An Interview with Quilters' Director, Chrissie Addison

1. Why have you chosen to bring Quilters back to IT? I was in Theatre El Dorado’s production of Quilters back in ’87. It was a memorable experience for me and for most folks attending the show. When acting, I grow to love most of the characters I’ve played, and some have been real characters from history – like playing Annie in Annie Get Your Gun a few years back. Quilters is a vibrant celebration of real roles women played in settling our country and are an important part of her-story... (get it? his-story)

2. Why is this an important story to tell? To me, it’s important to know about where we’ve come from – as a collective culture and as a country. And living in the West, I love stories about those who died trying to get here to the magical draw the West held.

2. Why theatre in the round? With the audience surrounding the stage, the experience will be more intimate, more real. Also, I wanted to be a part of the fun challenge of doing it for the first time. And, for God’s sake, it is a challenge.

3. Why is there a 12 and up age audience rating? Being that all 16 stories (and many short pieces, monologues) are real, the action depicts death, fires, struggle, loss and such. The show is full of hope and determination, but it’s not a children’s show in general. Children over the age of 12 are more suited for this material.

4. What kind of an impact are you hopeful the viewers of Quilters will come away with? I would hope people feel uplifted and entertained, if not more knowledgeable about our living history in America. Quilters isn’t a typical show like most Broadway musicals. The music is actually more difficult than most musicals. It’s unlike anything most of us have seen on stage before; it’s an experience one shares along with the actors.

5. What is it like directing an all-female cast? This is the third show I’ve directed with all women. The same challenges and hard work ethic are required of all of us in any show, regardless of one’s sex, but I will say this: a group of determined women can make a strong cast. What I do enjoy seeing is the camaraderie and fun they can spontaneously share together. I usually end up wishing I could join them onstage.

6. With El Dorado County steeped in history of the “Quilters” period, many docents and history buffs will likely be attending. How have you found the nexus between historical accuracy and artistic direction? In all aspects the artistic staff has striven to be as accurate historically as possible: costumes, props, stage design, staging and the like. I only wish I could visit 1870 for a day and hear their dialects, slang and see their body language and ways of being. On those levels we only guess. The audience coming to most shows is not just interested in seeing a “museum” piece; they want to be entertained as well. We’re striving to do all of this.

7. What has been the most challenging part of directing the show and what has been the most fun? Every aspect of directing this show has been challenging – especially with putting it in the round. Accomodations and adjustments have to be made everywhere. I’ve enjoyed this process. Being on stage and working the action with the gals is my reward for all the planning and prep work. Once we get rolling, I love watching them warm up and get their energies together to deliver a good show.

8. Do you identify with any one of the characters in particular? Which one and why? I see pieces of my life entertwined throughout the script. Twenty three years ago I had favorites I played on this same stage; this time I relate to them all more and more.

9. What will be done with this production of Quilters that will set it apart from most musical productions? First it is non-fiction – verbatim scenes from real diaries of the westward movement. Also, it is all women playing 98 different roles. And the music is different and enjoyable. No walls or major scenery will seem different. And having a covered wagon on stage will seem unique! Most aspects of the production will seem “different”. I hope to see all theater fans there!

Tickets are available now by phone at 530-642-0404
or online (PayPal only) at www.it-tickets.org

“Spirits of the West” Concert - Friday, July 8, 2011

Grammy Award Winning Flautist, Mary Youngblood and Sisters of the Earth joins the Academy of Western Artist Nominee, the Old West Trio as they join together and return to Imagination Theater with a special concert, “Spirits of the West” on Friday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m.

$50 Campfire Seats
(Row A – Total of 18 seats)
This price includes two glasses of wine or soft drink, plate of appetizers, and an autographed program.

$35 Rows B, C, and D
$25 Rows E, F, G, H, I, J

Tickets will go on sale in March and will be available online and by phone.

Quilters to Take the Stage March 25

After over a year of planning and three months of rehearsal, Quilters will open on March 25th at Imagination Theater on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. This captivating musical, based on the hand-written diaries of the women who helped settle the American west, has been called “a theatrical masterstroke which will linger in the mind and memory long after the houselights have dimmed.” In sixteen scenes, or “blocks,” a mother and her six daughters tell the moving story of pioneer life which captures the beauty, terror and joy, the harsh challenges and heartfelt rewards of frontier life: girlhood, marriage, childbirth, parties, twisters, fire, illness and death.

Directed by Chrissie Addison, Quilters promises to be a musical and visual delight. It features a five-piece band, costumes and props of the period (including an authentic covered wagon) and lively choreography. Addison has chosen to stage Quilters “in the round,” placing the audience up close on all four sides of the playing area. Besides being an artistic challenge for the director and cast, this approach will make theatre-goers feel part of the action as each story unfolds.

Quilters opens March 25th and will run Fridays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through April 17th. There will also be two Thursday night performances on March 31st and April 14th. All tickets for Quilters are $15. The seating availability can be viewed at http://www.it-tickets.org/ and tickets can be purchased online there as well (PayPal only). Tickets are also available by phone at (530) 642-0404. The box office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Imagination Theater recently celebrated its' 10th Anniversary bringing quality, live community theater to Placerville and El Dorado County.

More information on Beginning Acting Workshop

A beginning acting workshop has been scheduled for this summer, July 25- 29. This four day workshop is for teens through adults and include basic stage directions and terminology, characterization techniques, tricks for memorizing lines, practice with accents and movement, the rehearsal process, and theater etiquette. The focus will be memorizing a monologe and presenting it at the closing "show."

Workshop attendees are expected to attend ALL of the classes as well as the final performance on Thursday night. Cost is $25. Class size is limited to 15 and payment must be made in advance to secure your place.

Dates are:

Monday, July 25 from 9:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, July 26 from 9:00 to Noon

Wednesday, July 27 from 9:00 to Noon

Thursday, July 28 from 9:00 to Noon

Thursday night, July 28 at 7:00 p.m. (PERFORMANCE)

DVDs Available for Charlotte's Web

If you are missing Wilbur, Charlotte, Templeton and the gang, you can order DVD's of Charlotte's Web through RJRuby Productions at:

3921 Ironwood Dr.

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

DVD's are $20 and $5 for shipping.

Roger can also be reached at 916-358-5011 or rjruby@comcast.net

Costume Designer Help Needed

We are looking for an Assistant Costume Designer and two seamstresses to work with the Lead Costume Designer, Carol Cramer, for our 2012 production of Camelot. Contact Lanny at the theater if you are interested or would like to receive additional information, 530-642-0404.

More White Christmas Audition Information

Imagination Theater is holding auditions for Irving Berlin's White Christmas Saturday, May 14th, with call-backs Sunday, May 15th.

Please come with a song prepared from the 1940's (Irving Berlin songs preferred). Audition will also consist of dance combinations and cold readings. Please come in comfortable clothes and appropriate dance shoes (Character, Jazz, and/or Tap). No acappella singing will be allowed - please provide a back-up CD or sheet music for our accompanist.

Based on the beloved and timeless 1954 film that starred Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, the musical version went on Broadway for the holiday season in 2008 and 2009. This heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake.

The dazzling score features well known standards including “Blue Skies”, “I Love a Piano”, “How Deep is the Ocean” and the perennial favorite, “White Christmas.” Visit I-Tunes and search “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” for song samples.

Overview: Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two iconic song-and-dance men, follow a sister act to Vermont, only to discover that the nearly-bankrupt lodge they were to perform at is owned by their former commanding general.

This play has many ensemble parts for adults of all ages and some children. Actors interested in lead roles for Bob, Phil, Judy and Betty need to be between the ages of 20 and 35 (or look those ages) with singing and dancing experience. Supporting roles open for adults of all ages, with two roles (one man and one woman) for adults over 50, and one child role for a girl aged 8-12. Strong Tap and Jazz dancers needed for chorus parts.

Song list:
Happy Holidays
Let Yourself Go
Love And The Weather
Sisters
The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing
Snow
What Can You Do With A General?
Let Me Sing And I'm Happy
Blue Skies
I Love A Piano
Falling Out Of Love
Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me
How Deep Is The Ocean
The Old Man
White Christmas
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

For further information contact Vanessa at:
Foothills Dance & Performing Arts Studio
3976 Durock Rd, Suite 101
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 676-9800

Don't miss the final week of Charlotte's Web. . .

Thursday,
Feb 10 at 7 p.m.

Friday,
Feb 11 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb 12
at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb 13
at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online (with Paypal), by phone (530) 642-0404, or at the door. The box office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a half an hour prior to scheduled shows.

Friendship is celebrated!

Bring a friend and join us for this heartwarming tale between Wilbur, Charlotte. Don't miss seeing Charlotte's Web during our second, and final, weekend.

Tickets are still available for our Thursday and Friday evening shows at 7:00 p.m. The box office opens a half an hour prior to the show.

All tickets are $10.

Student Show - Thursday, February 10th

Don't miss the final shows of Charlotte's Web this week. Student night is Thursday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m. After the show, the audience can ask the cast questions about the production. Tickets are available for all other shows as well. All tickets to this show (and all others) are $10.

Beginning Acting Workshop Scheduled

A beginning acting workshop has been scheduled for this summer, July 25- 29. This four day workshop is for teens through adults and include basic stage directions and terminology, characterization techniques, tricks for memorizing lines, practice with accents and movement, the rehearsal process, and theater etiquette.

The focus will be memorizing a monologe and presenting it at the closing "show."

Additional information will be provided as the workshop draws closer.

Charlotte's Web Opens Tonight

Don't miss seeing this children's classic in this February. The show opens Friday, February 4 and closes Sunday, February 13. Tickets are available by phone, online, and at the door. Specific show dates are listed here on the blog (click on Charlotte's Web label for all posts), on our Facebook Charlotte's Web event page, our website, and ticketing site.

"Audio for Actors" Workshop Offered February 19

The voice is a key tool for actors to convey character, emotion and presence onstage. In this era of TV and internet, microphones and multi-media audio have become the standard in even the smallest settings. Join Imagination Theater's new Technical Director and Sound Designer, Kevin Pratt as he shows how actors can use microphones and other audio devices to their advantage while maintaining a natural, realistic delivery in any medium.

Kevin Pratt has been a Theatrical, TV and Radio engineer and designer for decades. He has extensive experience in recording and live sound. The workshop will be held at the theater on February 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost is $40. Please contact the theater at 530-642-0404 to sign up.