THE FORTELL - Fort Findlay Playhouse

Fort Findlay Playhouse
THE FORTELL
May 2015
Fort Findlay Playhouse
300 W Sandusky St
Findlay, Ohio 45840
419-423-7168
Website: www.fortfindlayplayhouse.org
Facebook: The Fort Findlay Playhouse (FFP)
FFP Board of Trustees
President: Samantha Henry
s.henry1008@gmail.com
V.President: WesTaylor
wataylor@woh.rr.com
Secretary: J.R. Smith
jaysmith@fortfindlay.com
Treasurer: Georgia Durain
gdurain@yahoo.com
Vickie Garner
vgarner@dtroh.com
Meghan Meyer
megan.falter@gmail.com
Pete Rose
PRose@FellerFinch.com
George Rustemeyer gerustemeyer@sbcglobal.net
Mark Thomas
findlayref@woh.rr.com
Other Contacts
FFP Patrons: ffppatrons@gmail.com
FFP Website: fortfindlayplayhouse.org
FFP Webmaster: jaysmith@fortfindlay.com
Fortell Editor: shirleynebergall@yahoo.com
Meetings
Board: 1st Wednesday of the month
General Membership: 4th Wednesday of the month
(If a meeting night falls on a final dress: Board meetings are
moved to the following Monday, GM meetings aren’t rescheduled)
Fortell Staff
Editor: Shirley Nebergall
Proofing: J.R. Smith
Show Clip Art: Anne Beekman and Val Escobedo
Photos: Kay Arico (FFP cast), Facebook
Contributors: Lindsay Taylor, Christi Thomas
Next Issue’s Deadline
Shirley Nebergall, Editor
FFP’s 2015-2016 Season Opener
to hit the stage in July
FFP’s 2015-2016 season will start off with the
comedy The Foreigner, written by Larry Shue
and directed by Jim Toth.
Welcome to a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by "Froggy" LeSeuer, a
British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army
base. This time "Froggy" has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young
man named Charlie, who is overcome with fear at the thought of making
conversation with strangers. So "Froggy," before departing, tells all assembled
that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone
the fun really begins, as Charlie overhears more than he should, including many
damaging revelations regarding an evil force that threatens to destroy the lives
of the residents of this quiet resort. Nonstop hilarity ensues as our shy hero
realizes he must lead the war of good versus evil while always guarding his secret
as "the foreigner". Everything culminates in a wildly funny climax in which things
go uproariously awry and the result is one of the most surprising endings you will
ever see.
Auditions will be held Sunday and Monday, May 31 and June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the
Playhouse (300 W. Sandusky St.). There are parts available for 7 adults (5m/2f).
The characters in The Foreigner are:
Charlie Baker - a meek proofreader for a science fiction magazine
(Continued on page 2)
FFP ANNUAL BANQUET
5 p.m., Wednesday, July 8
The Findlay Elks
900 West Melrose Avenue
(Note: new deadline for all Fortells - 5 p.m.
on the 8th of odd numbered months)
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Box Office
Fort Findlay Playhouse tickets can be
purchased through the Arts Partnership,
located at 618 S. Main St. in downtown
Findlay, or by calling the Arts Partnership
Box Office at (419) 422-4624.
Box Office hours are
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(www.artspartnership.com)
Social hour 5:00
Dinner 6:00
Meeting/Awards 7:30
Join us as we celebrate 60 years of
community theater in Findlay! This
year's theme is "It's All About US!"
Come share memories and the
history of our theatre family. Join in
the games and entertainment with
lots of great company.
Dinner reservations were due by May
18, but you are still welcome and
encouraged to attend the meeting/
awards portion of the evening.
OCTA Website: www.ohiocommunitytheatre.org
Ohio Arts Council Website: http://oac.ohio.gov/
Page 2
Congratulations to the cast and crew of 1776!
Sitting on the stage (l-r): Tracy Hillier, Erin Clegg, Denise Mojica, Lulu Cooke, Desra Dabney, Mary Jane Bowland; Sitting/
kneeling, front row (l-r): J.R. Smith, Laurie Dye, Jerry Mathern, Jeff Opperman, Dan Orley, Pete Reynolds, Dennis Clark,
Julie Lane; Sitting, second row (l-r): David Marquart, Mark Thomas, Wes Taylor, J Ladd, Timothy Sherman, Mark Simons,
John Garner; Standing (l-r): Shirley Nebergall, Megan Meyer, Aeryn Williams, Andrew Conway, Robert Schirmer,
m James Foust, Joe Dye, Steve Elchert, Pete Rose, C.J. Miller, George Rustemeyer, Bill Clinger, Hugh Bowland, Jim Toth,
Bill Clinger, Bonnie Froelich, Dawn Rose, Terry Emerick, Kim Marquart, Sam Henry, Betty Hipp
(Continued from page 1)
S/Sgt. "Froggy" LeSueur - a cheerful
British Army man who teaches the use
of explosives
Betty Meeks - an elderly widow who
owns a resort lodge and mothers her guests
Rev. David Marshall Lee - engaged to Catherine and, it would
appear, a good young man to have on our side
Catherine Simms - a pretty heiress going through an
emotional time
Ellard Simms - Catherine's dim-witted brother, heir to half the
family money if she decides he is smart enough to handle it
Owen Musser - a superstitious, dangerous racist
If you would like more information, please contact Jim Toth
at jaytee060@gmail.com or producer Barb Pace at
angelbearhugs316@aol.com.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the Arts Partnership
box office Monday through Friday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at
419-422-4624 or going directly to the Arts Partnership at 619
S. Main St. Benefactors may make ticket arrangements
beginning Monday, June 22; Angels on Tuesday, June 23
and Patrons and Single Patrons on Wednesday, June 24.
General public tickets are $12 and go on sale June 29.
Presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play
Service, Inc., The Foreigner will run July 9-12 & 16-18 at the
playhouse. The Sunday performance begins at 5 p.m.; all
other performances begin at 8 p.m. The house opens 30
minutes prior to the performance.
OCTAFest 2015;
‘OCTAopoly’
In keeping with the 2015 State
Conference theme - more trivia
regarding the Hasbro game Monopoly.
Rounding out the original six game
pieces are the battleship and the
cannon.
The die-cast metal battleship token is actually somewhat
of a game piece celebrity. The piece was originally used by
Parker Brothers in a game called Conflict. When that game
failed, the company took the pieces and used them in
Monopoly. Since then, it has been used in the game
Diplomacy as well.
Often called the cannon, even though
rumor is the piece was supposed to be
called the howitzer, this piece is closely
tied to the battleship. The cannon was
also used in Conflict and tossed in with
Monopoly as that game failed. In 1946 it
changed from its original design to the
more recent long cannon style. Unlike
most pieces, the cannon was simply
dropped from the lineup without any
kind of fan vote or campaign.
Page 3
Photo Scavenger Hunt Winners
to be Announced at FFP Banquet
FFP Membership Morale committee’s last event prior to the annual banquet
was a photo scavenger hunt held on April 11 & 12. The three teams competing in the event
were: ‘Croys & Kruegers’ (Matt & Heidi Croy and Todd & Sandra Krueger); ‘Roses &
Butterflies’ (Pete & Dawn Rose and Barb Pace); and ‘Pick-a-Littles’ (Sam Henry, Maggie
Hardesty, Megan Falter and Andrew Conway). The winners and prizes will be announced
at the annual banquet, May 27.
Page 4
What to see in the Northwest
Region and other local theaters
South Pacific
June 5 – 21
Toledo Repertoire Theatre (Main Stage) – Toledo
www.toledorep.org
419-243-9277
Les Miserables
June 19 – 28
Windmill Productions-Holland Theatre – Bellefontaine
www.thehollandtheatre.org
937-592-9002
Mary Poppins
July 9 – 12
Archbold Community Theatre, Inc. – Archbold
www.archboldcommunitytheatre.com
419-264-5717
Jesus Christ Superstar
July 10 – 19
Ritz Players – Tiffin
www.ritztheatre.org
419-448-8544
Membership Morale
Announces 2015-2016 Events
Lindsay Taylor, Membership Morale Chair
Thanks to all to who took the time to complete the survey,
next season's directors and to the board. We officially have
an events schedule for next year. Mark your calendars!
Second Sunday(ish) - Dates Subject to Change
Swim Party at Croys’: Sat, July 11
Party at Riverbend: Sun, Sept 13
Race for the Cure: Sat, Sept 26
Improv Games: Sat, Nov 14
Caroling/Christmas Party at the Playhouse: Tues, Dec 15
Cabaret/Sing-Along: Sat, Feb 6
Photo Scavenger Hunt: Sun, Apr 10
Annual Banquet: Wed, May 25
Also this season, we will be offering the opportunity to attend
local shows with your Playhouse friends! On the second
Saturday (or only Saturday if that's the case), we will be
hosting groups to all this year's FFP, FLOC, Youtheatre,
and U of F shows! Tickets will be reserved two weeks prior
to the date we are going and all fees will be due at the time
reservations are made. I'll add these dates to our event
calendar as soon as I have them all. Join us in supporting
all our local theatres this season!
FFP Board
Members Needed
Interested in being part of the backbone of FFP? Think about
running for a position on the board of trustees. There are
three, three-year terms open for the 2015-2016 election.
In order to be a board member (or to vote), you must have
attended three meetings (board or general), worked on two
shows (ushering does not count) or a) worked on one show
and have been a committee chair/co-chair or b) worked on
two committees.
The elected board members will join Georgia Durain, Vickie
Garner, Samantha Henry, Peter Rose, George Rustemeyer,
and J.R. Smith.
If you wish to put your name on the ballot or you have
questions, contact the nominating committee chair; Elizabeth
Opperman (elizkdopp9812@gmail.com).
Northwest Regional OCTAFest
June 5 - 7, 2015
Montpelier Schools
1015 East Brown Rd., Montpelier, OH
Hosted by
Archbold Community Theatre
and
Williams County Community Theatre
NW OCTAFest Excerpts Announced
On Golden Pond
Northwestern Ohio Theatre Fraternal
Association (NOTFA)
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Fort Defiance Players
Leaving Iowa
Williams County Community Theatre
A Raisin in the Sun
Amil Tellers of Dramatics – Lima Encore
The Last Five Years
Fremont Community Theatre
The Boys Next Door
Oregon Community Theatre
Flamingo Court
Playmakers Civic Theatre
Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grille
Van Wert Civic Theatre
Death by Golf
Black Swamp Players
Looking
Village Players
Crimes of the Heart
Fort Findlay Playhouse
Page 5
March OCTA Board
Highlights
By Christi Thomas
Hall of Fame and Spirit of Community
Theatre nominations are due by May 1.
There are at least three 3-year terms available on the OCTA
board. Nominations are now being accepted for those
positions. A nomination packet is available from Aara Wise
(octa1953@gmail.com). These are due back by August 21.
The festival packets have been distributed, and the rules
clarifications are in the packets for each member theater.
Joe Barton and Amy Waldfogle are the OCTAFest chairs
for 2015 and are working on scheduling responders for each
festival as well as OCTA, Jr.
The Finance division is working on the 2015 Scholarship
Applications, which are due by May 1. The application is
available on the website. They are also working on promoting
the Amazon Smile donation account. The eBay store
(octalogoitemsonebay) is doing well. Watch for a “spring fling”
sale and “bonus” grab bag items. They are also working on
patron perks, logo items at the regionals and conference, and
grants.
The Programming division is promoting the Guide
Respondent Program. Especially since it is getting close to
the excerpt season, they would like to encourage ALL regions
to use this program. It can do nothing but help your theaters.
OCTA, Jr is set for August 1 in Sylvania.
OCTAopoly, From Boardwalk to Broadway – Conference
2015 is gearing up for Labor Day weekend at the Holiday Inn
Eastgate in Cincinnati. Reservations can be made now by
calling the hotel or going online using the code OCT.
The form for purchasing ads for all OCTA print material is
completed. The division is working on the new website, which
will be unveiled at Conference. This will also have an app so
that you can view it on your smartphone. They are also
working on ideas to bring in more theater members. Many
theaters have been taking advantage of the first year fee
waiver.
The OAC Grant has been submitted for this year.
The Village Players had a good showing at the Region IV
AACTFest.
Region III AACTFest (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and
Michigan) is set for April 16-19 at Midland, Michigan. Break a
leg to Williams County Community Theatre and Troy Civic
Theatre, who will represent Ohio.
OCTA’s next board meeting is May 16 at St. Patrick’s
Episcopal Church in Dublin.
NW Regional June 6 -7
Festival weekend kicks off with a Friday
night open house at the Holiday Inn
Express, Holiday City, Ohio, from 8-10
p.m. You are invited to come early to
pick up your registration materials and
catch up with friends from the region. Beverages and light
snacks will be provided.
The festival will begin Saturday morning at Montpelier
School, 1015 E. Brown Rd, Montpelier, Ohio, just 10 minutes
from the hotel. One-day registration is $15 and registration
for both Saturday and Sunday is $25.
Regional Reps will host a delegates meeting and lunch
between excerpts. Meeting topics include election of
Regional Reps for 2015-16 and our schedule for the
upcoming season. If you are interested in becoming a NW
Regional Rep contact Michelle Johnson,
msjcatmom@gmail.com, or Mitchell Antesky,
bumrrr@gmail.com.
Instead of a banquet on Saturday evening, there will be an
‘After-Glow time’ at Father John’s Brewing Company in
Downtown Bryan, Ohio! After you have enjoyed dinner at one
of the many local establishments, join us for some fun! This
local favorite features bison on the menu in an inviting
atmosphere. “Father” John Trippy has hit the mark,
converting an historic church into a dining delight. Enjoy an
appetizer buffet and a cash bar in the garden area as you
listen to the dulcet tones of your friends singing their karaoke
favorites. The party runs from 9-11 p.m. If rain threatens, then
we’ll move the party indoors to the Sanctuary. The Appetizer
Buffet includes: Pretzel Bites and Pub Cheese Dip,
Meatballs, Parmesan Fries and Dipping Sauce. The cost for
this is $18.
Following the last excerpt on Sunday, you are invited to relax
and enjoy a reception hosted by Williams County Community
Theatre while we await the responders’ decisions. Pizza, pop
and snacks will be available for purchase.
Rooms have been blocked at The Holiday Inn Express,
Holiday City, Ohio. The NW OCTA rate is $90 when using the
code NTA. Please book by May 28, 2015, to receive this rate.
Call 877-410-6681 to book. The address is 13399 State
Route 15, Holiday City, OH 43543. The hotel is located at
Exit 13 of the Ohio Turnpike along State Route 15.
Page 6
Northwest OCTA Regional Festival June 6-7, 2015, Co-Hosted by Williams County and Archbold Community Theatres
First Stop to Broadway: OCTA’s Festival Season Starts Here!
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION FORM
Deadline for PRINTED Name Badges is Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Name: ___________________________________________________
Name on Badge: __________________________________________
Mailing Address: ___________________________________________
________________________________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________
Phone: __________________________________________________
____I am my theatre’s voting Delegate and I plan to attend the Saturday meeting and lunch.
___ 2-Day Registratration
$25.00
___ 1-Day Registration
$15.00
Circle:
Saturday
___ Saturday Night After-Glow Party
Sunday
$18.00
Total Enclosed: _____________________________ (Make checks payable to NW OCTA)
For grant purposes only:
___Caucasian
___Hispanic
___Appalachian
___African American
___Asian American
___Senior (65+)
___Student (18 & under)
Please mail your registration and payment to:
Attn: NW OCTA
c/o Michelle Johnson
230 E Chestnut St
Wauseon OH 43567
Page 7
This year’s productions will be directed by Jim Toth (The Foreigner and Pair-a-Dice Canteen), J.R. Smith
(Nice Work If You Can Get It), Pete Rose (The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!), David Hartwig (Much Ado about Nothing),
and Samantha Henry (Guys and Dolls). Please note: the production of Pair-a-Dice Canteen is part of our
Second Stage productions and is not part of the Patron program.
Become a Fort Findlay Playhouse Supporter
We’d like to invite you to consider becoming a Single Patron ($90-$164), Patron ($165-$198), Angel
($199 - $479) or Benefactor ($480 & up). If you would like to become a Playhouse supporter, simply
fill out the application form found in the season brochure. These will be mailed out in early June. If
you don’t get a brochure in the mail, stop by the playhouse some evening, leave a message on the
playhouse answering machine (419-423-7168), or email the patron chairs, Lindsay Taylor and
Betty Hipp at ffppatrons@gmail.com. They will be happy to send you a patron packet.
Tickets may be reserved through the Arts Partnership, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9-4 during the summer),
Monday – Friday (419-422-4624). General ticket sales begin on Monday the week prior to opening
night. Single Patrons, Patrons, Angels and Benefactors can make reservations 5-7 days prior to
general sales, based on level of support. Tickets are $12 for regular productions and $15 for
musicals. Please note that Second Stage productions are not included as part of the patron
package.
Page 8
LOOKING AHEAD
(all events take place at FFP unless otherwise noted)
Annual Banquet/General Membership Meeting
Social Time
Dinner
Meeting, Awards
Wed., May 27
(Elks Lodge - Melrose Ave)
Auditions for The Foreigner
Sun. - Mon., May 31 - June 1
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., June 3
7:30 p.m.
OCTA NW Regional
(FFP performs on Sunday)
Fri. - Sun., June 5-7
Montpelier, Ohio
Tickets for The Foreigner
Benefactors
Angels
Patrons
General Public
Mon., June 22
Tue., June 23
Wed., June 24
Mon., June 29
Arts Partnership Box Office
419-422-4624
Mon. - Fri.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., June 24
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., July 1
7:30 p.m.
Fortell Deadline
Wed., July 8
5:00 p.m.
The Foreigner
Thu. - Sat., July 9-11, 16-18
Sun., July 12
8:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Auditions for Pair-a-Dice Canteen
Sun. - Mon., July 19-20
7:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., July 22
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., August 5
7:30 p.m.
Tickets for Pair-a-Dice Canteen
Mon., August 10
Pair-a-Dice Canteen
Thu. - Sat., August 20-22
Sun., August 23
8:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Auditions for Nice Work If You Can Get It
Mon. - Tue., August 24-25
7:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting
Wed., August 26
7:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Wed., September 2
7:30 p.m.
OCTA State Conference
Fri. – Mon., September 4-7
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
General Membership Meeting
Wed., September 23
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
T.B.A.
Arts Partnership Box Office
419-422-4624
Mon. - Fri.
9 a.m. - 4 p.m
TBA
7:30 p.m.
2014-2015 NW Regional Reps
Mitchell Antesky: bumrrr@gmail.com
C: 419-356-6959
S. Harley Berry: boyharly@hotmail.com
C: 419-262-9899
Michelle Johnson: msjcatmom@gmail.com
C: 419-270-5071
Jan Miller: danjange@watchtv.net
C: 419-204-7246
Joe Barton: jbarton22@msn.com
C: 419-360-5639
Samantha Henry: s.henry1008@gmail.com
C: 419-429-9039
Linda McClure: birdlady@bright.net
C: 419-233-1168
Facebook: OCTA's Northwest Region
2015 Regionals: June 5-7 - Montpelier, Ohio