January 2011 Newsletter

JANUARY 2011

NEWSLETTER

MSC News Workshops, Classes and Parties We are excited about the new year and our scheduling for the next few months, which includes classes, workshops, lab readings and Actor Parties. The last Actor Party showcased the talents of several students from a recent MSC acting class. The students performed memorized and blocked scenes and monologues on a simple set. Afterward, other non-scene study actors used the set for their performances. The set and props were such a hit that we plan to make a minimal set available at future parties. Theater giant David Hays joins MSC Studio to teach an innovative class that will help all theater artists and enthusiasts see with the eye of a designer and director.  We hope you will take advantage of working with David. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.   We've been busy reading plays in our LAB, which we created to nurture our artistic crafts and experience the freedom to explore plays. We will continue to gather over the next few months to informally read plays which may be considered for further LAB work or production. MSC Studio Presents: Drawing for Actors, Playwrights and Directors with David Hays   "The purpose of this class is not to make you into an Ingres or Degas, but to help you see more sharply. The best directors, choreographers, actors and playwrights I worked with had terrific eyes." -- David Hays Dates:  Tuesday evenings, Feb. 15 - Mar. 15 (5 weeks) Time:    6:30pm - 8:00pm  Place:   All classes will be held at Lyme Art Association              90 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371  Cost:    $140 (includes all materials)  This is not a traditional drawing class for artists; the purpose of this class is for actors, playwrights and directors to see more keenly. Inspired by a live model, you will create short sketches to hone this skill. No extended, intensely over-worked masterpieces expected. Materials will be supplied and are included in the cost of the class. Margreta Stage Studio would like to thank Lyme Art Association for the use of their space, for which we are very grateful.  David Hays is best known for the set and lighting design of over 50 Broadway plays and musicals. He was the designer for the Vivian Beaumont, the Metropolitan Opera Association and thirty George Balanchine ballets. He has won many awards for his work. Hays founded the National Theater of the Deaf in 1967 and directed it for thirty years. This ground-breaking company was the first to perform in all 50 states, the new China and South Africa, and it's the only company to have raised its banner on all seven continents. David is also the author of several books including My Old Man and The Sea, which he wrote with his son Daniel, chronicling their journey around Cape Horn. The book, which reflects their passion for sailing and the adventure of life, was on the New York Times bestseller list for many weeks. Mr. Hays currently acts as an Artistic Advisor to MSC. Participation is limited to 15 students. Please call Margreta Stage office immediately if you are interested in signing up for this class. 860.767.8943.        MSC Actor Party Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30pm at the Carriage House, 245 Main Street, Deep River Why Actor Parties? MSC Actor Parties started in the spring of 2007 and, like most other parties, began as an opportunity for us to socialize.  However, they've become much more than that. Actor Parties provide a supportive setting to get to know local actors and to develop our company talent. The gatherings are a means for us to hear pieces from new plays and revisit well-known works. A scene or monologue presented at an Actor Party can be the seed that germinates into a potential project. Actor Parties are not just for actors; directors, designers, playwrights and other theater artists participate as well. These gatherings are a forum for theater people to experiment - to hone their acting and/or directing skills. Most importantly, Actor Parties are a place to come and play, not just to observe. In the past, most scene readings at the parties were unrehearsed and sometimes cold reads. As our company develops, we are encouraging actors to prepare scenes in advance. Perhaps actors might share a scene from a show they were recently in, or an audition monologue. Actor Parties now have a delightful mix of prepared material and spontaneous readings. We ask that actors contact us in advance so that we can fit everyone into the evening's lineup. The next Actor Party will be held at the Carriage House in Deep River on Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30pm. If you'd like to direct a short piece, or perform a monologue or scene, please let us know by emailing office@margretastage.org, or calling 860.767.8943. The Director's Corner Dear Friends, We are fortunate to live in a community that supports and participates in the arts. The number of talented people who live in southern Connecticut is what inspired me to form a theater company. At Margreta Stage Company ("MSC"), we strive to raise the spirit of our community by bringing quality theater to the stage.  We also applaud other local theater companies who, like us, create theater to inspire and entertain.  We encourage you to attend not only MSC's productions but also the wide variety of plays being produced by other local companies. Jeanie Rapp Artistic Director   Margreta Stage Company 860.767.8943  margretastage.org Our Company Members at Work   Robin Fox and Chris Brown will be performing with Comedy On Demand on Saturday, February 12, at 6:30 pm for The Second Annual Karmic Relief Fund-raiser "Get Your Heart On." All proceeds to benefit the Sanctuary at Shepardfields, with support going to their Community Greenhouse Project and The Harvest House Food Bank. $20 Donation. Purchase tickets online at www.oursanctuary or call 860-319-1134. Or you may purchase tickets at the door, evening of performance, at Deep River Town Hall, 174 Main St. Ginny Wolf has developed a one-woman show about the Connecticut witchcraft scares: Panic in Connecticut; Accused Witches Have Their Say. Last fall she performed staged readings and is currently in the process of producing a staged production.  Todd Little will play prosecutor Mr. Gilmer in the Seven Angels production of To Kill a Mockingbird this spring. Please continue to send us news so we can share your work and help promote local theater projects.