The Be More Awards is our community’s way of honoring and applauding the outstanding, but often unrecognized efforts of our community volunteers. Ten awards will be presented during the community celebration honoring all of the nominees at the event (Tuesday, March 31, 2020) at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Join us for the celebration!
For more information please visit the website: https://www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/bemore
For our October 24 REVUE show, MCCT will give 50 people a whole TWO DOLLARS simply to be Audience!
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!?!?
Over the last few years, the quality of our shows has been so good that reviewers have bemoaned that more people haven’t seen the show. The MCCT Board has decided to take a One-Hundred Dollar Advertising Budget and give it to YOU!
REVUE SHOW at 7pm at the MCPL LIBRARY AUDITORIUM
Our Revue shows are an initiative meant to allow people to perform who cannot commit to long rehearsal periods. More Community! This Revue will have Music! Maybe Dance! Humans dressed like Cats! Dementia Friendly! Great for Kids! WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?!?!
Coming to Third Street Park next weekend
It’s the 30th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Park and we’re celebrating by bringing back to life the very first Shakespeare in the Park we ever did – a Midsummer Night’s Dream!
Benjamin Watkins, our musical director for this show, says,
“Very rarely do we have the privilege of two absolutely brilliant minds meeting in the context of one work of art, but with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, we have just that. Felix Mendelssohn engaged in a very close reading of Shakespeare’s play, and in the process of composing music to accompany the stage play, he not only illustrated the story, but also passed into immortality thanks to the profundity and beauty of his deeply inspired musical vision.
In these humble outdoor performances, you will find artists of all ranks exploring the treasures that have been bequeathed to humanity. You will see children learning to speak, and to think for all of us; you will hear classical musicians of the highest caliber deftly execute some of the most difficult passages in the standard repertoire, and everything in between. It is our hope that these experiences will remind us of the power of dreaming, and of the limitless nature of human potential.
We’re excited to see you NEXT weekend!
September 12-14 at 7:00pm, September 15 at 3:00pm. As always, Shakespeare in the Park is FREE! Donations will be accepted. Come, join the merriment and celebrate 30 years of Shakespeare with us!
FROZEN by Bryony Lavery is the story of three people: a serial killer, the mother of one of his victims, and a psychiatrist that is studying the minds of serial killers. Told over the course of two decades, Frozen looks at loss, hate, fear, redemption and forgiveness. Told primarily through monologues, the audience goes on an emotional journey as three people, linked by the unspeakable, slowly come face to face with each other. Due to the nature of the content and language, the show is for those 16 and older. Frozen stars three familiar Bloomington actors: Emily Solt McGee (Agnetha), Steve Scott (Ralph) and Jennifer Whitaker (Nancy).
SHALL WE MAKE THE WELKIN DANCE INDEED?
On June 6, from 7 to 8 pm, Monroe County Civic Theater will have an hour of songs and speech! A satyre of Lear, songs from Twelfth Night, and mysterious and pertinent announcements for interested parties!
We’ll be in the Library Auditorium downtown, and if you’re interested in ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ or you’re looking to make a submission for our 2020 season or you just want some giggles, join us for this free event.
If you’ve writ something you’d like to hear spoke, feel free to bring it. We’ll have the room until 9pm and would make good use of it.
Our first Shakespeare show of 2019 is May 17-19 at the Windfall Dance Studio. Check out what director Eric P. Van Gucht has to say about the show and get your tickets today at mcct.yapsody.com!
Twelfth Night was my first Shakespearean show as an actor, playing Fabian at Bloomington North as a senior in high school; nearly fifteen years later, I am so grateful to have a chance to do this show as a director. Revisiting it has given me a new insight into the brilliance of this play.
Times are obviously very strange right now. With this show, I want audiences to be able to laugh despite the ridiculousness, perhaps because of it. Additionally, this play’s subtitle is “Or What You Will.” We ask you to suspend your disbelief tonight, and a treasure of this play is that Shakespeare allows his audience a chance to be a part of the joke. Because of this, you may notice we’ve done some things a little differently, a little wink to the audience here and there (some subtle, others not so much).
For stylistic purposes, I wanted to go with a Carnival/Mardi Gras theme. I felt like the unabashed joy of the ceremonies, combined with the atmosphere that comes from the scenery and costumes, convey the message that it’s okay to be a little ridiculous sometimes.
Thanks to a wonderful cast/crew, co-workers, friends and family, who keep encouraging me.
Enjoy the show, and like Feste the jester says, “We’ll strive to please you every day.”
Cast List:
Viola – Robin Pyle
Sebastian – Micheal Harrison
Orsino – Jason Howard
Olivia – Katie Benson
Feste – Zilia Balkansky-Selles
Sir Toby Belch – Thom Kirk
Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Jason Lopez
Malvolio – Roy Sillings
Maria – Heather Howard
Fabian – Rhianna Jones
Antonio – Mary Cusato
Priest/Captain/Ensemble – Connie Temm
Ensemble – Mike Milam
There’s a good chance you’ve seen Dorothy at an MCCT show. She’s usually dressed all in black and she’s making sure the show happens from behind the curtain. As a seasoned Stage Manager, Dorothy is someone everyone in MCCT has come to rely on! Read on to hear why she volunteers with us and what being a part of MCCT means to her!
What brought you to MCCT in the first place?
Jen Whitaker, we were at WFHB one day with nothing to do…
Why did you want to be a part of
Farndale is a hilarious script and who would not want to be a part of it?!?
What is the most challenging part of your role?
Say WHAT?!?
How did you become a stage manager? It seems like hard work!
My daughter was in a professional company (Louisville/New Albany) when she was young and I was forced to sit through rehearsals…I mean, I went to all the rehearsals and am not very good at just sitting and being a good girl so I volunteered to help
What is something unexpected that you’ve learned by being a part of community theater?
I’m not sure it was unexpected, but I love that everyone has a role in community theatre! Acting is not easy and it’s not for everyone…except here. Everyone is welcome, everyone is encouraged, and everyone can play!
What is your favorite thing about this show?
The show is hilarious and it is fun to watch the actors have fun!
What is your biggest challenge with this show?
Trying to stay healthy has been a challenge not only for me but for the majority of people involved with the show. So when you hear deep, guttural coughing backstage, it isn’t necessarily me.
What would surprise the audience to know about you?
I am a quiet, retiring, bookish sort of woman.
As we get closer to our Farndale Macbeth opening, we want to introduce you to some of our cast and crew. First up is Steve Scott. Steve has been a fixture in the MCCT and BPP worlds for years, but his role in Farndale is unlike anything he’s ever done before!
| What brought you to MCCT in the first place? A former President of MCCT, Eric Anderson, saw my silly theatrics when I taught children’s classes at my martial arts school. In 2012 he asked me to play the role of “the fireman” in “Studs Terkel’s Working: The Musical”. I loved it. Why did you want to be a part of The role of Peach offers me a chance to stretch out and test my range as an actor. What is the most challenging part of your role? The wardrobe, the makeup. I’ve been getting a LOT of help with that! What is something unexpected that you’ve learned by being a part of community theater? It isn’t so much what I’ve learned but who I’ve gotten to know. I’ve met some outstanding people through my years at MCCT. What is your favorite thing about this show? It’s tremendously funny. I acted in four of MCCT’s Shakespeare productions and get the biggest kick out of seeing a farce built around “The Scottish Play”. What is your biggest challenge with this show? See #3. With the addition that walking in heels might be a challenge… What would surprise the audience to know about you? In real |
Farndale opens April 12 at Stages Bloomington. Tickets are $15 and available now. Get yours here!
MCCT has two shows in the works right now! Look for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at Windfall Dance Studio this May. Here is a peek at the cast!
Viola – Robin Pyle
Sebastian – Micheal Harrison
Orsino – Jason Howard
Olivia – Katie Benson
Feste – Zilia Balkansky-Selles
Sir Toby Belch – Thom Kirk
Sir Andrew Aguecheek – Jason Lopez
Malvolio – Roy Sillings
Maria – Heather Howard
Fabian – Rhianna Jones
Antonio – Mary Cusato
Priest/Captain/Ensemble – Connie Temm
Ensemble – Mike Milam
