Usher help still needed

We are still looking for a few good ushers for You Can't Take It With You.  It's a great way to see the play and help the theater.   Please read the directions and sign up at the link.   http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084DA5A62FA20-youcant

Kiwanis Club of Placerville and Imagination Theater help Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus in third world countries

Kiwanis Club of Placerville and Imagination Theater are doing their part to help eliminate this deadly but highly preventable disease that kills mothers and newborns in the world's poorest regions.  To this end Imagination Theater will be donating all proceeds from tickets sales of the April 18th performance of "You Can't Take It With You" to Kiwanis Club of Placerville.  Kiwanis Club and Imagination Theater are partnering to raise $10,000 over the next 15 months.  Imagination Theater will dedicate one performance proceeds from their next five shows.  We need the community to help us sell the house out for the April 18th show.  All you have to do is go to our website;  imaginationtheater.net and purchase tickets to see "You Can't Take It With You" on Friday evening April 18th or you can call our Box Office at 530 642-0404 to reserve your seats.  By raising $10,000, we will be able to save 5,000 babies from dying of this very painful disease and do our part to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus in the world.  So come see "You Can't Take It With You" and know that your dollars are going to help eliminate this deadly disease. 

The Eliminate Project is Kiwanis International's global campaign to help eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus from the face of the earth.  The campaign will raise US $110 million for the project.

Here are some quick facts about this horrible disease:

*  1 baby dies every 9 minutes from tetanus

*  160 babies die each day from tetanus

*  MNT has been eliminated form more than 20 countries since 2000

*  A series of 3 doses of tetanus vaccine = immunity from tetanus

*  Woman + vaccine = protected baby

*  US$1.80 protects 1 woman her future babies

*  The Eliminate Project saves or protects 61 million women and babies

*  Elimination = < case of MNT per 1,000 live births

To purchase tickets for the show on Friday, April 18, go to www.imaginationtheater.net

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO ELIMINATE THIS DEADLY, BUT PREVENTABLE DISEASE.

"You Can't Take It With You" Continues through April 19

“You Can’t Take It With You,” presents a frolicking, fun-loving family that will convince the audience that life is to be enjoyed, not taken so seriously.  Do take seriously, however, the chance to catch this Pulitzer prize-winning story at Imagination Theater" --Mt. Democrat

You Can't Take It With You continues through April 19.  Shows are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.    Tickets are $15 with Thursday shows and groups (10+) are $12.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.imaginationtheater.net or at the door a half hour prior to show time.  You won't want to miss this crowd pleasing play.

You Can't Take It With You Opens Friday

“How many of us would be willing to settle when we're young for what we eventually get? All those plans we make...what happens to them? It's only a handful of the lucky ones that can look back and say that they even came close.”   —Moss Hart

You Can't Take It With You  

Opening this Friday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. 

Sunday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets $12-15

Purchase tickets online, by phone, or at the door.

It's a CASTaway Beach Party for IT Theater Alums

Are you an alumni of Imagination Theater.  Involved in the cast or crew in a current or previous show?  The next CAST Alumni event is coming up at the end of April.  (p.s.  If this sounds fun to you, consider auditioning or getting involved in one of IT!s upcoming shows.)  

CASTaway Beach - A themed C.A.S.T. Party
Committed Alumni Supporting the Theater

at Imagination Theater
Friday, April 25th 7pm-10pm

Dress for a beach party! (Hawaiian shirt, sundress etc)(optional) Hawaiian Leis will be available for a small donation ($2 or 3/$5)

Please bring a light snack or beverage to share
Eat dinner at home and bring an after dinner treat, soft drink, wine or beer. Anyone under 30 wishing to partake should be prepared to show ID.

Socializing * Theater Games * Talent Show * and More!

RSVP no later than April 18 if you are interested in performing in the Show.  Space may be limited. Beach theme encouraged, but not necessary.

Join our Facebook Group: IT! CAST(closed group, invitation needed, ask a friend)

Michelle Harwell * Marc Bonham * Kate Barba * Jerri Myers

ImaginationTheaterCAST@gmail.com

El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud Winner Off to State Finals

CONNOR RICKETTS REDUX AT EL DORADO COUNTY'S FIFTH POETRY OUT LOUD COMPETITION!

Connor Ricketts, 2013 & 2014 Poetry Out Loud 1st place winner, El Dorado County

For the second year in a row, Connor Ricketts, a sophomore at Charter University Prep in El Dorado, garnered first place honors at the El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud competition held at the Imagination Theater on Thursday night, February 6th. Connor won with his inspired performances of Matthew Arnold's classic poem "Dover Beach"  and Delmore Schwartz's "The True Blue American," a comic poem on the paradoxical nature that inhabits American individualism. Arts Council Executive Director Deb Jensen presented Connor with a $100 check for his efforts.

Earning second place honors and a $75 check was El Dorado High School senior Evan Lucero who mesmerized attendees with his haunting rendition of Linda Gregg's "The Lamb," a poem about the resilience of the human spirit in the aftermath of war, followed by Amy Clampitt's "Dancers Exercising," a philosophical inquiry into the elusive nature of memory.

(l-r) Evan Lucero, Connor Ricketts, Leora Mazumdar

Leora Mazumdar, a sophomore at Oak Ridge High School, placed third, reciting Gwendolyn Brooks' "a song in the front yard," a saucy poem about a young girl's yearning for independence. In the contest's second round, Leoras performed Ha Jin's "Ways of Talking" which addresses the immigrant's loss of homeland. Leora received $50 in prize money from the Arts Council.

Four other high school champions also took center stage that evening, enchanting the audience with their poem selections, including Glen Carlisle of Golden Sierra High School, Nicole Sutherland of Independence High School, Sam King of the County Office of Education, and Becky Glaister of Union Mine High School. All students received gift certificates from the Bookery and verse-inscribed dog-tags from the Arts Council.

Poetry Out Loud El Dorado County High School Champions Back row, left to right: Glen Carlisle, Evan Lucero, Leora Mazumdar, Becky Glaister, Nicole Sutherland Front row, left to right: Sam King, Connor Ricketts

Connor Ricketts now goes on to the California State Poetry Out Loud Competition held in Sacramento at the Sheraton Hotel on Sunday, March 23, and in the California State Senate Chambers on Monday, March 24. In turn, the winner of the state competition will compete against 52 other state and territory champions at the Poetry Out Loud Nationals held in Washington, DC at the end of April, National Poetry Month. The stakes are high at the nationals, with the first place winner awarded a grand prize of $20,000 and the second and third place winners receiving $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.

The Arts Council is grateful to the fifty plus volunteers who so graciously gave of their time and brain power to be part of our county's Poetry Out Loud contest! You know who you are! We thank you a thousand times and then some!

Please join us in congratulating Connor and wishing him well at the state competition! Know that all of El Dorado County is rooting for you, Connor!   

All POL photos courtesy of Betty Sederquist. 

From the El Dorado Arts Council March 2014 Newsletter, ArtBeat

IT! is pleased to present "You Can't Take It With You"

Imagination Theater is pleased present one of the most popular and successful plays of modern times, You Can’t Take It With You, Friday, March 28 through Saturday, April 19.   Kaufman and Hart’s comedic three-act play, set in New York, takes place in the mid-1930s and focuses on what happens when a family of conservatives clashes with an eccentric family of free spirits.  

You Can’t Take It With You was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1937, and has been revived numerous times on stage, in television and a well-known 1938 film starring James Stewart and directed by Frank Capra.  The play is being directed by Brenda Lindley from Auburn.  Brenda is the former president of Placer Community Theater and directed numerous plays and musicals in the Auburn area including She Loves Me, Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical and Exit The Body. 

Show times are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.--except on 3/29  at 7:00 p.m. only.   Tickets are $15.   Opening Night, Thursday shows, and groups of ten or more are $12.  Tickets can be purchased 24/7 at www.imaginationtheater.net or 1-800-838-3006, or through the box office (530)642-0404, or at the door. 

Free Audition Workshop Coming Soon

Seeking Teens (15+) for Our Town

Auditions are coming up on March 23 for Our Town.  It is going to be a Readers Theater and adapted to Placerville in 1901.  Roles are available for adults and children, yet the theater is especially interested in teens ages 15+ for a couple of the leading roles.  Contact Lanny if you have questions at 530-903-6361.

Our Town Rehearsal Dates (Revised)

Love theater? Want to squeeze in a little Readers' Theater this spring? Join us for Thorton Wilder's classic, Our Town which has been adapted to Placerville in 1901. 

There are five parts available for kids (age 12+) and twenty or so parts for adults age (18+).   We are looking for a teen boy and girl ages 15/16+ for a couple of the roles.  There are eight reading rehearsals.   

Eight reading rehearsals on: Thursday, March 27 (Character Study) Act 1, Sunday, March 30 (Character Study, Read Act 2 and 3), Monday, March 31 (Read Entire Play), Wednesday, April 2 (Read Entire Play), Wednesday, April 9 (Read Entire Play) Wednesday, April 16 (Dress Rehearsal), Tuesday, April 22 (Dress Rehearsal, Sound, Lights), Monday, April 28 (Final Dress Rehearsal).

There will be three performances--April 30, May 1 and 2 at 7:00 p.m. with donation (suggested) of $5.00. General Seating.

Bring your good reading voice and join us for the audition/reading on March 23 at 6:00 p.m.

More Audition Information for Our Town

Imagination Theater will be have reading auditions for Thornton Wilder's awarding winning play "Our Town" on Sunday evening, March 23rd at 6:00pm at Imagination Theater.  Imagination Theater will be doing a Reader's Theater production of this classic.  Auditioners will be asked to read form the script and possible some improvisation.  There are parts for approximately 19 actors which includes three boys (two age 11 to 13 yrs old and another 16 to 19 years old), three girls (one 10 to 13 years old, and two 14 to 19 years old) and the remaining actors ages between 20 to 70 (8 men and 7 women).

If you haven't read in a Reader's Theater it is a very enjoyable experience for both the actors and audience.  This is a great way to improve on your diction and character development.  There will be only eight rehearsals and three performances. The Performance Dates are April 30, May 1 and 2 at 7pm at Imagination Theater.  Scripts are available to check out at our Box Office.  Box Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 2:30pm.  For further information on Our Town please call Lanny Langston, the director, at 530 903-6361.

Show Dates for You Can't Take It With You

Join us this spring for the popular comedy, You Can't Take It With You

Friday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 30 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 5 at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15.  Opening Night, Thursdays, and Group Tickets are $12.  Tickets can be purchased online or through the box office at 530-642-0404.  

Imagination Theater Presents - You Can't Take It With You

You Can't Take It With You opens Friday, March 28 and runs through Saturday, April 19. Tickets are $15. Opening night, Thursdays, and Group Tickets are $12. Tickets can be purchased online or through our box office at 530-642-0404.  The theater is located on the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville.

Oliver Audition Update - Fagin and Fagin's Gang

The role of Fagin is now open.  The role is open for Male, Age 45- 60.

 Fagin's gang is now open to those ages 8-16

We hope to see many new and familiar faces at the audition on April 26.

15 Days in Ireland this Summer

July 18- August 1, 2014

15 Days in Ireland.   No culture captivates like the Irish, Rich in folkloric tradition, full of literary treasures, covered with breathtaking green landscapes. Ireland is one of the most welcoming countries. Experience history at Blarney Castle, awe inspiring scenery along the Ring of Kerry and a creativie flair in the colorful Georgian Doors of Dublin. Trip includes round trip airfare, guided tours, hotels with private baths, breakfast daily, nine dinners, entrance fees to select attractions. Contact Lanny Langston at 530-903-6361 for more information about the trip.

Join the Imagination Theater Mailing List

Keep up to date on Imagination Theater events, shows, and auditions. Information is emailed about once a month--sometimes more during a run of a show. Your name is not shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.  Don't miss out on live theater in your community, sign up today!

Sign Up Today!


Email Address:






Email & Social Media Marketing by VerticalResponse

Shows, Auditions, and More!

Shows, Auditions & More Telling Good Stories           Sharing Good Times         with Good Company

Winter 2014 Edition www.imaginationtheater.net

You Can't Take It With You Tickets Available Now Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1937, Kaufman and Hart's comedic three-act play takes place in the mid-1930s and focuses on what happens when a family of conservatives clashes with an eccentric family of free spirits.   Shows on Thursday and Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. Shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. (except 3/29 at 7:00 p.m.) All Tickets are $15.  Opening Night, Thursdays, and Groups $12 Purchase Your Tickets Here Auditions are coming! Get the inside scoop on our 2014 shows! Clothing Fundraiser Clean out your closets while we clean out ours!   Imagination Theater is currently accepting clothing, shoes, belts, handbags and stuffed animals. All items must be tied in black garbage bags, but do not need to be sorted. You'll be helping keep 3.5 million lbs. of unwanted clothing from reaching our local landfills. The used clothing collected is prepared for shipment around the world. Now those in other countries get good, clean, useable clothing for pennies. What's not wearable is recycled and turned into industrial rags or shredded into fibers used to make new products. To read more about the process: http://www.californiaclothing.net/eco-friendly-clothing-cycle/ All bagged items need to be a theater no later than Tuesday, March 25. Drop off during box office hours or rehearsal times.   All proceeds benefit the theater.   Thank you to our generous sponsors As a non-profit organization (Tax ID #680448569), our sponsors are an invaluable resource to produce our shows.  Donations are tax deductible (less the ticket value) and keeps our theater thriving and ticket prices affordable in our community.  In addition to recognition through our website and show programs, sponsors who contribute $250 and more receive season tickets. Director Level - 6 Season tickets Musician (500 Club) Level - 4 Season Tickets Actor Level - 2 Season Tickets If you have not already done so, now is is great time to become a sponsor.  We have some great shows planned in 2014:  You Can't Take It With You, Our Town (Readers Theater), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Oliver!   Thank you for your support! Join or renew today! Ad Space Available in Spring Program Target your advertising dollars!  Space is now available in the spring show program for You Can't Take It With You.   Sizes range from business card size to full page ads.  Simply email us your ad in jpeg format.  For additional details, contact boxoffice@imaginationtheater.net Audition: Our Town, March 23 at 6:00 p.m. A Readers' Theater of Thorton Wilder's classic Our Town adapted to Placerville in 1901. Seven rehearsals. Parts for adults and kids ages 12+ Performances: April 30-May 2 Learn More Audition: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, April 19, 9:00 am Auditions include improvisation and cold readings from the script.  This is a non-musical production for adults and kids 8+ Show Dates: Sept. 5-29 Learn More Audition: Oliver! April 26, 9-Noon (Kids Vocal) and 1-4 p.m. (Adults) “Food glorious Food” and “Where is Love?”  are just two of the popular songs from Lionel Bart’s lively musical based on Charles Dicken’sOliver Twist. Show Dates:  Nov. 28-Dec. 21 Learn More IT CAST Party this Saturday If you have been involved in an Imagination Theater production on stage or behind the stage, this group is for you. The IT CAST (Committed Alumni Supporting Theater) is going Old Hollywood glamour this Saturday at the theater.  The Talent Show is full of variety and as always, some surprises!   Don't miss the fun Saturday Feb 22, 6-9pm!  To get on the alumni mailing list, contact ImaginationTheaterCAST@gmail.com "Consider Yourself Part of the IT! Family" Purchase Your Imagination Theater Shirt with the names of all the shows Imagination Theater has produced in the past 15 years on the back.  This shirt is sure to be a favorite!  More details will be available soon on how to order. 7th Annual Affair to Remember Fundraiser Mark your calendar now for Friday evening, August 15 from 7:00 - 10;00 p.m. for our annual silent and live auction event. We expect another fantastic evening with entertainment from the cast of Oliver!

IMAGINATION THEATER IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE  EL DORADO COUNTY CHAMBER OF  COMMERCE, THE EL DORADO ARTS COUNCIL, THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY THEATERS,  ASCAP,  AND THE SACRAMENTO REGIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION (SARTA).   OUR MISSION IS TO TELL GOOD STORIES WELL IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF TRUST, RESPECT, PERSONAL GROWTH, & CHALLENGE

Contact Us | Phone: 530-642-0404 | boxoffice@imaginationtheater.net

Unique Opportunity at California Musical Theater

CALIFORNIA MUSICAL THEATER SEEKS DESCRIBERS

Audition for the opportunity to be the eyes of many who are blind or visually impaired in the Sacramento area.  Successful candidates will train for the opportunity to describe productions for both the Broadway Sacramento season and the Music Circus! 

AudioVision, Inc, a recognized pioneer in the field of audio description, will conduct the training on our behalf.  It is aimed at actors and others who wish to learn audio description; the art of describing visual media, theater performances and art exhibits to the blind and visually impaired for work in Sacramento.

The ideal candidate will have excellent spoken and written English language skills, outstanding vocabulary, clear enunciation and articulation, and the ability to observe, write, and think objectively.

The training will be held at the offices of California Musical Theater, 1510 J Street, Ste 200, Sacramento, CA 95814 during the week-end of March 22 and 23.  Cost is $100 for the two day training.  Those successfully completing the training will be employed describing productions in both the Broadway Sacramento season and the Summer Music Circus productions. The California Musical Theatre audio description program is on-going.  All materials and equipment are supplied.

Please complete a California Musical Theatre employment application on our website at www.californiamusicaltheatre.com.  For more information regarding audition preparations and requirements, please contact Barbara Haig at 916-446-5880 ex 147 or bhaig@calmt.com.

Get to Know a Little More about "You Can't Take It With You" (Spoiler Alert)

Wit and Wisdom of Grandpa Vanderhof by Wade Bradford (About.Com)

You Can't Take It With You has been delighting audiences since 1936. Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, this Pulitzer Prize winning comedy celebrates non-conformity.

Meet the Vanderhof Family:
"Grandpa" Martin Vanderhof was once part of the competitive business world. However, one day he realized he was unhappy. So, he stopped working. Since that time, he spends his days catching and raising snakes, watching graduation ceremonies, visiting old friends, and doing whatever else he wants to do.

The members of his household are just as eccentric:

• His daughter Penny writes plays simply because a few years ago "typewriter was delivered to the house by accident." She also paints. Easily distracted, Penny never finishes a single project.
• His son-in-law Paul Sycamore spends hours in the basement making illegal fireworks and playing with erector sets.
• His granddaughter Essie sells candy and has been clumsily attempting ballet for over eight years.
• His grandson-in-law Ed Charmichael plays the xylophone (or tries to) and accidentally distributes Marxist propaganda.

In addition to the family, many "oddball" friends come and go from the Vanderhof house. Although it should be said, some never leave. Mr. DePinna, the man who used to deliver ice, now helps out with the fireworks and dresses in Greek togas to pose for Penny's portraits.

So, What's The Appeal?
Perhaps America has been in love with You Can't Take It With You because we all see a little bit of ourselves in Grandpa and his family members. Or, if not, perhaps we want to be like them.

Many of us go through living up to the expectations of others. As a college teacher, I meet a surprising number of students who are majoring in accounting or engineering simply because their parents expect them to. Grandpa Vanderhof understands the preciousness of life; he pursues his own interests, his own forms of fulfillment. He encourages others to follow their dreams, and not submit to the will of others.

In this scene, Grandpa Vanderhof is headed out to chat with an old friend, a policeman on the corner:

Grandpa: I have known him since he was a little boy. He's a doctor. But after he graduated, he came to me and said he didn't want to be a doctor. He had always wanted to be a policeman. So I said, you go ahead and be a policeman if that's what you want. And that's what he did.

Do What You Love!
Now, not everyone favors Grandpa's happy-go-lucky attitude towards life. Many might view his family of dreamers as impractical and childish. Serious minded characters such as the business tycoon Mr. Kirby believe that if everyone behaved as the Vanderhof clan, nothing productive would ever happen. Society would fall apart.

Grandpa argues that there are plenty of people who wake up and want to go to work on Wall Street. By being productive members of society (executives, salesmen, CEOs, etc) many serious-minded people are following their heart's desire. However, others may wish to march to the beat of a different xylophone. By the play's end, Mr. Kirby comes to accept the Vanderhof philosophy. He realizes that he is unhappy with his own career and decides to pursue a more enriching lifestyle.

Grandpa Vanderhof VS. The Internal Revenue Service
One of the most entertaining sub-plots of You Can't Take It With You involves the IRS Agent, Mr. Henderson. He arrives to inform Grandpa that he owes the government for decades of unpaid income tax.

Grandpa has never paid his income taxes because he doesn't believe in it.

Grandpa: Suppose I pay you this money-mind you, I don't say I'm going to do it-but just for the sake of argument-what's the Government going to do with it?

Henderson: What do you mean?

Grandpa: Well, what do I get for my money? If I go into Macy's and buy something, there it is-I see it. What's the Government give me?

Henderson: Why, the Government gives you everything. It protects you.

Grandpa: What from?

Henderson: Well-invasion. Foreigners that might come over here and take everything you've got.

Grandpa: Oh I don't think they're goin to do that.

Henderson: If you didn't pay an income tax, they would. How do you think the Government keeps up the Army and Navy? All those battleships...

Grandpa: Last time we used battleships was in the Spanish-American War, and what did we get out of it? Cuba-and we gave it back. I wouldn't mind paying if it were something sensible.

Don't you wish you could deal with bureaucracies as easily as Grandpa Vanderhof? Eventually, the conflict with the IRS is light-heartedly resolved when the United States Government believes that Mr. Vanderhof has been dead for several years!

You Really Can't Take It With You
The message of the title is perhaps common sense: All the wealth we amass does not go with us beyond the grave (despite what Egyptian Mummies might think!). If we choose money over happiness, we will become stuffy and miserable just like the affluent Mr. Kirby.

Does this mean that You Can't Take It With You is a comical attack on capitalism? Certainly not. The Vanderhof household, in many ways, is the embodiment of the American Dream. They have a wonderful place to live, they are happy, and they are each pursuing their individual dreams. For some people happiness is yelling at Stock Market numbers. For others, happiness is playing the xylophone off-key or wildly dancing a unique ballet. Grandpa Vanderhof teaches us that there are many pathways to happiness. Make certain you follow your own.

As for myself, there's an old typewriter in the garage... I think I might work on a new play... or maybe take up the electric guitar... or put on a sock puppet show... or maybe...

Tickets are now on sale for You Can't Take It With You at Imagination Theater.  Tickets are $12-15 and can be purchased here.

Time for Some Spring Cleaning! Clothing Fundraiser at Imagination Theater

Clean out your closets while we clean out ours! Imagination Theater is currently accepting clothing, shoes, belts, handbags and stuffed animals. All items must be tied in black garbage bags, but do not need to be sorted. You'll be helping keep 3.5 million lbs. of unwanted clothing from reaching our local landfills.

The used clothing collected is prepared for shipment around the world. Now those in other countries get good, clean, usable clothing for pennies. What's not wearable is recycled and turned into industrial rags or shredded into fibers used to make new products. To read more about the process: http://www.californiaclothing.net/eco-friendly-clothing-cycle/

All bagged items need to be a theater no later than Tuesday, March 25. Drop off during box office hours or rehearsal times. All proceeds benefit the theater.