We did a Quick 5 interview with Allyson Tierney, the Director for CTA’s upcoming production of Tuck Everlasting the Musical. The show is based on the novel “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt.
SYNOPSIS: What would you do if you had all eternity? Eleven-year-old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck Family does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tuck’s unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.
CTA: How did you get your start in theater?
ALLYSON: I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and the highlight every year was attending the high school theatre productions. I remember seeing a production of Godspell and wanted so badly to be on that stage! I auditioned as soon as I could and, after a few tries (well lots of tries), I got cast in a production of West Side Story. That was it for me!
CTA: What attracted you to want to direct this production?
ALLYSON: I feel like things come along in life for a reason. If you know me, you know that musicals aren’t necessarily my favorite. Don’t hate me!! I am naturally drawn to non-musicals, especially the classics. As Executive Producer for CTA, it is my job to research the chosen plays, help create the budgets, and assess the needs of the play. While diving into Tuck, I fell in love with this story and its message. My dad died last year and, as you can imagine, it was a difficult time for me. At its core, this play is a celebration of life. It encourages us all to live our lives to the fullest and celebrate life even when we are experiencing loss. After losing my dad, I needed that reminder and this play did that for me.
CTA: What makes your team’s production of ‘Tuck Everlasting the Musical’ unique?
ALLYSON: We are not approaching this show differently or uniquely. We want to tell this story authentically and with purpose. We have worked very hard to create a production that everyone can relate to and learn from.
CTA: What is the most important theme of the play? How do the character, blocking, and design choices help explore that theme?
ALLYSON: This production is a journey of self-discovery, a celebration of the beauty of life, and a reminder that even in our fleeting moments, we can create something extraordinary!
Visually, I wanted to focus on the contrasts in the play. For example, Winnie’s house is very crisp, sterile, and in sharp contrast to the Tuck home which is very homey and cluttered. We emphasized the contrast with colors as well, using browns and neutrals for the Tuck family, bright vibrant colors for the fair and carnival workers, and light blues for Winnie to emphasize her innocence and cheerfulness.
CTA: If the playwright were to cut the script, what line or moment would you fight for?
ALLYSON: “You don’t have to live forever, you just have to LIVE!”
CTA’s Tuck Everlasting the Musical runs October 18 through November 3, 2024 (weekends only). Run time is approximately 120 minutes (2 hours) plus a 15-minute intermission. Special events include a Relaxed Performance on Saturday, October 26 @ 11:00 a.m. and an ASL-interpreted performance on Saturday, October 26 at 4:00 p.m. Get your tickets at cta.ticketleap.com. Questions? Email boxoffice@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
CTA conducted a Quick 5 interview with new CTA Board of Directors member, Jamie Levine, to introduce her to our community.
CTA: What motivated you to join CTA’s Board of Directors? JAMIE: I volunteered for The Little Mermaid and music directed Descendants last season and I fell in love with the CTA family. I wanted to join the board because I want to make an impact and make a difference in young artists’ lives and help the organization continue to grow.
CTA: What special skills/experience do you bring to this position? JAMIE: My expertise as a vocal technician, a music director, and a singer.
CTA: How has theatre impacted your life? JAMIE: In addition to being a voice teacher and a music director, I am a performer in opera and musical theatre. I have been involved in many amazing productions, including a few world premieres. I have met some of my best friends in theatre and I love the community that I have built through theatre.
CTA: Why do you think theatre education is important for our youth? JAMIE: Theatre education is essential because it teaches kids important tools such as collaboration, working as a team, being a part of a community, and creating something special.
CTA: What is your favorite play or musical? JAMIE: Usually my favorite musical is whatever I am currently working on with students, music directing, or performing.
Fall is quickly approaching, which means it’s almost time for the CTA Fall Festival and our first mainstage production of the “Season of Discovering Wonder!” Wonder how you can help support this family friendly community event and a production that is shaping up to astonish our audiences? Wonder no more.
CTA is actively seeking volunteers and contributions to make our Fall Festival another fun filled family night out at our theatre. Volunteers are needed to help set up for the event on October 3rd and 4th, and to provide support in the form of ticket taking, running games, selling concessions, serving as parking attendants, and more on October 4th. Interested in volunteering for this event, please register as a volunteer and sign up to help using THIS LINK.
Unable to make it to the theatre to help, but still willing to support this event that helps us raise funds for our senior scholarships and end of season celebrations? Please consider donating some of the supplies that are essential for the success of this event through our Amazon Wishlist found using THIS LINK.
We hope to see you, your family and your friends at the CTA Fall Festival being held on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm! Tickets are available for purchase HERE.
CTA is also looking for crew members and volunteers to support our production of Tuck Everlasting. This beautiful show, based on the award-winning novel by Natalie Babbitt, will take our audiences on a captivating and powerful journey of discovering what it really means to live.
Be a part of the wonder by joining our crew (set building, set decoration, costumes, props, stagehands, lighting, & sound) or volunteering in the front of house (ticket taking, ushering, concessions sales). Front of House volunteers are able to watch the show for FREE in reserved seats in the back of the house. If you would like to be a part of this production, please register as a volunteer and sign up to help using THIS LINK.
If you have any questions about volunteering at CTA, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Amy Schropp, at volunteers@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!
Thank you for considering becoming part of the CTA family!
Can you believe it? Another season is starting here at CTA!
We are diving into the deep end of our 65th year, with a Season of Discovering Wonder!
This year promises to be another eventful year in the storied history of CTA! The long awaited build out is anticipated to start mid Q4 2024.
With an eye on the future and focus on the community, the Capital Campaign, Growing our Reach, has kicked off!
Some quick information about the Capital Campaign:
We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you about a significant new chapter in the life of Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the public kickoff of our capital campaign, Growing Our Reach, dedicated to expanding CTA’s existing home as well as building a stronger arts community in Annapolis and the State of Maryland.
With the transformation of our existing annex into a state-of-the-art multipurpose arts center where students ages 5 -18 will learn dancing, acting and singing, CTA positions itself as a regional arts and culture leader. This campaign expands CTA’s campus to include two new classrooms as well as black box theater that will seat more than 75 patrons.
Together, we can help our students achieve extraordinary things and give them a safe space to learn, explore, create, and express themselves. We invite you to join us in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by making a generous gift to our Growing Our Reach Campaign. Help us bring this facility and vision to life.
Please join the campaign and help CTA realize this vision!
Building on our Capital Campaign, if you have a business or a targeted donation that there would be potential interest in, we have a robust sponsorship program. We have over 6,000 people come through our doors annually. With the annex build-out, this number will only increase! Sponsorship with CTA is a great idea for any local business or business that is child-focused. See the link for sponsorship opportunities.
CTA is holding a family friendly Fall Festival on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5:30pm-9:30pm and we need you to sell your wares! Tables are available to rent for $25.00.
The Fall Festival will have:
A Family Friendly Haunted House Face painting and Arts and Crafts
Food Trucks Live Music and Open Mic Seasonal treats and more!
Quick 5 Interview with new CTA Board of Directors member, Jennifer Politte
CTA: What motivated you to join CTA’s Board of Directors? JENNIFER: CTA has given a lot to our family AND I believe deeply in what CTA stands for in the community. I wanted to give back to CTA and joining the BOD is my way of doing that.
CTA: What special skills/experience do you bring to this position? JENNIFER: I love theater! I was a professional dancer and have been choreographing for kids and teens for several years. I also love to create art through painting, costume design, drawing, etc. Planning and organization are also a few things I enjoy doing.
CTA: How has theatre impacted your life? JENNIFER: Theater has provided a place for expression and creativity, as well as a sense of discipline that has served me my whole life. I feel like theater and all creative arts have a way of reaching those places in us that we all share and can bring us closer together.
CTA: Why do you think theatre education is important for our youth? JENNIFER: I have seen over and over how theater can reach some kids in a way that nothing else can. Theater provides a community where kids can fully be themselves. Whether it is onstage or backstage, I find that theater gives kids a place where they can grow, explore and discover who they are.
CTA: What is your favorite play or musical?
JENNIFER: I have to pick just one?!? I’d have to say… “Chicago” and “A Chorus Line”
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis
Alice in Wonderland
What is Expected When You Audition for a Non-musical Production? Click here!
Alice Audition Pieces. Click here! NOTE: Actors do not need to memorize these poems. If the like the “Jabberwockey” they should pick a section of the poem to read, not the entire poem. The director is looking for a grasp of the language and storytelling. Actors should be comfortable with their selected piece and not doing a cold read at the audition.
Alice in Wonderland Character Description, In order of appearance. Click here!
Here is a link to the Registration form. Here is a link to the Sign up Genius.
The benefits of participating in performing arts programs are valuable and numerous. Some benefits include emotional, social, physical, and even academic. Further, according to David Murphey, Research Fellow and Director of The Child Trends Databank, participation in performing arts programs is related to various positive personal and academic outcomes, improving child development as a whole, enhancing cognitive, motor, and social skills.
Arts programs help build self-confidence. Various aspects of performing arts classes, from improvisation to performing on stage, will help your child build confidence and self-assurance. They will learn to explore outside of their comfort zone, appraise new situations, think outside the box, express their thoughts and ideas in a safe environment, solve problems, cope with performance and presentation fears, and build trust and self-reliance. All of these beneficial tools can be carried through to school, social activities, their future career, and will stay with them throughout their lives.
Drama and performing classes help improve communication skills, concentration, and memory. One of the main advantages of taking part in the performing arts in young individuals is the improvement of communication skills. Acting lessons, for example, will help with their presentation skills, vocal projection, tone of speech, and articulation.
Listening skills will also get refined by taking stage directions from teachers, by collaborating with peers, and working together toward a common goal. From learning new lines, to remembering their acting cues and timing, and rehearsing scenes time and again, your child will improve their focus, memory, concentration, and quick-learning skills.
Social-emotional development. Kids will also improve their social skills by working as part of a team, listening to others and expressing themselves, sharing and making new friends. They will learn to minimize errors and bounce back, solve problems and improvise, giving them the confidence to manage and perform in new situations that come with everyday life. The participation in these types of programs will also help enhance their interpersonal skills because they need to understand their play characters and the different roles, which allows young children to relate better to different situations, people, feelings, and support the ability to be in ‘someone else’s shoes.’ As a whole, the performing arts teaches kids about empathy, compassion, and how to express and understand their feelings and those of others.
Higher academic achievements. Studies have found that creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning increase and improve when arts education is added to the mix. As the Arts Education Partnership Report “Arts Education Has Academic Effect” suggests, arts learning in music, drama, and dance is related to high academic achievements in school. As is well-known, learning to play instruments and read music improves mathematical achievement and proficiency. Performing arts programs have multiple connections to reading, verbal and math skills, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
It’s super fun! Arts programs are a really fun way for your kids to express themselves, their emotions, and explore and improve their unique talents. Whether kids enjoy acting, singing, dancing, or a behind-the-scenes role, they will delight in expressing and improving their special talents. They will also have a fun workout in the process, as many performing arts classes improve flexibility, balance, and coordination.
So go ahead and enroll your child or youth in arts performing classes. See for yourself all of the benefits that come with it while you enjoy watching your child’s self-confidence blossom and their communication, social, and emotional skills develop.
The Bert Church Live Theatre, a live music and performing arts facility in Airdrie, hosts performing arts classes and camps for young people throughout the year. For moreinformation,visit airdrie.caand search for ‘The Bert Church Live Theatre.’
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