Download Newsletter 2014-8 - Theatre of Western Springs

ACTIVES NEWSLETTER
Issue 441
4384 Hampton Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558
www.theatrewesternsprings.com
Aug 2014
Directors' Workshop Aug 15-17
MS-1, The Dinner Party, Opens Sept 11
Meet our New Office Staff
MS-1 OPENS SEPT 11th
MS-1 CAST & CREW
The first play of our 86 th season, running Sept
11 - 21, is Neil Simon's 31st play (of a total of
35), The Dinner Party. It ran on Broadway from
Oct 2000 to Sept 2001, closing after 364
performances.
We've done many of Simon's plays at TWS, but
never one written so late in his career. Married
at 26, he became a widower at 46. Over the 26
years between his first wife's death and writing
The Dinner Party, Simon was married three more
times--twice to the same woman. And was
divorced three times--yes, two of those from the
same woman. So, not surprisingly, The Dinner
Party is all about... divorce.
Six characters inhabit the play, all divorced,
thrown together by surprise, confronting
one another in ways none of them could have
anticipated. The conversations retain the familiar
crackle of Simon's wit. But, along with the wit,
the audience finds itself treated to a great deal of
Neil Simon's hard-won wisdom.
Bill Love
THREE NEW
ACTIVE LAUREATES
TWS is pleased to announce three new Active
Laureates, Archie Benfield, Patricia Giesler
and Jon Mills. These long-time Actives have
highly extraordinary records of service to TWS,
and will be honored at a recognition ceremony on
Sun, Aug 24 at 7 pm in the Cattell. Friends and
family of the new ALs are invited as well as all
Actives and TWS staff. A reception will follow in
the MS Lobby.
Director: David Knezz
Cast: Debbie Angelillo, Michael Bolton, Bill
Hyland, Mary Kuhn, Laurie Lister and Dave
Romito.
Crew: Stage Manager: Bill Rotz; Assistant Stage
Managers: Tom Gess and Courtney Neal; Set
Design: Archie Benfield; Props: Suzy
Krueckeberg; Set Construction: Tim Gannon
and Mike Huth; Lights: Tammy White; Set
Painting: Sue Wistuff; Set Dresser: Suzy
Krueckeberg; Costumes: Arlene Bibbs;
Makeup: Bernadette Boyle and Stacy
McCargo; Sound: Pat Politano; Dramaturg:
Bill Love; Publicity: Bill Hyland; Program
Editor/Bios: Ed Barrow and Denise D’Asto;
Tech Director: Thad Hallstein; Prod’n
Coordinator: Mary Ellen Schutt; Hospitality:
Nicole Leatherwood; Sandwich Sunday: Mark
and Linda Cunningham.
DIRECTORS’ WORKSHOP
The upcoming Aug production of the Directors’
Workshop features Overtones by Alice
Gerstenberg and directed by Cal Turner, Karen
Arnold assists with the cast of Laura Byrd,
Gina Palmer, Lori B. Proksa and Tina
Shelley. Ed Barrow directs A Brief Period of
Time by Don Rifkin. Maggie Opal assists, with
the cast of Bernadette Boyle and Tristan
Collins. Darla Goudeau serves as stage
Manager, Mary Ellen Schutt is lighting designer
and John Mueller is sound designer.
Performances are Fri, Aug 15 at 8 PM; Sat, Aug
16 at 8 PM and Sun, Aug 17 at 7:30 PM.
THANK YOU
BIRTHDAYS!
Have you noticed how nice the outside of TWS
looks? Marta Carlson headed up several work
crews including Jon Mills, Diane Oppenheim,
and Eddie Sugarman to help with the garden.
It was their hard work and sense of humor that
made the gardening so much fun! A big thank
you to all of them!
Thanks the following people for joining our MS-5
costume crew but who came on too late to
appear in the program: Cindy Blaszak,
Bernadette Boyle, Jan Mahlstedt, Jennifer
Jermano Miller, Mary Smith
Janet and Martha
Thanks to Jennifer Collins who substituted at
the last minute in MS-5 Will Call for Box Office.
MES
SEPT TWS BIRTHDAYS
1 - Cassandra Johnson Locke
7 - Randy Snyder
14 - Stephanie Williams
15 - Craig Mahlstedt
17 - Mary Pavia
20 - Jeff Miklos
21 - Karen Holbert, Diane Oppenheim
25 - Bill Wilson
Remember, if for any reason your name is
NOT on our birthday lists, contact Mike Huth to
be added.
F-1 IS CAST
Director: Greg Kolack
Cast: Lindsey Arquilla, Charley Kennett,
David Rodriguez and Jen Torchia.
CONGRATULATIONS
Belated congratulations to Viv and Archie
Benfield who celebrated their 64th wedding
anniversary in June. Next year’s a biggie!
Congratulations to Bill Hammack who is being
recognized on Sept 13th by the Illinois Theatre
Association for his Individual Contribution to
Community Theatre.
CONDOLANCES
Peg Callaghan’s mom passed away on August
9th in North Carolina at the age of 94. Her mom
truly enjoyed coming to the shows as a supporter
of TWS—especially when Peg was in a show and
creating her magic on stage.
Robert C. Polson, father of Karin Kramer and
Andrea Imes, died peacefully on Aug 9. Their
parents have been TWS subscribers since the
1950s. Services will be held on Sat, Aug 16, at
noon at The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the
Good Shepherd, Palos Heights, IL.
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Crew: Stage Manager: Cal Turner; Assistant
Stage Managers: Liz Steele and Sue Wistuff;
Set Design: Mike Huth; Props: Dave Bremer;
Set Construction: Jon Mills; Lights: Mary Ellen
Schutt ; Set Painting: Karen Holbert; Set
Dresser: TBA; Costumes: Cassandra Johnson
Locke; Makeup: Darla Goudeau and Amy
Turner; Sound: Jack Calvert; Dramaturg: Mike
Huth; Publicity: Suzanne Reeves; Program
Editor/Bios: Ed Barrow and Deb Angelillo;
Tech Director: Thad Hallstein; Prod’n
Coordinator: Mary Ellen Schutt; Hospitality:
Nicole Leatherwood; Sandwich Sunday: Liz
Steele and Sue Wistuff.
BOOK DISCUSSION
The next book discussion group will meet on
Wed, Aug 20, at 7:30 at Carol Clarke’s house,
and the book will be Big Brother by Lionel
Shriver. Please let Carol know if you plan to
attend – (630) 323-5837.
NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
Sept 9th
TWS PLAYWRIGHTS’ GROUP –
NEW WORKS FESTIVAL
EDITORIAL
Everybody’s trying to sell something, and this
month it’s me. But wait, this is a deal like no
other. No, it’s not a labor-saving device or a
piece of vacation property. Let me be perfectly
honest with you – it’s an investment. Before I
lose you, let me assure you, there is no (well
almost none) financial cost to this unique offer.
But the returns are, well, I don’t want to get
ahead of myself.
I’m here to offer a unique investment few
people will ever be aware of, and certainly only a
select few will ever be a party to. It is a limited
offer – you cannot ever obtain more than a 1/300
share in it, but returns are bountiful. Unlike
Arizona land, my offer is not a stake in a future
development, but a stake in an existing and
recognized entity with an 86-year track record.
It’s not some virtual entity, but a solid brick and
mortar institution with a national reputation.
How can I offer a significant stake in such an
honored and prized investment at virtually no
cost to you? Yes, there is a little trick here. You
see, you already own it! You have a 1/300 share
in our theatre. There are no other stock holders,
no mortgage holder. It’s all ours, both theatres,
a fully equipped shop, stocked costume cage and
prop room, fully outfitted sound and light booths,
and, let’s not forget, free parking! Yes, all this is
now in your portfolio. Congratulations!
Now, any responsible person should be careful
that the value of their portfolio grows. In this
case, since you have been granted your share at
virtually no financial cost, the thing that needs to
be invested to keep the value high is your time
and effort. I’m not going to entertain a
hesitation here – this significant share does have
its cost. You did come here to be a part of it
after all. Well, this is what the “part” means.
We often define the theatre as two parts; onstage and back-stage. Actually there’s a lot of
“around-stage” as well. The on-stage is the glam
part, the part we’re known for, we brag about
and for many, what we strive for. But none of
that happens without the back-stage and aroundstage efforts. Our charter demands everyone’s
efforts in these support roles, but really, so does
our shareholder duty.
Everyone’s busy, excuses are easier to make
than efforts, but TWS does really need your help.
Please keep our reputation and your investment
at its peak and answer the call. Only you can
prevent artistic decline! Step up!
MH
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Sat, Sept 20, PREMIERE THEATRE, Prisco
Community Center, 150 W. Illinois St., Aurora.
Come and see the collaborative work of 29 TWS
Actives (that’s 10% of us!!).
PLAYWRIGHTS: Judy DiVita, Mary Ellen
Druyan, Tim Feeney, Terry Harrold, Peggy
McCaffray, Margaret Nikoleit, Ed Wavak,
Diane Watry – guest artist from Chicago
Dramatists.
DIRECTORS: Jack Calvert, Daina Geisler,
Terry Harrold, Cal Turner, Ed Wavak, and
Hope Hommersand - guest artist from Chicago
Dramatists.
ACTORS: Dorothy Attermeyer, Nancy Belda,
Arlene Bibbs, Dave Bremer, Linda
Cunningham, Lori D’Asta, Danna Durkin,
Tom Gess, Terry Harrold, Ann Marie and
Harry Hultgren, Donna Kanak, Kathy
Kovarik, Jon Kraft, Jennifer Miller, Peggy
McCaffray, Jason and Stacy McCargo,
Cheryle McKay, Jim Pusztay, Tom Viskosil
and Sue Wistuff.
The event runs 10:00 am to 9:30 pm. The
presentation blocks are: 10 – 12, Shorts for
Children; 12 – 2, Adult Shorts; 2:30 – 4:30,
Staged Read of Watry work; 5:15 – 7:15,
Shorts; 7:30 - 9:30 – Druyan play. Come and go
as you please throughout the day. $5.00
donation to defray costs. For further info,
contact Terry Harrold at: [email protected]
MOVIE NIGHT
Our next Movie Night is Fri, Sept 5th at Linda
Bugielski’s, 1 Potawatomie Trail, Indian Head
Park. The film is Midnight Express, the true story
of American college student Billy Hayes, caught
smuggling drugs out of Turkey and thrown into
prison. The 1978 film won two Oscars.
Doors open at 7pm, movie starts at 7:30pm.
Popcorn and refreshments provided. Please
RSVP to save a spot at (708) 505-4565 or
[email protected].
TWS SPOTLIGHT ON…
Our Spotlight column will resume next month.
MEET EDDIE!
Hi Everyone. I’m about ten weeks in as
Executive Artistic Director at TWS and having a
ball. I get to
come to work
at a beautiful
theatre full of
people who
are passionate
about art and
community.
And have you
noticed there’s
a sarcophagus
in the hall?
That’s pretty darn cool.
I’ve lived in Western Springs since 2005 with
my wife Kara and my kids Sam (12) and Lucy
(8). I’m a Libra, I can wiggle my ears and I adore
plays, musicals and theatre folk.
Two of my top priorities for this season are
meeting the budget and promoting volunteerism
at TWS. We must be fiscally responsible, and
active Actives make the theatre go. Oh, and let’s
put on some GREAT PLAYS while we’re at it!
I’m so glad to be here. Please drop in and say
“Hi” soon.
MEET ABBY!
There's a new face in the office - Abby
Madden. Abby came to TWS in mid-June and
recently became our full time
Office Manager. She is so
excited to return to her theater
roots! Abby began her interest
in theater in 2nd grade and grew
up doing community theatre in
Springfield, IL. She received her
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from
Ball State University.
For the past 11 years, Abby
has worked as manager of O’Sullivan’s Public
House in Forest Park. After working in the
hospitality industry for so long, she felt it was
time to return to what she is most passionate
about and began to look for a position in theater
administration. After completing a marketing
and development internship at a local theater,
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she was thrilled to have the opportunity to start
working at TWS. In her short time here, she has
been so impressed by the sense of community
among the Actives and can’t wait for the new
season to start! She is planning to take Studio
this Fall, so we may see her on stage next year.
Abby resides in Brookfield with her husband of
1 ½ years, Andy, and their bulldog, Stella Blue.
Stop by the office and introduce yourself - she
would love to meet you all!!
NEW DIRECTORIES
IN PROCESS
New Directories are being readied. If you have
any recent changes in your name, address,
phone or email, please contact Denny Wise
at [email protected] or (630) 969-7094 or
(630) 253-1273 - leave a message. Remember
that the requirements for being an Active TWS
member, per our by-laws, are: you have 2014-15
Mainstage and Forum season tickets (the “FourFer” package won’t do! it) and that you have
participated backstage or on stage in the current
or previous season. If you didn’t work last
season or this season, you’re not an Active.
Remember, helping with theatre yard work,
aiding in crises (such as floods, etc.) or delivering
theatre leaflets and posters are all valuable ways
of maintaining your Active status. Working
backstage on The Dinner Party by helping to
build and/or paint the set will satisfy the by-law
requirement and with your ticket payment, you
will be included in the new Directory!
Congratulations to our newest Life Members as
they begin their 20th year of Active membership:
Benton Bullwinkel, Anne Cahill, Jan
Mahlstedt, Bill Rotz, Liz Steele and Virginia
Welch.
IMPROVE OUR REVIEWS
We need more Google reviews, and you can help.
When you Google “Theatre of Western Springs”,
our address and reviews show up on the right
side of the screen. Although most of our reviews
are favorable and we have 4.2 stars, Google has
pulled out a couple of negative reviews plus
another quote from a favorable review that reads
as a negative when taken out of context.
But, YOU can help. Take time to review us.
Keep it simple so that anything that gets pulled
out will sound good.
INTERESTED?
At this very moment TWS has 5 shows in
various stages of production (2 DW, MS-1, F-1,
and MS-2), so recruitment for various crews is
also in full swing. If you haven’t recently (within
the last 2 years), entered or updated your
various interests, please do so at:
http://theatrewesternsprings.com/Actives/actives
interests.php to take the TWS Volunteer Interest
Survey (username: TWS; password: TWSActives
[case sensitive]). Names change, email
addresses change, interests change, too. Having
updated info would be especially helpful to our
new crew chairs, or those who might still have a
smaller informal network within the Active base.
As a recruitment tool, it’s better than a blast
email, but don’t forget the phone. A personal call
can still work wonders! And that works both
ways: if you want to be on a crew, find out the
crew chief from the Big Board outside Eddie’s
office and give them a call. I can assure you
they’ll be thrilled to hear from you. Our database
is only as useful as we individually make it. Its
currency is at our mercy. Remember…we own
it! Thanks.
ME Schutt, Prod. Coord’r
THURSDAYS ARE SPECIAL
Our shows open on Thursday. Jim Gary and
Darla Goudeau have feted us with champagne
on Thursday which is the night for talk-backs.
Post-show discussions are intended to enrich
the audience’s experience, but for some time
there have been grumblings that they were
unfocused. Among other faults, they had become
a means of personal praise among audience
members and the cast and crew. For the last
season or so the theatre has been trying to
change that. If not the primary purpose then
very close to it is the idea that if talk-backs were
more interesting then they might be a way of
enticing single-ticket holders to come back for
another production.
So there’s a shift in focus underway, away from
cast and crew and towards the play itself.
Leading this shift are directors and dramaturgs
who provide insight about the play which is
printed in the program. The intent is that talk``````1
backs should be a dialog that extends the written
word and provides an opportunity for discovery.
If you, as an Active, thought a cast or crew
member did an exceptional job, by all means tell
them – in the lobby or by a glowing email – but
not so much during the talk-back. Help us make
Thursdays special for patrons who don’t hold a
season subscription. We really need that support.
Ed Barrow
BOG NEWS
June BOG Highlights
● Treasurer’s Report – The Board gratefully
accepted a donation of $6200 from the TWS
Foundation for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
● Draft Budget for 2014-2015 – Eddie is seeking
input from staff. The Board will meet on July 23 rd
to discuss the draft.
● Volunteers – Harry Hultgren will be recruiting
people in the near future to be a part of
volunteer groups to help Eddie. These groups
are Buildings & Grounds, Marketing, and Benefits
& Rentals.
● Videotaping of Shows – The board will be
considering videotaping of future shows for
archival and teaching purposes only.
July BOG Highlights
The members of the 2014-’15 BOG elected
officers and welcomed 3 new members:
 Karen Arnold *
 Bob Baker, chairman
 Jim Gary
 Karla Hudson *
 Harry Hultgren
 Ginny Richardson, vice-chair *
 Paul Roach
 Stephanie Stomberg
 Sue Wisthuff, secretary
 Edward Wavak, treasurer
* are new members
● 2014-2015 Budget – The final budget was
approved. Eddie expressed thanks to Ed Wavak,
Bill Hammack, TWS staff, and all the members of
the Budget & Finance committee for their input.
● Bill Hammack will be presented with an Illinois
Theater Association award on Sat, Sept 13th.
Congratulations Bill!
August BOG Highlights
● Come one, come all to the Aug 23rd Fun Fest to
open the new season for CTWS!
● Sewer/Flooding Issue - The Board approved
proceeding with the installation of an exterior
sewage ejection system subject to price approval
for an estimated cost of about $16,000 with
funds to come from capital reserve.
● ADA Ramp – We are still trying to firm up bids
and will look into the possibility of obtaining
grants before any decisions are made. The
option of a lift is being considered as well.
● Website Update – The new site should be up by
Sept 1st.
● Fundraisers for 2014-2015 – Dates are still
being determined – stay tuned!
Name
Gina Palmer
Kathleen McCabe
Bunny Heppner
Tina Shelley
Jim Nerison
Topher Kielbasa
Kolby Boyle
Kerri Mummert
George Ellison
Laura Byrd
Brandon Byrd
Daniel Mitoraj
Kristine Schultz
Jaime Sandoval
ANOTHER STUDIO CLASS
Before his departure, Rick Snyder ran a Spring
Studio class with 14 “graduates.” Several have
already had their interests given to crew chairs,
but here’s the contact info on all of them.
Welcome to TWS!
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Tips for actors – a free service of your Newsletter editor…
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Number
630-495-9043
630-533-1488
312-804-2786
323-896-2111
773-484-7722
773-837-4687
603-801-6033
773-339-9523
312-919-9990
336-413-1405
828-265-6841
630-277-1139
708-308-9460
708-790-1490
September 2014
Sun
Aug 31
Mon
Sep 1
Tue
2
Sep 7 - 13
1:00pm 5:00pm
MS1 Sand
Sun
10
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1
Invited Dress
7:30pm 10:30p
m BOG Mtg
14
Sep 14 - 20
9
4:00pm 7:00pm
CTWS Classes
begin
15
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
Thu
Fri
Sat
4
5
6
11
12
13
7:15pm 10:15p
m MS1 Dry
Tech
Aug 31 - Sep 6
8
October 2014
SuMo Tu We Th Fr Sa
Wed
3
LABOR DAY
7
September 2014
SuMo Tu We Th Fr Sa
16
1:00pm 6:00pm
F1 Designer
Run/Mid
Prod Mtg
8:00pm 10:30p
m MS1
Possible
Benefit
17
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
1:15pm 3:15pm
MS2 1st
Rehearsal
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
18
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1
Possible
Benefit
19
7:15pm 10:15p
m HSR Fall
Pre Prod Mtg
20
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
1:00pm 3:00pm
HSR Fall
Auditions
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
2:30pm 5:30pm
MS1 Perf
2:30pm 4:30pm
MS1 Perf
8:00pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
7:30pm 10:00p
m MS1 Perf
21
Sep 21 - 27
1:00pm 3:00pm
HSR Fall
Audtions
22
23
24
25
26
27
30
Oct 1
2
3
4
7:00pm 9:30pm
MS2 Build
Begins
2:30pm 5:00pm
MS1 Perf &
Strike
8:00pm 8:30pm
BOG Annual
28
Sep 28 - Oct 4
1:00pm 4:00pm
F1 Sand Sun
Abby Madden
29
7:15pm 10:15p
m HSR Fall
1st Rehearsal
1
8/14/2014 1:29 PM
Directors' Workshop Aug 15-17
MS-1, The Dinner Party, Opens Sept 11
Meet our new Office Staff
THEATRE OF WESTERN SPRINGS
4384 HAMPTON AVENUE
WESTERN SPRINGS, IL 60558
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