“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.

Interview with Charlotte's Web Director, Bradley Cameron

So Bradley, how long have you been involved with Imagination Theater(IT)?
I have been with IT for about 5 years starting with Peter Pan. Since that time I have been in 12 shows--10 at Imagination Theater.

What are some of your more memorable roles?
I enjoyed playing Dr. Carassco in Man of La Mancha, the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and Theodore Lawrence III in Little Women.

What moved you from the stage to the director's chair?
I wanted to use my some of my creative abilities and visions to a show as much as I have with acting. I would randomly get creative ideas about shows and were able to direct my fellow cast members in characters and be taught by them, and I wanted to direct to really see if I could do it.

What about Charlotte's Web appeals to you?
Charlotte's Web is a moving story of great and true friendship in spite of all differences. The fact that this show is widely loved (for obvious reasons) and the rarety of its showings make it a terrific choice!

What has been the biggest challenge directing this show?
The biggest challenge has been juggling the other off-chair aspects of directing with the actual “direction” aspect of directing. Having to make schedules, run rehearsals, get stage and light people together, develop a poster, aid in designing the set, and make costume decisions while being "artistic" with the stage side is quite a challenge.

What has been the most enjoyable part of directing this show?
It is exciting to develop people into their characters and help make them believable and loveable--then stepping back and watching them make the characters their own.

Why should someone come and see Charlotte's Web?
This show is a story for children with lessons for the entire family. The actors tell this story with such life and energy! Also, the efforts of Peter, Karen, Lanny, Kevin Pratt, Dave Patrick, Danielle Badger (Assistant Director), and Haley Clark (Costumes) have helped frame these talents and the actors impressive efforts to tell this moving story.

Will you continue to direct?
I may continue, it has been such a learning experience. I enjoy acting more than directing I've discovered, but directing is still a hobby. I would more than love to dabble in it now and again.

Are you planning to continue acting in college?
Yes, I plan to audition, sing, and perform in choirs in college. Being a music minor, I could not see my college life being complete without a healthy dose of theater either. It’s part of who I am now--and I don't think I’d be able to get rid of it, even if I tried.

Group Ticket Prices for Quilters $13

Some have asked about group tickets for Quilters. If your group is 10 or more people, group tickets are $13 a ticket. Tickets are purchased by phone only. Our box office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call 530-642-0404 and purchase with a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.

Read the quilting book that inspired the play

http://www.amazon.com/Quilters-Women-Domestic-Oral-History/dp/0896724107

Strength and courage comes tumbling out of the words of these women of the Southwest, just as the colors came tumbling out of their scrap bags. From these they created spectacular quilts to counter life in homes dug into the earth, dust storms, and the incessant sound of wind. Busy fingers gave solace as they faced the loneliness of a land "stretched flat to the edge of the sky". I found these accounts to be profoundly moving. This is not a "how to quilt" book, but a compassionate account of the texture and fiber of the lives of pioneer women. It's impact continued when a play, "The Quilters", based on the book, became an internationally successful Tony nominated Broadway play.

Quilters Shows dedicated to Quilters

On Saturdays, March 26th and April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. Imagination Theater's show, Quilters, is dedicated to all quilters. The actors will have a quesion and answer session following the show and have pictures taken with any quilters on stage. Bring your quilting group to join us for this wonderful show.

Legacy Quilt Unveiled

"Audrey Keebler, quilt coordinator for Quilters, and Chrissie Addison, director, take a peek at the unveiling of the Legacy Quilt top to be used in the final scene of Quilters. The Legacy Quilt contains patches which represent all 16 blocks/scenes in the show.

Local quilt guilds have also finished construction on 16 seperate quilt patches used to introduce each scene. Busy hands in local quilt guilds have made this possible using material donated by women in El Dorado County - thus it is "green".

Raffle tickets will soon be available to win this beautiful quilt, suitable for a king-sized bed. $1 each/ 6 for $5. Tickets will be available through the box office or a cast or crew member soon!"

Charlotte's Web opens February 4

The timeless story of unlikely friends, Wilbur the young “some pig, avoiding the butcher," and Charlotte, a caring gentle spider who proves to be “a true friend and a good writer.” The inspiring and creative sacrifices of these friends bring the appreciation of all forms of life. Called “the best American children's book of the past two hundred years,” this play is at heart, a piece on the beauty of life. Directed by Bradley Cameron. The show runs only two weekends, February 4 through February 13. All tickets are $10. Contact the box office Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 530-642-0404 or buy tickets online via Paypal.

Friday, February 4, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 5, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 6, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 10, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 11, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 12, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 13, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Announcing our 2011 Season

We are excited for this upcoming year at IT! We have four great shows with a mix of comedy, drama, music, and everything in between. We have shows that appeal to the young, old, and young at heart! Tickets are available for Charlotte's Web (only a two week run in early February) and Quilters (March and April 2011). Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.it-tickets.org/

General audition information for Father of the Bride and White Christmas can be found under our audition and show links.

(Click image for larger view)

Call to 3D Artists and Quilters

CALL TO 3D Artists
EDAC ArtSpace is accepting submissions for 3D artwork and jewelry from El Dorado County Artists. Work to be displayed for sale atEDAC ArtSpace from March - May 2011. Submissions accepted for quarterly 3D exhibits. Deadline for March quarter is Feb. 1, 2011. Please contact Susanfor more information. http://us.mc357.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=artspace@eldoradoartscounil.org or 530-295-3496.

Call To Quilters in El Dorado County
In March, 2011 EDAC ArtSpace will behosting an exhibition and sale of quilts created by members of the local quilting guilds Gold Bug Quilters, Needle Nellies, and Dorcas. Please contact Audrey Keebler at http://us.mc357.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=akeebler@comcast.net or 530-620-6844 for quilt submission information.