NETC NEWS

The Bates College Department of Theater and Dance invites applications for a full-time tenure track position as assistant professor of theater to teach acting and directing, and to direct departmental productions beginning August 1, 2013.  The teaching load is five courses a year.  Bates is an undergraduate liberal arts institution in Lewiston, Maine offering a major and minor in both theater and dance.

The requirements for this position include: an M.F.A. or Ph.D, a minimum of three years of college-level or equivalent academic teaching experience, and a firm commitment to the values of a liberal arts education.  Teaching experience in a department that houses both theater and dance is preferred, as is an interdisciplinary approach to the performing arts as a whole.   We seek a candidate with a firm grasp of the principles of the Stanislavski approach to acting and directing, as well as a demonstrated command of one or more of the following: non-Western and cross-cultural theater; contemporary and physical performance techniques; or new media.  The successful candidate will be well versed in the history and literature of the theater and have the ability to relate theater and drama to their wider intellectual, cultural, and social contexts. An established record of professional achievement and evidence of ongoing creative and/or scholarly research in the field of theater is required and is given substantial weight in tenure decisions.

Specific classroom and campus responsibilities include: teaching beginning and advanced levels of acting; teaching beginning and advanced levels of directing, including directing theory and styles of play production; directing at least one departmental production annually; advising students and mentoring student independent study projects and theses.

Additional responsibilities and priorities include supporting departmental or institutional ventures such as recruiting and working with visiting artists, engaging in interdisciplinary projects, and participating in events involving the wider community.  Occupants of this position will also sit on campus committees and show an ability to serve in leadership roles within the department and across campus.

Bates and the Department of Theater and Dance are committed to enhancing the diversity of the campus and the curriculum.  Candidates who can contribute to this goal are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths and experiences in this area.  Bates is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer.  For more information about the college, please visit the Bates website: www.bates.edu.  The Department of Theater and Dance encourages applications from scholar artists with knowledge, skills and/or experience that will augment the department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Bates College welcomes applications for shared positions.

Interested applicants should submit electronically in PDF format, a letter of interest, a concise statement of applicant’s teaching philosophy and view’s of the role of theater in the liberal arts, curriculum vitae, two sample syllabi, and examples of directing and/or other performance events created by you on a website link to Nancy LePage, Project Specialist, 207-786-6480 at academicservices@bates.edu.  Please arrange with recommenders to send three letters of recommendation, also in PDF format.  College transcripts will be requested of finalists.  When emailing, please include your last name and Theater R2068 in the subject line.  Review of applications will begin Nov 1, 2012

RUTLAND, VT – Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre and the Paramount Theatre present an original musical theatre reading and showcase of Special Deliveries, book and lyrics by Harrison Lebowitz, with music by Lebowitz and Kyle de Tarnowsky, on June 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Harrison Lebowitz is the owner of Snow Farm Vineyard and winery in South Hero, and an attorney and writer.   In the early 1980’s, he wrote the book, lyrics and music for a musical comedy entitled, Special Deliveries, which was produced in New York City and featured, among others, Tony Nominee, Marcia Mitzman.  Harrison made many director mandated changes to the material throughout the process taking the musical in a direction completely different from what he intended.  He then de-constructed and re-constructed the book and lyrics to bring the musical back to its roots.    When he finished he put it away.

In 2010, while Harrison was doing a book signing for his most recent novel,  Peter Marsh, a producing director for the Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, asked if he could look at the musical. After reviewing the work, ART organized a live reading of the script utilizing local actors. This reading prompted Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre, in conjunction with The Paramount Theatre, to produce this showcase reading (and sing-through) as a part of The Paramount’s 30 Center Stage Series (a series dedicated to presenting musical theater pieces during their initial production phase.)

In preparation of this showcase, Harrison brought in musician Kyle de Tarnowsky, who grew up in Richmond, VT, as a collaborator. Kyle obtained his B.M. in Music Composition from Florida State and attended U.S.C.’s program for scoring for motion pictures and television.  Kyle currently lives in Southern California where he writes movie scores. Harrison spends much of his time now in California.

The director, Peter Marsh of Rutland, has directed over 130 productions.  For ART, most recently he directed Almost, Maine, The Rise and Rise of Daniel Rocket and The Savannah Disputation, Art, and he recently wrote and directed Vermont Writers … in Play.The musical director, Mary Ellen Harlow of Wallingford, recently retired from teaching vocal and choral music at Mill River Union High School, where she was the musical director for musicals including, Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors and Kiss Me Kate.   She is on the staff for the Brattleboro Music Center Women’s Vocal Summer Institute, and was musical director for Marble Valley Players production of Guys and Dolls.

The showcase cast are all well-known local actors: Ken Holmes of Poultney, Eric Mallette of Brandon, Malindi Chestnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Caleb Fredette of Wallingford, Julia Dorion of Wallingford, Bonnie Pritchard of Clarendon, Mitch Rosengarten of Shrewsbury, Kim Moyer of North Chittenden, Robin Chesnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, Julie Redington of Wallingford, Chris Doyle of Rutland, Laura Steere of Castleton, Kathy Morgan of Rutland and Ian Vair of Rutland.  The musicians are Harlow (piano), Marc Whitman of Rutland (percussion) and Joseph Plotts of Arlington (bass).The showcase is stage-managed and narrated by Bridget Scott of Shrewsbury. Choreography is by Ilene Blackman of Ira and graphic design is by Lyz Tomsuden of Rutland.

Tickets ($15 + tax) are available now by phoning The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 802 775-0903.  Tickets may also be purchased online at www.paramountlive.org and at The Paramount Theatre Box Office at 30 Center Street in downtown Rutland, VT.  For more information about Vermont Actors’ Repertory Theatre visit the company’s website at www.actorsrepvt.org

Theatre with a Twist Inc. Little Stars  (Acton, MA) will perform Disney’s Mulan Jr. instead of Pocahontas, which was originally scheduled for production this fall 2012.  If you have already registered for Pocahontas you will automatically be switched to Mulan Jr. Please email theatrewithatwist@gmail.com with any questions.

Registration is now open for Mulan Jr. Registration fee is $225. Auditions are scheduled for August 2012. Performances will be  Nov 9, 10 & 11, 2012.

Travel back to the legendary, story-telling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation of Disney’s Mulan. The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Disney’s Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and a fighting spirit. The score includes favorites like “Reflection,” “Honor to Us All,” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You,” as well as some new songs.

Disney’s Mulan Jr. is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI

Visit www.theatrewithatwist.org to register for this show and all our other productions.  Theatre with a Twist is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) Public Charity Community Theatre Program.

Harwich Junior Theatre (Harwich, MA) has cast Daniel C. Jackson of Birmingham, AL, as the title character in Buddy, openings its 2012 performance season. Buddy is the story of the three years in which Buddy Holly became the world’s top recording artist with a show that features over twenty of his greatest hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Everyday,” “Rave On,” “Maybe Baby,” and “Raining In My Heart.” The show runs through July 17.

The rest of the season includes James and the Giant Peach, Anne of Green Gables, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Adventures of a Bear Names Paddington, and Sinatra.

Complete schedules and ticket information can be found at the HJT website http://www.hjtcapecod.org/performances.html.

HJST also offers a full range of class for every age and interest.  Complete schedules, registration forms and class descriptions can be found at http://www.hjtcapecod.org/education.html.

Theater educator and member of NETC College of Fellows, Elaine Foster Perry, professor emerita , Rhode Island College, will receive the Charles Sullivan Award for Distinguished Service in the Arts, at the Pell Awards celebration Monday,  May 21, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.at Trinity Repertory Company’s Dowling Theater and Pell Chafee Performance Center.

Trinity Artistic Director Curt Columbus calls Elaine an arts educator and advocate beyond compare. “One of the core values of Trinity Repertory Company’s mission is its commitment to education – particularly education in our own community,” said Columbus. “Elaine Foster Perry exemplifies this in a way that few others can – a celebrated force in arts education for over 40 years in Rhode Island and on the national theater scene. Her impact continues to be felt on stages near and far. It’s particularly special that we are able to honor her at this year’s Pell Awards, as Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Viola Davis was one of her students.”

One of Elaine’s students will also be honored,   Rhode Island’s own Academy Award-nominated actress, Viola Davis (Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts ).   Also Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons  will be receive the Pell Award For Leadership in Arts Education, and J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center and Professional Facilities Management,  will receive  Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts.

Now in their second decade, the Pell Awards were established to honor Senator Claiborne Pell and recognize artistic excellence in Rhode Island and on the national level. Pell, who passed away in 2009, worked throughout his career to support the arts and provide new opportunities for artists. He sponsored the landmark legislation that established the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities in 1965

For more information and reservations, contact Trinity Rep at (401) 453-9235.

Theatre with a Twist Inc./Little Stars will produce The Rockin’ Tale of Snow White on Saturday,  March 24  at 1:30 p.m. and  4:30 p.m., and Sunday,  March 25 at 2 p.m.  Barbara Lennon wrote the book with music by Bill Francoeur, and lyrics by Bill Francoeur and Barbara Lennon. All performances will be at Hale Middle School, Stow, MA.

The tale of Snow White has never felt so fresh and new with this funny adaptation that will make even the most jaded among us laugh out loud! New characters and comedic twists come to life as a modern mom reads the Brothers Grimm tale to her restless children. In addition to the well-known cast of the kind princess, evil queen, multiple dwarves and the morally conflicted Huntsman, this musical introduces us to some fresh new faces such as rhyme-happy ladies-in-waiting and a stick-in-the-mud governmental representative out to ruin everyone’s good time! (He nabs the Huntsman for attempting to kill a wild pig without a hunting license and fines a dwarf for picking a bouquet of state flowers!)

Musical styles of all genres fuse to create a rousing mixture of hip-hop, rock and roll, doo wop and more. With its tongue-in-cheek humor and catchy songs, this show is a “must-see.”

All tickets are $10 and are available at the door.  Visit www.theatrewithatwist.org for more information on this show and all our other productions.

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

Nina Schuessler, artistic director of Harwich Junior Theatre, has been chosen for a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod as part of its Fifth Annual Creative Collaborative Conference and awards ceremony. Schuessler, who has supervised the production of more than 150 plays and musicals over the past 35 years, will be honored on March 20 at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis.

Other honorees include the Cape Cod Theater Coalition for Collaborative Project of the Year; Lee Connolly Weill, of Barnstable High School, for Arts Educator of the Year; and David Willard, of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, for Community Leadership in Support of the Arts.

This year’s event – held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – will offer another opportunity for the community to learn about current trends in the creative economy and to connect with media and legislative leaders.

For more, visit www.artsfoundation.org or call 508-362-0066

Also HJT has scheduled  a Master Class with Equity actors Jordan Ahnquist and De’lon Grant, who portray Huck and Jim in HJT’s smash hit Big River! This one time workshop will take place on Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon at the HJT Art’s Center, 265 Sisson Rd. in Harwich Center.

The goal will be to start developing and understanding a basic vocabulary of given circumstances, objectives, obstacles and actions for working on scenes and monologues.

The class is suitable for ages 12-adult. Please pre-register at 508-432-2002 ext.17. The cost is $30.

NETC had a visible presence at the 2012 Region One Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, hosted by Fitchburg (MA) State University, January 24-29.

NETC awarded two cash scholarships to students who excelled in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition.

Tommi May McNally from Suffolk County Community College won the NETC award for Best Comic Actor. Adam Milano of Middlebury College was recognized as Best Scene Partner. NETC president Sabine Macris Klein presented both awards.

In addition, former NETC board Secretary Professor Pam McDaniel accepted the KCACTF Golden Hammer Award on behalf of her company from Western Connecticut State University.  Her production crew was honored as Outstanding Crew Load-In and Load-Out for the Sweeney Todd production Pam had directed and brought to festival. Rafael Jaen, , Co-Chair of KCACTF Region One for Design, Technologies, and Management is pictured making the award to Pam.

Congratulations from NETC to all the outstanding student and faculty artists of KCACTF.

Theatre with a Twist Inc. in co-operation with the Lexington Players present Family Matters: An Evening of One Act Plays. The scripts are written by local playwrights-June B. Bowser-Barrett, Eddie Dean, George Smart & Ellen Davis Sullivan, and directed by Katie Kuhl, Tonya Rabouin, Doug Bolduc, Jay Reitano, Tiona Kae Bartee & Sal Jones.

Performances will be staged at three venues: Nashoba Players, PCA, Westford, March 2 and 3, 2012, Theater with a Twist, Inc. – Acton, March 9 and 10, 2012, and the Lexington Players – The Hancock Church, Lexington March 16 and 17, 2012. All performances are at 7:30pm. Tickets: Adults $16 and Students/Seniors $14.For more information, please contact Sal Jones 781-910-8114 or Mary Spinosa-Wilson at 978-302-0985 or check out our websites at www.lexingtonplayers.org and www.theatrewithatwist.org