JCC Drama Club production aimed at stopping school violence

Jackson Community College will present a free play designed to highlight and help end school violence, called “Bang, Bang, You’re Dead,” at 8 p.m. on April 16, 17 and 18 in the Ruth Day Theatre, Potter Center. This production is a service project of students in JCC’s Drama Club.

“Bang, Bang, You’re Dead” was written by William Mastrosimone about a school shooting. The play centers around the lead character, Josh, a teen-aged boy who shoots his parents and five schoolmates and is then haunted by physical manifestations of his memories of them. It was first produced in 1999, 13 days prior to the Columbine High School massacre. It was written in the wake of school shootings Paducah, Jonesboro and Springfield to raise awareness about school violence and teasing between teen-agers in schools. It has been performed widely in the U.S. and in other countries around the world.

This production is directed by student Caryn Showerman, president of the Drama Club. It is presented free of charge, and is presented by special arrangement by icarusplays.com.

Please note: It is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Natasha Richardson 1963 - 2009

Natasha Richardson died tragically March 18th from injuries received in a skiing accident. She was the daughter of Vanessa Redgrave and married to Liam Neeson. Read about her life and career here.

Enchanted Sleeping Beauty This Weekend

Who: CSJ Youth Theatre
What: Enchanted Sleeping Beauty
Where: Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church 743 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson
When: March 20 & 21 @ 7:00pm and March 22nd @ 2:00pm
Tickets: $3 adults and $1 kids 12 and under.


Enchanted Sleeping Beauty" is based on the fairy tale by Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm and tells the tale of Princess Briar-Rose. At the princess' birth, the witch Evilina, who lives with a giant spider, sets a terrible curse on the poor, young princess. Sixteen years later, it's up to Prince Alexander to come to Briar-Rose's rescue, and the court's too...for they are all asleep. The prince must fight a Wall of Thorns, a False Princess and, most frightening of all, the exalted Dark Knight! The zany, loveable characters and the score are as enchanting as Briar-Rose in this family favorite, suitable for all ages.

For additional information, contact Doug Meyers at (517) 783-1468.

JCC High School One Act Competition

Click here to see the results of the Jackson Community College's High School One Act Competition that was held today in the Potter Center on the campus.

Holes Opens March 6th

Center Stage Jackson is pleased to present Holes, running March 6-7-8 and 13-14-15, 2009 at The Middle School at Parkside, 2400 Fourth St., Jackson, MI. Tickets are available now-$10 general admission. For reservations, call 517-782-0608.

Show times are 8 pm March 6, 7 13 and 14, with 3 pm matinees March 8 and 15. There will also be two free daytime matinees at noon for PARKSIDE students on Thursday and Friday, March 12 & 13.

Artistic Director for Holes is Jackson actor and teacher KURT SNYDER.

Holes, written by Louis Sachar, was published in 1998 and became an immediate success. It soared to the top of required reading lists at schools throughout the country and the main character, Stanley Yelnats, became a household name. It received a National Book Award in 1998 and the Newbery Medal in 1999. In 2000, Seattle Children’s Theatre commissioned Mr. Sachar to adapt his novel for the stage. Disney released Holes as a major motion picture in 2003.

Synopsis: Stanley Yelnats, falsely arrested for stealing a pair of sneakers, is sentenced to serve time at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention facility in the middle of a Texas desert. Having never attended summer camp, Stanley bravely regards this to be a new opportunity, but he is soon faced with a group of unhappy, unaccepting campers (inmates) and an evil warden who uses the boys to dig holes in search of mysterious buried treasure. Stanley makes some startling discoveries about himself, the true meaning of friendship, and the curse that has haunted his family for generations.

The T-Mobile Dance

This is amazing. Look at all the happy faces!

Kathy Backlund 2009

The Sewanee Mountain Register notes that Sewanee,Tennessee resident Kathy Backlund died on Saturday, February 21 after an extended illness. A memorial service will be held on March 9th at 4:00 p.m. in Convocation Hall at the University of the South.

Kathy was married to Dan Backlund, who was a full time director for Jackson Civic Theatre many years ago. Kathy had a fantastic singing voice and comedic talent. She will be remembered for playing the Carol Burnett part in Once Upon a Mattress. Sandy Sykes remembers Kathy's performance in an earlier version of Side By Side By Sondheim with Monte Long, Gay Hauter, and John Dwyer.

Daniel Backlund has been a Professor of Theatre Arts at the University of the South since 1989. Kathy worked for over a decade for the University's Physical Plan Division.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kathy Backlund Scholarship Fund at the University of the South for award to theater students or to a charity of your choice.

The University of the South
735 University Avenue
Sewanee, TN
37383-1000