Margreta Stage News

The New Year Brings A New Season

Happy 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 Party

Our 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