“…But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
      All losses are restored, and sorrows end.”
    – Sonnet 30, by William Shakespeare

Dear friends,

We hope this email finds you well during this time of “social distancing.”

The Monroe County Civic Theater (MCCT) would like to announce the MCCT Podcast; an opportunity for our community members (and fellow enthusiasts of The Bard) to stay active in theater (while at home) and celebrate the works of William Shakespeare, and other poets, authors, and playwrights.

We’d like YOU to create a vocal recording of one of Shakespeare’s sonnets, or of a monologue from one of his plays to share on our podcast (at WWW.MCCT.ORG) and social media. You can also record something from another author, poet, or playwright if you’d like.

We’re accepting audio recordings only.  If you need help selecting a sonnet or monologue to read and record, let us know, and we can provide recommendations.

At the beginning of the recording, please introduce your reading with a “lead-in” before you recite the text… 
Here is an example of a lead-in for a sonnet:  “Sonnet 18, by William Shakespeare…”
Here is an example of a lead-in for a monologue:  “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, Act 3 Scene 1, Titania…”
We will be sure to attribute the reading to you in the description.

When you’re happy with your recording, just send the audio file to this email:  monroecountycivictheatre@gmail.com

Please let us know which sonnet or speech you chose, as soon as you can, so that we can add it to our list so nobody else chooses the same one!

This list of Shakespeare’s sonnets and speeches that have already been chosen by other people will be updated periodically:

• Sonnet 18
• Sonnet 29
• Sonnet 37
• Sonnet 98
• The Tempest – Iris’ Monologue
• Macbeth – Act 3, Scene 5 – Hecate “Have I not reason”
• Macbeth – Act 5, Scene – Macbeth “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow”
• Hamlet – Act 3, Scene 2 – Hamlet “Speak the speech”
• Hamlet – Act 4, Scene 7 – Gertrude “There is a willow”
• Antony and Cleopatra – Act 4, Scene 15 – Cleopatra “No more but e’en a woman”
• Edwin Arlington Robinson – Richard Cory
• William Earnest Henley – Invictus
• The Merchant of Venice – Act 3, Scene 1 – Shylock “To bait fish withal”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 2 – King “I would I had”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 2, Scene 3 – King “T’is only title”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 3 – Steward “May it please you”
• All’s Well that Ends Well – Act 1, Scene 3 – Helena “Then I confess”
• Othello – Act 5, Scene 2 – Othello “A word or two before you go”
• Romeo and Juliet – Act 2 Scene 2 – Romeo “But, soft!”
• Henry V – Act 4 Scene 6 – Exeter “In which array, brave soldier, doth he lie”
• Julius Caesar – Act 4 Scene 3 – Brutus “You have done that you should”
• King Lear – Act 4, Scene 2 – Duke of Albany “Goneril, you are not worth”
• A Winter’s Tale – Act 5, Scene 3 – Pauline “Music, Awake her”
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act 1, Scene 1 – Egeus “Full of vexation”
• Langston Hughes – Dreams
• Langston Hughes – Mother to Son

We’d like to give you a few more directions before you start recording…

Remember to take your time while you’re speaking/recording, speak clearly, and enunciate.  Convey the meaning of the text by emoting.  Express the words with feeling.  Also, try your best to follow the meter (basic rhythmic structure) of the text.  Shakespeare’s sonnets are in Iambic Pentameter.  Monologues can vary between types of verse and prose.

Practice before recording.  You’ll get the hang of it!  If you need help, please let us know.  If we notice anything that we think you can improve, we’ll let you know.  

A few more things…

It’s NOT necessary to go out and buy a new microphone for this.  Most cell phones, Ipads/tablets, laptops, and computers have sufficient audio recording capabilities, and, if necessary, our own audio software can help to improve the sound quality of your recording.

You should still try your best to minimize background noise by recording in a quiet space.  A few tips for creating better sound quality in vocal recordings are recording in a small to medium-sized room with some furniture like a bed, couches, curtains, rugs, clothing or blankets around to absorb any echo. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your recording space or microphone, or anything else, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you: monroecountycivictheatre@gmail.com

Have fun!

Thank you for being a part of MCCT!

As a member of the arts community, Monroe County Civic Theater (MCCT) takes the current situation very seriously.  In order to preserve the health and welfare of our patrons and our artists, we have cancelled a revue, suspended rehearsals, readings, and podcast recordings as we continue to monitor the situation.

The Board of Directors is working to continue the operations of MCCT by working remotely from our homes. Meeting via phone and working over e-mail.  It is our hope that once we are all past the current situation, and our artists and patrons can gather safely, that we will be prepared to resume our season and continue our mission.

Until that time, please stay safe.

MCCT

Monroe County Civic Theater presented CHARLES DICKENS’ “A CHRISTMAS CAROL” on December 14, 2014. The play was adapted for radio-on-stage by ANTHONY E. PALERMO. The Musical score was also composed and arranged by ANTHONY E. PALERMO.

“Saturday December 13 at 5 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 14 at Noon at Rachel’s Cafe Come early and stay late for a light lunch or dinner. Tickets are by donation – may give in advance or afterwards at www.mcct.org/support or at your table.”

The Directors’ Symposium took place in February of 2019 at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium

“MCCT starting to do quick turnaround projects this year is meant to encourage people who can only commit to a week or two. (We want) to train to be quickly productive. And to give authors a chance to hear their words in play,”

– Steve Heise, Board President

.

Here are some photos from that evening:

The 2nd Annual Madrigal Dinner took place on December 2, 2012 at The Fields Clubhouse.

On Sunday, December 2^nd, the Bloomington Early Music Festival, otherwise known as BLEMF, together with the Monroe County Civic Theater will be presenting a Madrigal Dinner.  The dinner primarily acts as a fundraiser for the festival, but BLEMF Vice President Christine Kypiranides says the dinner is also a revival of a former Bloomington holiday pastime.

“We decided to join forces which is really exciting for us because that allows MCCT to really focus on the theatrical end of it—the jesters, the story, the costumes, and things like that—and really take advantage of the excellent music that comes out of the Jacobs School, since we’ll be utilizing talent from the Early Music Institute,”

– Eric Anderson, Jr.

Monroe County Civic Theater and Bloomington Early Music Festival are joining forces this year and putting on a joint Madrigal Dinner.

Where: At The Fields Clubhouse in the Apartment Complex on Fenbrook Ln.

When: Sunday Dec. 2 doors open at 5:00 p.m. for preshow and silent auction.

Tickets: Available at Buskirk Chumley Box Office until Wednesday, November 28 – no tickets sold at door, must get early.

Cost: $55

Preshow includes: Aerial acts and Fire acts by LaCore Valmon Circus and Henna painting as well as strolling musicians and singers.

Dinner entertainment by the BLEMF musicians and MCCT Actors and concert by Early Music Institute at IU.

Please come and support these local groups and buy a ticket and invite your friends to do the same.

www.blemf.org or www.mcct.org for more info

The Three Musketeers: All Swash & No Buckle was performed July 26-27, 2013 at the Windfall Dance Studio.  It was directed by Crystal White.

“‘Musketeers’ is a farce that I have been comparing to the 1993 Disney version, instead of the Dumas novel. My take has been to bring the story out of the 17th century and make it accessible for a modern audience,”

– Director, Crystal White.

Here are some photos from the performance: