 02671

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre will hold open auditions for its upcoming theatre season on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 and Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 pm at the Nella Grimm Fox Room, Rutland Free Library, Center & Court Streets, Rutland.  The Company is looking for actors from the ages of 18 and up.  All performances will be at the Paramount’ Brick Box. Main Stage and at the Chaffee Art Center

Auditions are for the season’s three main productions.  The first, Art, won the 1998 Tony Award as best play. It will be produced on Nov. 10 to 13, 2011.  There are roles available for three men ages 25 up.   The Company’s second show will be of the Chaffee Art Galleries’ Women in the Arts show.  The Company will do two one-acts about four witty elderly women seen with wisdom and humor.  It will be produced March 2 – 4, 2012.  There are roles for four older women.  The third main stage show will be a staging of work by Vermont writers.  Under the title Vermont Writers… in Play!, this production is part of the Paramount’s education series and will be staged for the public on April 13, 2012 .  As it may be offered for travel in the future, two understudies will be cast.  There are roles open for three men, three women and musician (singing with acoustic guitar).

For questions see the Company website at www.actorsrepvt.org or write to actorsrepvt@aol.com.  You may also call producing director, Peter Marsh, at 802-773-8038.

This is the sixth year of premiered staged readings of three winning one-act plays in showcase at the Brick Box Theatre housed in the beautiful Paramount Theatre in downtown Rutland, Vermont.  Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre is in its seventh season.  The Nor’Eastern Showcase winners will receive an intense day and a half of work on each play and two nights lodging with our sponsor at the Holiday Inn: Rutland/Killington.  The Nor’Eastern Showcase performance dates for this year are May 4 and 5, 2012.  Each script goes through a rigorous screening process of three readers.  The scripts with the highest scores are submitted to a second panel, and then the finalists are read by a single reader who selects the three scripts to be showcased.

Entry information can be requested by writing to:

The Nor’Eastern Play Writing Contest

Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre

PO Box 580

Rutland, Vermont 05702

Or by e-mailing us at:

actorsrepvt@aol.com

Full information is also on line at:

www.actorsrepvt.org

Guidelines

• This contest is open to playwrights of all ages and experience who are residents of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
• One-act plays must be able to be read in showcase in 30 to 45 minutes.  Readers are instructed to disqualify plays that are, or appear to be, longer.
• Submissions must be original, unpublished, one-act plays.  Plays that have had staged readings may be submitted, however, plays that have received Vermont productions or readings may not.
• Legal clearance of materials not in the public domain is the full responsibility of the playwright.
• Individual playwrights may submit a maximum of two (2) entries per year.
• The author will maintain all literary rights to his or her own material.
• All submissions are judged blind. We require four (4) copies with four (4) cover pages: All four (4) with the title of the play, BUT ONLY ONE with the author’s name, address, e-mail & phone numbers.
• If you would like your scripts returned, you MUST include as S.A.S. mailing envelope covering the FULL return mailing costs with your submission.  If no S.A.S.E. is included, your scripts will be recycled.
• Plays must be processed, page numbered, and securely bound in an ably bound soft cover, in standard professional play format.  Write to Samuel French Inc., 45 West 25^th Street, New York, NY 10010-2751 for their format guidelines, or copy them from www.vcu.edu/artweb/playwriting/format.html on line.
• All submissions will be handled with care.  However, Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged scripts.
• Submission fees:  Following the guidelines of the Dramatists Guild of America there is no entry fee.
• Scripts are not accepted on-line due to the costs of printing.
• Mail four (4) copies of your script(s) to: Nor’Eastern Play Writing Contest, Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, PO Box 580, Rutland, Vermont 05702-0580.  Deadline for submissions is November 15, 2011, notification of winners will be March 5, 2012 and the staged readings in Showcase will be on May 4 & 5, 2012, with playwrights expected to be there also on May 3, 2012 for rehearsals.

Past Winners are:

(2007) Ray Charles, Stamford, Connecticut, Wellington Café: Susan Shafer, New York, New York, Sadie and Ida: Nick Vigorito, Jr., Brooklyn, New York, The Window

(2008) Richard Goodman, Honolulu, Hawaii (by invitation), The Insanity Trial of Mary Todd Lincoln

(2009) Ben Aleshire, Wallingford, Vermont, Gauvain The Good Knight: Michael Nethercott, Guilford, Vermont, The Best Wine: Ron Radice, Andover, Massachusetts, Bricks

(2010) Constance Humphrey Egan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Bad Habit: Jacqueline T. Lynch, Chicopee, Massachusetts, In Memory of Trixie Gazelle:

Alan L. Steinberg, Potsdam, New York, The Revision

(2011) Burnham Holmes, Poultney, Vermont, The Palm Leaf Dialogues: Lloyd Pace, Larchmont, New York, The Shuttle:  Walt Vail, Pitman, New Jersey, Gerontia

Harwich (MA) Winter Theatre( adult resident company) at HJT will hold auditions for Promises, Promises on Monday and Tuesday Aug. 15 and 16 from 6-8 PM at the HJT ARTS CENTER,265 Sisson Road, Harwich Center. Roles available for males and females ages 17 – 40. Please prepare 16 bars of a song.

Promises, Promises will be directed with musical direction by Robert Wilder, and choreography by Suzette Hutchinson.

Theatre with a Twist, Inc.  (Acton, MA)  is looking for adults only to audition for our upcoming production of Bell, Book & Candle, by John Van Druten, the play that inspired the beloved 1970s sitcom “Bewitched”.

Auditions for Bell, Book and Candle will be held August 24 and 25^, 2011 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 3 Post Office Square in Acton, MA.

Production dates are Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, 2011.

Director is Katie Kuhl.

Theatre with a Twist is also auditioning  actors ages 16 and older for the upcoming performance of A Chorus Line.  This compelling musical focuses on the lives of a group of ambitious Broadway dancers with varied backgrounds and personalities who are trying to make it big in the theatre industry. From its first performance on the stage, A Chorus Line was an instant classic! The play is adapted from the book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante, lyrics written by Edward Kleban, and music composed by Marvin Hamlisch.

Auditions for A Chorus Line will be held on Wednesday, August 31 and Thursday, September 1 from 7-9 p.m. at 3 Post Office Square in Acton, MA.  Please note that pre-registration is required for both auditions. Contact theatrewithatwist@gmail.com to pre-register.  A fee of $15 applies to all who audition. If you are cast in our production, there is a membership fee of $15 for individuals and $25 for families.

Please come to your audition prepared with a 16 bar song that shows off your vocal range. Please do not use a song from A Chorus Line, but from another musical theatre piece.

Our performance will be directed by Mary Spinosa-Wilson, and choreographed by Jamie Horban. We hope to see both our veteran “twisters” and some new faces to add to our family!  For more information on this and other Theatre with a Twist productions, please visit www.theatrewithatwist.org.

A Chorus Line is being produced with permission by Tams Whitmark Music Library, New York, NY. For more information on this and other Theatre with a Twist events, please visit www.theatrewithatwist.org. Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Bell, Book and Candle is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Cast of Arlekin Players The Bear receive their first place NERF award. (L-R) Eduard Snitkovsky (Luka) Unknown Natalia Snitkovsky (Props) Lena Kaleva (Make-up) Joan Fuess (Adjudicator) Mike McTeague (Stage Manager) Gene Ravvin (Grigory) Igor Golyak (Chekhov/Show Director) Alana Kumalagov (Elena) Marsha Amato-Greenspan (AACT Representative) Chuck Emmons (Festival Chair)

The New England Regional Festival took place Sat. March 5, 2011 in the Concord (NH) City Auditorium, an event made possible through support from NETC. NETC treasurer Chuck Emmons managed the event.
The Bear, by Anton Chkhov, produced by the Arlekin Players, Newton, MA was selected by the judges.to move on to the finals in Rochester, NY.. Runner up was Six Nights in the Black Belt, by Lowell Wlliams (who also directed) produced by M & M Productions, Hudson, N.H. The original script was based on a true story. Lowell Williams is the New Hampshire liaison to the NETC Community Theatre division..

Other choices by the respondents were:
Best Emerging Playwright – Bob Keniston – The Fag Variations/Conversations of the Straights, Center Theater, Dover-Foxcrot, ME

Best Design & Execution – Wellesley Players, Steel Magnolias, Wellesley, MA

Best Supporting Actresses: Judy Mitchell, Animal Farm, Milford Area Players, Milford, N.H.;
and Maria Mendez Hendricks – “Six Nights in the Black Belt, M & M Productions, Hudson, N.H.; and Tracy Nygard , Steel Magnolias, Wellesley Players, Wellesley, MA

Best Supporting Actors: Larry Pizza – Six Nights in the Black Belt, M and M productions, Hudson, N.H.; and Mark Ferman, Animal Farm, Milford Area Players, Milford, N.H.

Best Stage Manager::Val Verge , Animal Farm, Milford Area Players, Milford, N.H.

Best Actress: Alana Kumalagov – The Bear, Arlekin Players, Newton, MA

Best Actor: Gene Ravvin – The Bear, Arlekin Players, Newton, MA

Best ensemble: The Bear – Arlekin Players, Newton, MA

Outstanding Director: Igor Golyak, The Bear, Arlekin Players, Newton, MA

Outstanding Adaptation: The Bear, Arlekin Players, Newton, MA
The Bear will represent the New England region at the American Association of Community Theatre national festival (ACTFest11) , which will be held in Rochester, NY 11 June 20-26. NETC is providing a modest subsidy to help defray the group’s expenses
AACTFest11 is a national theatre event that will bring the best community theatre productions from across the country and the U.S. Armed Services in Europe to Rochester, NY, June 20-26, 2011. Over 600 people are expected to participate in this American Association of Community Theatre Flagship event. Performances, workshops and exhibitions are open to the public. For more information on AACT and the festival, go to: http://www.aact.org/festivals.html| .

Bevie Lord, representing Community Theatre on the NETC board of directors, has put out a call to all community theatre in the region to share memorabilia as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of AACT this June at the AACTFest11 in Rochester, N.Y. June 20-25, 2011.

Dave Sheppard has asked Bevie to spearhead this delightful idea: CREATE A BASKET OF THEATRE MEMORABILIA FROM EACH REGION. The basket would contain items that represent community theatre from your region to be placed in the silent auction.

Examples of what could be in the basket: a feather from the production of The Bear, an old hat, a special fundraising coffee mug, a small prop, an anniversary program, a commemorative tee shirt. (Bevie has already been able to collect a beer throttle handle from the old ACME Theatre.)
It would be ideal if each group could include a short paragraph or two of their theatre’s history.

Examples of what NOT to include: no sports memorabilia from your area, no can of baked beans from Boston, no lobster from Maine. We would like to have this strictly represent Community Theatre from your region .

Items from Region 1 may be sent to
Bevie Lord
60 Granite St.,
Foxboro, MA, 02035-1709.