Announcing auditions: A Raisin in the Sun

Audition dates have been announced for A Raisin in the Sun, the third production in Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's 2009-2010 MainStage Season. They will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Sunday, November 29 and Monday, November 30 in the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette office at 313 N. 5th Street.

Director Steven Koehler is looking to cast the following:

• * 3 African American females between ages 20-60
• * 4 African American males between ages 20-50
• * 1 African American male youth between ages 9-12
• * 1 white male between ages 30-60

All auditioning will be asked to read from the script. Copies can be checked out from Civic Theatre's office.

Set on Chicago's South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis and matriarch Lena, called Mama. When her deceased husband's insurance money comes through, Mama dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans, however: to buy a liquor store and be his own man. Beneatha dreams of medical school. The tensions and prejudice they face form this seminal American drama. This play about sacrifice, trust and love among the Younger family and their heroic struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.

A Raisin in the Sun will open Friday, January 29 and run three consecutive weekends through Sunday, February 14.

Dream Deferred at Purdue Galleries

Please take a moment to check out the blog for Purdue Galleries here announcing their January exhibit "A Dream Deferred." The show features the art work of Patrick Earl Hammie (Champaign, Illinois). The name of the exhibit comes from Langston Hughes' famous poem"Harlem" which also lends the title to Civic Theatre's January/February show A Raisin in the Sun.

The Purdue Galleries post gives some details about the upcoming exhibit and how we are tying it in with our production. There will be more information shortly about panel discussions, lectures and other programs surrounding this Loraine Hansberry classic.

One Size Fits All presents "The 'B' Show" on Nov. 14

One Size Fits All Improv has been challenged by audiences a lot during our decade-plus-long run as Tippecanoe County's longest-running comedy group. But now, the tables have turned - we have a challenge for the audience.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, One Size Fits All Improv presents "The 'B' Show" at the historic Monon Depot Theatre, home of Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette. All audience suggestions must begin with the letter "b."


The show begins at 8:00 p.m., and tickets are $4 per person. The show is family friendly and fun for all ages ... it'll be doubly fun if you know the alphabet. Tickets are available in advance by calling Civic Theatre's box office at 765-423-7529, or the night of the show at the ticket counter the night of the show.
To whet your appetite, here some words that begin with the letter "b". The first person to e-mail onesizefitsallimprov@hotmail.com and correctly name all 10 times below will win a free ticket to Saturday's show. And for the record, the sixth photo is not "ballet" or "ballet dancer." (You knew there had to be a twist, right?)

One Size Fits All: Turning the tables on our audience for the first time, this Saturday at 8 p.m.

Share Your Thoughts: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Now that You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown has closed, share your thoughts about the production.

What will you most remember about the show? What were your thoughts about the performances? The design? The story and theme? What were the standout moments?

Photos from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown rehearsals

Thanks to Kris Kazmierczak for providing these photos from rehearsals of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the second production of the 2009-2010 Civic Youth Theatre season at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown opens Friday, November 6 and runs through Sunday, November 8 at the historic Monon Depot Theatre in downtown Lafayette. Shows on Friday and Saturday evening begin at 7:00 p.m.; the Sunday afternoon show begins at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth age 18 and under.

For more information about the show or to order tickets, call 765-423-7529 or visit Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's Web site, http://www.lafayettecivic.org/

Civic Volunteer Album. Meet Bailey Rosa.

The "Civic Volunteer Album" will highlight various Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette volunteers who more often than not volunteer behind the scenes of productions as stage managers, designers, backstage crew and much more. They are the backbone of each production, working hard to support what everyone else can see and hear on stage.

Bailey Rosa has been involved in more than 40 shows at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, including productions in the Civic MainStage, Civic Youth Theatre and Civic under the Stars seasons. Although she has served in several functions, Bailey most often serves either as a show's lighting designer or stage manager.

Bailey began volunteering with the Civic Youth Theatre production of Number the Stars in the 2004-2005 season.

"I was the sound designer and sound board operator," Bailey said. "I became involved with the show because a few friends of mine were acting in it. They told me I should help."

One of Bailey's favorite Civic productions was The Diary of Anne Frank, produced in the 2005-2006 MainStage season. She was the stage manager.

"The show was such an amazing experience," she said. "Not only did I learn many things about history and theatre, but I met some really amazing people during the production that I now consider my family. Not only was it awesome to be a part of a show that never seemed to end because we kept adding performances, but it was just wonderful to be around Susan Kisinger, the director; Steve Martin, the assistant director; and the whole cast for a large portion of my 8th grade year."

Bailey also recalled two special moments from other productions she worked on.

"On the set of Forever Plaid, Julia Colby and I worked for hours to put together and hang Christmas net lights all over the ceiling. When the lights turned on for two minutes at the end of the show, it was the most amazing sight ever!" she said. "Another special moment was at the end of Jesus Christ Superstar. I was under the stage setting off the fog that covered the stage, and I looked up and saw a dove sitting on top of the cross. It was the perfect ending to a show. I remember everyone crying at the end because it was just amazing!"

Bailey concluded by explaining what being involved with Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette has meant to her.

"Civic has been my home away from home for the last eight years; I would not be the person I am today if it hadn’t been for Civic," she said. "There are so many great people that are accepting of everyone, who help you grow in your knowledge of the theatre and just have an amazing time while putting on a wonderful show. Getting involved in Civic was the best decision I have ever made."

Meet and Greet.

Flu season us once again upon us. In the interest of keeping our cast healthy and ready to perform for you, Civic Theatre will be suspending the tradition of Meet and Greet.

Meet and Greet is a tradition at many community theatre, Civic Theatre included. The cast comes into the lobby immediately following curtain call to shake hands with the audience. It gives a chance to keep that community connection strong and another opportunity for the audience to thank the actors for their hard work.

There will also be hand sanitizer at the box office, and anti-bacterial soap added to the bathroom. We have some wonderful shows this winter and I would hate to have the flu or other seasonal ailments keep you from seeing them.

I look forward to seeing you at the theatre.

Soliciting script submissions for Civic Youth Theatre's Young Playwrights Project

Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette and Civic Youth Theatre are seeking original, previously unproduced and unpublished scripts written by youth (ages 18 and younger) for consideration for the 2010 Young Playwrights Project.

Two to four scripts will be chosen for fully realized productions on the stage of the historic Monon Depot Theatre in downtown Lafayette. The authors will have the opportunity to work with a published playwright to hone their scripts.

Scripts that follow the submission guidelines will be accepted through 4:00 PM on January 29, 2010. Scripts that do not follow the submission guidelines will not be considered.

Submission Guidelines:

• Length: Playing time 15 – 30 minutes.
• Setting: Minimal set requirements, single location preferred.
• Cast Size: 2 – 10 actors.
• Subject: Anything. A word on language - Although we do not wish to limit creativity, the author should make every effort to keep the show family friendly. Scripts with mature themes and language will not be considered.
• Script Requirements: Typed in script format. Author's name, address, telephone numbers, e-mail address, age, school name and grade should be written on a 3" x 5" index card and paper-clipped to the script. The author's name should not appear anywhere else.

Submissions should be mailed or hand delivered to:
Young Playwrights Project
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette
313 North 5th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901

Scripts will not be returned, but an evaluation will be sent to each playwright upon request with the inclusion of a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Selected scripts will be announced on February 12.

Call Melanie R. Buchanan at 765-423-7529 or e-mail cyt@lafayettecivic.org with questions.

Performances will be April 16 – 18, 2010 at the historic Monon Depot Theatre in downtown Lafayette.

Share Your Thoughts: Tour of Terror

The 2009 Tour of Terror has concluded, delivering eerie and spooky true tales of downtown Lafayette. Stories of murders, beheadings, accidents and more were told each Friday and Saturday night between Oct. 16-31 by a group of Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette volunteers.

What did you think of this year's Tour of Terror? What were some of the highlights?

In the Wings: You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Meet Jordan Friend.

Jordan Friend plays Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the second production of the 2009-2010 Civic Youth Theatre season at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette. The show is based on Charles M. Schulz's comic strip "Peanuts."

Jordan explained why he auditioned for the show.

"I had listened to a couple of songs and really enjoyed them," he said. "Plus it's 'Peanuts' and I really like those comics."

Jordan said Charlie Brown is very modest and a little bit shy although he is a nice guy. He enjoys the scenes that bring out these characteristics.

"One example is a scene when he is looking at the Little Red-Haired Girl and he isn't sure if he wants to talk to her or not," Jordan said. "He feels, 'Why shouldn't she look at me? But I'm not as good as I could be.'"

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown runs from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, November 8 at the historic Monon Depot Theatre in downtown Lafayette. Shows on Friday and Saturday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m.; the show on Sunday afternoon begins at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth age 18 and under.

For more information about the show or to order tickets, call 765-423-7529 or visit Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette's Web site, http://www.lafayettecivic.org/.