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Backstage News

            BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOW COMPLETE

At the Board of Directors meeting held on June 21, 2006, Chris Haberman, who had served the one year remaining on Denet Igou's term, was appointed to a full three-year term, as a non-participating member. Also appointed as non-participating board members were: Sylvia Tejerian Garoian, filling the remaining one year of Jack Patiño's term; Leonard Garcia, filling two years of Barbara Bowman's term; and, Russ Kuhn, filling a three-year term, that had not been filled previously.

At the Annual Meeting, that immediately followed the Board meeting, Carole Firstman was re-elected to a second three-year term as a participating member.

A participating member is a person who was actively involved in a production during the last year. A non-participating member is a person who was not actively involved in a production, even though that person may have been active in other aspects of the Players' organization.

 The LIZZIES are back!!


July 15, 2006
Ice House Theatre

After several years on hiatus, the annual Lizzie Awards Show is back. Under the stewardship of Leonard Garcia, the Players celebrated themselves and their accomplishments for the past season. The Lizzie was named after Elizabeth Dobson, an original member, director and long-time benefactor.

 AND THE WINNERS ARE!

Best Supporting Actress - Marla Alberstein for Radio TBS
Best Supporting Actor - Matt Weaver for Beyond Karaoke
Best Set - Keith Lindersmith for Lips Together, Teeth Apart
Best Lighting - Heather Parish, LeeAnn Burnett and
Sandy Watson for Turn of the Screw
Best Costumes - Brooke Aiello for Enchanted April
Best Sound - Gary Benjamin for Lips Together, Teeth Apart
Best Actress - Carole Firstman for Laughing Wild
Best Actor - Clint Showalter for Lips Together, Teeth Apart
Best Play - Beyond Karaoke, Jack Patiño, Director

READ THROUGH  

 The VCP board has decided to form a Perusal Committee that will read play submissions throughout the year rather than at the very last minute. Directors may also appreciate the opportunity to submit titles throughout the year.

 Elicia Russell is forming the Perusal Committee to begin reading plays for the 2007-2008 season. She does not envision a lot of meetings and reading the plays should be at a fairly relaxed pace.

 Readers, if you would like to serve on the Perusal Committee and read plays throughout the year, contact Elicia.

 Directors, begin submitting plays that you would like the committee to consider—for you to direct or that you feel would be right for one or more other directors. You are encouraged to submit more than one title and you may submit them at any time throughout the year.

 Board Members, because the board will determine the final selection of shows, members may wish to read the plays as they are submitted as well.

 Several people have already volunteered to serve on the committee and a few directors have submitted titles.

 For information, contact: Elicia Russell, 559-827-3330    russellmne@aol.com 

A NOTE FROM THE VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR…..

Mary Ellen Sluka has taken over the duties of coordinating the box office/refreshment volunteers, replacing Robin Hoffman, who has faithfully done this task for some years now. Our thanks to Robin for a job well done!

 Please show your willingness to serve as box office or host in the future when called upon. It’s a big task to fill all the dates for each performance and we have a very full season coming up. Thanks to all who have served so diligently in the past. If you are not one of the regulars or haven’t been called recently, please give Mary Ellen a call at (559) 592-8151, or e-mail her at Maryellen@wirelesstcp.net  She would appreciate all the help she can get. Thank you!

The Staged Reading Classic
 

This September we are offering our first staged reading of a classic play under the direction of Heather Parish.

Never been involved in a staged reading? They are unique experiences for local actors. Here’s what they offer:

n         The exploration of a classic text that is rarely produced in the area.

n         A chance to enact characters in universal struggles for an intimate, appreciative audience.

n         The opportunity to stretch your acting and language skills in a workshop-style environment.

n         A very minimal time commitment.

A staged reading requires the actors to be familiar with their line load (scripts handed out three weeks in advance), but not memorized. The emphasis is on the delivery of the language and good strong acting choices.
 

September’s selection is T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral, the story of the slaying of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury in the year 1170. The entire play is in poetry and is a tour de force of linguistic merit.
 

Casting: 10-14 people. No auditions. Simply contact Heather Parish if you’re interested in participating. Staged readings are often cast in unorthodox ways so everyone will be considered from ages 16 and up. The cast will be announced by the end of August.
 

The first meeting of the cast: Saturday, September 2nd at 3 p.m. at the Ice House Theatre Lobby.
 

Rehearsal nights are from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on September 26th, 27th, 28th. Performance on September 30th at 7:30 p.m.
 

If you are interested in being a part of this exciting new project, please contact Heather Parish at (559) 591-1794 or heather@madwomansattic.net and give her your contact information (e-mail and phone #). Our e-mail blast has already had a terrific response to the idea:

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Contact The Players
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P. O. Box 1362
Visalia, CA 93279

Irene Morse, Editor
irene@ingramct.com
622-8650 or 732-6869

www.visaliaplayers.org
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