Cold Reading Workshop in Dexter

Take Charge of Your Next Audition
It’s time for callbacks. Breathe. You can do this.

Sundays, 7-9 p.m.
June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, (no class July 15), and July 22.

Visit www.CarrieJay.com/workshop for more details of what to expect!

LEGALLY BLONDE OPENS JUNE 15TH

Center Stage Jackson presents Legally Blonde - The Musical June 15-17 and 22-24 in the Baughman Theatre at JCC. www.centerstagejackson.org

Youth Theatre Seeks Directors

Center Stage Jackson Youth Theater seeks directors for the 2012-13 season for a November play and a March musical. Contact info@centerstagejackson.org for more information.

Scholarships Available from Center Stage Jackson

Center Stage Jackson (CSJ) will be providing theatre arts scholarships for students. Application deadline is July 27th. www.centerstagejackson.org

Summer Programs for Kids & Teens

This information came from Encore Michigan:

WILLIAMSTON - The Williamston Theatre will offer four workshops this summer for teens (12-18 years old) starting June 18. The classes will be taught by Dana Brazil, a professional actress who has been seen onstage at Williamston Theatre, BoarsHead Theatre and The Purple Rose Theatre Company. Find more details HERE.

ANN ARBOR - The Children's Theatre Network announces "The Play's the Thing!" This youth acting class (7-11 years), taught by accomplished instructor/performer Anne Rhoades and CTN Director Becky Fox, will be held at Performance Network Theatre Monday through Friday June 18-29 from 4:30-6 p.m. 

Encore Michigan.com, is a new, Web-based publication focused on Michigan's professional theater industry. It is the state's premier source for free, up-to-the-minute news and information about this often-ignored segment of the arts community. has shared the following theatrical opportunities for young people this summer.

Love the Music in Jekyll & Hyde?

The international musical sensation Jekyll & Hyde, starring Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde and Grammy nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox as Lucy, will play the Fisher Theatre, Nov. 27 - Dec. 2. "Jekyll & Hyde" is now the fourth "extra show" outside of the 2012-2013 Broadway in Detroit Season Subscription. Click on the link for more details.

The other three productions are Mary Poppins at the Fisher Theatre, Oct. 23– 28; Jersey Boys at the Fisher Theatre, Dec. 12 – Jan. 6, 2013; and The Lion King at the Detroit Opera House, Feb. 13 – March 10.

Michigan Shakespeare Festival Monologue Contest

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is holding the first district of its High School Shakespeare Monologue Scholarship Competition this Saturday, May 19th, at Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave. in Ann Arbor. The competition is open to all high schoolers grades 9-12. A registration fee of $5.00 is required, sign up begins at 10am .  This is the Eastern District of the competition and 4 finalists will be chosen to go to the State Final, held during the Michigan Shakespeare Festival on July 28th. The winners will be announced on stage, during the curtain call for the matinee performance of Love's Labour's Lost.

More details are available on their website. Click HERE. 

Barn Theatre in Augusta Announces 66th Season

Summer stock is pretty much a thing of the past except for the Barn Theatre in Augusta, a manageable trip (about an hour from Jackson) west on I-94, and so much fun!! This is how actors got their early experience apprenticing in the summers and learning the trade. The Barn is Michigan's oldest professional equity summer stock theatre.

Here's the exciting line-up for the 2012 Summer Season:

• The Great Big Bar Show, a Barn Theatre tradition
  May 29 – June 3
• The Fox on the Fairway, by Ken Ludwig
  June 5 -17
• Rodgers and Hart's Pal Joey with Kim Zimmer (four-time Emmy Winner for "Guiding Light")
  June 19 – July 1
• Legally Blonde
  July 3 - 15
• The Wedding Singer
  July 17 - 29
• The Rocky Horror Show
  July 31 – Aug. 12
• Spamalot
  Aug. 14 - 26
• Raunch and Roll
  Aug. 28 – Sept. 2

MSF Establishes The Bob Duha Memorial Fund

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is honored to announce the establishment of The Bob Duha Fund to honor his memory. Bob’s involvement with Michigan non-profits and the Arts is the stuff of legend, and it is both a privilege and a pleasure to use all monies received to benefit his favorite MSF project, the High School Shakespeare Monologue Scholarship Competition, a truly unique opportunity for young people get a helping hand in establishing their careers in the performing arts.

For more information about the fund, or ways to contribute, please call the MSF at 517.998.3673, visit us online at www.MichiganShakespeareFestival.com. Mailed donations can be sent to the attention of The Bob Duha Fund at 215 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson MI, 49201.

John Peakes Returns to Michigan in Purple Rose Production

If you love On Golden Pond, you'll be thrilled to know that John Peakes, co-founder of the late BoarsHead Theatre (1966 - 2003) in Lansing, is returning to Michigan to play Norman.

But be warned : "Due to other commitments, Peakes will only be in the production June 21 through Aug. 5. After that date, the role will be taken over by Chicago actor Richard Henzel ("Heroes," Stormfield Theatre), who will finish the run, which ends Sept. 1."

Tickets will go on sale for "On Golden Pond" at 10 a.m. May 14. Ticket reservations can be made by calling The Purple Rose Theatre Company Box Office at 734-433-7673. Box Office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday noon - 10 p.m., and Sunday noon - 4 p.m. Tickets are also available for purchase at www.purplerosetheatre.org.

Special Offer from the Purple Rose

Mother's Day Special!
Buy One, Get One Free
Sunday, May 13 Only

Here's you chance to see WHITE BUFFALO at a great price! Visit the Purple Rose website for more information or call 734.433.7673!

Drama Camp 2012 at Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor University will host its third annual summer theater camps during the weeks of August 6 and August 13. Fables and fairy tales will be brought to life as participants get the chance act out some of their favorite stories.
 
For ages 5-8 and 9-16, the camps last for one week. In that time, students will be taught about the theater, receive stage training and be encouraged to have fun acting out various parts in some classic plays. At the conclusion of the week, students are cast in roles and the plays are performed for family and friends at the conclusion of the week.

For more details, click HERE.

Summer Program for Kids at Siena Heights

Siena Heights University is offering a unique art immersion program this summer for students who love to create. The camp is from 9 AM to 12:30 PM Monday through Friday, from June 18 through 29 on the Adrian campus. The program will include experiences in music and movement, visual arts and drama.

Students in grades 1 through 12 will delve into a variety of myths, masks and merriment. Some of the class varieties include youth choir, guitar, piano, musical theater workshop, book and paper making.

For more information or to register, contact Amy Sturtevant at 1-517-264-7890 or Joni Warner at 1-517-264-7901 or visit online at www.sienaheights.edu. Registration deadline is May 1. SHU is located at 1247 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian.

TONY AWARD WINNING AVENUE Q AT THE CROSWELL

Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, you won’t want to miss Avenue Q! Entertainment Weekly said Avenue Q was “one of the funniest shows you’re ever likely to see,” and it was called, “Subversive and uproarious” by The New Yorker. The show features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story of recent college grad Princeton in a smart, risqué and downright entertaining way. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends, struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life. The show is full of heart and hummable tunes.

Avenue Q is a witty Sesame Street satire, written by Jeff Whitty, with music and lyrics by the songwriting team of Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx. Songs include, “It Sucks To Be Me,” “Mix Tape,” “Schadenfreude,” and “What Do You Do With A B.A. In English?” Due to adult situations, including sexual content and explicit language, the show is considered PG-13.

The Croswell’s cast includes: Matthew Bowland (Toledo,OH) as Princeton/Rod, Kelly Fandrey (Toledo) as Kate Monster/Lucy, Eric Wright-Olsen (Ann Arbor, MI) as Nicky/Trekkie Monster, Natalie Kissinger (Maumee, OH) as Christmas Eve, Melissa Paschall (Jackson, MI) as Gary Coleman, Jamie Buechele (Ottawa Lake, MI) and Joshua Mohler (Monroe, MI) as The Bad Idea Bears, and others, and Rebecca Craig (Adrian, MI) and Jesse Monte (Tecumseh, MI) as a variety of puppet and human characters. Eric Parker (Chicago, IL), plays Brian, and also directs the show.

Other members of the artistic team include: Jonathan Sills - Music Director, Janine Woods-Thoma - Scenic Designer, Tiff Crutchfield - Lighting Designer, Jee-Hak Pinonealut-Sound Designer, Alyssa Battersby-Costume Designer, and Katie Metz – Stage Manager.

  

Avenue Q runs May 11 – 20 at the Croswell, with performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:oopm, and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets for Avenue Q are $28 for adults and $25 for students and seniors, and are available now. For information about tickets, call the Croswell at 517-264-SHOW (7469), stop in to the box office at 129 E. Maumee, Adrian, MI, Mon-Fri, 9-5 pm or visit the website, www.croswell.org. 

To arrange an interview with members of the cast or artistic team, or to arrange complimentary tickets prior to reviewing the show, please contact Jere Righter at 517-263-6868 or at jrighter@croswell.org.

Jere L. Righter

Artistic Director

Croswell Opera House

129 E. Maumee Street

Adrian, MI 49221

O. 517-263-6868

C. 517-403-1315