Applause for Famous Men
Cast left to right: Jason Naylor, Jeanie Rapp, Eileen Flaherty, Scotty Bloch & Jack Nevins (seated). Photo by Erik K. Johnson, theartofseeing.com
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In late March, Margreta Stage Company debuted David Hays's adaptation of the literary masterpiece Let Us Now Praise Famous Men at The Chester Meeting House.
Director, David Hays, photo by Erik K. Johnson, theartofseeing.com
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In staging this iconic journal, Hays's goal, both as director and writer, was to make the daunting hardships tenant farmers endured during the Great Depression resonate viscerally. Theatergoers were transported back to 1936 Alabama where they witnessed a sharecropping family's story unfold. Actors in tattered clothing played upon a stark set surrounded by Walker Evans' powerful black and white images.
Audiences applauded Margreta Stage for producing "a bold evening of theater," calling the piece " intelligent," "moving" and "a work of art." In turn, we applaud the director, cast and crew.
Margreta Stage wishes to thank all of you who spent the evening with us. And we extend a special thanks to the volunteers who helped make the production a resounding success.
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men by James Agee and Walker Evans. Copyright © 1939, 1940 by James Agee, Copyright © 1941 by James Agee and Walker Evans, Copyright renewed © 1969 by Mia Fritsch Agee and Walker Evans, text used electronically with permission of The Wylie Agency LLC.
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Actor Party
Join us Thursday, June 24!
If you missed our last party, you missed a terrific evening! Lots of new faces joined in the fun. We heard some great readings from new plays as well as old, including Arthur Miller's comedy, Creation of the World. The next Actor Party will be held Thursday, June 24 at 6:30 at our studio in Essex. Bring your favorite tidbits to pass and your preferred beverage. Remember, everyone is welcome and we encourage new theater artists to get involved in our growing company. If you have a short piece you'd like to direct, or a monologue or scene you'd like to try out, please let us know by emailing us: office@margretastage.org. Or call us at
(860) 767-8943.
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MSC Studio
Spring
Acting Workout
Meeting on Saturdays in May and June, this class provides a real "workout" for the actor. The class will include, but not be limited to, work on sense memory, emotional memory, improvisation, objectives, obstacles and circumstances. Margreta Stage's own Kevin Spedding will teach the class.
Date: Five Saturdays: May 22, June 5 - June 26
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Place: Margreta Stage Studio in Essex
Cost: $20.00 per class
Summer
Acting Workshop for Young Adults
Ages 12 - 17
Instructor Kevin Spedding will conduct two, week-long acting workshops for teenagers. In each five-day workshop the students, grouped according to age, will explore the techniques used to create an honest portrayal of a character on stage.
Both beginning and experienced young actors will learn the value of relaxation, concentration and imagination through exercises and scene work performed in a safe, open-minded and non-judgmental environment.
Dates: July 19 - July 23 or July 26 - July 30
Time: 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Place: Classes will be held in Essex
Cost: $125.00 per workshop
For inquiries, please call (860) 767-8943 or email office@margretastage.org.
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Jeanie Rapp
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The Director's
Corner
Spring is here and with it lots of new growth in the company to share with you. It is your interest that makes us bloom.
We have designed this newsletter both to keep you in the loop and to offer opportunities for your participation. In this and future issues, you will find information on recent or upcoming performances, special events, actor parties, studio programs or projects, and company member news.
Another way to stay connected: our constantly evolving website, margretastage.org. You may enjoy viewing two recently posted slideshows - one showing the cast and crew in rehearsal for ...Famous Men; another of a recent MSC Studio
Acting Class.
What do I love most about our company? The fusion of new talent and experienced professionals. The enthusiasm of theater artists, audiences, patrons, and volunteers. The creativity discovered in our small corner of the world that produces world-class theater.
Be a part of it. Help us grow.
Jeanie Rapp, Artistic Director
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Our Company Members at Work
Todd Little performs in Westerly, RI, in the Granite Theatre's production of The Ladies Man. The show runs April 23 - May 16.
To purchase tickets call
(401) 596-2341.
Jessica Nevins appears in CONCORA On the Town! Sunday May 9, 7:30 pm at TheaterWorks in Hartford. The cabaret ensemble will present Sing Out, Louise! - a spin-off of TheaterWorks' production of Stephen Temperley's Souvenir. Tickets may ordered by calling
(860) 224-7500 or at:
www.concora.org. Jack Nevins sang and danced in John Winthrop's production of Oklahoma on April 23 - 24 at Deep River's middle school.
Suzanne McCormack enlivened the role of Mrs. Bennett in the Flock Theater and the New London County Historical Society's presentation of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice. The show ran April 6 -12 in the Shaw Mansion.
Ed Wilhelms directs David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole for the Chester Meeting House Players. The cast includes Rayah Martin. Rabbit Hole runs April 30 and May 1, 7 - 8, 14 - 15.
For tickets call
(860) 526-3684.
Kevin Spedding performed in an acting workshop showcase at Hartford Stage on April 12. It was an evening for actors from The Complete Actor class at Hartford Stage to present their work. Nick Pollifrone directs Keith Bunin's The Credeaux Canvas at the Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain, CT. Auditions are June 6 - 7 at 7:00 pm. Seeking two Men (20's - 30's) and two women (20's - 40's). Actors will read from the script. Please call Nick at
(203) 927-0848 with any questions.
Marc Deaton, American operatic tenor, performs works by Barber, Bernstein, Copland, Faure, Puccini, Strauss and Wagner on Friday, May 14 at 7:00 pm at the Andrews Memorial Town Hall in Clinton. A reception follows the concert. For more information: info@marcdeaton.com.
Don't miss Alden Murphy as Aunt Abby and Kevin Spedding in the role of Officer O'Hara in the Ivoryton Playhouse production of Arsenic and Old Lace, from June 9 - 27. For tickets call:
Nancy Richardson and David Cardone are engaged to be married! Congratulations from MSC!
Please continue to send us any news so we can share your work and help promote local theater projects.
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Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 10:50AM 
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