Next Main-Series Show "Shooting Star" Through May 26

Snowed in overnight at an airport in middle-America, college lovers have an unexpected and life-altering reunion in this smart and sweet comedy from Steven Dietz, one of American theatre’s most-produced contemporary playwrights.

“This is a poetic, romantic middle-aged comedy,” said Director Natasha Tolleson. “So many romantic comedies deal with young people, but this one deals with two middle-aged people that have discovered that life hasn’t turned out exactly like they thought it would.”

The play stars Betsi Chamlee and Joe Rey­nolds. You’ve seen Betsi in many shows at the TCT, most recently The Dixie Swim Club. She is also our youth theatre director. Joe, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, just finished directing The Dining Room.

“Betsi and Joe are very compelling and believable in their roles,” says Tolleson. “There is a quiet, emotional power between the actors, and an ease like when you meet old friends you haven’t seen in a while, and you pick right back up in your relationship.” Tolleson is director of the award-winning Temple High School theatre program and was just featured in the May edition of Tex Appeal magazine.

Evening performances are May 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. Matinee performances are May 19 and 26 at 2:30 p.m. Reserved seat tickets are $20 for adults and senior citizens, and $10 for students and children. Tickets are available online or at the box office, which is open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30 to 1:30, and one hour before each performance.

The production staff includes Natasha Tolleson, director; Dustin Ozment, technical director; Janet Donaldson, stage manager; Lathe’ Owens, lights; Jody Donaldson, sound and Alison Clifton, costumes. Shooting Star is presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Season members -- CLICK HERE for instructions redeeming your coupon code for tickets.

The Temple Daily Telegram featured an wonderful article by Jordan Overturf on Sunday, May 19, 2013, which is reproduced below. Photos are also by Jordan Overturf and additional photos are available on the paper's website. Buy a paper or read the article online at www.tdtnews.com.

Auditions for "Annie Get Your Gun" May 28 & 29

Auditions for our summer musical, Annie Get Your Gun, will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. at TCT.

This Irving Berlin classic features such songs as “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Anything You Can Do” and “You Can’t Get a Man with a Gun.” Performances will be July 19-21 and 25-28.

Specific information about the rehearsal schedule will be addressed during the audition process. Until the weeks before the show opens, TCT shows typically rehearse Sunday through Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. When you audition, you'll need to know your personal schedule for June and July so you can indicate any conflicts when you might have to miss rehearsals. These conflicts will be considered when casting. There will be some Saturday workdays and rehearsal days.

Actors should prepare a brief musical selection from a song in the show or similar to songs in the show that demonstrates your voice and range. An accompanist and a CD player will be provided. You may audition acapella, but that won't show your ability to sing with accompaniment. Wear comfortable clothes that you can move in. There will be a simple choreography audition. Actors will also read scenes together from the script.

Actors wishing to check out a script in advance may do so with a refundable $10 cash only deposit through the Box Office beginning May 21.

Guest Director will be Kelly Parker, director and theatre professor at McLennan Community College in Waco. Kelly has performed before on the TCT stage and received the TCT scholarship for the year he graduated from Belton High School.

Other production staff members include Regina Corley, musical director; Jana Zajicek Connolly, choreographer; Lori Honeycutt, stage manager and Dustin Ozment, technical director. David Perez-Guerra will be assisting with teaching vocal parts and Jody Donaldson will be assisting with music.

Job Opening: TCT Managing & Artistic Director

Temple Civic Theatre will be accepting applications for our Managing & Artistic Director through June 1, 2013. We are hoping to hire this person to start the 2013-2014 season in September.

Here is a copy of the ad that will be published: "TEMPLE CIVIC THEATRE, Temple, Texas (One hour north of Austin TX on Interstate 35). Minimum: BA graduate. Community theatre with 228-seat thrust stage. Wholly-owned facility. In continual operation since its founding in 1965. Annual budget $192,000. Over 700 season members in Central Texas community of 67,000. Six main-series shows, two youth productions. Other employees are business manager and technical director. Actors and crew members are volunteers. Direct main-series shows (typically two musicals and four plays). Organize, recruit and coordinate volunteers, obtain grants, speak publically for the organization, plan and monitor budgets, write newsletters and news releases, enhance the public image. Four weeks paid vacation. Health insurance allowance. Tell us how your talent, experiences and achievements can benefit our theatre. Send or email your cover letter, résumé, salary requirements and references to: President, Temple Civic Theatre, 2413 South 13th, Temple TX 76504. Phone: 254-778-4751. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Website: www.ArtsTemple.com"

Volunteer Training Day Changed to Saturday, June 8

Due to a schedule conflict, we have changed the date of our Training Day to Saturday, June 8. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Temple Civic Theatre is always reaching out to our patrons in an attempt to recruit new volunteers. We are hard at work revising our database so that anyone who volunteers will receive an immediate contact either by phone or email welcoming them to our volunteer staff.

We would like to make volunteering a little easier for our upcoming 2013-2014 season. A Training Day will be held on Saturday, June 8. This training workshop will focus on specific areas of the theatre such as Box Office, Stage Managing, Props, Sound Operation, Light Operation, House Managing and Ushers. These “mini” training sessions are intended to give people an introduction into their areas of interest.

Each training session will be specific to the area you are interested in and will be conducted at scheduled intervals from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will begin taking reservations for training on Wednesday, May 29.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at ANY level contact Aileen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 254-778-4751.

Challenge Grant Update

In February, the theatre sent out a letter asking our supporters to help match an anonymous $50,000 challenge grant we received. We are currently at about 60% of our goal with 25% of our members responding (plus several non-members). If you would like to help meet the challenge, please call the theatre at 254-778-4751 for more information.

Summer Youth Workshop July 22-Aug. 16

Registration begins June 25 for the Summer Youth Theatre Workshop, which will be July 22 through August 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The workshop culminates in three performances of Myths and Legends, August 16-18. The cost for the four weeks is $250 for the first child and $225 for each additional child in the same family. Workshop director is Betsi Chamlee. The entire fee must be paid at time of registration. There will be no refunds if you have to cancel your child’s participation.

We Need Your Help! Become a TCT Volunteer

Volunteers are the backbone of the Temple Civic Theatre and we truly appreciate all the wonderful effort and creative thinking of our volunteers. There are many ways to be involved at TCT as a volunteer. These opportunities are a perfect way to match your interests and talents and involve as little or as much time as you’d like to spend. Call 254-778-4751 for more information.

You may also email Aileen Snyder This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're interested in volunteering. When you email, please let her know your interest(s) and/or experience.

Volunteer opportunities are divided into several categories. Click on "READ MORE" to see even more volunteer opportunities.

BACKSTAGE

STAGE MANAGER -- Attends auditions and every rehearsal. Sees that the rehearsals run smoothly. Supervises performance of show from backstage. Prompts lines as needed from the script during rehearsals. Fills in for absent actors as necessary for blocking purposes. Records notes and cues in prompt book.

COSTUME COORDINATOR -- Consults closely with director to provide costuming appropriate to the performance. Coordinates costume crew. Supervises fittings, research, color coordination with set and lighting, and costume changes during the show, including necessary cleaning and repairs. Oversees cleaning and returning borrowed or rented costumes.

COSTUME CREW -- Requires a basic knowledge of sewing skills. Depending on the skill of the volunteer, the jobs range from buttons, hems and trim, to the actual construction of a garment. May also help with costume changes during the performances.

MAKE-UP & HAIR COORDINATOR -- Coordinates crew members. Confers with director to find out desired effect for each character as to age, health, lines and shadows, beards and hair. Discusses the period and style of the production. Checks make-up supplies and prepares orders for necessary supplies.

MAKE-UP & HAIR CREW -- Assist actors with hair and make-up during performances.

LIGHTING DESIGNER -- Coordinate crew members. Consults with director, set designer and tech director for their interpretation and motivational lighting, and any needed special lighting effects. Prepares a lighting plan.

LIGHTING CREW -- Hang and focus lighting instruments. Operate light board during rehearsals and performances. Operate spotlights if necessary.

SOUND DESIGNER -- Coordinates crew members. Reads play and confers with director, noting each sound cue and how it will be produced. Gathers needed materials. Attends rehearsals to check timing of sound cues.

SOUND CREW -- Operates sound board and sound equipment during rehearsals and performances.

PROPERTIES CREW -- Confers with director, tech director and/or set designer. Makes a detailed property list to be used in gathering and in setting up for performances. (Properties are all of the set dressing and small articles used in a production such as furniture, books, dishes, lamps, luggage, weapons, food, etc.) Many of our props are pulled from our stock or bought or borrowed from local businesses, antique stores and individuals. Some props are made from scratch, while others must be searched for. Makes sure all the props are in the right place before the performance and between each scene.

SET CONSTRUCTION -- Help build, cover, repair and move scenery. Set construction encompasses a wide variety of construction techniques and materials. Some of the materials used in scenery are wood, metal, foam, plastic and fabric.

SET PAINTING -- Paints scenery, floors and/or backdrops after they have been constructed. Encompasses a wide variety of techniques and materials.

RUNNING CREW -- Responsible for all the moving scenery on stage. Also places and removes furniture and props during scene changes.

Read more...

What's The Best Bargain in Arts Program Advertising?

What is the best bargain in arts organization program advertising? The answer is easy: Temple Civic Theatre. That's because most productions at Temple Civic Theatre perform SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES for each show. (The Pajama Game even has eight performances.) Other arts organizations tend to have only one performance for each event. You get seven different audiences instead of just one for your advertising purchase.

We offer three sizes of ads, and you can receive a 25% DISCOUNT if you purchase ads for all the shows remaining in the main-series season.
  

   
For more information, or to buy your ad, please call the theatre at 254-778-4751.