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. KalifaRoberto 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

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2 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 President’s Letter

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, select Salina, KS (2016) “About AACT” and look under “Current Members” for “AACT Jim Walker know? Aberdeen, SD (2014) Logos & Usage Guidelines. Share the AACT logo proudly on your website with a link back to AACT.org, so others can learn of AACT Region Representatives through you! I Beverley Lord Foxborough, MA II Susanne Caviness Glenwood, MD III Joanne Berry Bay City, MI Spotlight AACT IV Lynn Nelson Tupelo, MS Spotlight is published bimonthly by the Insurance Program V Nancy Eppert American Association of Community Theatre Independence, MO for its members and is annually distributed to AACT organizational VI Tracy Alexander an expanded list of known community theatre organizations and interested individuals. members are eligible to Midland, TX VII Donna Fisher Editor: Emmy Klein participate in property, Design: Jim Covault Casper, WY liability, and other VIII Gil Savage AACT welcomes Spotlight input and requests for coverages of the AACT San Diego, CA advertising rates. Contact Darlene DeLorenzo at IX Jon Douglas Rake [email protected] or at the phone numbers below. Insurance Program. Tacoma, WA For more information, X Vikki Hanrahan Vol 28 No 2 © 2013 Germany (US Army) American Association of Community Theatre contact: All Rights Reserved Staff Julie Crawford, Executive Director Ron Ziegler, Field Services Director Contacting AACT Emmy Klein, Marketing/Communications Director AACT 800-749-5646 Darlene DeLorenzo, Advertising/Festival 1300 Gendy Street 325-658-4519 Fax Services Fort Worth, TX 76107 [email protected] Karen Matheny, Office Support Manager 817-732-3177 • Fax 817-732-3178 or check out the program at 866-Our-AACT (toll free) • [email protected] Dani Martin, Membership Specialist theatre.mysgp.com Jill Patchin, Membership Specialist

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 7 Theatre Insurance:

Insurance Points Insurance Not in 15 Minutes or Less

by Ken Roberts

In today’s fast-paced, electronic world of instant areas of concern for property underwriters. Those areas are: insurance quotes, for everything from homeowners and car Construction - What is the building made of? (brick, wood, insurance to life insurance, consumers have come to expect concrete, etc.), Occupancy - Who occupies the structure, that any kind of insurance quote should be readily available and for what purpose?, Protection - How far to the nearest to them in a matter of minutes. While that may be true for fire hydrant or fire department? Are there sprinklers, fire just about every kind of personal insurance, in the wide, extinguishers, alarms, etc.? and Environment – What other wonderful world of commercial insurance, especially when it structures or potentially unsafe conditions exist around the comes to community theatres, there are no geckos or price immediate area of the building? Concerning general liability, guns to expedite the quoting process. As such, theatres there is another plethora of questions to be answered before should start the quoting process at least 30 days early to a quote can be generated. From annual attendance and life ensure receiving accurate quotes in advance of their need. safety issues, to the age and condition of the performance venue, each theatre has its own unique circumstances that will determine how much or how little they pay for insurance. The key here is preparation The key here is advanced preparation and patience. and patience. Even though insurance is not something most theatre managers want to spend a great deal of time on, to get an accurate quote for a policy that will actually cover the types of claims they purchased it for, theatres should plan to start Consider this: houses and cars have fairly standard, the process 20 to 30 days before the insurance is needed. designated uses, which makes quoting insurance coverage They should also be prepared to answer specific questions for those items just as standard and straight-forward. regarding their buildings or performance venues, as well as Therefore it can be done relatively quickly and easily. their attendance estimates. New theatres can expect to be Theatres, on the other hand, can be as different as apples asked for a business plan and resumes of the principals of and oranges, and it’s all of those celebrated differences that the organization. Most of all, they should expect that the have to be disclosed and properly evaluated to make sure quote will take a minimum of 10 to 14 days to generate, that the policy responds as intended. rather than 15 minutes or less. t

When property insurance is needed, underwriters rely on “COPE” information. COPE is an acronym for the four main Reprinted from Spotlight, November-December 2010.

Only USI Southwest handles the AACT Insurance Program. For more information contact:

USI Southwest Ken Roberts, Program Manager 800-749-5646 fax 325-658-4519 [email protected] or check out the program at theatre.mysgp.com

8 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 r ew fo n it he h e T AY th ID om f OL fr o H 3 r s! 01 to ta 2 ea fe cr af e T Th

Cast of 5 "The conceit of this new holiday musical revue is (3 F / 2 M) actually rather believable!" 3 Piece Band (Pno/Bass/Drums) "A quartet of would-be actors is snowed in at a Broadway theater on Christmas Eve with only Unit Set costumes, props, and set pieces. What to do but make the best of it by performing seasonal standards from Broadway shows?" "Two hours of - Portland Monthly Magazine Broadway grandeur and holiday cheer!" -Oregon Music News "Charming, wry, warm, and sarcastic - and consistently entertaining!" - Washington County Review

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November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 9 10 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 President Roger Ellis presented the Mort Clark International Achievement Award to John Viars and the Des Moines KalifaRoberto Community Theatre for their outstanding work in international theatre. Vice President Roger Ellis further made a posthumous presentation of the Mort Clark Award to L. Ross Rowland, which was accepted by Pierre Cellario, Deputy General Secretary of the Mondial du Théâtre. This presentation was followed by a workshop/discussion lead by Dirk De Corte involving debating and thinking about the future of AITA/IATA.

On Monday, August 26, Bangladesh, Slovenia, and Finland presented their shows, followed on Tuesday with the final performances by the United States, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. The Arlekin Players', Needham, Massachusetts, production of The Bear represented the United States. This production was received with rave reviews and many “Bravos” from the audience. AACT would like to thank the Arlekin Players for being great, enthusiastic representatives of the United A mime production by Studio de Monaco at the opening ceremony States and carrying on the tradition of presenting excellent of the entire festival prior to the presentation of the national flags. The production dealt with the meeting of many different nations in a performances for the World Festival of Amateur Theatre. cooperative adventure of theatre.

The 15th Mondial du Théâtre concluded on Wednesday, th August 28 with the closing night festivities at the Fairmont The 15 Mondial du Théâtre is now a part of the history books Terraces where people had a final chance to enjoy the company but will be remembered fondly by those in attendance. t of theatre lovers from around the world. It was also the opportunity to say many farewells to new and old friends alike. For more on the Mort Clark Awards, see page 13.

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 11 Plans Moving Along for AACTWorldFest 2014: "Festival in Paradise"

Community theatre folks from around the globe are There is also an Italy/US collaboration yet to be named. getting ready for AACTWorldFest 2014! Venice Theatre, on Look for more exciting information on this project in the next Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast, is once again hosting the event Spotlight! which runs June 16 through June 21, 2014. The theatre’s Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase encourages anyone In addition to dynamic performances, festival-goers can interested in the festival to visit www.aact.org/world. You’ll expect a wide selection of interactive workshops (including find up-to-the-minute information about the event and be a master class with Broadway legend Ben Vereen), much able to complete online registration in just a few clicks. You socializing, and the chance to enjoy all that “the sunshine can also follow event progress on Facebook at www.facebook. state” has to offer. t com/AACTWorldFest and sign up for e-newsletters.

With only eight months to go, the “Festival in Paradise” is just around the corner. Register today at www.aact.org/world.

Chase and his wife Lori (who is coordinating logistics for the festival) recently returned from Monaco where they attended the Mondial du Théâtre, the world’s largest • replacement lamps community theatre festival, where 24 countries performed. They are now ready to announce the following ten participants • rosco, lee, Gam, and for AACTWorldFest 2014, with more to follow. apollo Gel • Gobos l Argentina - Our Daily Bread • tieline & cordaGe • staGe hardware l Germany - Noah and the Flood • scenic paints & coatinGs l Bangladesh - Kanjush (The Miser) • Gaffers & spike tape • batteries l China - The Mouse’s Daughter’s Wedding • staGe cables & adapters • staGe liGhtinG fixtures l Armenia - The Winged • professional serVice!

l Georgia - The Bald Soprano

l Latvia - Poetry Butterfly

l South Africa - Lucky, the Hero! Visit our updated site: http://shop.bmisupply.com l Israel - The Black Princess phone: 1-800-836-0524

12 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 International Honors to AACT A couple of very special awards presentations took place during the Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco. The first was the presentation of the Mort Clark An additional presentation was made in memory of L. International Achievement Award to John Viars and the Des Ross Rowland by the International Theatre Exchange (ITE) Moines Community Playhouse and posthumously to L. Ross which is the AITA/IATA National Centre of Great Britain. Rowland. Pictured below from left to right are ITE Vice President Aled Pictured below from left to right are Deputy General Secre- Rhys-Jones, AACT representative Kathleen Maldonado, ITE tary of the Mondial du Théâtre Pierre Cellario, outgoing AACT Secretary Marje Lovegrove, and ITE Treasurer Anne Gilmour. President Linda M. Lee, AITA/IATA Vice President Roger Ellis, and John Viars. Roger Ellis and Linda M. Lee presented the awards. Pierre Cellario accepted on behalf of Ross Row- land who passed away this past August shortly before the International Festival.

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November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 13 The Ten Worst Reasons to Go to an International Festival

By Martha Cherbini 3. To show the superiority of your genre of theatre. Guest Director, Broken Arrow Community Playhouse See #2, above. In addition to the mime show, we saw Broken Arrow (OK) Community a group from Canada that operates as an adjunct to a Playhouse recently returned from rehabilitation center for people with aphasia. Their struggle with the language was completely appropriate to their mash participating in the 6th Festival up of various Ionesco plays. Captions projected on the back International de Théâtre de Mont- wall in English and French were helpful to both audience and Laurier in Quebec, Canada, held actors. How inspirational must that group be when it performs every other year. Our senior- in front of others who have those challenges? powered show, The Gin Game, by D. L. Coburn, had previously participated in the AACTFest system from state to regionals to nationals. 4. To speak English and expect everyone to do likewise. After nationals, we couldn’t let it be One thing you should know if you go to Mont-Laurier: over, and investigated international Less than one percent of the population speaks English as a festivals. We applied and were first language. While it seems odd to us that Quebec speaks a Martha Cherbini selected from 128 applications different language than they do in the capital of their country, for 25 spots at the Mont-Laurier it is nonetheless the case. Technology geeks: While everyone festival, which encompassed both toyed with the idea of translation apps, I never saw anyone professional and amateur troupes from 19 countries. While actually try to use one. We’re actors, right? We used our we believe we went to Canada for all the right reasons, we realize there is some mystique about international festivals. Based on what we saw and did in Mont-Laurier, I offer the 10 Worst reasons for going to an international festival.

1. To win a prize.

Most international festivals award prizes for participation or from a jury. In Mont-Laurier, they award eight prizes of $500. You can see the complete list of winners from this year’s festival on the website: www.doubledefi.org/festival- 2013-liste-des-gagants. Yes, the money is nice, and yes, we brought one home from Mont-Laurier (Karyn Lee Maio won best actress at the festival and Tom Berenson was in the top Broken Arrow Playhouse cast members, Karyn Lee Maio and Tom three for actors), but with eight prizes among more than 100 Berenson, pitching their show at the opening ceremonies actors and 22 productions, the odds aren’t really that good. faces and our hands to make ourselves understood. The festival also supplied an English speaker as our “godfather,” 2. To assert national pride. who ferried us around town and translated as necessary.

Americans certainly take pride in being the home of Broadway, but there are all sorts of people doing all sorts of theatre all over the world, and the odds are good that there 5. To bond with your cast and crew. are some areas in which we aren’t the best. When was the By the time you take the leap to participate in an last time you saw an American community theatre present international festival, you should already be bonded with a full-length production in mime, completely entrancing your cast and crew. This is an opportunity to spend time with the audience, as France did? There was also a piece from people from different cultures and find out what is important Slovakia about the Holocaust which was done using young in their lives. girls projecting their moving shadows on a cyclorama.

14 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 10. To win.

I want to emphasize that we went to Canada with no expectations except to have a great adventure. For all we knew, there would be a bias against us as non-French speakers. Not so. The crowd at the awards banquet cheered Karyn like she was a rock star. The mayor came and congratulated her and one of the judges grabbed her shoulders, kissed her on both cheeks and said, “You are my winner!”

So what are the best reasons to attend an international festival? To soak in the flavors of different cultures, different languages, and different genres of theatre. And to wait for that moment when the professional actor from Germany says, “I do not remember when I have been so moved by a piece of theatre.” We will live on that for a while. t

Cast and crew of The Gin Game at the awards banquet.

6. To eat Subway. Yes, Subway was everywhere in Canada, even in the A Maritime Musical little village of Mont-Laurier. We confess to having eaten Subway at the airport when we first arrived because we were starving after spending two hours getting off the plane and through customs. From then on, however, we sought out local restaurants and even tried some local specialties. We even tried poutine (French fries topped with cheese curds smothered in brown gravy), a renowned delicacy in Canada. Not for me, but the cheese curds sold as snack food were great.

7. To see the local sights.

This is a tough one. The problem is that the schedule for our festival, and most festivals, is cram packed with theatre. At Mont-Laurier, there were shows in three venues so that it was impossible to see them all. See all the theatre you can. If you want to see the sights, go early or stay late as one member of our group did. Artwork: © Karl Bronk.

Book 8. To see how other countries do things technically. and lyrics by

While I don’t claim to be an expert in all countries, I can Frank Tedesco tell you flatly that in French Canada a gobo is a gobo and a Music by Allen Estes and Frank Tedesco gel is a gel. They hang and focus lights in exactly the same way. We had excellent technical help. Our sound cues played through their sound system from my laptop, and the light board would have been familiar to anyone in a medium-sized A Musical Celebration of community theatre in the U.S. Love, Loss,Triumph and the 10,000 Gloucester Fishermen

9. To get away from your job/kids/spouse for a week. Lost at Sea Sample the songs, watch video and order scripts at: I don’t think this should be about “getting away.” For us, this was the privilege of spending a week with people from www.DramaticPublishing.com all over the world who had one thing in common: the love of (800) 448-7469 (815) 338-7170 theatre. November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 15 Paving the Yellow Brick Road Raising Money for Festival Travels

By Rachel Fennell, President, Burlington Players

If AACTFest is the Emerald City of Theatre Festivals, more than reasonable to expect their help in meeting the getting there can be just as difficult and intimidating as fundraising goals. Every member of the Radium Girls team Dorothy’s journey to see the Wizard. The financial resources made a commitment to raise $1000 each. Meeting this required can be staggering, and the trepidation one might feel commitment would get us to $26,000, 70% of our goal! We when making the decision of whether or not to participate in also agreed to continue even if we hit our own individual goal, AACT Festivals is understandable, but the generosity of our understanding that some might fall short and others could communities can be truly amazing. The Burlington Players make up the difference. of Burlington, Massachusetts recently embarked on this journey, bringing D.W. Gregory’s Radium Girls to AACTFest 2013 in Carmel, Indiana. Hopefully, the steps we took to raise the necessary funds can provide inspiration and encourage other companies to hop on the yellow brick road to festivals as well.

The first, and most important step is to create a budget of the projected cost. This may seem obvious, but I would be remiss to not mention it. After winning the chance to travel to the national festival, we put together a budget for getting our 26-person cast and crew, the set, props, costumes, and everything else from Massachusetts to Indiana. We budgeted for airfare, hotel, festival registration, meals, royalties, fundraising costs, and other incidentals. The bottom line required on our overwhelming spreadsheet was $37,000. As the president of the organization and the production manager of the performance at The Burlington Players of Burlington, MA are honored at the State House after winning Best Production at AACTFest 2013 Nationals, I felt the weight of this number keenly. By following the steps below, we not only met, but exceeded our goal.

Because many people are uncomfortable soliciting Make your fundraising efforts multi-pronged. donations, a letter was carefully crafted for the team to send Some people are happy to open their wallets and make to friends, family, and colleagues via email. This direct appeal a straight donation. Others prefer participation in an activity, campaign brought in the majority of our funds. Don’t forget to a show, or other event for their charitable giving. Make sure ask your team members and donors if their employers match that your fundraising efforts meet the needs of the community charitable giving! that wants to support you! Set up a PayPal account or other online payment method! Get the team involved! This is critical and cannot be stressed enough! Every We required every member of the cast and crew to donation email and social media posting included a “donate participate. After all, for all intents and purposes, they now” button that linked directly to our PayPal page. Nearly are getting an all expenses paid trip for their hobby! It is 60% of our donations came in via PayPal. Giving your donors

16 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 the ability to complete an online donation immediately Berklee College of Music. Fifty/fifty raffles were also held at makes it easy and convenient. How often have we set aside all performances at our theatre during the drive. Check your a letter with plans to write out and mail a check, but it just state laws before scheduling 50/50 raffles. Some states view never happens? In today’s world, the online factor is key. All them as a form of gambling and have strict guidelines to donations were tracked so the cast member being supported follow if you do host one. could personally thank their benefactors. When all was said and done, The Burlington Players were humbled by the generosity of our patrons, family, friends, Make Your Fundraising Events Appeal to an Array of and community. We accepted donations of $44,903, an Interests astonishing number, to be sure. These funds allowed us to A number of fundraising events were scheduled with travel to nationals and return with the trophy for Best Show, to varied activities to appeal to a broad audience: tear out and rebuild our stage this summer, and to make great Local Restaurants: We held two fundraisers at local strides in our efforts to air condition our theatre. eateries. Many restaurants offer fundraising events for Much like Dorothy’s, our journey was overwhelming from nonprofits where they will donate a portion of sales (15-20%) beginning to end: at the start, the distance to the goal was brought in by your group. Typically you distribute a coupon enormous. At the finish, the support of the community (and which is used by the restaurant to track your sales. These the big win) took our breath away. events are a way to get the community together for a fun meal out AND a great way to make some money. It also can get the In this day and age, there are many ways to pave the road non-theatre community involved allowing you to reach out to to AACTFest… and it is a road more than worth paving. Being their patrons as well as your own. We held our fundraisers at at AACTFest, either as part of a participating group or even Fuddruckers and Uno’s. just as an audience member is an experience like no other. Hopefully, some of the strategies we utilized will encourage Benefit Performance: Showcase the work you are you to jump on that yellow brick road as well and have an taking to the Festival! We held a catered (hot and cold hors amazing festival experience! t d’oeuvres) benefit performance of the festival cutting and paired it with a silent auction just days before departing for Indiana. The silent auction items were obtained by appealing to the other community theatre groups in the area, which each donated a pair of tickets or even a pair of subscriptions for their upcoming season.

Other fundraising efforts were employed as well: a Zumba Fitness™ class, an Improv Comedy Night, and a concert that featured vocalists from our town high school and the Y Chromotones, an all male a cappella group from

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 17 18 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Friends We'll Miss: Ross Rowland

By Julie Crawford, AACT Executive Director

Few, if any, of those who have served on the AACT board or since 1993. attended AACT biannual committee meetings will fail to remember Ross was also past president of the Indiana Community Ross Rowland, and smile at the memories. He was a charter Theatre League, Muncie Civic Theatre, Heartland Stage Company, member of AACT and an active volunteer for 27 years. L. Ross and the Delaware County Council for the Arts. He chaired the Rowland passed away on August 14, 2013. He was 67 and didn’t Indiana Arts Commission’s Theatre Advisory Council. As president slow down until last spring when he was struck by a series of heart of Theatre USA, he represented the USA in numerous functions attacks and strokes. AACT President Gary Walker of IATA/AITA, including serving as the neutral remembers, “As long as I have been involved with Chair of World Congresses held in Turkey, AACT, Ross has been ever present - reviewing Morocco, Monaco (three times), and Korea. Roberts Rules before meetings, answering legal He was a world-renowned adjudicator at questions, and being a constant supporter and numerous international festivals, including advocate for theatre. More importantly, he was Japan, Korea, Germany, and Ireland, as well as one of the first friends I made in AACT.” festivals in the states. The Governor of Toyama Prefecture, Japan named L. Ross Rowland an Ross was loved by many, not only in AACT Honorary Friendly Ambassador for his efforts and in his home state of Indiana, but around in promoting world theatre. the world. Merja Laaksovirta, President of the International Amateur Theatre Association (IATA/ Anne Gilmour of Great Britain remembers, AITA) remembers, “He was a warm human being “a great man, a warm and kind man who loved and a man of compassion with great commitment life, loved theatre and loved people.” Roger to amateur theatre and to AITA/IATA. I have only Ellis of the USA remembers, “He was such good memories of him.” a great soul, and a wonderful friend to all.” Ron Cameron-Lewis of Canada remembers, Ross was a trial lawyer for Rowland & Doyle in Muncie, IN for “Ross was one of the most liked people I have ever met. Truly nearly forty years and a public defender for Delaware County for a rare breed.” Jim Sohre, current International Committee Chair, the past ten years. Theatre was the passion and joy of his life at remembers, “Ross was a shining light on the international theatre the local, state, national, and international levels. His devotion scene, and a wonderful person by any standard.” His friends in to the theatre and the arts was surpassed only by his devotion Monaco remember, “We will keep in our mind the record of a to his friends, his clients, and his family. He enjoyed summer great, smart man. We won’t forget him.” vacations with family and visiting beaches throughout the world. Ross enjoyed entertaining his friends with his special annual Ross Rowland made a huge impact on many lives. We will Christmas card. When I joined AACT, he was known for throwing always remember him, with a smile in our hearts. great parties at February Board meetings. A celebration of his life was held at Muncie Civic Theatre Ross was a past president of AACT and an AACT Fellow. He in September. Ross requested that well-wishers contribute to received AACT’s Art Cole Lifetime of Leadership Award, and, this their local civic theatres or other theatre-related organizations. To year, was the proud recipient of AACT’s Mort Clark International contribute to AACT in memory of Ross, call 866-Our-AACT (687- Achievement Award. He served as chair of AACT’s International 2228) or mail a check to the AACT office. t Committee for many years, assisting companies in their quests to perform in international festivals. He also chaired the Bylaws Committee and had served as Legal Counsel & Parliamentarian

“It is a pleasure then, to come upon such THE SPELLING BEE a disciplined, tightly written piece of work by Marsha Sheiness as Marsha Sheiness’ The Spelling Bee.” — Don Nelson, Daily News A taut, suspenseful comedy that builds A C B “Fresh and eminently playable...funny in to a shocking climax as four children written a grotesque vein.” to be played by adults compete in the first — Village Voice televised National Championship runoffs for “ the best speller in the country. A pleasure… Discipline, tightly written… Scores those who will use any means Each mother is determined that her child will to achieve a success of the moment.” win, while the Quizzer intends the show to be — N.Y. Daily News a springboard into the “big time”.

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 19 Improving the AACT Experience

We are pleased to announce the new AACT website is a design progress and feedback link where we’ll describe the coming along very nicely and should be ready to launch in the latest changes, and you can tell us what you like or don’t like near future. We realize some of you have been looking for it for a about the new site. while now, but we ask for your continued patience as our diligent volunteers work to iron out kinks for an impressive launch with as When the site is ready, you will receive a notice containing few hiccups as possible. everything you need to know to traverse through our online community. We are certain, once you see the new and improved Our goal with the new site is to make it more user-friendly so website you will realize that it was definitely worth the wait. t that our members can take full advantage of all that AACT has to offer. It will be easier to navigate, more visually appealing, and still feature the interactive, online-networking capabilities that Here is a sneak peek at the homepage of the new site. allow you to connect with friends and theatre enthusiasts around the globe with a few simple clicks of a mouse.

A note from the design team: We plan on implementing the new website on a “rolling” basis, starting with the backend, formerly known as AACT2.org. Over the next few months, more and more of the new site will become available to visitors and members. We hope to do this as seamlessly as possible, jogging back and forth between the old website pages and the new interface, but you may notice a page or two is off line for a short time as it gets transferred over and the menu accommodates this new link.

There will be a few things that are substantially different, simply because the new site has capabilities we’ve never had before. Hopefully these new functions will be intuitive to the user, but help will also be available, both on line and through the AACT office.

We want the new website to be your first and best resource for everything related to community theatre, and we’re well on our way, but it is a work in progress. Along the way we’ll have up

3musical reasons to visit heuerpub.com the little witch of wichita by beth martin brown, kevin kaufman, sandy sherman the madrigal dinner by kevin kelleher one toy for christmas by geff moyer, mario lombardo, john lallis

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20 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Benefits to AACT On

Take advantage of all of the benefits available to AACT members, including incredible discounts.

Another AACT year is well underway and we are working to l J&G Unlimited: Receive 25% off the cost of materials make it a great one! As an AACT member, you are privy to a for the licensing of any play or musical from J&G Unlimited. limitless resource of helpful ideas and suggestions on running You keep materials and there are no deposits. Go to www. a theatre, fundraising, audition tips, advocacy, building and jandgunlimited.com. operating a better board, the list goes on. Festivals, educational l conferences, and special events are always on the calendar, Manhattan Tour & Travel: Receive one complimentary tour if a trip is booked by December 2013 for travel to be used by providing opportunities to network and exchange ideas in July 30, 2014. The group must consist of at least 20 people. person. One of the biggest motivators for an AACT membership, www.manhattantourandtravel.com. however, is also one that can be easily forgotten or overlooked – the discounts. This year, AACT wants you to make the most of l Select Entertainment Productions: Get one royalty-free your membership, and take advantage of the many discounts performance of their newest show, Christmas On Broadway, available to you by offering reminders throughout the year of all or of their hit 70’s show, Have A Nice Day! Contact Leonard that is available for you. Schlosberg at 800-571-6500 or visit www.select-shows.com.

l Steele Spring Theatrical Licensing: Buy one get one FREE perusals discount for AACT member theatres on all Roger The list below features discounts from some of our strongest Bean musicals which include; The Marvelous Wonderettes, supporters, including some Elite and Basic Commercial Wonderettes ’58, Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns, Winter Members. To see the complete list of available discounts, go to Wonderettes, Life Could Be A Dream, The Andrew Brothers, www.aact.org/discounts. Route 66, Why Do Fools Fall In Love? and Summer of Love. Visit the online perusal store www.steelespring.com/orderperusals. l Music Theatre International (MTI): Of all the member html and use code AACTBEAN in the Discount Coupon section discounts, this one is overlooked the least and is one of our at checkout. most popular. For the first four MTI musicals produced during the year (beginning September 1, 2013) paid member theatres l Taylor & Francis/Focal Press: AACT members receive receive a 20% discount on standard rental fees. If a theatre 30% discount on all Focal Press books when purchased from produces five MTI musicals in the year, the fifth standard rental www.focalpress.com. Use discount code FOCAL at checkout. package is free! Taking advantage of this offer can save a theatre thousands of dollars in a year. For more information, l USI Southwest: The AACT Insurance Program through USI visit www.aact.org/MTI. Southwest can provide your group with high quality, low-cost coverage. Visit theatre.mysgp.com or call 800-749-5646 for l Samuel French: AACT member theatres receive a 10% more information. discount off licensing fees and 10% off all orders of cast copies for a wide selection of Ken Ludwig plays. Read more about this offer at www.aact.org/ludwig. Samuel French is also offering As you can see, the benefits of an AACT membership can really discounts on select titles by Thornton Wilder and Agatha add up and save you money. If you have any questions about Christie, and you can find that information at www.aact.org/ any of the discounts listed above, visit www.aact.org/discounts wilderchristie. or call 866-Our-AACT (687-2228.) t l Theatrical Rights Worldwide: Receive a 50% discount in the Perusals NOW Store on your next perusal order. Go to www. theatricalrights.com/perusalsNOW and type “AACT-TRW” in the Coupon Code box. Write “AACT” in the Code Box on your next license application. l Arts People: AACT members who are new clients to Arts People receive: Free Setup, Free Data Migration, and 15% discount on usage fees. www.arts-people.com l Heuer Publishing: In commemoration of their 85th year, Heuer Publishing is offering “Laugh More: 10 Great Comedies!” This gives AACT member theatres 10% off scripts and royalty fees for all of the plays included in the promotion. In addition, with the purchase of scripts and rights, each participating theatre will receive 10 free promotional posters with the text of their choice! Go to www.aact.org/heuer.

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 21 When raising funds for festival expenses, what are purchased the more their benefits increased. Some perks methods of fundraising you have used that have were a signed photo of the cast on location, pre or post proven most effective? cocktail parties, emails with updates while on the road, or a personal call from a cast member directly to shareholders Responses on Facebook on the night of the awards. We also had great success and (www.facebook.com/AACT.org) needed touring practice by performing at different theatres in our area. Emily Anderson, Midland Center for the Arts – Center Stage Rick Kerby, Manatee Players, Bradenton, FL Networking Helps Theatre, Midland, MI www.mcfta.org Our troupe from Broken Arrow, OK, just returned from an For our production of Urinetown, we asked audience International Festival in Mont-Laurier, Quebec, Canada. members to “pay to pee” all season. Actors collected pocket (See article on page 14.) Our actress won the best actress change in plastic hospital urinals at the ladies and men’s in the festival award. We sought donations from local arts room during pre-show and intermission. We raised a couple groups and did benefit performances. When we started on thousand dollars with that pocket change! the festival circuit (we were at Nationals in 2011), I promised the board of directors that we would raise every dime, on the condition that anything left in the coffer would be used to Responses on AACTList sponsor the next show that wanted to go on. (To sign up for AACTList, go to www.aact2.org/default. Martha J. Cherbini, Broken Arrow Community Playhouse, asp?page=aactlist) Broken Arrow, OK

We have had several ideas that worked. The most fun was a stock purchase. Family, friends, and patrons showed support by buying shares in our production. The more shares they

Denton Community Theatre Mountain Playhouse Method and Madness International Comedy Playwriting Contest Playwriting Competition and Festival Mountain Playhouse Denton Community Theatre 7690 Somerset Pike 214 W Hickory PO Box 205 Denton, TX 76201 Jennerstown, PA 940-382-7014 814-629-9201 New Play Contests Play New Plays must be world premiere candidates, must be able to Third annual Method and Madness one-act playwriting be performed by eight actors or less, and must be com- competition. All submissions must run under 50 minutes; edies. comedies, dramas, musicals, and experimental pieces are all welcome. Awards range from $2000 for first place to Mountain Playhouse will stage a public reading of the $200 for fifth place. winning play before the end of 2014. In addition, should the Mountain Playhouse decide to present a live produc- The winning plays will also receive staged readings at tion of the play, the author will be awarded a cash prize of the Method and Madness Playwriting Festival at the DCT $1,000 plus royalties. POINTBank Black Box Theatre May 30 and 31, 2014. Deadline: December 31, 2013

Deadline: December 1, 2013 Details: www.mountainplayhouse.com/index.php/about/ playwriting-contest Details: www.dentoncommunitytheatre.com/outreach- home#!__outreach-home/play-writing-contest

22 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Put a little Bunyan Bay in your theater and your audiences will thank you forever.

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 23 Spotlight Award Goes to Claudia Mathes The AACT Spotlight Award partners AACT with theatres props, stage-managed productions, taught workshops, and to recognize individuals and organizations for long or special served on many of the theatres’ board of directors. The service that has had a significant impact on the quality of quality of Claudia’s work has helped to raise the standard their local theatres. Any AACT member theatre may apply to for community theatre throughout the area. She is invariably present the Spotlight Award. working on a number of shows at the same time, and goes from one rehearsal or production to another. Due to this type of dedication, she has had a strong impact on the success of many of the theatres. Albuquerque Theatre Guild’s treasurer, Denise Schulz, presented the Spotlight Award to Claudia at ATG’s annual meeting on May 11th. Upon receiving the award, Claudia modestly said, “It is amazing to me to think that doing PYA_ad_AATE.qxd:Layoutwhat you love, with 1 4/7/13people 12:20 you AM admire Page 2 and respect, is extraordinary. To me it just feels lucky.” t

Claudia Mathes (L) received the Spotlight Award at Albuquerque Theatre Guild's annual meeting.

Albuquerque Theatre Guild honored Claudia Mathes Quality Theater with the AACT Spotlight Award for her distinguished service to the theatre community of Albuquerque, New Mexico for All Ages over the past 25 years. The Albuquerque Theatre Guild (ATG) is an alliance of more than 40 theatre-producing organizations. by Dan Norman Claudia has been a vital teammate to ATG, serving on its Board of Directors as Vice-President and Treasurer, and acting as Chair of the Unity Committee. She has organized theatre workshops, talent-showcase auditions, and social events. Claudia also drafted ATG’s financial policies and accounting procedures. Her contributions to the work of the Guild are extremely generous and unending. Sam Bardwell in Lizzie Bright & the Buckminster Boy Sam Bardwell Claudia has also served with many of the Guild’s member theatres. She has organized volunteers, designed www.playsforyoungaudiences.org Study for a Career in the Performing Arts CAMPUSES IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES Learn more about our BFA and Conservatory Programs in: ACTING · MUSIC THEATRE DANCE THEATRE · PERFORMING ARTS

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24 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Opportunities & Resources Opportunities

Listings do not imply AACT endorsement

103 Monologues for Middle School Actors Let's Get Weird: Lessons on How to Innovate, Motivate and by: Rebecca Young Take a Leap of Faith National Arts Marketing Project In this sequel to her best-selling 102 Monologues for A Project of Americans for the Arts Middle School Actors, author Rebecca Young provides a www.artsmarketing.org variety of topics to which teens can relate. While some are humorous and others dramatic, every monologue in this A free e-book with three case studies of bold marketing ap- book helps performers of all experience levels develop vocal proaches which might have seemed downright weird in de- and physical expression. The wide range of subject matter cades past. and language styles ensures that there is a monologue to fit Let's Get Weird shares advice from innovators who make un- any student’s personality and preference. These monologues conventionality a priority, reveals the amazing things that can are perfect for auditions or class assignments. happen when you create opportunities for oddities in the arts.

Sample titles include “The End of the World is Not Coming,” Available at: “Football Fouls,” “Slumber Party Terror,” “A Watched Clock www.artsmarketing.org/resources/ebooks/lets-get-weird Never Boils” and many more. Rebecca Young has written and directed numerous plays for middle and high school students. This is her ninth book of monologues.

Meriwether Publishing, Ltd. 885 Elkton Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Pub Date: Fall 2013 Price: $17.95 www.meriwether.com A two act family comedy

Audition Monologues for Young Women by Ludy Wilkie Edited by: Gerald Lee Ratliff 3 men, 3 women A collection of monologues for young women written by well-known and emerging playwrights. These monologues 1 interior set address the major trends and conflicts of today through revealing glimpses of society. Based on the The collection features Pulitzer-Prize winning monologues radio characters The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl, The Mineola Twins by Paula created by Vogel, Ruined by Lynn Nottage, and Next to Normal by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey. It also includes monologues from Chet Lauck and Norris Goff popular works such as The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux, Eve’s Diary by Mark Twain, The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman, and many more. For production information contact: Gerald Lee Ratliff is an award-winning author of theatre texts Mr. Wilkie and anthologies. He is currently active as a higher education program consultant and workshop facilitator at national 1541 Kings Road academic and professional conferences. Shelby, NC 28150 or email Meriwether Publishing, Ltd. [email protected] 885 Elkton Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Lum & Abner is a registered trademark Pub Date: Fall 2013 used by permission of Price: $16.95 Chet Lauk Jr. and Lum & Abner Associates www.meriwether.com

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 25 AACT on the Road

AACT Festival Commission member and Colorado Community Theatre Coalition president John Davis addresses the audience prior to a performance at the Colorado Theatre Festival, held August 7-10, 2013 in Denver.

All photos by Ron Zeigler

AACT Region Ill Representative Joanne Berry, Ohio State Contact Dawna Kornick, and Vice President for Festivals Kay Armstrong share a laugh at the festival banquet during the Ohio Community Theatre Association convention, held in Miamisburg, OH, August 30 - September 2, 2013.

AACT Executive Director Julie Crawford and AACT President Gary Walker, Membership Specialist Jill Field Services Director Ron Ziegler pose Patchin, and Executive Director Julie Crawford meet for before a floral display in Grand Rapids, MI. dinner in a Grand Rapids, Ml restaurant. The three were Julie and Ron were in Grand Rapids for a participating in a site visit, September 17-20 in Grand 2015 festival site visit, September Rapids, for AACTFest 2015. 17-20, 2013.

More AACT on the Road on page 28

26 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Spotlight on Boards

How Do Things Work Around Here?

by Twink Lynch

Reprinted from Boards in the Spotlight (pg 27). Originally them). I would also include a current season brochure, appeared in Spotlight, March 1994. perhaps your anniversary playbill (if appropriate), and other marketing materials you distribute in the community. he first interview in which each prospective Board TMember learns about your theatre’s history and New Board Members also need to be advised regarding current program, general financial condition, etc., becomes who is the official spokesperson for the theatre (Chief the first step in orienting your new Board Member to the staff person? Chief volunteer officer? Other?) and how to work he or she will be facing when elected to your Board. respond to questions from media and others in the event of a problem in the organization. Of course, unless your prospective Board Member is extraordinary (from our lips to God’s ear!), he or she will probably not remember everything that was shared at the Whose responsibility is it to see first interview. So, we must undertake a formal orientation program, the objective of which is to help new Board that Board Members receive a Members hit the ground running and develop rapidly into full orientation to their jobs as informed, effective members of the team. members of the Board? A key ingredient in this orientation program is the appointment of a Board “buddy” or partner/mentor who will shepherd the new member through his or her first I believe a face-to-face orientation session with all new meetings and explain/interpret what’s going on. Actually, Board Members (if possible) and their “buddies” and any this is a good strategy because partnering effectively often other Board Members who care to attend is the best, most means getting reacquainted with source documents like efficient way to conduct Board orientation. If you own your bylaws, the theatre history, organizational structure, and job own facility, by all means do it there and include a tour and descriptions, which means both people in the partnership the opportunity to meet all the staff – in fact, it’s terrific if are becoming more knowledgeable, and, it is devoutly to be the staff will participate in the orientation by walking the wished, thus more effective. Board Members through their job routine.

A second key ingredient is the “Board Book,” a Whose responsibility is it to see that Board Members three-ring notebook full of important materials which receive a full orientation to their jobs as members of the is presented on loan to the new Board Member. Among Board? I think each Board should have a committee charged the documents to be included in this manual are: the with this responsibility, including preparing the “Board constitution/bylaws/charter of the theatre; the mission Books.” This could be the Board Development Committee, statement, long range plan, current year’s work plan (with whose other responsibilities are nominating, training (about specific, achievable, measurable objectives, timelines), and which more later), and evaluating Board Members, or you budget; a list of Board responsibilities, and job description might just appoint an Orientation Committee. For theatres and Board-adopted expectations for all Board Members; with a chief staff officer, be sure to include that person organizational structure/chart; calendar for the years’ in the planning and execution of the Board orientation meetings and programs (productions, special events, process. As with everything else that makes Board service Board meetings, committee meetings, Board retreat, Board more fun because it’s more effective, this process must be orientation session); list of Board Members with addresses intentional – planned, organized, staffed, carried out, and and phone numbers; list of committees and the charge and evaluated. t timeline for each committee; staff list and resumes; Board resumes; minutes for the past three meetings; last year’s audit or end of year financial statements and the year’s Twink Lynch wrote a regular column on boardsmanship current financials; a history of the theatre and description for Spotlight for many years. Her early articles, including this one, are compiled into a still-relevant book for boards: Boards of awards (and resumes of important persons in the history in the Spotlight. See ad on page 30 for ordering information. of the theatre, especially if awards have been named after

November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 27 AACT on the Road continued from page 26

Idaho State Contact George Green, meeting coordinator Debbie Hertzog and Region IX Representative Jon Douglas Rake discuss strategy at a meeting of Idaho theatres in Boise, ID on September 21, 2013.

The purpose of the meeting was to begin discussing a possible Idaho state organization and festival.

Nominating and Education Committee member Kathy Pingel looks over a script before a performance at the Installation Management Command Festival of One Act Plays, held in Kaiserslautern, Germany October 11- 13, 2013. Kathy served as an adjudicator for the festival.

AACT Committee Member Morrie Enders addresses the performance group from Razz-Ma-Tazz theatre, Ramstein AFB during their adjudication at the Installation Management Command Festival of One Act Plays, held in Kaiserslautern, Germany October 11-13, 2013. International Committee Chair Jim Sohre (left) looks on.

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28 AACT Spotlight November/December 2013 Maureen Daly has been named Executive New Roles Director of Twin City Stage and The Children’s The Sheboygan Theatre Company announced Theatre of Winston-Salem, NC. Since 2007, that Dennis Gleason is the group’s new managing Maureen served as Cultural Arts Administrator director. Dennis has a Master of Fine Arts for the City of Rocky Mount, NC. In that capacity degree in directing from the Actors Studio Drama she was responsible for the direction of the School in New York and a Master of Arts degree city’s arts center, including 10 art galleries, in speech communication from California State a theatre, and an arts-education wing. Her University. He comes to Sheboygan with more duties included development and fundraising, than 30 years of theatre experience as a director, education programming, and facilities producer, board member, and teacher. Dennis management. Before working in Rocky Mount, also served as Managing and Artistic Director she held managerial positions with numerous for theatre companies in Texas, South Dakota, performing arts organizations throughout the Louisiana, and California, and has taught theatre mid-Atlantic region. She earned her Master and speech courses at high schools, colleges, of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth and universities. Dennis’ directing credits include University, Richmond, VA, and a Bachelor of an off-Broadway production of An Adult Evening of Fine Arts from Wayne State University, Detroit, Shel Silverstein. He began his duties in August, MI. She began work in her new position on 2013. October 1, 2013. t

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November/December 2013 AACT Spotlight 29 When Who/What Where Information

Nov 13-16 Florida Theatre Conference FL Gainesville 941-88-1115 ext. 247 Florida Community Theatre Festival www.flatheatre.org

Events Calendar Events Nov 15-17 South Carolina Theatre Association SC Charleston 864-380-6934 South Carolina Community Theatre Festival 2013 www.southcarolinatheatre.com Nov 15-16 Kentucky Theatre Association KY Morehead 859-312-1041 2013 Festival of One Acts www.theatreky.org Nov 22-24 Theatre Association of New York State NY Auburn 315-253-4146 2013 TANYS Festival www.tanys.org Nov 23-26 National Community Theatre WI Madison 608-263-2790 Managing Directors Conference www.DirectorsConference.org University of Wisconsin-Madison

For dates farther ahead, check the website: www.aact2.org

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AACT Spotlight October/November2013