Leaving Iowa

Our local theatre company's production of "Leaving Iowa" is starting this weekend. If you have time I highly recommend their productions.

Anyone who has ever been on a family vacation can relate to the trials and tribulations, the fun and the foibles of hitting the road for a couple of weeks. Sibling battles over territory in the back seat; dad trying to rouse enthusiam in the kids by pointing out historical markers; mom doing her best to serve as referee, peacemaker and cheerleader. If it seems like its more fun to poke fun at other people’s family vacation experiences than hitting the road for your own, you are not alone. That’s what makes Leaving Iowa such an enjoyable outing.

Leaving Iowa closes out Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s 2011-2012 “A Place to Belong Season” with just the right mix of nostalgia, poignancy, and belly laughs. A homegrown comedy that is filled with folksy sentiment, genuine charm and humility,

Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth.

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s production of Leaving Iowa runs April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday performances are at 4:30 pm.

Local Auditions

Lamplighter's Theater is having open auditions...if you're the right age category.

Announcing Auditions for Leaving Iowa
The spark behind Leaving Iowa comes from being children of parents from the now dubbed "greatest generation." The story is a toast to their idealism and character and a little roast of their undying dedication to the classic family road trip. More specifically, it is the story of Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father's ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma's house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father.

This father-and-son road trip shifts smoothly from the present to Don's memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don's existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. Leaving Iowa is a postcard to anyone who has ever found himself or herself driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of his or her youth.*

We are looking for
1 man - 50-70
1 woman - same
1 man 30-45
1 woman 25 - 40
1 man 25-60
1 woman - 20-60

Auditions will be held at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center
March 4, 3pm-5pm
March 5, 7pm-9pm

Production dates are
April 20-22
April 27-29

Please contact Greg Wilson at greghats@yahoo.com with any questions

*Text from dramaticpublishing.com

Sense & Sensibility

From our local Theater company comes a new production.

Records were broken when Lamplighter’s Theatre Company hosted the 2009 world premier of Paula K. Parker’s sparkling stage adaptation of “Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.” Lamplighter’s Theatre is now proud to present the world premier of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility. And the timing couldn’t be better, with performances situated around the Valentine holiday.

Set in early 19th century England, “Sense & Sensibility” follow the trials and tribulations of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne – two women who have very different ideas about the propriety of love. Elinor is temperate and rational, while Marianne is fueled by youthful passions. Cast out from their childhood home by the whims of fate, the sisters still manage to attract suitors.

Elinor’s quiet beauty attracts the equally quiet and reserved Edward Ferrars, while Marianne’s impulsive zest for life draws the attention of both the heroic Colonel Brandon and the charming but roguish John Willoughby. But there are a multitude of obstacles on the road to romance in this delightful, new stage version of the beloved Jane Austen novel.

Veteran actor/director Shannon Spencer, takes the director’s chair for the Jane Austen classic. Spencer is no stranger to area theatre goers having recently seen onstage as ‘Sheila’ in Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s poignant production of “The Boys Next Door.”

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s production of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility runs February 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday performances are at 4:30 pm.

Lamplighter’s Theatre is located on the campus of Springhouse Worship and Arts Center at 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna, TN. Tickets are available at www.ticketsnashville.com. For more information contact Lamplighters Theatre Company at (615) 852-8499(TIXX), or visit us online at www.Lamplighterstheatre.com.

This is a wonderful resource for our community and I am glad to assist anyway I can to help them.

'A Christmas Carol'

In Dickens’ day it was traditional for the adults to tell the children Ghost Stories at Christmas time. It is a good thing for us they did because this tradition led Dickens to write one of the most enduring stories ever penned. Come experience Charles Dickens’ timeless story of redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge is guided by the ghost of an old friend and the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future to discover what really makes one rich. You might even learn something yourself, but for sure you will enjoy yourself.

This year’s production is Directed by Ronnie Meek and features Sam Dalton as Scrooge. It also features the classic setting for the tale. So bring the whole family (at least those four and up) and come to Lamplighter’s to enrich your Christmas season.

Friday and Saturday evening performances
begin at 7:30pm
Sunday matinees begin at 4:30pm

Adults: $10.00
Seniors (55+): $8.00
Students: $8.00
Children(12 and under): $5.00
Child rate applies to 4-12 years old

On Stage

The Lamplighter's Theatre has for your viewing enjoyment the following.

The off-Broadway hit, The Boys Next Door, is the second offering of Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s “A Place to Belong” season. This very funny yet very touching play focuses on the lives of four mentally-challenged men who live in a communal residence under the watchful eye of a sincere, but increasingly despairing, social worker. The play is marked by the compassion and understanding with which it peers into the half-lit world of its handicapped protagonists, compelling BackStage magazine to call it “…one of the most unusual…and one of the most rewarding plays in town.”

This poignant, at times humorous look at the lives of four mentally-challenged men will have you chuckling one moment, while reaching for your tissues the next. Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s production of The Boys Next Door runs October 21,22, 23, 28, 29 & 30. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday performances are at 4:30 pm.

Please Note: We are rating The Boys Next Door as a PG. This play deals with a few mature issues, and while it usually addresses these issues in a light and innocently humorous vein, some parents may find this inappropriate, especially for younger children. Children under the age of 4 years will not be admitted. Additionally, there are two short scenes in which mild coarse language is used. We believe that this play has significant value and that our audience will find it to be a totally enriching experience; however, since most of our shows are G rated we feel obligated to make you aware of occasions where this may not be the case.

Lamplighter’s Theatre open audition

Our local theatre group is having open auditions this coming Saturday and Monday. If interested drop them an email for more information and give it a try.

Auditions This Saturday and Monday!

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company is pleased to announce auditions for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Auditions will be on October 22 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and October 24 from 7:00-9:00 P.M.

Appointments are not necessary. Simply come during the posted hours.

Production dates are December 9-11 and 16-18

There are roles available for men, women, and children of all ages. NOTE: the role of Ebenezer Scrooge has been pre cast. All other roles are available.

Rehearsals will start November 6th and will generally be on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. (There will of course be no rehearsal on Thanksgiving.)

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Prepared monologues are not required; however, since some people do not do well with cold readings, you may also present a prepared monologue.

This year’s production will be presented in the classical Dickens era style. The show is being directed by Ronnie Meek. If you are unable to make these dates but would like to audition please send an email to ronmeek@gmail.com.

Good luck to all.

Lamplighter's Theatre season

Here is a nice image for the next years planned plays by the Lamplighter theatre.

Click image to enlarge

With that being said they have put out an audition call for those interested.

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company is pleased to announce auditions for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Auditions will be on October 22 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and October 24 from 7:00-9:00 P.M.

Appointments are not necessary. Simply come during the posted hours.

Production dates are December 9-11 and 16-18

There are roles available for men, women, and children of all ages. NOTE: the role of Ebenezer Scrooge has been pre cast. All other roles are available.

Rehearsals will start November 6th and will generally be on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. (There will of course be no rehearsal on Thanksgiving.)

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Prepared monologues are not required; however, since some people do not do well with cold readings, you may also present a prepared monologue.

This year’s production will be presented in the classical Dickens era style. The show is being directed by Ronnie Meek. If you are unable to make these dates but would like to audition please send an email to ronmeek@gmail.com.

Annie

Our local theatre groups production of Annie is ready adn about to start. Make plans on enjoying entertainment here in Smyrna by local people.

**Lamplighter’s Theatre Company
is proud to open our 2011-2012 season
with the much loved musical, Annie.**

Follow Annie from Hooverville to the White House. Experience her emotion as she deals with mean Miss Hannigan and her sweet dog Sandy and as she searches for her long lost parents. You are guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Bring the whole family! Enjoy the live orchestra and one of the Nashville area’s best theatre venues. You’ll probably want to get season tickets at intermission. It’s going to be fun, so we hope to see you at Annie.

Performances are September 9-11, and 16-18. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30, and Sunday matinees begin at 4:30.

We recommend you purchase tickets in advance online, as this show is expected to sell out quickly.

Auditions

Local theatre group announces auditions.

Lamplighter's Theatre Company
announces auditions for

The Boys Next Door- October 21-23, 28-30

The place is a communal residence in a New England city, where four mentally handicapped men live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly "burned out" young social worker named Jack. Norman, who works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the lure of the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the huge bundle of keys that dangles from his waist; Lucien P. Smith has the mind of a five-year-old but imagines that he is able to read and comprehend the weighty books he lugs about; Arnold, the ringleader of the group, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep-seated insecurities and a persecution complex; while Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic who is devastated by the unfeeling rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is a golf pro. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where "little things" sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when, with touching effectiveness, we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in the brief time that they, like their more fortunate brothers, are allotted on this earth.*

Auditions will be held at
Springhouse Worship and Arts Center
Thursday, August 18th from 7pm-9pm and
Saturday, August 20th from 9am-11am

Auditions will consist of optional monologues and cold reading from the script. Roles available for actors 18 and up. Mostly roles for men, but there are several roles for women.

Please direct questions to Arwen Jones at starryar@hotmail.com.

Audition alert

Our local theatre company has a call out for open auditions.

Lamplighter's Theatre Company
announces auditions for
The Boys Next Door- October 21-23, 28-30

The place is a communal residence in a New England city, where four mentally handicapped men live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly "burned out" young social worker named Jack. Norman, who works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the lure of the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the huge bundle of keys that dangles from his waist; Lucien P. Smith has the mind of a five-year-old but imagines that he is able to read and comprehend the weighty books he lugs about; Arnold, the ringleader of the group, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer, who suffers from deep-seated insecurities and a persecution complex; while Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic who is devastated by the unfeeling rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is a golf pro. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where "little things" sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when, with touching effectiveness, we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in the brief time that they, like their more fortunate brothers, are allotted on this earth.*

Auditions will be held at
Springhouse Worship and Arts Center
Thursday, August 18th from 7pm-9pm and
Saturday, August 20th from 9am-11am

Auditions will consist of optional monologues and cold reading from the script. Roles available for actors 18 and up. Mostly roles for men, but their are several roles for women.

Please direct questions to Arwen Jones at starryar@hotmail.com.

*Text from Dramatists Play Service

Local theatre audition

I sadly missed this audition so the first date for children to audition has passed, but there is another Saturday.

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company announces auditions for Annie. Production dates are September 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18.

Auditions will be held at Springhouse Worship and Arts Center. Parts are available for 7 young girls and 21 adults. Girls roles are for girls that appear to be between the ages of 6 and 13. No one under 6 will be allowed to audition. Great character roles are available for men and women of all ages.

All auditions will consist of acting, singing and dancing. Please dress accordingly. Bring a track or be prepared to sing a song from the show. Adult actors will audition with cold readings from the script. Children should also prepare a one minute monologue. This monologue will be the only acting audition for children. (Children will not read from the script.)

Children’s auditions are June 14 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and June 18th from 9:00 am until noon.

Adult auditions are on June 20th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Children and adults will not audition together. If an adult is interested in auditioning, but can not audition on June 20th, please call 615-516-9058 to schedule an audition time.

Good luck.