In 1990, I graduated from the Ohio University School of Theater with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Production Design and Technology. Between 1987 and 1993, I worked for seven different theater companies in various capacities including stage carpenter, master carpenter,
and assistant technical director.
In 1993, I left theater to pursue a career in Information
Technology.
Now, after 18 years away, I appear to be back. Last night, I
was installed as a Trustee of Actors’ Summit, a professional theater located in Akron, Ohio.
Actor's Summit is entering its 13th year with a season that includes:
Woody Guthrie's American Song (October 6 – 30)
Woody Guthrie, the American troubadour, gave a passionate voice to the nation during the Great Depression. Five talented actor/musicians sing Woody's story from New York's skid row to the ravaged dustbowl to the orchards of California. "So Long It's Been Good to Know Ya," "900 Miles," and "This Land Is Your Land" and 20 other songs from the heart of the heartland will fill your mind and touch your heart.
Winter Wonderettes (November 23 – December 23)
It is Christmas, 1968 and the Marvelous Wonderettes, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy, entertain at the holiday party for Harper's Hardware, where Betty Jean has worked since high school. Santa arrives late and brings bad news – the hardware store is closing. The girls rescue the holiday with a concert of pop Christmas favorites from "Frosty the Snowman" to "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
Bully (January 19 – February 5)
Military hero, President, cowboy, Secretary of the Navy, Nobel Peace Prize winner, conservationist, trust buster, police commissioner, Vice President, explorer, big game hunter, author, governor. It could be a list of things a child might want to be when they grow up. It actually is a list of some of the things that Teddy Roosevelt did become in the course of his 60 years. One actor attempts to explore some of the roles Teddy lived.
A Girl's Guide to Coffee (February 23 - March 11)
Eric Coble, the Cleveland based playwright whose works have been
performed all across the country, creates a new play for Actors' Summit.
Coffee, from the ubiquitous Starbucks, to the neighborhood shop, has
become a defining commodity for a generation. Half-caff macchiato with
chocolate shavings and whipped cream has become as common as "burger
& fries." A barista, whose creations elevate the humble bean to
hitherto unknown heights, carves a path for herself from college to
whatever comes next.
The Importance of Being Earnest (March 29 – April 22)
In the 112 years since its premiere this Trivial Comedy for Serious People play has probably generated more laughter than any other piece of dramatic literature. Jack is Jack in town, but Ernest in the country. His ward, Cecily is deeply in love with Ernest's ne'er-do-well brother who doesn't exist. Lady Bracknel rules all and is certainly not going to allow her daughter to "form an alliance with a handbag." Naturally everything works out perfectly and everyone lives happily ever after.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (May 10 – June 3)
This year Actors' Summit marks the tenth anniversary of their first production of Love, Perfect, Change which was the regional premiere of this laugh out loud, comedy about the stages of love from dating through marriage. The show was extended twice and was Actors' Summit's best attended play. From "I'll Call You Soon" to "Always a Bridesmaid" to "I Can Live With That" this musical finds the laughter in every dating and mating situation.
Route 66 is a fun, high energy 1950's road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles. The songs, most of which are about cars, move the audience from one town to the next, as we used to travel in the days before the interstate. Beach Boys hits, from "Little GTO" and "Little Old Lady from Pasadena," together with lots of great car songs create an evening of laughter and road trip music
There's a little something in here for everyone.
According to BoardSource, one of the Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards is to:
Ensure adequate financial resources. One of the board's foremost responsibilities is to secure adequate resources for the organization to fulfill its mission.
To that end, I would encourage all (both?) of the readers of
this blog to support Actors’ Summit through attendance or donation (or both).
