More photos from "Chicago"

Can't get enough of Chicago? We can't either! Check out these great photos!

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Ewa Skowska

Photo by Ewa Skowska

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Tommy Propest

Photo by Ewa Skowska

Photo by Ewa Skowska

Photo by Ewa Skowska

Chicago Research

True story - before Chicago was a musical, it was a play (also titled Chicago, written by Maurine Dallas Watkins). Watkins was a reporter, and the play was based on a few of the more sensational crimes she covered.

Director Jerry Crouch brought in copies of the original articles (some written by Watkins) and shared them with the cast and crew.  It's been fascinating to read the interviews with Belva Gaertner (on whom the character Velma Kelly is based) and Beulah May Annan (Roxie Hart is based on her), both of whom were suspected of murder and eventually acquitted.

We'll leave a copy of Jerry's research in the Box Office - stop by if you'd like to read for yourself what Belva, the "most stylish woman on Murderess Row," had to say about juries, gin, or guns!

Chicago: At rehearsal with Tina and Jacob

Last week, Tina Pisano-Foor, the choreographer for Chicago, and Jacob Walas, the dance captain, got together for a quick rehearsal during the day. We were excited to film a quick snippet to share.

Keep in mind that this was filmed on the fly with a cellphone, so we're certain not to be nominated for "Best Digital Short" at the Oscars.  But it does give an idea of some of the choreography you'll see when you join us for Chicago.

Tickets are going fast.  You can get yours here!

What I Love About Coming to Work

Actually, it's a lot of different things. This morning, it was getting to talk with Tamara, our business manager, before anyone else had arrived.  Then, it was hearing the syncopated rhythms of Tina and Jacob's feet (our choreographer and dance captain for Chicago) as they worked through a new bit. And then it was having lunch with Waylon, one of my dearest friends, who I met when he wandered in to volunteer.

Junior Prom by Mary Charles Griffin. Oil on canvas. 6 panels. 108 x 96

But the first thing that struck me this morning, this beautiful, sunny, non-February-in-the-mountains morning, was the artwork that's currently hanging in our lobby.

Excuse my photo, because it doesn't do justice to the incredible blast of vividity that is this painting. The painting is 9 feet tall and 8 feet wide - 72 square feet of pulsating color (and, incidentally, the approximate size of my 2 bathrooms put together).

The artist is Mary Charles Griffin, called "Charlie" by most everyone who knows her.  Her studio is based in the River Arts District, and I am profoundly grateful to have a job where I am greeted by 10 of her gorgeous paintings. This show will be up through the end of March. And then I will be lucky enough to be greeted by a new show featuring the work of a local painter, or photographer, or jewelry maker.  Who knows?

Sara LeDonne does.  A long-time volunteer at ACT, she curates the Lobby Gallery (she also builds and paints sets, designs and decorates for fundraising events, creates frames and shadowboxes for displaying theatre memories, runs light boards and sound boards, and gives out kooky socks for Christmas).  She is dedicated to featuring the work of Asheville-based artists, sharing and showcasing their work with patrons who buy tickets at our Box Office, with parents dropping their children off for after-school classes, with casts who rehearse in the lobby while the stage is being painted.

She shares this work with me. And I am thankful!

The Power of Theatre

You may have seen this photo floating around on Facebook - it was originally posted by Ron Darling (with Seattle Children's Theatre and their production of Harold and the Purple Crayon.) It's a photo of a performance report, issued by the stage manager, after a performance of that show yesterday (Feb. 1).

This photo tells me that theatre is meaningful and important and life-changing in two ways. First, and obviously, the powerful story in the "Performance Notes." That this story, this performance, this moment when the lights went down made a very personal and profound connection to a 5 year old student who sat in the dark, talking and commenting to his teacher, communicating in a way he hadn't before. And second, that as of this moment, approximately 20 hours after Ron Darling posted it, this photo has been shared 3,180 times. That's huge. That's viral. That tells me that thousands of other people believe that theatre isn't just fun (even though it is a lot of fun) and that it isn't just a hobby (even though it's a great one) but that it is an agent for good and change in our communities. In every community.

And they're right.

Be On Our Stage - Upcoming Auditions

Jamie Meador studies information about the show
 before auditioning for Chicago

You've still got a bit of time to think about it, but we'd just love to have you in one of our shows.  Our auditions are open to anyone in the community - and for most shows, we provide all the audition material (so you can just show up and knock our socks off!)

Did you know that every show at ACT has new (to us, anyway) actors? It's true.  In Chicago, for instance, more than half of the cast are making their ACT debuts!  They're joined onstage by powerhouse ACT veterans - and I don't use the term "powerhouse" lightly when talking about Rachelle Roberts, Janet Oliver, Andre Ellerby, Ruth Butler, Jamie Meador, Matt Harper, and Jacob Walas.

Think about coming out for one of the shows this season!  Here's a partial list of dates - and you can find more info here.

February 21-22, 2012: To Kill a Mockingbird
A Mainstage Production directed by Ralph Redpath
Performs: April 20 - May 6, 2012
Seeking: 9 men, 5 women, 2 boys, 1 girl
(Note: Children should appear to be between 9 and 13 years of age.)

March 13, 2012: Over the River and Through the Woods
A Readers Theatre Showcase Production directed by Thelma Cousins
Performs: March 30 - April 1, 2012
Seeking: 3 men, 3 women

April 10-11, 2012: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A Mainstage Production directed by Jeff Catanese
Performs: June 1-17, 2012
Seeking: 5 men, 4 women

Announcing our 2012-13 Season!

We know it's only January, but we are so excited about our next season that we couldn't wait to share it!  Here's what we'll be doing on our Mainstage for our 67th season!

Hairspray
Sep. 21 - Oct. 14, 2012

Inspecting Carol
Nov. 16 - Dec. 2, 2012

The Santaland Diaries
Dec. 13-16, 2012

BARK!
Feb. 15 - Mar. 10, 2013

The Grapes of Wrath
Apr. 12-28, 2013

Kiss Me, Kate
June 7-30, 2013

Steel Magnolias
Aug. 2-18, 2013

PLUS, we'll have a Readers Theatre Showcase series, several Youth Production Classes, shows in 35below, and a big ol' giant gala.  We'll post more information on auditions, subscriptions and anything else you might want to know about in the next few months.

But until then, why don't you join us for Chicago?

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo!

Let loose your inner royalty!

We're looking for princesses, princes, footmen, stepsisters, and fairy godmothers between the ages of 6-11 to wear awesome costumes, learn songs like "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and then wear that costume while singing that song on stage for an audience!

Our Youth Production Classes at Asheville Community Theatre take students through a production from start to finish, complete with a public performance at the end (just like a recital).  Students work with a director, musical director and choreographer as well as with design professionals to create an entire production, from the first rehearsal to the final curtain.  It really is enchanting to be a part of the magic of theatre!

Fun fun fun!