callboard - Kirkwood Theatre Guild

KIRKWOOD THEATRE GUILD
CALLBOARD
February, 2011
Notes from the President
Robert Thibaut, his cast, staff, and crew did a wonderful job with a Perfect Wedding. Our audience just
loved this farce. Congratulations are in order to all
involved, Perfect Wedding set a new door sales record
for a non-musical!
The Heiress is around the corner. I hope you can
assist the cast and crew to pull this one together. The
construction will be different from what we are used
to but I do not want to give any secrets away at this
time. I can’t wait to see what Jan Meyer has in store
for us and am looking forward to seeing the production, as the cast, staff, and crew have already been
hard at work.
Coming up next are the auditions for Curtains. We
have a great director, Adam Grun, who will be leading the production staff, cast, and crew. This play
has so many great parts (both large and small) for
a wide range of ages. I hope to see many of our
members come out. If you are cast in this production,
I can guarantee that you will have a lot of fun under
Adam’s direction while still putting in some hard
work to pull the show off.
Well, we are half way through our 80th season and
half way through my first term as President. I am
constantly amazed by our wonderful members. It
seems that our members are always there when we
need them to pitch in and help and always willing to
assist in teaching all of us. I feel so blessed to work
with so many talented and wonderful people.I am
constantly learning something new from all of you.
Since it is almost spring, we have already been busy
working on our 81st Season. The Board has again
tasked the play reading committee with the nearly
impossilbe: to find some newer plays, some older
options, some farces, some dramas, something a little
more edgy (without going over the top), and plays
with a mixture of both mature and younger roles. We
wanted a little something for everyone, that will appeal to the masses. We were extremely pleased with
what the committee recommended..
For our 81st season we are pleased to announce that
our productions will be Noises Off, Doubt, Nana’s
Naughty Knickers, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Wow! What a line-up! This is where you all come
in. With a season like this and we are going to need
everyone’s help; great directors, talented actors, committed technical staff, and dedicated crew.
I would like to thank the play reading committee for a
great job and Kent Coffel for heading up the effort. I
heard that they had so much fun that they are holding a
monthly play reading club. This is a new take off from
Oprah’s book of the month club.
I know that we can’t please everyone but it is my hope
that you will find the whole line up or most of the line
up as something wonderful. I believe it has a little
something for everyone. It certainly is going to be a
challenge but I know that our members are always up to
a challenge and are always willing to pitch in.
Until the next Call Board, be safe, happy, and healthy!
Our toast for this Call Board: “To our future, may it be
long, prosperous, and fun.”
SOME BIG CHANGES FOR
KTG’S 81st
vThe KTG Board of Governors is pleased to
announce that we are adding a matinee to our
Season ticket subscriptions on the 2nd Sunday,
with strike to immediately follow.
vAuditons scheduling is changing too! Auditons
for show 1 are gonig to be held 3 weeks before
Green Tree, for shows 2, 3 & 4 auditions will
be held the first weekend of the previous show.
Please, see our website for details.
The Heiress
by Ruth & Augustus Goetz
Directed Jan Meyer
Opens March 4th
Auditions for CURTAINS
March 13th 2 pm Robert G. Reim Theatre, 111 South Geyer Rd. Kirkwood, MO 63122
Performance dates: April 29, 30, May 1, 5, 6 7
KTG NEEDS YOU!
Set-Build~The Heiress
BEHIND THE SCENES
Directed by Adam Grun
v
Synopsis: A backstage murder mystery set in 1950’s Boston. The cast and crew of a Broadway-bound musical all become suspects after the show’s leading lady mysteriously drops dead onstage while taking her final bow to the sound of applause.
v BIG THANK YOU! During our recent production
Book and Additional Lyrics by Rupert Holmes ,Music and Additional Lyrics by John Kander Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Original Book and Concept by Peter Stone
LIEUTENANT FRANK CIOFFI (40s): Local Boston detective who is also a musical theatre aficionado. Aside from being exceptionally
good at his job, he has also aspired to be a musical theatre performer his entire life. He falls in love with Niki. Vocal Range: Baritenor Ab-E
NIKI HARRIS (20s-early 30s): Pretty, naive ingenue. Niki is a chorus girl/understudy in the chorus of the show-within-the-show during
its Boston tryout. She aspires to make it as a performer on Broadway. She meets and falls in love with Dt. Frank Cioffi. Actress
must have legit Soprano and good comic timing. Vocal Range: Soprano C-E
GEORGIA HENDRICKS (30s): Female half of our songwriting team. Ends up taking on the leading lady role. Must sing and dance well.
Vocal Range: Belt G-E
CARMEN BERNSTEIN (45-65): Brassy Broadway producer. Terrific comedic actress who sings well. Vocal Range: Belt Low Eb-E
AARON FOX (40s): The composer of the show-within-the-show. His songwriting partner, Georgia, is also his wife from whom he’s
separated. He’s a charming ladies man. Strong tenor. Piano playing not necessary but helpful. Vocal Range: Baritone Bb-Gb
SIDNEY BERNSTEIN (Late 50s-Mid 60s): The producer of an out of town flop. Sidney is tough and self-serving. Seeking a character
actor with good comic timing.
CHRISTOPHER BELLING (40-60): English director. Very campy. Very funny. Requires a good comic lead actor and British accent.
Vocal Range: B-E
BAMBI BERNE (Early 20s-early 30s): Performer in chorus and daughter of Carmen, the lead producer. Hungry to work her way up to
leading performer many think she was only hired because of her mother. Bambi is an excellent dancer/comedienne who sings well.
Vocal Range: C-C
DARYL GRADY (30s): A Theatre critic for the local Boston newspaper, he enjoys using the power he has to make or break shows
during their out of town tryouts. NON-SINGING ROLE.
JOHNNY HARMON (40s-50s): The Stage Manager of the show-within-the-show. Johnny is a character man who is gruff but lovable.
He keeps the company in line and on their toes throughout the rehearsal process.
OSCAR SHAPIRO (45-65): The general manager. An agreeable if slightly gruff man. He is always looking for any angle to find money.
Seeking a good comic actor who sings. Vocal Range: Bb-E
BOBBY PEPPER (20s to early 30s): The choreographer and leading man – a Gene Kelly type who is the one shining star in an otherwise dire show. A ladies man. Seeking a strong singer who dances well. Vocal Range: A-E
JESSICA CRANSHAW (30s-40s): Fading Hollywood star. A diva, who has no right to be one, she is a terrible singer and actress who
stars in the show within a show and gets murdered on its opening night. MOSTLY NON-SINGING COMIC ROLE.
RANDY DEXTER (20s to early 30s): Singer/Dancer who is playing the role of Parson Tuck in “Robbin’ Hood”.
Audition Requirements:
•
You will be taught a dance. Please come with the right shoes. Even some non-singing roles might have to learn dances. So be prepared.
•
Please prepare 32 bars of a song from an appropriate musical.
o Do not sing anything from the show.
o We will have an accompanist
•
•
•
o
o
Please bring sheet music in the correct key.
No a cappella
Auditions will be Sunday March 13 starting at 2 pm.
o They will learn the dance
o Sing their song
o Read from the scene
Callbacks will begin Sunday night at 6
If someone would like to set up another time to audition, please email adamgrun@hotmail.com
o A date will be set that will work for the majority of the people that want to audition.

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
Rehearsals will be every Tues., Wed. ,Thur. from 7-10 pm & Sun. afternoons at the
Kirkwood Community Center beginning 3/14/11.
Tech week begins 4/23/11.Please be prepared to list all conflicts at the audition. Please do not audition if you are unable to attend
ALL tech week rehearsal sand ALL performances.
CALL FOR DIRECTORS~KTG will be interviewing
Directors for next season on 4/11/11 & 4/18/11. To apply to
go our website, ktg-onstage.org to get an application or call
Terry at 314-954-9453 to request one.
of Perfect Wedding our concessions were managed by two
groups raising money for the people of Haiti. They raised a
total of $1240. What an amazing group of patrons! Thanks to
all who continue to support the local non-profits.
v
SPRING IS COMING (REALLY!)~ Do you have
some time to help KTG spruce up our warehouse/office yard?
ARTS
LIFE
With the new season we will
be FOR
raking,
trimming and cleaning up. If yard work is
your
passion
this
the right opportuReserve your table isnow!
nity for you. Please
Terry, 314-954-9453
and arrange a
$15call
in advance
$17 at the door
time to help. Why not bring a friend?
v
Reservations-call 314-487-9926
SAVE THE
DATE. The KTG Annual Meeting and
email-aflnewsletter@aol.com
Year End Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 12th.
Location:
Christ
Memorial
Church
Invitations will
be sent to
all active
members.
There is still
5252
S. Lindbergh,
63126
plenty of time for you to
become
an active member~just
volunteer for one of our upcoming productions. Call Terry to
event details~www.artsforlife.org
find out more 314-954-9453.
vvvvvvvvv
Saturday, February 19th
For those who can tote & carry
Move-in starts at 9 am
Build starts at about 10 am
Painting and detail work to start late am.
Work continues Sunday, Feb. 20th ~10 am
and in the evenings during the week (time to be
determined)
Continuing on February 26th at 10 am.
Questions? Please contact, Tech Director
Linda Menard 314-614-2551
Ushers needed for upcoming show.
Please contact Membership Manager,
Brandon Atkins to schedule a date!
314-712-1006 or atkins595@hotmail.com
vKEEP YOUR
vvvvvvvvv
MEMBERSHIP ACTIVEv
VOLUNTEER
~New Members always welcome~
INVITE A FRIEND
Bob Hotze~Take A Bow
vvvvvvvvv
A few years ago KTG had an interesting technical need to solve, how to make it look like someone was stabbed
with a pair a scissors without actually harming our actor. Enter Bob Hotze, a man who enjoys a challenge. Bob
jumped in and has been actively involved with the Guild ever since. Bob is the youngest of five brothers. He
was born, raised and educated in Webster Groves. His father was a County Health Inspector, who ran an auto
and bike repair business on the side. At five years old, working with free flight model airplanes, Bob was already
exhibiting an interest in solving technical problems.
During high school he became involved with Junior Achievement and earned a performance scholarship to
Parks Air College. There he studied Aeronautical Engineering, with a particular interest in strength engineering
and was a member of the ROTC program. Upon graduation he joined his older brother at McDonnel Corporation. He initially worked there for nine months before being commissioned into the Air Force. It was during
that brief time he met his wife, Vi, who, while attending Miss Hickey’s Secretarial School, was introduced to Bob
through friends. After basic training, he returned home to get married, then he and his new bride began their
life in Houston, Texas, where Bob was in Navigator training. He then went to Biloxi, Mississippi for Electronic Warfare Training. Earning the top spot in the class gave him the privilege of picking his next destination. The Hotzes took the opportunity to spend 9 months in
Germany, where Bob flew missions along the East German border locating radar systems.
After a brief time in England, they came home, Bob resumed his career at McDonnell and they started their family. Bob and Vi have four
children, two boys and two girls. They moved to Kirkwood, where all the kids attended school. Their son, Mark, who lives in St. Louis, recently started volunteering with KTG. As a family the Hotze’s enjoyed traveling and camping. His job offered them the opportunity to live
briefly in Scotland and California and to do some exploring. In his 35 years with McDonnell, Bob worked on several interesting top secret
aerospace projects including the Mercury spacecraft, the space shuttle and the F4 aircraft.
To earn some extra cash , Vi and Bob had a side business building replicas of an antique ironing board, that was also a chair. For fifteen
years, they traveled to area craft shows. As he began to think about retirement, Bob took home building classes at Meramec. He retired
in 1990 and the Hotzes bought a lot in Kirkwood and over a two year period, with friends and family, built their dream home. Bob and Vi
love to travel in their mobile home and both have many interests that keep them busy. Last year, in fact, Bob bowled a perfect 300 game.
He has really enjoyed his time with KTG and loves the special problems, like figuring out how to make the doors fly open for Blithe Spirit or
building a matching French door for There’s a Burglar in My Bed. KTG is certainly fortunate to have such a talent to call on.
Lance Begnaud,
Sally Lister
Stephanie Merritt
Jeff Kargus, Nisrine Omri
Sarah Davidson
Ted Eberly, Frank Lewis
Joe Arno, Danny Austin, Judy Lewis,
Bob Thibaut, Cherol Thibaut
Janet Robey Schwartz
Nisrine Omri, George Spelvin
Jeff Kargus, Amber Muschelli,
George Spelvin
PERFECT
WEDDING
Merrick Mohler, Susan Wolff
Doug Chapis, Russ Wertz
JD Wade
Brandon Atkins, Jay Sibbitts
John Davidson
Kent Coffel, Robert Doyle, Jeff Kargus
Jaimie Schwartz
Bill Bayer
Congratulations to the Arts for LIfe Nominees
Kirkwood Theatre Guild Announces ~81st Season
Noises Off by Michael Frayn
Side-splitting antics onstage and offstage have made this Tony-nominated play a favorite of theatre audiences. Watch the cast of
“Nothing On” struggle through dress rehearsal mishaps, develop backstage drama during the show and, as it nears the end
of its run, disintegrate into comical chaos. An exciting play full of frenetic physicality and laughs.
Auditions August28, 2011
Move in October 22, 2011
Opens November 4, 2011
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley
In 1964, vigilant headstrong principal Sister Aloysius fears the worst when a young, naive teacher expresses concern about the
sole Black student acting strangely. She confronts her superior, the congenial Father Flynn, about his relationship with the
child. He denies any wrongdoing. How do you find the truth when concerns do not equal facts and you aren’t supposed to ask?
And what if you’re wrong? Whose world are you willing to risk destroying? A powerful, well-written conflict.
Auditions November 6, 2011
Move in January 7, 2012
Opens January 20, 2012
Nana’s Naughty Knickers by Katherine DiSavino
Bridget moves in with her sweet grandmother, Sylvia, for a summer of law school and soon uncovers the secret business run
out of the rent-controlled apartment: hand-made lingerie for the mature—and frisky. Will a delivery mix-up, a snooping
landlord and a smitten police officer strip Sylvia of her venture and the new website? Or worse, get her evicted or convicted?
You’ll be tickled by this contemporary comedy. (Pending licensing)
Kay Love
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amalia LaViolette
ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE
Richard Hunsaker
to receive Lifetime
Achievement Award
Richard is a retired educator who has
had a tremendous impact on many. He
taught Speech and Drama at Belleville
West High School from 1965-1990. He
went on to initiate a highly respected
debate program at McKendree College.
After retiring,Richard began to participate in Community Theatre. He has
made appearances on both sides of the
river. He has worked with THE Brass
Rail Players in Belleville, the Alton Little
Theater, the Monroe Actors Stage Company in Waterloo, the Looking Glass
Playhouse in Lebanon, the Theatre
Guild of Websters Groves, Curtains Up
Theater Company in Edwardsville and
KTG. Richard will be playing Dr. Sloper
in our upcoming production of The Heiress.
KTG WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE RICHARD AND ALL THE
AFL NOMINEES!
Tori Giessing
JUVENILE PERFORMER
Kent Coffel
ACTOR IN A COMEDIC ROLE
TO GET INFORMATON ON WHEN
AND WHERE THE AWARDS ARE TO
BE HELD VISIT THE ARTS FOR LIFE
WEBSITE: ARTSFORLIFE.ORG
Auditions January 22, 2012
Move in February 25, 2012
Opens March 9, 2012
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels- book by Jeffrey Lane Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek
Suave, highbrow con-artist, Lawrence, makes quite a living off the kindness of wealthy women. When he meets, and uses, a
low-class swindler to get out of a jam, they realize the town isn’t big enough for two charlatans. A bet is made: whoever bilks
young and beautiful Christine Colgate out of her $50,000, can stay. You won’t feel cheated watching the two sabotaged by each
other and by love. A wonderfully witty script and score.
Auditions March 11, 2012
Move in April 21 , 2012
Opens May 4 , 2012
Now is the time to consider how you might like to be involved next season!
•Assistant Director
•Technical Manager
•Actor, Singer, Dancer
•Stage Manager
•Set Design
•Set Decoration
•Costume Design or Crew
•Properties Manager
•Lighting Design, Operator, Crew
•Sound Design, Operator, Crew
•Set Move In and Construction
•Back Stage Crew
•Play Selection
•Ushering
•Mailing Assistance
•GreenTree Festival Parade/Booth
KTG would like to thank our 2010-2010 Play Reading Committee
Krista Chapis
Kara Koeninger
Ken Clark
Lee Meyer
Kent Coffel
Jan Bruns Maontovani
Robert Doyle
Jan Seitz Wheatley
Leah Myers Giessing
Bert Wunderlich
Kirkwood Theatre Guild
844 South Harrison Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63122
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For information regarding VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AUDITIONS or TICKETS
call 314-821-9956 or check at www.ktg-onstage.org. Don’t forget to help KTG keep our
contact information up to date~let us know when your address or email changes.
KTG BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2010-2011
President~ Danny Austin
Secretary~ Judy Lewis
Artistic Manger~ Kent Coffel
Membership Manger~ Brandon Atkins
VP & Treasurer~ Tom Day
Production Manager~ Frank Lewis
Publicity Manager~Robert Doyle
2010-2011 SEASON
The HeiressPerformances~March 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12
CurtainsAuditions, 2 PM~March 13
Performances~April 29, 30, May 1, 5, 6 ,7
81st SEASON DETAILS INSIDE
Check the KTG website~www.ktg-onstage.org for more information.