Sunday
May092010
Spring Newsletter
Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 10:50AM
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Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 10:50AM 
Sunday
Mar142010
March Newsletter
Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 11:22AM
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men opens March 26 at the Chester Meeting House.David Hays, whose captivating stage design for the box office success Wild Black Yonder, is adding director to his impressive resume. He has adapted and will direct a staged reading of James Agee’s Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, an honest and sometimes heart wrenching examination of the life of Alabama Sharecroppers in the 1930s. David, who was given the book 60 years ago said, “the tragedy of people ‘caught’ has haunted me since first reading it. What we are attempting with this production is a form that is often musical in the rhythm, repetition and overlap of language.” This reading promises to be a riveting evening of theater in our continued series of new play readings. The cast will feature Scotty Bloch, Jeanie Rapp, Ron Brennan, Eileen Flaherty, Jason Naylor, Jack Nevins, and Kevin Spedding. Performances will take place on Friday, March 26 andSaturday, March 27 at 8pm and on Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20.00 at the door and can be reserved by calling 860-767-8943. And as always, complimentary refreshments will be served after each performance.
Margreta Stage Actor PartyOur Next Actor Party is Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30pm. It will be held at our Studio at 26 Plains Rd. , Essex. Mark it on your calendar as we will be reading some new plays as well as a few scenes from old standards. As always please bring your favorite tidbits to share and your preferred beverage. Remember everyone is welcome and we always encourage new theater artists to get involved in our growing company. The Actor Party is a place where we gather and share short pieces of theater. If you have a short piece you’d like to direct, or a monologue or scene you’d like to read, please let us know by emailing us: office@margretastage.org Company News – New E-Mail Address:You can now e-mail us directly: office@margretastage.org Margreta Stage Studio Announces 2010 Spring and Summer Classes Spring Acting WorkoutMeeting on Saturdays in May and June this class provides a “workout” for the actor. This class will include, but not be limited to work on sense memory, emotional memory, improvisation, objectives, obstacles and circumstances. This class will be taught by Margreta Stage’s own Kevin Spedding. The class meets five Saturdays: May 22, June 5 - June 26 from 10am to 12pmin Essex . $20 per class. To register call 860-767-8943 or email us at: margretastage.org
Summer Acting Workshop for Young Adults Instructor Kevin Spedding is offering two week-long acting workshops for teenagers. In each five-day workshop the students will be grouped according to age and will explore the techniques used to create an honest portrayal of a character on stage. Both beginning and experienced young actors will learn the value of relaxation, concentration and imagination through exercises and scene work performed in a safe, open-minded and non-judgmental environment. Workshops will be held July 19 - July 23 or July 26 - July 30 from 10:00am – 12:30pm. Classes will be held in Essex and are appropriate for ages 12 – 17. Cost is $125.00 per workshop. To register call 860-767-8943 or email us at: margretastage.org Company Members at Work Kate MacCluggage will be performing Off-Broadway in Kenneth Jones’ The39 Steps. This fast paced comic thriller will open on March 25th at New World Stage, Stage 1. Kevin Spedding will be performing in an acting workshop showcase atHartford Stage on April 12. Elijah Manning will be performing in the IFNY Monologue Slam on Friday March 12. It is hosted by Malik Yoba, and will have a panel of four celebrity judges. The audience will be the fifth judge so the more people Elijah has rooting for him, the better chance he’ll have of winning. Everyone is invited! Friday, March 12, 2010 at 7:30 PMKumble Theater for the Performing Arts, One University Plaza Brooklyn , NY 11201 , Phone: (718) 488-1624, www.kumbletheater.com Rayah Martin is in the cast of Rabbit Hole directed by Ed Wilhelms for the Chester Meeting House Players. The show runs April 30, May 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at The Chester Meeting House. Call (860) 526-3684 for reservations. Getchie Argetsinger is in training for the Lincoln Center Resident Artists Program. Suzanne McCormack plays Mrs. Bennett in the revival of Flock Theater’s popular Pride and Prejudice at the Shaw Mansion . Performances run the week of April 6th and the week of April 12th at 7:00 p.m., with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. To make reservations, please call the Flock Theatre office at (860) 443-3119.
Please continue to send us any news so we can share your work and help promote local theater projects. I hope to see you all at Let Us Now Praise Famous Men so together we can celebrate the kick-off to our 2010 New Playreading Series. Jeanie Rapp |
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Monday
Feb152010
February Newsletter
Monday, February 15, 2010 at 10:35AM |
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Margreta Stage News |
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The New Year Brings A New SeasonHappy New Year to all our MSC family. And what a year we have planned. The year starts off in full swing with new acting classes for young people ages 10 to 17. Both Ed Wilhelms and Getchie Argetsinger are back teaching a variety of techniques to the young people in and outside our company. Jeanie Rapp will again hold her acting class for adults over a six week schedule starting in March. If you haven’t taken one of her classes here is another chance to get bit by the acting bug. Jeanie teaches using a variety of acting exercises and scene study to help the actor, beginner or advanced, hone their skills. These classes will fill up quickly so to learn more go to www.margretastage.org. In 2010 we plan to continue our commitment to new works for the theater with: New Plays: A Margreta Stage Reading Series. We are currently reading some wonderful new plays and will be announcing our first play reading soon. Stay tuned for when the New Plays Series will kickoff.MSC is off and running as we read plays, brainstorm and collaborate with our theater friends looking for the next project that would be a perfect reading or main stage production. Our website is also growing and a new blog will soon be launched. There are so many things to be excited about. As always the website will serve as your link to find out what is happening at Margreta Stage. Check it out if you haven’t already, www.margretastage.org.Margreta Stage Actor PartyOur Next Actor Party is Wednesday, February 10 at 6:30 pm. It will be held at our Studio at 26 Plains Rd., Essex. Mark it on your calendar as we will be reading some new plays as well as a few scenes from old standards. As always please bring your favorite tidbits to pass and your preferred beverage. Remember everyone is welcome and we always encourage new theater artists to get involved in our growing company. If you’re new to the company, the Actor Party is a place where we gather and share short pieces of theater. If you have a short piece you’d like to direct, or a monologue or scene you’d like to prepare, please let us know by emailing us: office@margretastage.org Company News – New E-Mail Address:You can now e-mail us directly: office@margretastage.org Margreta Stage Studio Announces 2010 Winter/Spring Classes Story Theatre Workshop for Young Actors (Ages 10 - 13) Taught by actress/storyteller Getchie Argetsinger, this workshop is an introduction to the art of theater, touching on basic acting disciplines and performance skills with an emphasis on fun and spontaneity. In this session, the children learn a story, stage it and then act it out in Story Theatre fashion in front of an audience. In the workshop, the children play theater games with Getchie and develop the story through improvisation. The workshop runs: Sunday, February 14 1pm to 5pm at The Deep River Historical Society 245 Main St., Deep River Cost: $50 Acting Winter Workshop for Teenagers (Ages 13 -17) This three-day acting workshop is taught by Ed Wilhelms. It is designed for both beginners and experienced actors with a focus on bringing truthfulness and deeper understanding to the work of a young actor. Teenagers will learn the basic requirements of acting technique. The three-day workshop runs: Monday, February 15 - Wednesday, February 17 2:00 pm - 4:30pm in Old Saybrook Cost: $115 Acting Class for Adults. Designed for actors at all levels. Taught by MSC Artistic Director, Jeanie Rapp, this six week workshop explores text and spontaneity through scene study and acting exercises. Working with a partner in scenes from plays is the actor’s drawing board – beginners build the basics of technique and experienced actors build on and improve their skills. Jeanie’s acting exercises are fun and freeing and help the actor stay grounded in his body and connected to his voice. This six-week workshop will be held: March 1st - April 5 in Essex Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Cost: $170. For all inquiries please call (860) 767-8943 or email office@margretastage.org Company Members at Work Ed Wilhelms will be directing “Rabbit Hole” for The Chester Meeting House Players’ Spring production. Audition dates to be announced soon. Ira Sakolsky is off and riding again on The Essex Steam Train with two productions. The first is a New Murder Mystery titled “The Band Slays On,” written by Ira Sakolsky and Anna Trusky, directed and produced by Ira Sakolsky, playing 9 Friday evenings through July & August. Todd Little and Chris Brown are featured in the promo pix at www.essexsteamtrain.com. And something new for the Essex Steam Train, a Halloween show “Fright Train” to be developed and directed by Ira for 12 shows, two weekends, Oct. 22-24 and Oct. 29-31 at the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat. Getchie Argetsinger is part of a new writer’s group in New York City called Vintage Voices. The group was formed to "grow writers for the theater.” Chris Brown & Robin Fox are appearing in Comedy On Demand’s dinner theater comedy show at The Gelston House on February 26. The food and fun will happen in the historic Gelston House’s spacious main dining room overlooking the scenic Connecticut River. The evening will begin at 6:00 pm with a rib-tickling dinner you select from a varied menu of tasty Winter Specials, followed by an 8:00 pm show that’s sure to tickle your funny bone! Tickets for the show are a bargain-hunter’s delight at $8, which will be added to the cost of your meal. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended.The show will consist of Comedy On Demand’s zany improvisational comedy, in which the troupe creates sidesplitting bits and skits on the spot based on audience suggestions. The Gelston House is located at 8 Main Street (Route 82) in East Haddam, next door to the Goodspeed Opera House. For directions and reservations, please call (860) 873-1411. Ginny Wolf is appearing at Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain from Jan 22 through Feb 20. She is in two of the four funny pieces from the show "Aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln.” Bravo to Warren Kelley who appeared in “It's A Wonderful Life” at Riverside Theatre in Florida in December. Cheers to Joell Jacob who rocked The Kate in January with "Wine, Women and Music" produced by The Small Town Concert Series and then again in “Women Diggin’ Dylan” at The Ivoryton Playhouse. Please continue to send us any news so we can share your work and help promote local theater projects. I look forward to seeing you soon. Jeanie Rapp |
Tuesday
Jan122010
December 09 Newsletter
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 06:11PM World Premiere of Lary Bloom’s play Wild Black Yonder –A sell-out success!
Margreta Stage’s production of Wild Black Yonder at The Kate in Old Saybrook played to sell out crowds for its entire run. The much anticipated play by Lary Bloom placed audiences in a jungle setting complete with bamboo and the sounds of helicopters and crickets.
The songs of the 60’s and 70’s played on their memories as they watched the story of Janet, an air force widow stuck in the past, unfold on the set created by legendary Broadway and Balanchine designer David Hays. Cast members included Margreta’s own Wil Bradford, Ira Sakolsky, Joell A. Jacob, Alva Greenberg, stage newcomer Janet Peckinpaugh and the company’s newest member from NYC, Kevin Michael Johnson. Jeanie Rapp, who directed the cast to standing ovations said of the production, “this play has taken Margreta Stage to new heights – we grew our audience from the small town theater goer to across the state from as far away as Fairfield to Groton, and our company continues to gather new members in both the acting and technical sides…we are excited at the prospects for the future of this company.” To read more about the play and see a slide show of the opening night reception go to www.margretastage.org.
Margreta Stage Actor Party
Our Next Actor Party will be held on Monday, December 14th at 6:30 pm. It will be held at The Carriage House in back of the Deep River Historical Society 245 Main Street in Deep River, CT. Mark it on your calendar and save the date to celebrate the holidays with friends and fellow company members. We’ll definitely eat, drink and be merry…so bring your favorite holiday tidbits to pass and a favorite piece of theater to share. Holiday poems and stories are welcome, but our festive Actor Party tradition isn’t limited to the season so please bring whatever you like…no holds barred…it’s a party! Remember everyone is welcome and we always encourage new theater artists to get involved in our growing company. If you’re new to the company, the Actor Party is a place where we gather and share short pieces of theater such as monologues and scenes. If you have a short piece you’d like to direct, or a monologue or scene you’d like to prepare, please let us know by emailing us: office@margretastage.org
Company News – New E-Mail Address:
You can now e-mail us directly: office@margretastage.org
Margreta Stage Studio Announces 2010 Winter/Spring Classes
Acting Winter Workshop for Teenagers (Ages 13 -17)
This three-day acting workshop is taught by Ed Wilhelms. It is designed for both beginners and experienced actors with a focus on bringing truthfulness and deeper understanding to the work of a young actor. Teenagers will learn the basic requirements of acting technique.
The three-day workshop runs:
Monday, February 15 - Wednesday, February 17
2:00 pm - 4:30pm in Old Saybrook
Cost: $115
Acting Class for Adults.
Designed for actors at all levels. Taught by MSC Artistic Director, Jeanie Rapp, this six week workshop explores text and spontaneity through scene study and acting exercises. Working with a partner in scenes from plays is the actor’s drawing board – beginners build the basics of technique and experienced actors build on and improve their skills. Jeanie’s acting exercises are fun and freeing and help the actor stay grounded in his body and connected to his voice.
This six-week workshop will be held:
March 1st - April 5 in Essex
Monday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:00pm.
Cost: $170.
For all inquiries please call (860) 767-8943 or email office@margretastage.org
Company Members at Work
Amy Forbes just finished a successful run in the musical Jerry’s Girls at the Ivoryton Playhouse.
Ira Sakolsky of Riverway Studio along with the Essex Steam Train present the season’s popular North Pole Express. Elijah Manning and Beth Avery are also in the cast. Go to valley.railroad@snet.net for tickets and information.
Please continue to send us any news so we can share your work and help promote local theater projects.
I look forward to seeing you soon,
Jeanie Rapp
Tuesday
Aug112009
Auditions Announced for Wild Black Yonder
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 01:09PM Audition Notice
Margreta Stage Company of Essex Connecticut is holding auditions for the world premiere production of Wild Black Yonder a new play by local author and playwright Lary Bloom. This will be a full production presented at “The Kate” (The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center) in Old Saybrook November 12th through the 15th.
Auditions for both Equity and non-Equity performers will be held on Wednesday Aug. 19 and Thursday Aug. 20 from 6 to 9 PM at the Margreta Stage Studio in Essex Connecticut. Equity members will be on a Guest Artist contract. Non-Equity will be paid a small stipend.
The auditions will be by appointment only. Interested parties should call the Margreta Stage office at 860-767-8943 to schedule an appointment. Please prepare a two minute dramatic monologue and have available a resume and head shot.
Wild Black Yonder takes place today in California.
Auditions will be for the following roles:
Lenny – Mid-60’s, Jewish, career newspaper reporter and struggling writer from Cleveland. Also a Vietnam veteran attempting to find meaning from that war in a new book of non-fiction featuring Janet.
Janet – 60ish, Vietnam War widow who has yet to remarry. At one time a beauty, less so now. Grew up in Ohio, and converted to Judaism to marry Adam. Became a lawyer after her husband went MIA. Now lives in California with Edgar, and generally avoids life as best she can. After 40 years, she still believes her husband is alive.
Edgar – 60ish, college professor of history, wine connoisseur, lives with Janet and has proposed marriage to her several times, only to be turned down.
Adam – 20’s, Janet’s husband that we see in flash backs. Outgoing, Jewish, Air Force Officer, jet fighter navigator in Vietnam flying secret missions. We see Adam as he records cassette tapes as letters to his wife in the US.
Michelle – 20’s, Vietnamese-American, but total California girl. She is a waitress at a sushi fusion restaurant to put herself through law school. She is smart and witty. Her parents were refugees to the US, but they never talk about the past. Michelle waits on Lenny in the restaurant, and Lenny can tell she is of Vietnamese descent. He questions her as part of his research.
TBD Rehearsal schedule will begin on September 28th.