Auditions for The Miracle Worker

Center Stage Jackson announces auditions for the play The Miracle Worker to be directed by Denise Weber. Auditions will take place on Monday and Tuesday, December 10^th and 11^th from 6:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. at the administration building by the circular drive at the Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson, Michigan. Production dates are March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 with two daytime assemblies on the 13^th and 14^th. All will take place in the auditorium at the Middle School at Parkside.

The Miracle Worker tells the story of blind, deaf and mute Helen Keller, whose dark world is opened by her teacher, Annie Sullivan, who had been born blind, but gained her sight after operations on her eyes. Helen is spoiled and almost animal like, as her family has not known how to get through to her. Annie teaches her, not only manners, but the gift of communication, opening up the world to Helen’s curious mind. A stirring dramatization packed with emotions.

The cast includes 7 males ranging in age from 10 - 70 and 7 females ranging in age from 6 - 70. All ethnicities are encouraged to audition, as racial diversity is prevalent in this play. For more details check out the CSJ website.

The March 7th performance will be interpreted for the deaf and the March 9th performance will be interpreted for the deaf, as well as the deaf/blind. For information regarding the deaf/blind interpretations, as well as the auditions, please contact Denise Weber at 517.841.2287.

Peter Pan at the Croswell Opera House

Caitlin Dunlap of Brooklyn is playing Wendy in the Croswell's holiday production of Peter Pan. Caitlin was in CSJ's production of High School Musical this past summer.

Production dates are Friday through Sunday (11/30 - 12/1) and December 7 -9 with shows at 8:00 pm on Fridays, 3:00 and 8:00 pm on Saturday and 3:00 pm on Sundays. Ticket prices range from $10 to $25.

The Croswell Opera House is located at 129 E. Maumee Street in Adrian. For more information call 517-264-7469 or visit www.croswell.org.

Remember Mary Jo and Phil Flenner?

Mary Jo Flenner (center) was a Jackson Civic Theatre board member some years back and has always cherished memories of those days. She and her husband Phil (some may remember their children Joe and Julie) made the trip from Kalamazoo to see Little Women and encouraged friends from Lansing and Detroit to come along. Mary Jo wanted to see what the theatre community in Jackson is up to these days. An impromtu tour of backstage after the performance was a reminder of how lucky we are to have the Potter Center facilities.

Director of Marketing & Development

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival, the official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan, is a professional theater company headquartered in Jackson. It annually produces a three week season of Shakespeare and other classical theater along with a family oriented show.

The Festival is seeking candidates for a Director of Marketing & Development who will work part time on contract (no withholdings or benefits, income reported on a 1099). Compensation to be negotiated. The successful candidate will start immediately upon selection and report to the Chair of the Board of Directors. This is a new position and compensation will be negotiable, with a bonus based on successful results of audience development and fund raising. The current contract will end on September 30, 2008 with renewal contingent on accomplishment of the contractor and the approval of the Festival Board.

For full details, download the .pdf.

Fabulous Cast Party at Daryl's Downtown

The cast and crew of Little Women celebrated their success with a party at Daryl's in downtown Jackson. Karoke entertainment was provided by Karen Kidder and other brave souls including Timm Richardson, Amanda Mahoney, and others. A good time was had by all!

LITTLE WOMEN IS SOLD OUT!!!

All performances of Little Women the Broadway Musical have sold out! If you still want to try to get in, reserved tickets that are not picked up by 10 minutes before show time are released to anyone waiting in the lobby; however THERE IS NO GUARANTEE YOU WILL GET SEATED.

Thank you to the community for supporting Center Stage Jackson!!!!

Check out the review from The Brooklyn Exponent by clicking here!

Can you teach young actors?

The Jackson School of the Arts, 634 N. Mechanic Street, is looking for a theater instructor for Young Actors ages 6-7 to begin teaching Jan. 17-May 15. (16 weeks.) Possible class times are Monday 6:30-7:15 PM or Thursday 5-5:45 PM.

If you are interested, contact Kim Hastings, Executive Director at kimh.jacksonarts@sbcglobal.net or call 517-784-2389.

The Bart Hawley Show on JTV

To get the word out about Little Women the Broadway Musical, (from left to right) Chris Fultz (Laurie/set designer with KJ Rowen), Anne Fleming (Jo March), Ann Holt (Artistic Director) appeared on the show with host Bart Hawley.

The first weekend was sold out and the second weekend is headed in the same direction. Make your reservations now! Fri. Nov. 16, Sat. Nov. 17 at 8:00 pm and Sun., Nov. 18 at 3:00 pm.

Five Forever from Little Women

Here's a video of Five Forever from Little Women that was shot at rehearsal last night. The show previews this evening and opens on Friday.

Because he rescued Amy (Mary Krzesicki) when she fell through the ice while skating, Jo (Anne Fleming) and her sisters Meg (Tiffany Doan) and Beth (Francesca Vitali) decide to make Laurie (Chris Fultz) their "honorary" brother!

Final Rehearsals for Little Women

Beth (Francesca Vitali) consoles her sister Jo (Anne Fleming), who is worried about her health.

You can get an idea of the abstract set that allows the actors to walk out of one scene and into another. One level up is the parlor and the top is the attic where Jo and her sisters act out grand tragedies and Jo writes her stories.

Little Women the Broadway Musical opens on Friday, November 9, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. For reservations visit the new Center Stage Jackson website.

Seeking Project Submissions/Potential Directors for 2007-2008 Season

It’s time to start putting together the 2007-2008 season. Do you have a project you have always dreamed of directing or seeing produced in Jackson? CSJ is seeking interested individuals to present ideas and projects to the Play Selection and Director Recruitment committee. Our director interviews will be held:

Monday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Nov. 13
6:00—8:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church
120 N. Jackson St. – Jackson MI

Interview appointments can be made via email or by phone by contacting Julie Klee, Play Selection and Director Recruitment Committee Chairperson and CSJ Board Member, at arwenevenstar0761@gmail.com, or (517) 783-2275. CSJ welcomes all interested parties and wants to provide an open forum to make Center Stage Jackson the best community theatre possible.