community theater – MONROE COUNTY CIVIC THEATER

Making Magic Behind the Scenes – Meet Stage Manager Dorothy Granger!

By mcct | March 27, 2019 | Comments 0 Comment

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?
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?!? You think actors are the only ones with challenges?!?

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 back stage and the rest is history. I am generally an organized person and this helps back stage.

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.

Actor Profile: Gwen Livesay says goodbye to Bloomington with a Tour de Force as Cordelia in King Lear

By mcct | October 4, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Gwen Livesay has made the Bloomington Theater scene her home for several years. As she prepares to move after the close of the show, we talked to her about Cordelia, theater, and what it all means.

What made you audition for Lear?

It’s one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays and one of his best tragedies. Cordelia is one of the strongest female characters in a Shakespeare play, and I was interested in playing that.

Why do you think this story matters for today’s audiences?

I think it matters because it shows how narcissism in a country’s leader can bring about the downfall of that country Under our current administration, we’re seeing how that plays out.

What new things have you learned as a result of this show?

This show has challenged me as an actor in new ways. Cordelia isn’t onstage very much, but when she is, she has a very weighty presence. I’ve also learned that I’m really good at playing dead.

Community/Civic theater is a unique challenge. What has been the hardest part of this show? The easiest?

Surprisingly, learning the lines has been the hardest part. I’m usually quite good at memorizing lines, but this show has proven harder than usual. The easiest part for me is acting with a group of people I feel at ease with.

How did you get involved with MCCT?

Three years ago, I had a small role in Cymbeline, that year’s summer Shakespeare. I’ve gradually worked my way up to playing more significant roles and even co-directed one play.

What do you do when you’re not rehearsing and memorizing Shakespeare?

I work at IU Varsity Shop in Assembly Hall.

Why should audiences come to this show?

It’s one of Shakespeare’s best plays. It also has strong female characters and themes that are still relevant today.

Come see Gwen and the rest of the King Lear cast beginning next Friday!

October 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20 at 7:00pm
October 14 at 3:00pm

Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center Rose Firebay.

Get your tickets today at mcct.yapsody.com.

Actor Profile: Gregory Maus Steps into Stephen Hawking’s Life

By mcct | August 9, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Gregory Maus is stepping on to the stage for the first time since…well, it’s been awhile. Learn a little more about him and why he is excited to bring Stephen Hawking (yes, that Stephen Hawking) to life in Uncertainty (Or, Imprecision) this September!

What made you audition for Uncertainty?

My friend Lucas suggested that I try out for the play. Presumably, he thought my stick-like physique and arrogant pedantry made me a good fit for Hawking.

How long have you been acting/involved in theater?

I mean, life is theater…man…you know?… As far as actual productions though, I did a few parts in church plays during high school ten years ago, but haven’t done it formally since then.

What do you do when you’re not rehearsing?

Mostly I procrastinate on getting anything done for my Ph.D. program, including playing tabletop and computer strategy games and memorizing lines.

What has been an unexpected challenge of this production?

Personally? Transportation. Based on the try-out location I foolishly assumed that rehearsals would be within biking distance for me. I have since had to parasitically prey off the kindness and generosity of my cast mates with cars.

What has been the most rewarding part of being in an MCCT show?

Getting to know my all-too-generous castmates has been delightful, whether chatting during breaks or on car rides.

Why should audiences come to see Uncertainty?

It’s the most hilarious rendition of dead drunk physicists commenting on ridiculously terrible dates that they’ll ever see. (Probably.)

What are your top three dream roles?

Myself: That would imply that I’ve done (or at least been involved with) something sufficiently significant and/or interesting that a play or movie exists about it, and I’m apparently still alive, healthy, and free to play it. Hannibal Lecter because creepy sociopathic geniuses are fun. And, of course, Alexander Hamilton, well-meaning and perhaps over-ambitious geniuses are also delightful and how can one pass up Miranda’s writing?

What is the best/worst thing about bringing Stephen Hawking to life?

What I really enjoy about playing Hawking (or at least Uncertainty‘s version of him) is this fun dichotomy between his starry-eyed wonder at the transcendent beauty of the cosmos, contrasted with his all-too-human pettiness born of deep insecurities. I suspect that the worst thing will be if people expect me to actually explain his theories, but despite my efforts and initial enthusiasm, I have yet to actually finish A Brief History of Time.

Make plans to see Uncertainty (Or, Imprecision) September 9-11 at Oddball Fermentables in Bloomington. Tickets go on sale August 15.

King Lear Cast Announcement

By mcct | July 18, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Monroe County Civic Theater’s Fall production of KING LEAR has a cast! And a wonderful one at that. Meet the players –

Lear – Roy Sillings
Fool – Martin Cusato
Kent – Steve Scott

Goneril – Nancy Eagan
Albany – Cairril Adaire
Oswald – Eric P. Van Gucht

Regan – Jennifer Whitaker
Cornwall – Nic Newby

Cordelia – Gwen Livesay
France – Dan Heise
Burgundy – Phillip Addison

Gloucester – Bill Goveia
Edgar – Oliver Moss
Edmund – Jason Lopez

Doctor – Dianne Shewmaker
Old Man – Dan Heise
Curan – Ashton Webb

Various Attendants, Servants, etc – Ashton Webb

King Lear will be performed October 12-21 at the Firebay in the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center. We are still looking for tech crew for this show, including a Stage Manager. Interested? Email mcctlear@gmail.com.

Here are photos from King Lear:

Bloomington Herald Times Review

Uncertainty (Or, Imprecision) Cast Announcement

By mcct | July 10, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Uncertainty (or Imprecision) by Nicholas Krohn, is a new comedic play about three friends who meet at a bar on the same night to provide moral support for each other as they embark on their respective online dating prospects for the evening. Along for the ride is the bartender supplying the trio with plenty of liquid courage as well as two well-known (and completely out of their respective dimensions) scientists supplying plenty of terrible advice for the trio of friends as they embark on their first physical meeting with the people they have been chatting with online. The dates themselves prove to be one disaster after another in this bizarre and madcap comedy that proves once and for all that dating is the worst, but we all may as well laugh about it.

Stan: Emily Bedwell

Stephen Hawking: Gregory Maus

Werner Heisenberg: Emily Mcgee

Eric: Matt Fletcher

Allison: Jessica Joslin

Stacy: Heather Wesner

Mitchell: Lucas Kempe-Cook

Swan: Bill Goveia

Debra: Evangeline Mee

Uncertainty (or Imprecision) will be performed September 9-11 at Oddball Fermentables in Bloomington. Tickets will go on sale in early August! Don’t miss it!

Audition Announcement: King Lear

By mcct | July 9, 2018 | Comments 0 Comment

Director: Steve Heise

Assitant Director: Jennifer Whitaker

Stage Manager: WE ARE LOOKING

Auditions will be held on:

July 14th, Saturday, 3-6pm, Room 214 Monroe County Public Library

July 15th, Sunday, 12:30-4:30pm, Auditorium Monroe County Public Library

*If you can’t make these days, please email MCCTLear@gmail.com

We will have sides available and may ask you to read several. We may also ask that you read against different actors for different roles. No prepared materials necessary.

Be sure to have an idea of your conflicts, both recurring and single instance, for the period of August 5th, 2018 to October 21st, 2018.

Performances will be from October 12th to October 21st, 2018 at the Rose Firebay, locate in The Ivy Tech Waldron Arts Center.

The Show Must Go On: A Queen Cabaret

“Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?”

MCCT presents “The Show Must Go On: A Queen Cabaret” as the summer musical theater event that will rock your socks off while allowing you to join us in supporting our several civic partners. This 18-song cabaret will be performed 3 nights, for 3 organizations, in 3 different locations. There will be an auction each night for the featured organization, and all proceeds from ticket sales and donations will be shared evenly.

Organization: Middle Way House

The Show Must Go On: A Queen Cabaret

“Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?”

Organization: Recovery Alliance

The Show Must Go On: A Queen Cabaret

“Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?”

Organization: Positive Link

AUDITIONS: Uncertainty (Or, Imprecision)

Uncertainty (or Imprecision) by Nicholas Krohn, is a new comedic play about three friends who meet at a bar on the same night to provide moral support for each other as they embark on their respective online dating prospects for the evening. Along for the ride, is the bartender supplying the trio with plenty of liquid courage, as well as two well-known (and completely out of their respective dimensions) scientists supplying plenty of terrible advice for the trio of friends as they embark on their first physical meeting with the people they have been chatting with online. The dates themselves prove to be one disaster after another in this bizarre and madcap comedy that proves once and for all that dating is the worst, but we all may as well laugh about it.

Contact Emily at emily.solt.mcgee@gmail.com for audition times and sides.

Auditions will be held at the Monroe County Public Library over the course of two days:

June 16th 11am-2pm in meeting room 2A
June 17th 12pm-2pm in meeting room 1C