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World Theatre Shines in Monaco the Mondial Du Théâtre 2013 Exceeded Expectations

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World Theatre Shines in Monaco the Mondial Du Théâtre 2013 Exceeded Expectations spotlightNovember/December 2013 $2.50 World Theatre Shines in Monaco The Mondial du Théâtre 2013 Exceeded Expectations The Mondial du Théâtre 2013 Festival and Congress from Austria. Delegates further approved the venue for the next are now a part of history, but the memories of great theatre, World Festival and Congress, which will be held in Westouter, exciting meetings, and new friends made will live on in our Flanders, Belgium July 3 – 12, 2015. Norbert Radermacher memory banks for years. and Helle Hauger made announcements of the 2014 Lingen, Germany Children’s Festival and the 2016 Children’s Festival, The festival began on August 19 with the parade of Stratford, Ontario, Canada. flags of the participating countries and exciting performances by Belgium, Denmark, and China. Roberto Kalifa Tuesday’s performances were from Spain, Ireland, and Lithuania at the Princess Grace Theatre. The evening was highlighted with the attendance of HSH Prince Albert of Monaco who presented AITA/IATA President Merja Laaksovirta with the Chevalier in the Order of Cultural Merit. Wednesday performances were from France, Israel, and Germany, followed by Thursday’s performances from Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Each morning following the performances, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM colloquies brought together theatergoers and members of the three companies that presented the previous evening. Richard Finch of South Africa and Jozef Krasula from Slovakia moderated these talks. They centered around the history of the presenting companies, discussions of the process of the production, the cultural context of the company in A unique interpretation of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare titled Why Love? their country, and how the company was selected presented by Youth Theatre Arlekinas of Lithuania. Directed by Tatjana Timko. to represent their country at the festival. Friday, August 23 and Saturday August 24, the World Friday evening was the Red and White Friendship Dinner at Congress convened. During the opening ceremony, to celebrate the Monaco Sporting Club. This evening was highlighted by a the 15th Mondial du Théâtre, awards were presented to the five splendid dinner and enjoyable entertainment for all. countries that have performed at each Mondial du Théâtre. These countries are Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, Saturday, August 24th continued with performances by and the USA. USA delegate Frank Peot accepted the award Switzerland, Singapore, and Slovakia, followed on Sunday by on behalf of AACT. President Merja Laaksovirta opened the performances from Morocco, Rumania, and Austria. During the General Assembly and the business of AITA/IATA. The General afternoon of August 24th delegates attended a presentation on Assembly elected Rob Van Genechten of Belgium as President the European Forum for Amateur Theatre, which aims to better Elect. Villy Dall of Denmark was elected Treasurer, with Beatrice co-ordinate information between the three European Regions Cellario of Monaco elected French Speaking Secretary, and of AITA/IATA. Sunday included a special session in which Vice Jorge Crespi of Spain elected Spanish Speaking Secretary. Elected as Coordinator of Children and Youth was Josef Hollos continued on page 11 November/December 2013 American Association of Community Theatre “FUN-LOVING MUSICAL THEATER” - New York Times THE WINNING musical A SPLASHY, ZIPPY, FUN NEW MUSICAL COMEDY! - The Minneapolis Star-Tribune EXTREMELY FUNNY AND WHIMSICAL! REALLY FUN! - Associated Press - Newsday PERFORMANCE RIGHTS AVAILABLE FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THROUGH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. WWW.BINGOTHEMUSICAL.COM WWW.SAMUELFRENCH.COM OR EMAIL ERIN PARKER AT ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS AVAILABLE [email protected] 2 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 President’s Letter President’s Gary Walker AACT President 2013-2015 Even though I’m writing this in mid-September, the weather committee meeting one additional time, it is always like a has turned cold in Michigan and it is a grey and rainy day. homecoming. Friends we have made through our many This change in weather makes it so much easier to shift projects and hard work become one more family. myself forward to the holidays (November/December) when you will be reading this note. This holiday season is a little harder than usual because we have lost one of our family – Ross Rowland. Others will The holidays mean many different things to different people enumerate the many accomplishments that Ross achieved – shopping, parties, dinners, gift giving (and receiving), over his life, but I remember Ross as a generous member of generosity towards our fellow men and women. Certainly the family who welcomed me to AACT many years ago. Ross for those in community theatre it is often thoughts of large was always quick to share his expertise as an attorney, as an holiday productions. Productions that come with huge sets, adjudicator, and as a leader. He was always a cheerleader huge casts, huge costs and, hopefully, huge revenues. Not for AACT and community theatre throughout the world. Ross was one of a kind and a good and trusted friend. We’ve said it so many times So while we miss our friend, Ross, we wish happy and but being trite doesn’t make it successful holidays and SRO shows to all. That’s what Ross would have wanted. any less true – we all have theatre families. to be too callous about it, the holidays also bring thoughts of family and traditions. It is family that exemplifies the season. And for those in theatre, that family is more than mother/father, aunts/ uncles, cousins/nieces/nephews, and in-laws (or in some case outlaws). We’ve said it so many times, but being trite doesn’t make it any less true – we all have theatre families. Every show cast quickly becomes a family; sometimes a family of harmony and joy, sometimes of strife, but just like our own families always with that special relationship that makes a family. I’ve personally been in shows where punches were thrown in the dressing room and others where best friends were made. Regardless, it was a family. I can remember children’s shows where the youngsters who are now grown adults still have warm hugs for their former cast members. In AACT that family spirit is strong. Although the full board only meets in person twice a year with the executive November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 3 November/December 2013 In This issue In contents Features News Mondial du Théâtre 2013 AACT on the Road 26 1 International Festival and Congress offered performances, Announcements 7 connections, and honors for AACT members Friends We'll Miss 19 AACTWorldFest 2014 Mort Clark Award Presentation 13 12 Planning continues for AACT's international festival, with ten New AACT Website 20 participating companies announced New Roles 29 Broken Arrow Travels to Canada Spotlight Award 24 14 Broken Arrow (OK) Community Playhouse participes in the 6th Festival International de Théâtre de Mont-Laurier. How to Raise Money for Festival Travel 16 Rachel Fennell of Burlington Players, Burlington, MA shares the company's successful methods for raising Networking money to attend AACTFest Advertisers 29 AACT Member Benefits Artie’s Advocacy Tip 28 21 Membership brings lots of discounts, including ones from some of our strongest supporters, such as Elite and Basic Calendar 30 Commercial Members. Insurance Points 8 Networking Helps 22 New Play Contests 22 Opportunities and Resources 25 President’s Letter 3 Spotlight on Boards 27 The award presented to the U.S.A. for Find AACT on Facebook participating in all 15 Mondial du Théâtre festivals. Follow us on Twitter 4 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 5 6 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Announcements AACT Board Upcoming AACT Meetings Gary Walker, President AACT Executive Committee Meeting Grand Rapids, MI (2015) Murray Chase, Executive VP November 23, 2013 Venice, FL (2015) Madison, WI Eugene Irby, VP Planning/Development Hosted by the University of Wisconsin - Madison Artesia, NM (2014) Scott Bloom, VP Membership Meetings are open. Contact the AACT office for details. Silver Spring, MD (2014) Sue Ellen Gerrells, VP Public Relations Upcoming Conferences Alabaster, AL (2015) Kay Armstrong, VP Festivals National Community Theatre Managing Directors Conference Dallas, TX (2015) November 23-26, 2013 Penelope Notter, VP Education Grand Rapids, MI (2014) Madison, WI Frank Peot, Secretary Co-sponsored by AACT and the University of Wisconsin - Madison Sun Prairie, WI (2014) For details: www.DirectorsConference.org Tim Jebsen, Treasurer Midland, TX (2015) Linda M. Lee, Past President Thanks Fort Worth, TX (2015) to the NARA Representative to IATA Kathie Maldonado, IATA Vice Members at Large President Roger Ellis and the six delegates to the IATA Congress: Ron Cameron-Lewis Frank Peot, Lori Chase, Murray Chase, Bevie Lord, Tim Jebsen, and Ontario, Canada (2016) Lisa Jebsen. Michael Fox West Valley City, UT (2015) Yvonne Johnson Thanks also to the following volunteers for assisting with our Short Hills, NJ (2015) membership renewal campaign: Frieda Austin, Susan Austin, Rick Kerby Bradenton, FL (2014) Ed Bassett, Joanne Berry, Ryan Briggs, Jim Carver, Rich Gannon, Sarah Phoenix Kristofer Gedde, Susan Harrington, Rick Kerby, JoAnne Nissen, Tulsa, OK (2016) Dotti Peek, Roger Strauss, Kay Weaver, and Pat White Joline Powell Tomah, WI (2015) Chris Serface Tacoma, WA (2014) You can download the AACT logo, including a “Proud Member Michael Spicer Did you of” version from the website? Simply visit www.aact.org,
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