A coworker forwarded a really interesting item from mint.com to me today. Those interested in non-profit administration (i.e. how we manage to run a non profit like a theatre) might find it very interesting as well. This neat little set of stats clearly and quickly delivers a ton of info on trends in American's charitable giving habits. As we already know at ASF, its the gifts from individuals who tend to make up the majority of charitable donations. Draw your own conclusions from the rest of the info given here:
budget planner – Mint.com
American Theatre Critics Association member Michael Howley has reviewed ASF's production of
If you haven't checked out our children's show Ferdinand the Bull yet, maybe you need a little more info to make your decision. If so, feast your eyes on this little taste of the show.
Yesterday was the BIG day at ASF. We not only had performances from the Alabama Dance Theatre and Wetumpka Depot Players on our stages but we officially opened Ferdinand the Bull! It was invigorating to have so many people, especially very young people, in the theatre!
Chick-fil-A Colonial Promenade location sponsored the part and provided delicious kid-friendly nuggets plus brought a long-lost cousin of Ferdinand's, the Chick-fil-A cow known by few as Jason.
ASF is full of furry creatures these days, and I'm not just talking about Ferdinand the Bull and his friends. Today is the 9th Annual Walk 'n Wag Pledge Walk for the Montgomery Humane Society in Blount Cultural Park.
The weather was downright cold this morning at 41 degrees, but that didn't stop lots of cute four-legged friends and their owners from coming out for the costume contest, silent auction, 50-yard Doggie Dash and more.
Our long-time theatre reviewer Michael Howley has begun a new blog where he will publish his reviews of local productions, including ASF, Faulkner Dinner Theatre, Way Off Broadway, the Wetumpka Depot Players, Theatre AUM, and more.
The first post on his new blog expresses it best:
"Welcome to a new blog with a purpose of service to the theatre community in Montgomery. With several years of contributing theatre reviews in print, my plan is to continue writing reviews for the local theatre companies and the public at large.With their permission, I would like to provide links to these theatre companies as well as to other theatre organizations on the blog.
Please spread the news that local theatre will receive critical attention here."
Today we met the new Intern Acting Company for the 09-10 Season. Six fresh faced youths were greeted by a room full of techies, artists and administrators chewing on bagels and sipping tart OJ from our styrofoam cups. Every season, there's about a month or so where we have very few actors on site while we're dark. Right before the first cast of the season comes in, its almost like we start to ache for the giddy buzz of actors in the hall, running lines, cracking jokes and building that special bond that translates so well on stage in a great ensemble. Today we got our giddy buzz back and it's kinda wonderful.After long months of discussions and budget meetings, we at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival have announced the 2009-2010 season! So for a quick run-down, the season includes:
Ferdinand the Bull Nov. 7 - Dec. 19, 2009
adaptation and lyrics by Karen Zacarias
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Based on the book The Story of Ferdinand
by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson
All Ferdinand wants is to sit in his field and smell the flowers. All Danilo wants is to dance. But Danilo's father, the Duke, has other ideas, and so into the bullring they go. This sweet and funny musical, based on Munro Leaf's classic children's story, teaches important lessons about being true to yourself. Recommended for ages 4+
A Christmas Story Nov. 27- Dec. 24, 2009
adapted by Philip Grecian from the works for Jean Shepherd
Oh fudge! Yes, it's that Christmas story, complete with little Randy's oversized snowsuit, the Old Man's leg lamp, and, of course, Ralphie's Red Ryder BB gun. We triple-dog dare you to bring out the whole clan to spend a hilarious holiday with a family even more dysfunctional than yours. Recommended for ages 7+
Harriet's Return Feb. 5 - 28, 2010
by Karen Jones Meadows
This incredible and inspiring story of Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman comes to life in this amazing one-woman show, in which playwright and actress Karen Jones Meadows plays more than 30 characters. Recommended for ages 13+, due to occasional suggested violence and mild sexual suggestion
Provocative Premieres
Nobody March 12 - 28, 2010
by Richard Aellen
A pair of down-on-their-luck African-American vaudevillians can't catch a break until they do the unthinkable - don blackface. This provocative new musical story is based on the tempestuous lives of Bert Williams and George Walker, who broke racial barriers by portraying racial stereotypes. This production is recommended for mature audiences only, due to strong language and adult situations
The Fall of the House April 9 - 25, 2010
by Robert Ford
The spirit of Edgar Allen Poe haunts this mind-bending new play that brings together magic, betrayal, forbidden love, tragic accidents, secret documents and familial bonds that span 150 years. This production is recommended for mature audiences only, due to strong language and adult situations
The Repertory Season
Lettice & Lovage April 9 - May 23, 2010
by Peter Shaffer
Exuberant, eccentric Lettice Douffet is a tour guide given to exaggerating history to entertain her charges. Lotte Schoen is a buttoned-up, by-the-book boss brought in to fire her. The confrontation leads to an unlikely friendship filled with drama, laughter, and an accidental near-beheading. This very witty, very British comedy is tailor-made for fans of the BBC. Recommended for ages 10+
Hamlet April 16 - May 22, 2010
by William Shakespeare
Denmark's Sweet prince suffers the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune as he seeks to avenge the murder of his father, poisoned by Hamlet's conniving uncle. The bodies pile up as his revenge takes its toll on the innocent as well as the guilty. Recommended for ages 10+ for some violence and mature themes
All's Well That End's Well April 23 - May 22, 2010
by William Shakespeare
Helena is smart, brave, and talented...and in love with a man who's just not that interested in her. But she's willing to do whatever it takes to win his heart - be it risk the wrath of a king, cross battle lines, or fake her own death. Because after all, all's well that end's well. Recommended for ages 10+ for mature themes
Summer Musical
Cowgirls June 11 - July 3, 2010
by Betty Howe with Music and Lyrics by Mary Murfitt
Jo Carlson is gonna lose the family saloon unless she raises a lot of cash, fast. And darned if she hasn't accidentally hired an all-girl trio of classical - not country - musicians for her Grand Reopening. Now she's gotta help them find their inner cowgirls in just 24 hours. Ya'll won't want to miss this very funny musical, featuring such original songs as Don't Call Me Trailer Trash, Honkey Tonk Girl, Saddle Tramp Blues. Recommended for ages 10+
The only way to order right now is by becoming a member. Don't worry, it's painless this year with our new membership program. Each starts with a $25 membership fee and then just add how many tickets you'd like to whatever show you'd like to attend. We have three different levels:
Scripted - Want to see six or more shows? Buying in bulk ensures the highest discount off ticket prices.
Ad Lib - Want to see five or fewer shows or just want to add on throughout the year? Then Ad-Libing it is the way to go.
Improv - This is our voucher membership in case you'd like to purchase discounted tickets but don't know when you want to go, or if you'd like to give them away as gifts during the year.
So give us a call at 334-271-5353 or check out the website at www.asf.net for more information.
The Montgomery Advertiser has some great coverage of the wigs that go into taking our musical Beehive back to the 60's. Follow the link for the article. Preview tickets for $25 are still available till this Sunday, July 19th. This is one show you don't want to miss!
Check out our newest rehearsal footage for our upcoming Musical Beehive starting July 10th!
A Day in Misalliance Rehearsal
by Heather Newman (Stage Manager for Misalliance)
We rehearse Misalliance 6 days a week 8 hours a day. My normal morning starts at 11:00am when I meet my ASM (assistant stage manager),
At 12:00pm, we begin rehearsal, right now that involves a full day of blocking (choreographing and recording the movements of the actors in each scene). Wendy guides the actors through this process as I take down blocking notes in my prompt script (the main archive for the show) and
At 5:00pm I am back in the building checking in with the costume shop to see how fittings went and checking for emails from other departments- all while Crystal sets up the room again for the evening’s schedule. The MFA actors and Wendy are back at 5:30pm and we head back into the blocking process. 9:30pm is the end of blocking for the day and the actors are given their notes and sent home. Wendy and I go over the next day's schedule (called the DAILY) while
Join the party at ASF with our production of Misalliance running June 26th - July 4th! Watch the video below and get acquainted with your fellow guests.
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