Friday, December 15, 2017

CENTER STAGE JACKSON ANNOUNCES YOUTH SINGING COMPETITION 2018

Registration is now open for Center Stage Jackson's 10th Annual Youth Singing Competition, to be held at 7:00pm on Saturday January 27, 2018 at Northwest High School's Cafetorium (6900 Rives Junction Rd. Jackson, MI 49201).

This competition is open to youth in Jackson County or attending a Jackson County school that are in 12th grade or younger. Competitors will be divided into three categories: Child (age twelve and under), Teen (age thirteen through 12th grade), and Group/Ensemble (two or more singers). Registration is $25 per act (soloist or group/ensemble).

The registration deadline for competitors is Saturday January 20, 2018 at midnight. Registration must be completed online at www.CenterStageJackson.org. There is a limit of twenty acts, after which point registration will close.

Judges include Ann Holt, Jackie Livesay, Stephen Murphy, as well as Home.fm honorary judges. Competitors will be judged on criteria including tonal quality, breath, musical elements, and presentation.

Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. The amount of the cash prizes will be determined by the amount of registration fees collected.

The winners of the Child and Teen categories will also get to co-host Mornings@Home on 106.9 Home.fm for a day!

An accompanist will be provided, or competitors have the option to either bring their own accompanist, or provide a CD with their background track.

Spectator tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the door with cash, credit, or debit only, starting at 6:30pm on the night of the competition.

Special thanks to 2017-18 Official Media Sponsor, Home.fm!

Contact: Becky Onnen, Competition Director at mooleeboo@gmail.com or 517-945-8821.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

CROSWELL AUDITION

Audition Notice: The Family Digs

Auditions for The Family Digs, a new play that will be staged the weekends of October 13-15 and October 20-22, will take place August 19 and 21. The play is written by Terry Hissong and directed by Doug Miller.
Audition dates and times:
  • Saturday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Monday, August 21, from 6-8 p.m.
Location: Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, MI 49221.
Roles: The play has five characters: one adult man, approximately between the ages of 50 and 70, and four young adults in their 20s or 30s, three female and one male.
Details: This is not a musical, so you do not have to prepare a vocal selection. Auditioners will read from the script. You may get a copy of the script from the Croswell office if you like; however, cold reads are perfectly okay.
For more information, contact John MacNaughton at 517-263-6868 or jmacnaughton@croswell.org. For a brief description of the play, click here.
More info
The Croswell | 129 E. Maumee St. | Adrian, MI 49221
517-264-7469 | www.croswell.org

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Croswell's 2017 Summer Camps (Adrian, MI)

Registration is now open for summer theater camps at the Croswell!  We are offering three camps again this year, all running from July 17-29:
  • Performance Camp -- for ages 9-16, plus 8-year-olds who have participated in the Croswell camp before. These students will stage the musical Honk, Jr.
  • Junior Performance Camp -- for ages 6-8. These students will perform musical selections before the production of Honk, Jr.
  • Tech camp -- for ages 13-17. This camp will cover the technical aspects involved in producing a live show, including scenery, lights and costumes.
Click Here for more information.
Click here for more information!

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE

 Michigan Theatre, Jackson, MI
A musical celebration of The Carpenters
Featuring critically acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch
on Friday, June 9 at 8PM
Doors open at 7:30 PM
Tickets are $28

AUDITIONS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS


Monday, March 06, 2017

Center Stage Jackson Auditions for SHREK

Announcing Auditions for
Shrek the Musical

Monday March 27 & Tuesday March 28

Jackson, MI - March 2, 2017

Center Stage Jackson is excited to announce auditions for its Main Stage production of Shrek the Musical, directed by Bruce W. Crews with music direction by Michael Mason and choreography by Samantha Baldwin (Original Production Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford).

Auditions will be held on two dates: Monday March 27th and Tuesday March 28th, both from 6:30pm-9:00pm at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201. Parking and entrance are located at the rear of the church and will be clearly marked. Actors need only attend one audition, and are free to drop by any time within the audition window.
 
"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek.

Performances of Shrek the Musical will be held at Jackson College's Potter Center in the Baughman Theatre, 2111 Emmons Rd. Jackson, MI 49202. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees beginning at 3:00pm

This is a Main Stage production that will include adults and children, ages seven and older.

Actors should prepare approximately one minute of music to sing, and bring either sheet music for an accompanist or a background track (an accompanist as well as a CD player with aux cord will be provided). Actors should also bring their calendar of obligations for April 10 through June 18, and wear comfortable clothing. Auditions will include the one minute vocal audition, cold readings from the script with other actors, and learning a short choreography routine.

Rehearsals will begin Monday April 10 and run Monday through Thursday from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Not all actors will be called to every rehearsal.

Shrek the Musical
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, Music by Jeanine Tesori, Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions. Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Shrek the Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

Contact: Artistic Director Bruce W. Crews at bcrews@co.jackson.mi.us or (517) 539-4118.

Auditions for Croswell Opera House in Adrian, MI

Auditions are right around the corner! 

Open auditions for the first four musicals in our 2017 season -- Chitty Chitty Bang BangIn the HeightsA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Beauty and the Beast -- will take place on:
  • Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 12 from 3-6 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 19 from 3-6 p.m.
Auditions will be at Encore Dance Studio, 124 E. Maumee St. (across the street from the Croswell). For details, including a list of parts, go to croswell.org/auditions.

Purple Rose Auditions 2017/2018

Actors Invited to Audition for The Purple Rose Theatre’s 2017/2018 Season
Auditions will be held on April 3 and 4

CHELSEA, Mich. (March 6, 2017) — The Purple Rose Theatre Company will hold auditions for its 2017 / 2018 season on Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Audition appointments are required and can be made beginning Monday, March 13 by calling the PRTC Administration Office at 734.433.7782. Office hours are Mondays through Fridays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Equity and non-Equity actors ages 18 and over are encouraged to audition.

Actors will be asked to perform a one-minute contemporary comedic monologue and should bring a current headshot and resume to the audition. Callbacks for specific roles will be held at a later date and those candidates will be notified by phone.  Auditions will be held at The Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, Michigan.

Actors unable to attend general auditions may submit a current headshot and resume to the attention of Guy Sanville, Artistic Director, The Purple Rose Theatre Company, 137 Park Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118.

The tentative 2017 / 2018 season includes "God of Carnage" by Yasmina Reza; "Flint," a world premiere by Jeff Daniels; "Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear," a world premiere by David MacGregor; and "Willow Run,” a world premiere by Jeff Duncan. The Purple Rose Theatre Company operates under an SPT Tier 6 contract with Actors’ Equity Association and employs both Equity and non-Equity actors. The current Equity salary is $430 per week.

About the Purple Rose Theatre Company

Founded in 1991 by actor, playwright, musician and Chelsea native Jeff Daniels, the Purple Rose Theatre Company is a creative home for original American plays. In the 168-seat theatre 2 patrons experience an intimate encounter with live theatre. The PRTC also provides an apprenticeship program, performance classes, readings, lectures and tours. It commissions new work from established and early-career playwrights. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre, the PRTC operates under a Small Professional Theatre agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association.

For more information contact Katie Hubbard, PRTC Managing Director, (734) 433-7782,
Auditions At-A-Glance

Person with casting authority: Guy Sanville

Name of company:                  The Purple Rose Theatre Company

Production:                              General Auditions for the 2017 / 2018 season

Time:                                       Monday, April 3 from 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
                                                Tuesday, April 4 from 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Place:                                      The Purple Rose Theatre Company
                                                137 Park Street, Chelsea, MI 48118

Appointments:                         (734) 433-7782
                                                Mondays - Fridays from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
                                                Beginning Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10:00 AM

Season Info:                            “God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza
                                                “Flint,” a world premiere by Jeff Daniels
                                                "Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Elusive Ear," a world premiere by David MacGregor
     "Willow Run,” a world premiere by Jeff Duncan

Preparation:                             1 one-minute comedic monologue
                                                 Please bring one current headshot and resume

Eligible actors:                         Male actors 18+ years of age
                   Female actors 18+ years of age
     Both Equity and non-Equity actors are welcome.

Callbacks:      Actors will be informed by phone if they are invited to
       callbacks after their audition and prior to the day of
     callbacks.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Yes

Contract / Salary:     Actors’ Equity Association SPT Tier 6 / $430 per week for
    AEA contracts

Friday, February 10, 2017

What's going on with Center Stage Jackson?

Auditions for
Daring Greatly: A Cabaret About Taking Risks
February 20th & 22nd
Cabaret Theme
Taking risks! This theme is open to personal interpretation! What songs resonate strongly with you when you think about taking risks? 

Auditions
Monday February 20th or Wednesday February 22nd
7:00pm-9:00pm (drop by when you can!)
at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church
743 Michigan Ave, Jackson MI 49202

Director
Jared Bugbee
You may remember Jared as Tulsa in Gypsy (2015) or the Russian Soloist in Fiddler on the Roof (2016).

What to Prepare
Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song or songs that fit the theme and an explanation as to how it fits the theme of taking risks. Bring either sheet music or a background music track on CD/phone/mp3 player.
An accompanist, CD player, and aux cord for devices will be available for use.

Additional Info
Duets and groups are encouraged!
All ages are welcome to audition.

Performances
April 7th & 8th, 2017
7:30pm
Jackson Symphony Orchestra's Weatherwax Hall
215 W. Michigan Ave, Jackson MI 49202

Contact
Director Jared Bugbee at 217-714-1367.
And Then There Were None
February 17-19, 24-26, & March 3-5, 2017
Dinner Theatre at the Sandhill Crane Vineyards


If the Shoe Fits
February 11, 2017
Free Staged Reading
Jackson School of the Arts' Ensemble Theatre at Art 634


Auditions: Daring Greatly Cabaret
February 20 & 22, 2017
Jackson's First Presbyterian Church
 

A Pirate's Life for Me!
March 17, 18, 19, 2017
Youth Theater Musical at the Middle School at Parkside


Auditions: Shrek the Musical
March 2017, To Be Announced Soon!
 

Daring Greatly: A Cabaret About Taking Risks
April 7 & 8, 2017
The Jackson Symphony Orchestra's Weatherwax Hall
 

Shrek the Musical
June 9-11 & 16-18, 2017
The Potter Center at Jackson College


Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
August 15, 2017
The Jackson Symphony Orchestra's Weatherwax Hall
Mission
The purpose of this organization is to cultivate, advance, and promote the appreciation of dramatic arts with the community by presenting amateur theatrical productions. The organization will make educational opportunities available for its members while serving the community in artistic expressions.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

2017 Youth Singing Competition Winners!

2017 Youth Singing Competition Winners!

Congratulations to all of the 2017 Youth Singing Competition performers on a job well done! It was an excellent night of tough competition in both categories.
2017 Winners: Children
1st Place: Phoebe Harvey
2nd Place: Zoie Bamm
3rd Place: Peyton Lowder
2017 Winners: Teen
1st Place: Patricia Barrett
2nd Place: Ria McDermott
3rd Place: Danny Hirth
Special thanks to our local judges: Jackie Livesay, Ann Holt, and Stephen Murphy!

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Auditions for Center Stage Jackson Youth Musical!


SYNOPSIS
Get your peg leg tappin’ to this eclectic score of rollicking sea shanties and contemporary styles — a surefire audience-pleaser! Aristocrat Roger Goodman has his heart set on a conventional life married to the wealthy Sarah Huffington and living happily ever after. That is, until he finds out she thinks he’s boring and would rather marry a brave and adventurous pirate!  Determined to prove himself to his beloved, Roger hires Long John Sliver to tutor him and his newly recruited motley crew in the field of piracy. In exchange for his total pirate makeover (which includes the fearsome new name, Captain Blood!), Roger and his crew sail to Treasure Island seeking the chests of gold doubloons Long John buried there long ago.
Artistic Director Melissa McElhone   Music Director Sarah Baldwin
Auditions
Thursday January 12, 2014 promptly starting at 4:30pm
Tuesday January 17, 2017 promptly starting at 4:30pm
(Actors need only attend one audition day)

Audition Location
Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201. Please park in the rear of the church and enter the southwest door, which will be marked.
What to Expect at Auditions
No preparation necessary! Newbies welcome and encouraged to attend! Youth will do a short vocal and dance auditions as well as read from the script with other youth.
Age Range
This production is for youth in Jackson County that are in 3rd through 9th grade (no exceptions).
Rehearsals
Read-through & Mandatory Parent Meeting will be held Monday January 23, 2017 at 4:30pm. Regular rehearsals will be Monday-Thursday 4:30pm-6:00pm starting Tuesday January 24, 2017 at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201. Rehearsals will move to the Middle School at Parkside's Auditorium in March 2017, date TBA.

Performances
March 17, 18, & 19, 2017
Friday and Saturday at 7pm, Sunday at 2pm
at The Middle School at Parkside Kiesel Auditorium

Contact
Youth Theater Committee Chair Doug Meyers at drmeyers14@sbcglobal.net or 517-783-1468.

Registration for the 9th Annual Youth Singing Competition!

Competitor Registration Deadline: Friday January 6, 2017

About the Competition

January 20, 2017 at 7:00pm
at Northwest High School's Cafetorium
6900 Rives Junction Rd. Jackson, MI 49201
Registration for Competitors
$25 per act due by January 6, 2017
Spectator Tickets
$5 per person (Sold at the door only, cash or credit/debit)
Three Competition Categories 
Children: Age 12 and under
Teen: Age 13 through 12th grade
Group: Any ages/age combinations, must have 2 or more participants

Prizes
Awarded to the top 3 places in each category
Judges
Ann Holt, Jackie Livesay, and Stephen Murphy

Judging Criteria
Tonal Quality: Support, tension, focus and resonance, projection, vowel placement
Breath: Depth and expansion, support, breath management/phrasing, posture
Musical Elements: Pitch, rhythmic/rest, intonation, tempo and pulse consistency, memorization, dynamics and phrasing
Presentation: Pronunciation/articulations, expressiveness, stage presence/poise, syllabic stress
Piano, accompanist, and microphones will be provided.
Each contestant is limited to a single musical number whether performing as a group or individually.
There is a limit of 20 slots determined by first come, first served.

Registration form and fee must be mailed by January 6, 2017 to Becky Onnen at the following address:
Center Stage Jackson, Attn: Becky Onnen
PO Box 822, Jackson, MI 49204
Any questions regarding the competition may be directed to Becky Onnen, Competition Director.
Email:  mooleeboo@gmail.com
Call: 517-945-8821

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Auditions at The Sauk in Jonesville




The Sauk will hold auditions for the March/April 2017 production of "Doubt, A Parable" at 7 p.m. on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14. Please prepare a 1-2 minute dramatic monologue from a play. Auditions will also consist of readings from the script. Auditions are open to anyone age 18 and up. No experience necessary. More information can be found at www.thesauk.org/auditions.html. Performances are March 30-April 2, 2017. This production will be directed by Trinity Bird.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Dear Apprehensive About Auditioning

Although the auditions announced in this press release are past, the message continues to be relevant. It's about the importance of showing up.

Dear Apprehensive About Auditioning,


You’re not alone in your apprehension.
I have had the opportunity to work at the sign in table at auditions for CSJ (Center Stage Jackson) many times, and I hear some variation of this at or before every audition... 
I don’t know this director or what they want...
I did theatre in high school but that was so long ago...
I’ve never done this before and I think everyone will know it...
I want a particular part but I think someone else will be better...
Are any of these familiar to you? Do I sound too much like an infomercial? Sorry, I’m just trying to show that there are more people in your boat than out of it.

Basically, my advice to you is this: Just show up.

Just show up. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done theatre before. It doesn’t matter if it’s been years. It doesn’t matter if there is or isn’t a part ‘made for you’ in this show. It doesn’t matter if you think you don’t fit into this show at all. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a giant embarrassing coffee stain on your sweatshirt (but feel free to ask me about that story). Regardless of if you are cast or not, whether you audition or not, showing up is not a waste of our time or yours.
There is a lot you can gain from showing up: Getting comfortable with the process, meeting people that you'll probably see next time, getting feedback that can help you at your next audition, or even quieting that voice in the back of your head that’s saying is this something that I would like to do?
Actually, I’d like to invite you to just watch auditions to get a feel for what they are like. There are two audition days for this production, so you can even watch the first day to see if you would like to come back the second day. This isn’t a high intensity job interview, and you’re allowed to say “eh, this isn’t for me” at any time. Well...maybe not a month into rehearsals. That kind of stinks for everyone else. Just know that we aren’t expecting perfectly polished actors to arrive fresh out of the actor factory box (you know every mail service is so backed up this time of year). Acting, like anything else in life, takes practice, and we’ve already planned for that.

Showing up can also require practice, and that’s okay. It’s okay to feel nervous, and it’s okay to say that out loud. You can even say it as soon as you get in the door. A lot of people do! We can chat if it helps you relax. If I'm working, I’ll be happy to answer any and every question you have (fair warning: I’m not very good at science).

The “worst” thing that can happen is that you won’t be cast in a role…this time. But if you want to come to another audition you will be carrying all of that knowledge you gained. You will be more comfortable, and we’ll be so happy to see you again.

Lastly…bring a bottle of water, it’ll give you something to do with your hands. I mean--hydration is important!

Auditions for Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None are this Friday the 16th from 6:30pm-9:00pm and Saturday the 17th from 2:00pm until 5:00pm. Drop by anytime during those hours. We’ll be at Jackson’s First Presbyterian Church, 743 W. Michigan Ave, Jackson. Just follow the orange signs once you get to the building. We'll be waiting for you just inside the door.

I hope to see you soon.
Katie Meyers
Administrative Director
Center Stage Jackson

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

New book tells story of Croswell’s first 150 years


The story of the Croswell Opera House’s first 150 years is told in a new book, “Behind the Curtain: 150 Years at Michigan’s Oldest Theater.”

The 246-page book, written by Croswell director of marketing and audience development Erik Gable, includes more than 300 photos and illustrations, many of them never before published. In addition to material from the Croswell archives and the local history collections at the Adrian District Library and Lenawee County Historical Museum, it includes information drawn from archives in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Lansing.

It begins with the story of the Croswell’s construction in post-Civil War Adrian and includes stories about the local groups and touring companies that performed on its stage in the early days. In addition, readers will learn about the many other roles the theater has played — including becoming a roller rink for one week in 1876 and serving as a hospital after the Lenawee County Fair grandstand collapsed in 1879.

The book then discusses the Croswell’s days as a movie theater, including how patrons raised more than $1 million to support the war effort during World War II, before moving into the modern era. The story of how the Croswell was saved from likely destruction in the 1960s is accompanied by photos from many of the theater’s productions over the past 50 years.

The book also includes a foreword by Tobin Ost, a Tony Award-nominated scenic designer who grew up in Adrian and got his start designing shows at the Croswell.

“Behind the Curtain: 150 Years at Michigan’s Oldest Theater” sells for $42 and may be purchased at the Croswell’s business office, 123 E. Maumee St., Adrian, or online at croswell.org/book.

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Youth Theatre Auditions

Youth Theater Auditions for Play Alice@Wonderland This Week!

Tomorrow September 12 and Wednesday September 14th Center Stage Jackson's Youth Theater program will be holding auditions for the play Alice@Wonderland !
 
What would happen if a 21st century Alice collided with Lewis Carroll’s legendary Wonderland?  This modern retelling of the classic children’s story has all of the characters you know and love, including the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and the Queen of Hearts.  The story is laid out in traditional style, except that Alice is distinctly contemporary, complete with cell phone in hand.  Full of references to text messaging and social media, the play imagines a present-day Alice encountering the Wonderland so many of us treasure.  A sharply told, crisply paced ride, this quality adaptation has been praised for its humor, modern style and appeal to both children and adults.

Audition Dates: Monday September 12 -OR- Wednesday September 14, 2016 (you need only come to one audition).

Audition Time: Promptly starting at 4:30pm

Audition Location: Jackson's First Presbyterian Church
743 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201
(Park in the rear of the church and follow the signs!)

What to Prepare: Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. No preparation necessary. Newbies welcome!

Note: Rehearsals will be twice weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30pm until 6:00pm beginning Monday September 19th at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church.

This is a Youth Theater play directed by Bob Bullock that will be performed November 18, 19, and 20th at Jackson's First Presbyterian Church.

Center Stage Jackson's Youth Theater program is for Jackson County students that are in 3rd through 9th grade (no exceptions). To see our Frequently Asked Questions page, 
click here.


There is no cost to participate in Youth Theater, however, all first-time participants will be required to purchase a Ben Nye makeup kit for $20 that can be re-used in subsequent shows and lasts for roughly four productions. There is usually a t-shirt produced for each show that is available for purchase and DVDs of the show are also available but these items are strictly optional.

Contact: Producer Doug Meyers at drmeyers14@sbcglobal.net.